Sophia’s immediate family members have a neurological condition which motivated her to want to go to Medical School. When time came for college, Sophia decided to go to Pasadena City College for financial reasons.

Sophia joins our podcast to share her undergraduate college journey, UG Research at Pasadena City College and UC San Diego, About winning the Goldwater Scholarship, and her advice for high schoolers.

In particular, we discuss the following with her:

• Overall Undergraduate & Research Experience
• Research at Pasadena City College
• Impact of UG Research
• The Goldwater Scholarship
• Advice to High Schoolers

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Introduction to Sophia Barber, UCSD [0:47]
• Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [2:08]
• Overall Experience [4:37]
• High School Interests [6:19]
• Pasadena City College [8:06]
• UG Research at PCC [10:18]
• Impact of UG Research [13:09]
• Research & Internships [16:37]
• Intro to Bio Research at UCSD [20:05]
• Goldwater Scholarship [22:06]
• Why did the GW Application Work? [25:08]
• The Goldwater Scholarship Difference [27:45]
• Tough Transition from PCC to UCSD [29:24]
• Peers & Profs [32:14]
• Research at UCSD [34:56]
• What’s Next? [36:09]
• About Awards & Scholarships [36:48]
• Skills Developed by Research [38:48]
• Advice for High Schoolers [44:37]
• Memories [47:36]

Our Guest: Sophia Barber is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Neurobiology at University of California San Diego. Sophia received the Associates degree in Biology from Pasadena City College. Sophia received the Barry Goldwater Scholarship in 2021.

Memorable Quote: “And so I think it's important when you're going to [a] lab to realize that you have just as much right to be there as everybody else. And that regardless of you know, you're going to make mistakes when you go in. And that's not a reflection on your person, your personal character or your abilities and lab because everybody makes mistakes. Yeah. And just, you know, enjoy the experience and work hard and it will pay off.”  Sophia Barber.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Similar Episodes: College Experiences

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