Alice Brader

I am an average student, I have ADHD and a low-working memory, and it takes me three times as long to complete homework as other students. In spite of this, my GPA is 3.24 and I am one of the most ambitious students you will meet (who else spends their weekends watching “Brain Games”?). Going to college will help me fulfill my biggest goals of becoming a neuroscientist and studying the coolest thing in the world - the brain! I would love to understand more about the brain, why some children have learning disabilities, and how they can still kick butt in school. I would especially like to answer the biggest questions about how the brain works. For example, why are some children born with many talents and abilities, while others struggle? Are we really only using ten percent of our brain (and is that why people do stupid things sometimes)? Most importantly, does the brain have the ability to expand its learning capacity and turn me into a genius? People have been trying to uncover the mysteries of the brain for centuries - from what I’ve learned, the brain has been studied since 4000 B.C! I can’t believe people still haven’t figured out how to teleport or become invisible.

All jokes aside, it was once said, “If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.” I disagree with this statement because when you have a low working memory, no matter how hard you try, you might still struggle in various things; the key is to work smart versus hard. Children with low- working memory should learn to use other strategies that would help them succeed. That is why I want to go to college and learn more about the brain - from getting more knowledge on this topic, to being able to help children overcome these challenges. I have a vision of myself fifteen years into the future, standing on stage, speaking to hundreds of middle school children, telling my story and inspiring them to be patient and persistent. My story would be one that can give hope to children with