Scholarship Essay - Desire to Become a Scientist

Ever since I could remember, I have always wanted to become a scientist. That craving to understand the mysteries of the universe has been one of the most passionate desires of mine since I was a toddler. I can still recall laying in my bed, staring at the ceiling, and wondering why some people had crooked teeth while others didn't. The question "How?" always echoed within my thoughts. When I entered school, science and mathematics quickly became one of my most favored subjects. In my mind, they were the most logical and precise. The answers they provided were based on fact, not human intuition. As I matured, I grew to enjoy the systematic mechanics of the human body. Within months, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to enter college with the intention of graduating with a Ph.D. in genetics. It is my hope that with such a degree, I would be able to pursue a career in medical research. I would like to have that chance of contributing in a cure for the common cold, or maybe some of the most troubling viruses which inundate our society today. Unfortunately, such an ambition requires money to achieve. Finances are a strong factor in my family, and I realize that my college choices need to revolve around a simple fact: Can I afford it? My mother has provided for my private school education since I entered kindergarten. With each passing year, it becomes harder and harder to continue providing for this kind of education. My mother, who currently works two jobs that could often extend beyond fourteen hours a day, sacrifices a number of luxuries just so that I could finish my thirteenth year in private school. My younger brother is currently attending public school with the hope of transferring into a private school once finances can accommodate it.
These are the sacrifices that they make for me; I acknowledge this fully. Though my mother intends to continue paying for my education, I know very well that this is close to impossible. With graduation