For DonorsFor Applicants
user profile avatar

Semira Abdussalam

1,835

Bold Points

1x

Nominee

2x

Finalist

Bio

Semira Salam is a fourth year kinesiology (pre-med) major; double minor in leadership studies and psychology, with 4+ years of work experience including, retail sales, customer management, healthcare, and community engagement. Through her studies and work experiences, she is focused on promoting holistic wellness, healthcare, and community reform. She is dedicated and passionate about her dreams, searching for any way to make being the first college graduate in her family financially possible.

Education

Hampton University

Bachelor's degree program
2021 - 2025
  • Majors:
    • Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
    • Medicine

Brooklyn Technical High School

High School
2017 - 2021
  • Majors:
    • Counseling Psychology

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
  • Planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Alternative Medicine

    • Dream career goals:

      Doctor of Medicine

    • Emergency Department Medical Scribe

      Riverside Hospital
      2024 – Present10 months
    • Site Supervisor

      Bridge Street Development Corporation
      2021 – Present3 years
    • Census Enumerator

      Bridge Street Development Corporation
      2020 – 2020
    • Medical Screener

      Octapharma Plasma
      2021 – 20221 year
    • Administrative Assistant

      Autesh Therapy Services
      2022 – 20242 years
    • Physical Therapy Tech

      Pivot Physical Therapy
      2023 – 20241 year
    • Guest Advocate

      Target
      2019 – 20212 years
    • Medical Receptionist

      SUNY Downstate Medical Center
      2019 – 20201 year

    Research

    • Medicine

      Hampton University — Research Assistant
      2024 – Present
    • Biomedical Sciences, General

      Medgar Evars High School — Research Team Lead
      2019 – 2019

    Arts

    • Royauté

      Fashion Design
      2020 – Present

    Public services

    • Advocacy

      Bridgestreet — Team Member
      2020 – 2020

    Future Interests

    Volunteering

    Entrepreneurship

    Wanda I. McLaurin HBCU Scholarship
    For as long as I can remember, I have always had a passion for medicine and helping others. One day I want to be able to give back to my community, challenging the stereotypes that are associated with it. I want to not only provide financial and medical assistance, but also work towards resolving the root of these social issues. Health, especially in minority communities, needs to be addressed from a holistic perspective. Our communities need more than just funding; The minds of the youth need to be cultivated correctly, guaranteeing prosperous futures. We need more affordable ways to receive healthcare; healthcare provided by more people who look like us. I work to be able to implement change in my community; so for once I can see a difference in what I saw growing up; so our future generations could have the opportunities that we didn’t. Throughout the last few years I’ve held various internships, positions, and volunteer experiences in both medicine and non-profit organizations. The more that I’ve had such experiences is the more I yearn to eliminate the prevalent issues in my community. This became the primary reason why I chose to obtain my higher education at an HBCU; to be reminded that there are people like me making an impact. Being surrounded by black excellence at my school everyday motivates me to want to give other people this opportunity. Not only do I plan on obtaining my medical degree to treat my community, but I intend on opening facilities, creating workplaces for people of color, and assuming leadership positions to establish healthcare and community reform. I have a generational curse to break, and I won’t stop until it’s broken.
    Manny and Sylvia Weiner Medical Scholarship
    For as long as I can remember, I have always had a passion for medicine and helping others. One day I want to be able to give back to my community, challenging the stereotypes that are associated with it. I want to not only provide financial and medical assistance, but also work towards resolving the root of these social issues. Health, especially in minority communities, needs to be addressed from a holistic perspective. Our communities need more than just funding; The minds of the youth need to be cultivated correctly, guaranteeing prosperous futures. We need more affordable ways to receive healthcare; healthcare provided by more people who look like us. I work to be able to implement change in my community; so for once I can see a difference in what I saw growing up; so our future generations could have the opportunities that we didn’t. Throughout the last few years I’ve held various internships, positions, and volunteer experiences in both medicine and non-profit organizations. The more that I’ve had such experiences is the more I yearn to eliminate the prevalent issues in my community. Not only do I plan on obtaining my medical degree to treat my community, but I intend on opening facilities, creating workplaces for people of color, and assuming leadership positions to establish healthcare and community reform. I have a generational curse to break, and I won’t stop until it’s broken.
    3LAU "Everything" Scholarship
    Anytime anyone asks me what’s my spirit song, I say “22” by Taylor Swift. With what goes in the world everyday, the feeling of wanting to give up on society is almost inevitable. We go through so much mentally but are still constantly told to keep going. No matter how much you feel like your world’s falling apart, the pressure of school, work, and the expectations of others never seem to go away. You feel lonely, sometimes free, other times happy, but most of all: we’re just confused. Instead of asking yourself why, or wishing things were different, sometimes you have to say “so what?“ while remembering that you only live once. I’d never wanna grow up and associate high school with depression and anxiety, but I could never deny those feelings either. What I want to remember is how magical I made life despite it’s misery.