Zetseat

Hello, I'm Zetseat, a 14-year-old currently enrolled at The Preuss School UCSD. I live with my three sisters, my mom, and my dad. I was born and raised in Ethiopia. In pursuit of a better life, my dad immigrated to America in 2008. By that time, I was already born. While I was in Ethiopia, I primarily stayed at my grandmother's house while my mother dedicated herself to learning and work. After a few years, my dad returned to visit us and began the process of sorting out our paperwork so we could move to America.

I moved to San Diego at the age of five. When I arrived in America, I barely knew any English, and I was often teased. Consequently, I started getting into trouble because I would fight back. During my time in elementary school, I was considered a troubled kid, and my academic scores were not good. I almost gave up until I visited Ethiopia after completing fourth grade. Witnessing the struggles people faced there to obtain a good education made me realize how fortunate I was to attend school without worry. When I returned to San Diego, I began working harder and striving for success.

Growing up, I had a strong interest in fashion, but my greater passion lay in helping others, particularly those who were underprivileged. I never believed I could make a significant difference in the world until I witnessed my full potential unfold during middle school. I consistently achieved straight A’s and realized that I had the ability to create positive change. I developed an interest in both engineering and law, but I was uncertain about which path to pursue. To explore my curiosity about the legal system, I became involved with Model United Nations (MUN). Simultaneously, I engaged with Young Echon, an organization dedicated to assisting young individuals interested in STEM fields.

In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball. I hold a crossover position, participating in both JV (Junior Varsity) and Varsity teams. Basketball is not just a sport for me; it's an opportunity to develop teamwork and communication skills. Moreover, I play an active role in my church, finding a special interest in tasks related to media. I am also involved in Reality Changers (RC), a program dedicated to supporting first-generation students from low-income backgrounds.

I want to pursue my undergraduate studies at UCLA. Furthermore, I aspire to attend either Harvard or Yale Law School for my legal education. I would greatly value the opportunity to work with Bridge for Kids. This opportunity would enable me to purchase a computer and materials essential for enhancing my engineering skills. Currently, I share a computer with my older sister, and having my own laptop would eliminate the need to seek permission. Acquiring materials to enhance my engineering abilities would not only facilitate my personal growth but also deepen my interest in the field of engineering. My top schools that I want to attend are IVY league schools, this means that I would need money to get SAT and ACT preparation. I also want to work towards visiting schools in the East and West coast so I can have more options when I apply to different colleges.