Michael Chinn
Pleasanton, California
The Clorox Company Foundation Scholarship, 2010

Growing up, I never thought twice about attending college. My parents, grandparents, and other relatives all wanted me to go to college. So naturally, I made it my goal through middle school and high school to get accepted into a college. During the second semester of my senior year, I was accepted to the University of California at Davis, and I made the choice to attend this school. I distinctly remember my fear and excitement the day I moved into the dorms. I had no idea what to expect or what to do. I was taking my first step toward the real world.

It turns out the real world is hard work and can cost a lot of money, and college is no exception. Soon after arriving at Davis, I found how difficult college was going to be. On top of classes, meeting new people, and adjusting to the dramatic change in lifestyle, I began to realize the financial struggle that attendance at a university presented. As I bought my books and other school supplies, I began to feel guilty. My parents were paying for my college; they had started saving from the moment I was born. They had supported me for my entire life, and I was just seeing how expensive living could be. In order to overcome my ignorance, I wanted to help them pay for my tuition, and I figured the best way to do that was by applying for scholarships.

When I was awarded the Clorox Company Foundation Scholarship, I could tell my parents were truly proud of me for my achievements, with the added bonus that they would be saving money on my college tuition. I felt that I had finally accomplished something, other than being another expense in my parents' checkbook. This scholarship meant a lot to my family and me, and I am truly thankful for it.

With my degree that The Clorox Company is helping me to obtain, I hope to graduate as a biochemical engineer major, and go on to graduate school to get a Ph.D. Hopefully, my work in graduate school will lead me to interesting and exciting jobs in the biotech field. I find it fascinating how much there is to learn in all disciplines of science and engineering, and I hope to someday to make a contribution to this reservoir of knowledge with a discovery of my own.

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