Cooper Branch
2028
San Diego, California
Evolutionary Anthropology & International Comparative Studies
Hi! My name is Cooper Branch and I am a Duke freshman majoring in Evolutionary Anthropology and International Comparative Studies. My dream of becoming a doctor was fairly recent. It was not until I took Chemistry at my High School back home that I fell in love with the world of STEM. My teacher at the time pushed me to explore this new found passion and I soon found myself participating in pre-college medical and science programs, volunteering at blood drives and more. However, I always knew that I wanted to dedicate my life to others, I just never knew how. When I was little my brother was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, which turned myself, my brothers and my immediate family's world upside down. I remember visiting him while he was hospitalized for it and all I could ask was "what can I do to help?". It was at that moment I knew my life was meant to support others, and with the help of amazing teachers and opportunities to explore intellectually I found that I want to do so through healthcare. Today I can proudly say that I am an aspiring doctor, and am making steps towards that dream through working at hospitals, volunteering at clinics, and advancing my certifications!
“Cardea has become my home. I have met lifelong friends, been welcomed into a caring community, and am everyday being pushed to be the best student, individual and future medical professional I can be.”