Staying Active and Academic: Cooke Scholar Sarah Schwab
Sarah Schwab is a first-generation college student at the University of California, San Diego. With the support from the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, Sarah is building upon her scientific knowledge and research abilities as a Chemistry/Biochemistry major.
“I would love to be in a lab creating and modifying analytical machines used in modern science and medicine,” says Sarah. This means creating new tools that monitor the body’s function, in the way that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are commonly used to normalize an individual’s heart rhythm during a heart attack.
Sarah’s passion and positive spirit extends beyond academics. In addition to her studies, she is learning to sail a Lido 14 and enjoys playing music, surfing, painting, welding, working on cars, lifeguarding, and volunteering.
Like all of our Cooke Transfer Scholars, Sarah will receive up to $40,000 per year for up to three years while she completes her bachelor’s degree. The scholarship program also provides opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding.
Sarah has become part of the thriving community of Cooke Scholars. She shares an example of how her peers provided support after a particularly rough day: “Texting the Cooke Scholar group chat, getting an immediate response, getting amazing feedback, finding the other Cooke Scholar on campus, them giving your good insight, going to class the next day, understanding the professor a little better, walking home, and smiling.”
Sarah encourages other community college students to overcome any personal doubts and take a chance on the application. Her scholarship advice is to be yourself: “There is nothing more unique and fun to read than a personal statement that is written in the voice of the student.” We agree!
Enjoy the support of a scholarship and a thriving community! Apply today:
