Question 1

Why does University of Pennsylvania matter to you?

Accepted Answer

The University of Pennsylvania matters to me because it represents the place where I can turn my experiences into advocacy for women whose pain is too often overlooked. After struggling with severe anemia myself, I became more aware of how many young women are taught to normalize exhaustion, pain, and health concerns instead of receiving proper care and support. That realization shaped not only my interest in healthcare, but my commitment to improving women’s health outcomes and ensuring patients feel heard during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

Through leading blood drives, organizing public health initiatives, and advocating for menstrual and gynecological health, I’ve learned that medicine is not only about treatment; it is about making people feel heard and cared for. Penn would give me the education and community to grow into a healthcare leader who can improve women’s health outcomes and advocate for patients on both an individual and systemic level.

Question 2

What do you plan to study, and what are you excited to do with it?

Accepted Answer

I plan to study nursing and economics with a concentration in healthcare management and policy through the Nursing and Healthcare Management (NHCM) dual-degree program at the UPenn School of Nursing and Wharton. I’m excited by the opportunity to combine clinical care with healthcare leadership because I want to improve not only individual patient experiences, but also the systems that shape them.

I’m especially interested in women’s health and the disparities many women face when seeking care. Through NHCM, I hope to better understand how policy, hospital administration, and healthcare economics influence patient outcomes and access to care. In the future, I hope to advocate for more equitable women’s healthcare while leading initiatives that make healthcare systems more compassionate, accessible, and patient-centered.

Question 3

What should people know about your journey to get here?

Accepted Answer

My journey to this point has been shaped by both personal hardship and a commitment to serving others. After experiencing severe anemia that nearly required a blood transfusion, I became more aware of how easily women’s health concerns can be overlooked and how life-changing compassionate healthcare can be. That experience inspired my passion for healthcare and pushed me to become involved in service and advocacy work throughout high school.

Since then, I’ve organized blood drives through the American Red Cross, advocated for menstrual equity, and balanced leadership roles while maintaining strong academics. As a child of immigrants, much of this journey has involved learning how to navigate opportunities on my own while carrying the hope of creating a more stable future for my family and community. Every challenge I’ve faced has strengthened my determination to pursue healthcare not only as a career, but as a way to create meaningful change for others.

Question 4

What does getting to attend this school mean to you and your family?

Accepted Answer

Attending the University of Pennsylvania would mean more than earning a degree; it would represent years of sacrifice, resilience, and hope finally turning into opportunity. As the child of immigrants, I’ve watched my family work tirelessly to create opportunities they never had themselves. Their sacrifices are the reason I’ve been able to pursue leadership, service, and academic opportunities throughout high school, and attending Penn would feel like honoring everything they worked for.

For my family, this opportunity represents stability and the possibility of creating a future where I can give back not only to them, but also to the communities that shaped me. For me personally, it would mean being able to pursue my goals in nursing, healthcare management, and women’s health advocacy at a place that would challenge me to grow into the kind of leader and healthcare professional I aspire to become.

Question 5

How would getting this funding change things for you?

Accepted Answer

Receiving this funding would make a life-changing difference for both me and my family. Although attending the University of Pennsylvania is an incredible opportunity, the financial burden of tuition and living expenses is overwhelming, and my family and I have spent countless hours worrying about how we will make it possible. This support would ease that pressure and allow me to focus more fully on my education, leadership, and service instead of constantly fearing the financial strain of pursuing my goals, especially since this dual-degree program is 5 years long.

More importantly, this funding would help make a path toward healthcare leadership and women’s health advocacy possible for me. It would be an investment not only in my education, but also in the communities and patients I hope to serve in the future through nursing, public health, and healthcare reform.

Question 6

Anything else you'd like to share?

Accepted Answer

One thing I would like to share is that service has always been at the center of my goals. Whether through organizing blood drives, advocating for maternal and pediatric healthcare, or supporting my community through the American Red Cross as an emergency medical responder and volunteer, I’ve tried to use every opportunity I’ve been given to help others feel supported and cared for. Those experiences reinforced my desire to pursue healthcare not only as a profession, but as a lifelong commitment to advocacy and compassion.

I also hope to show other young women, especially those interested in healthcare and leadership, that their experiences and voices matter. My journey has taught me that challenges can become motivation to create change, and I hope to continue using my education to make healthcare more equitable, empathetic, and accessible for future patients and communities.

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Help Jasmine get toUniversity of Pennsylvania

Jasmine's story

Back Jasmine's education

Backers2

Help Jasmine get to
University of Pennsylvania