Jason Sadowski

Sue Ann Berger Scholarship Essay

No other class had prepared me for AP chem. Not even normal chem, which I had taken the
year prior. This was because AP chem was the first class that illuminated the fact that I could
not study the night before, but had to take the time to understand the unit, in order to succeed.
For example, one of the first tests we took in AP chem was over redox reactions along with
determining acid-base conjugates from different compounds. I had studied my usual amount
and was able to do the calculations needed. However, the idea of acids and bases was still sort
of fuzzy in my head, but the test was tomorrow, and it was nine at night, so I decided to throw
caution to the wind, and wing it. The next day, while taking the test I noticed that most of the
questions on the test were not about redox calculations, but the principle and conceptual
elements of acid-base conjugations, and redox reactions.To put it simply, the final scores
reflected poorly on my overall grade. Although I did poorly on this test however, my interest in
chemistry not only as a subject, but a challenge, only grew.

After that first test, I made a promise to myself that I would only do better on the following tests.
To improve my test scores, I would study after school and during my off blocks. However, what I
studied fundamentally changed. I would study the calculations and how they worked in order to
understand how to do those few questions on the test, but along with this, I studied the theories
and principles that were within these calculations and ideas brought up in class. Learning more
than the surface level calculations involved in chemistry, not only deepened my understanding
of the science, but my interest in the science and how it is effects the world around me. My
interest in chemistry led me to the point where everyone that I knew was subject to my rants
about “how much more efficient the metric system is” along with unwanted lessons about voltaic
cells. So if it was not clear to everyone around me already, I was passionate about chemistry
and thus, I would like to study through the college level, and work in a physical science field as
an adult.

With my passion for chemistry and the other physical sciences. I feel that I am a great fit for the
Sue Ann Berger scholarship. Along with my love for science, I also have a strong work ethic,
and great critical thinking skills. With the money given, I plan to use it towards science textbooks
and college expenses that will further help me achieve my goals of becoming a chemist or
material scientist and be able to not only change the world around me, but understand the
principles of how it operates.