Hobbies and interests
Classics
Chemistry
Writing
American Sign Language (ASL)
Arabic
Henna
Reading
Thriller
Short Stories
Adventure
Romance
Mystery
I read books multiple times per week
Rahma Abbas
1,105
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FinalistRahma Abbas
1,105
Bold Points1x
FinalistBio
Hello! My name is Rahma, and I am a first-generation college student and immigrant from Ethiopia. I am deeply passionate about learning and plan to major in Chemistry on the pre-med track, with hopes of either attending medical school or becoming a pharmaceutical consultant. I am also dedicated to improving the representation of FGLI (first-generation, low-income) students in STEM fields, and I am working toward making a positive impact in that area.
I currently serve as a Freshman Representative on my school's Muslim Student Association, where I work to spread knowledge about my religion and organize both fun and educational events. Additionally, I am involved with the organization Matriculate, where I assist high school students in learning about college and navigating the application process. Alongside my studies in Chemistry, I have a strong interest in Classical Studies and plan to minor in it.
In my free time, I enjoy baking for charity at my school's Coffeehouse and reading books.
Education
Emory University
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Chemistry
Minors:
- Medicine
Eleanor Roosevelt High
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Chemistry
Career
Dream career field:
Hospital & Health Care
Dream career goals:
Doctor
Receptionist and Event Planner
Emory University2024 – Present1 yearServer
Coldstone Creamery2023 – 20241 year
Public services
Volunteering
Books and Brownies — Baking for charity2022 – 2024Volunteering
Emory University — Baker2024 – Present
Charli XCX brat Fan Scholarship
The nature versus nurture debate is something I’ve struggled with my entire life. Two people who grow up in the same conditions can end up completely different, but why is that? Is it because of small but significant differences between the two that we might overlook, or are we simply born with specific traits and personalities? Charli XCX's song Apple from her album Brat delves into the nature side of this debate.
The song unfolds in three main sections. The first expresses anger and resentment. Charli XCX writes, "I guess the apple don’t fall far from the tree, 'Cause I’ve been looking at you so long now I only see me." This lyric encapsulates the feeling of seeing the worst qualities in your parents (qualities you swore you would never adopt) and suddenly realizing you already have. You’re more like them than you could have ever imagined, and that realization stings. It’s frustrating because, while you want to blame your parents, they too are just like you and learned these traits from their own parents. It feels like an unbreakable cycle that will only end in pain.
In the next section, she writes, "I guess the apple could turn yellow or green, I know there’s lots of different nuances to you and to me." Here, Charli is coming to a deeper understanding. While adopting the qualities of our parents may feel inevitable, it doesn’t have to be a negative thing. People aren’t one-dimensional, and traits aren’t inherently good or bad. Adopting your father’s anger can teach you to listen more carefully, to avoid jumping to conclusions, and to approach arguments more peacefully. Thus, the apple may turn yellow with patience instead of red with rage.
In the final section, she sings, "I think the apple’s rotten right to the core, From all the things passed down from all the apples coming before." This lyric conveys both anxiety and acceptance. She realizes that she’s not just a product of her parents, but also her grandparents and those before them. Generational trauma is a painful, inescapable cycle. Understanding this has allowed me to give both myself and those around me more grace, because I realize we are all doing our best with the cards we’ve been dealt. However, this understanding also brings a burden: if those who came before me couldn’t break the cycle, how can I? While there’s no clear answer, the song gives me a space to feel understood. It perfectly captures my inner conflict without forcing me to come to a definitive conclusion about what to do next. Generational trauma is part of my reality, but that doesn’t mean I have to act on it immediately. Sometimes, I just want to “drive all night” and escape my problems for a while. Apple is a thoughtfully written song that allowed me to do just that.