Hi everyone,

My name is Karen Lam and I currently live with my family in Astoria, Queens. The three things I value the most are my family, my academics, and my time. Before coming to Baruch, I attended school at Brooklyn Technical High School. Having been at such a competitive school, I have been surrounded by highly motivated students for most of my high school career. As a result, my grades became one of my top priorities. The other two, although they have always been important to me, has always been placed below my academics until two years ago.

During my junior year of high school, my family and I received news from my grandmother that my aunt has been diagnosed with Leukemia. This news had shocked and impacted our lives even though we live an entire ocean away. Up until that point in my life, as far as I’m concerned, tragic events like this only occurred in movies and books. At first, an aura of gloom hung around our house. But at some point, it became one of hope and acceptance. This experience helped me to live life one day at a time, cherish every opportunities I receive, and most importantly value the time I am privileged enough to have especially with my family.

I expect college to be a rewarding experience not only in that I earn a degree but also in helping me develop as an individual. I hope I am able to maintain a high GPA and improve on my work ethics. Hopefully, along the process, I would discover what I would like to pursue after college.

PS: For those wondering, my aunt made it past all her medical treatments and she is living as normally as she can.