New Tritons Look to Make Their Mark

Story by:

• Jen Jordan- [email protected]

Published Date

Victoria Salazar

Sociology/Law
Muir College

UC San Diego is proof that I've turned setbacks into strength. But detours aren't failures: they're preparation.

I'm studying sociology to understand the structures that shape society, and psychological science to understand the individuals within it. Together, they will give me the tools to ask better questions and work toward real solutions. I want to work in criminal intelligence and child advocacy, protecting vulnerable children and breaking cycles of neglect and poverty. For me, this is about using my story as proof that even when the system counts you out, you can still come back, break barriers and create change.

My interest in sociology and psychological science comes from lived experience, not textbooks. I've seen what happens when systems fail families. When I became a mother, I realized how important it is to understand people and the systems around them.

Being a mother meant I needed a school where I could balance responsibility and ambition, and UC San Diego's environment offers that. I want to show my daughter that the future is ours to claim, no matter how unlikely it may look at first.

I'm excited about starting a new chapter of my life, both for my family and myself. I'm looking forward to the stability and opportunities that will come. More than anything, I'm happy knowing that our lives are moving in a good direction and that my daughter will get to grow up watching us build something better together.

Isaias Garcia

International Business
Revelle College

At home in Laguna Niguel, Calif., I was taking care of my physically disabled mother. However, after years of struggling, we found someone to care for her so that I can reach my goals of attending UC San Diego.

Kristina Ybarra

Clinical Psychology
Muir College

When I was stationed in Germany and my time in the military was coming to an end, I knew I wanted to continue my education and pursue my passion in medicine. I had a mentor in the military who told me to research becoming a physician assistant (PA) and see if it interested me.

When I got out of the military, I took a general psychology course at a local community college in Florida, where I'm from. I found myself doing extra research to understand the topics we were covering more thoroughly. Once I finished the class, I wanted to learn more and pursue my degree.

I came across UC San Diego while researching different schools that offered PA programs. I learned that the school leads the way in medicine and research, and they were launching a PA program. I knew then I had to be a part of UC San Diego and began taking every step possible to prepare myself for the rigorous studies.

Transitioning to civilian life was rough, so becoming a prime candidate for admission to UC San Diego was harder than I expected. It was also hard to decide to come here and leave my family in Florida after being stationed in Germany for four years. But it was a decision that ultimately everyone supported, and I'm so excited to have the full university experience.

Mia Rodriguez

Neurobiology
Eighth College

I've dealt with chronic migraines since I was five years old. My experience with compassionate, patient-centered providers opened my eyes to the impact a good physician can have, especially for young patients and their families. I want to support and uplift patients during some of their most difficult moments.

>I'm planning to pursue a career in pediatric neurology to be the kind of doctor who makes a real difference in the lives of children facing neurological challenges, just as someone once did for me.

From the start, I was drawn to UC San Diego's strong science programs and numerous opportunities for hands-on experience. My family has always encouraged me to push through obstacles and follow my passion, and that support, alongside guidance from mentors in healthcare, helped me realize that UC San Diego was the place where I could grow into the kind of doctor I want to be: one who combines science, empathy and real-world impact.

At UC San Diego, I want to push myself, gain new knowledge and develop skills that will prepare me for my future career. I'm especially excited about the opportunities the university offers, from research programs to internships and clubs. I plan to get involved as much as I can to make the most of my time here.

Jaiden Vinh

NanoEngineering
Marshall College

Marvel movies first piqued my interest in nanoengineering. They integrated the technology into crucial parts of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, such as Spider-Man's and Iron Man's suits, and I learned how useful and practical it can be.

In the future, I want to integrate this technology into virtual reality goggles and potentially include it in something small and convenient as a pair of glasses. I envision one day implementing VR into schools, allowing kids to learn through firsthand experiences and immersive learning environments to make learning more fun and memorable.

As UC San Diego is one of the top-ranked public universities, I knew that it would provide a great education and a variety of opportunities both during school and after I graduate. The campus itself is also a huge selling point for me. I fell in love with it: the architecture, the library, the places to go, and, of course, the on-campus Target. My brother went to UC San Diego so I was able to visit and tour the campus with him, making San Diego already feel like a second home even before applying.

I look forward to putting myself out there, meeting new people and making a name for myself. I am excited to succeed, fail and surround myself with people who want to be just as great as I do. I was a very reserved and cautious person in high school, but I believe that starting college will give me a chance to start anew and become the person I want to be.

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