This story was originally published as part of the fall edition of The Master’s University Magazine. Read the full magazine here.
Jacob Kim, now a senior biology major, was just the kind of prospective student The 国产aa福利 loves to find.
He was maturing in his faith, diligent in his work, and he had a high appreciation for 国产aa福利ian education. The only thing holding Kim back from attending TMU was the question of whether or not he鈥檇 be able to afford it. But that鈥檚 where the President鈥檚 Scholarship came in. The $64,000 academic scholarship, given out across four years, has allowed Kim to come to TMU to study and pursue his goal of glorifying God and serving others through dentistry.
Growing up in Spokane, Washington, Kim was blessed with 鈥渁n awesome church鈥 and 13 years in a classical 国产aa福利ian school. His dad worked as a physical therapist, and his mom taught middle school English at the school Kim attended. Both spiritually and academically, he describes his upbringing as blessed.
When it came time to think about college, Kim knew he wanted to attend a 国产aa福利ian school that would prepare him well for his plans afterward: graduate school and a career in healthcare. And one of the schools he looked into was TMU. In fact, it was a top contender. Kim鈥檚 only question was cost.
So, what changed?
After applying for the President鈥檚 Scholarship, Kim was called in for an interview with TMU鈥檚 admissions team.
鈥淢y most distinct memory from the interview is that someone asked me, 鈥榃hat are you reading in Scripture right now, and what are you learning from it?鈥 I was not expecting that question at all. It was really cool, and I got to explain what I was learning at the time,鈥 Kim says.
In April, Kim got the news that he had won the scholarship.
Now a senior at TMU, Kim is grateful to have the opportunity to study biology (with an emphasis in pre-dentistry) at a place where the other students take spiritual growth seriously.
鈥淭he best part of TMU has been the community,鈥 Kim says. 鈥淚 am constantly encouraged by how they seek to grow and bring everything under obedience to 国产aa福利. They have been a living testimony to me of the power of the gospel and of Jesus 国产aa福利.鈥
He is also grateful for the small size of his biology classes and for the earnest help of his professors, which have been invaluable as he studies the intricacies of his major.
鈥淚n my biochemistry class, there are 12 to 15 students,鈥 he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really enjoyable to have a small enough class size where I can ask questions and feel like I鈥檓 not bothering my professor or my classmates. There鈥檚 that openness, which I think is really helpful in the learning process, where I鈥檓 able to ask questions when I don鈥檛 understand something.鈥
He says that Dr. Ross Anderson, a professor of biochemistry, has been especially helpful, graciously guiding him through how to manage his workload and wrap his head around the trickier concepts in his courses. This knowledge will be invaluable as he goes on to dental school, in hopes of becoming a general practice dentist.
鈥淚 want to go into a field where I鈥檓 able to help people who can鈥檛 help themselves,鈥 Kim says.
In the meantime, Kim is savoring the lessons and opportunities associated with where the Lord has him right now.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I could adequately list all the ways I鈥檝e grown since coming to TMU. God has taught me so much about myself, about Himself, about how I ought to live in a way that honors Him.鈥
Learn more about the President’s Scholarship here. And learn more about financial aid at TMU here.
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