Only 1,318 students applied for the cost of living supplement (COLS) last year, yet 1,500 awards were available for the roughly 3,000 student currently at UCSF.

“It’s funny how a brush with mortality and debility can make you realize how fortunate you are. A couple years ago, during my last year of college, I was skiing with some friends near my hometown in Ohio. (What? You can ski in Ohio?

“Every year, dental students at UCSF organize a day of free dental care for kids in the community.

“I initially got interested in research as I wanted to have a broader public health impact beyond the bedside, and realized that research was one way of applying that.

It’s hard to believe that only five and a half months ago I anticipated sacrificing all free weekends, dreaded walking up the seriously underestimated hills of San Francisco, and walked into class with nonexistent anatomy knowledge among other thi

“Growing up in a more rural area of California, I was always curious about the greater world. I found the diverse array of customs, beliefs, and for some reason politics across the globe to be fascinating.

“I go to sleep at 10 and wake up at 5. I try to eat healthy and to avoid eating out on the weekdays at all costs. People laugh at me saying, ‘girl relax, eat what you want, and just live life”.

“I caught the travel bug as a college freshman. There was an opportunity to volunteer over the summer break. I had rarely traveled and thought I couldn't pass on the opportunity.

"I have always been concerned about the harms of secondhand smoke, especially since I was diagnosed with asthma at a young age.