James Jean

I may not be the typical High Honors Student. But I have learned what it means to exemplify leadership. I experienced a rough patch in my Academic career, but I used my knowledge of my studies in Neuroscience and Psychology to accelerate my rebound back into excellence with a 3.938 GPA. It takes a powerful leader to prevent personal, physical and mental hardships from holding them back. I did just that. I took the reigns of my mind, body, and spirit to steer me toward success and overcome personal obstacles to positively influence others.

I graduated Ellsworth High School with a 3.7 GPA and was number 10 in my class rank, but this was not without additional negative factors. I was diagnosed with four mental disorders late in my junior year after suffering an illness which kept be from school for two weeks. This negative experience prompted my interest in psychology and neuroscience. Even though did well in my AP and advanced courses in Psychology, Statistics, and Chemistry, my first years at Viterbo University were difficult. So, I dropped out of classes, found a great job, and spent time developing techniques and applied the understandings of my field of study get on track.

After a year and a half of digging deep into myself, I got my head screwed on straight. Applied to the University of Wisconsin - River Falls Neuroscience program and earned a 3.938 GPA, while taking 16 credits, and working 20 hours a week. I no longer take any medications and replaced them with techniques, utilized to accelerate my learning, increase my mental and physical endurance, sharpen my memory, and improve my overall functioning as a student, athlete, employee, friend, and family member.

In this highlighted, comeback semester, I conducted multiple research projects, attended career specific conferences, and developed meaningful relationships with my professors. Mentorship played a key role in my success, but being receptive to and instigating these relationships was a learning curve in its own right. A proper leader does not only direct but is able to also receive direction gratuitously.