Jean Amargos, a freshman biology/pre-med major born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, graduated from Bentonville High School with his mind set on attending the University of Arkansas. Since coming to Arkansas, Jean has experienced both opportunities and challenges. In addition to being an accomplished scholar, he selflessly commits his time to caring for his younger cousin, diagnosed with autism. From this, he has learned the importance of perseverance and resilience. Instead of being deterred by the Honors College admission requirements for incoming freshmen, he saw this as an opening to work harder to make his dreams come true.
Question: What inspired you to pursue a degree in biology? Why not business like your older sister, or some other degree?
Answer: Actually, for half of my high school career I wanted to be an environmentalist. Then I took AP biology and that course changed my way of thinking towards medicine or biology. The nervous system was most interesting to me, so I want to go to medical school and specialize in neurology.
Question: When did you start to care for your younger cousin? How has that affected you?
Answer: I believe he was diagnosed with autism when he was two, or maybe before that. I know that when he was two, they moved here to Arkansas for my aunt’s work. I usually saw him on vacation sometimes. I traveled here once or twice, and they traveled back to Puerto Rico once or twice as well. Then the chance came up after I graduated eighth grade. They asked would I like to come study here [Arkansas] for ninth grade and try a new experience. I said, ‘Yeah sure, I’ll try it. If I don’t like it I’ll go back to Puerto Rico and study there.’
After freshman year, it was so great, I decided to stay. Then I started helping my cousin out because it was difficult – he doesn’t have a really severe case of autism, his is mild – but it’s still tough to deal with the situation. He started changing when I was here, and I’ve been such a great help to him. I admire him and all of his strengths and how he does in school. It’s like a mutual help. He helps me be more patient and more focused.
Question: Why did you choose to join the Path Program? What do you see as the overall benefit from joining?
Answer: My main goal for college was to get into the University of Arkansas. I did not have the ACT requirement for the Honors College, so my first semester goal was to get a 3.5 to get into the Honors College. From there, I was going to graduate with honors and then go to medical school. Then I got an email saying that the Path Program was interested in me, so I read about it and it said I could ultimately transition into the Honors College. I was happy and excited that I got the chance to be a part of the program. Then I found out when we had the Meet and Greet that we [the complete Path cohort] are the actual first group to do the program. It’s a great opportunity and I’m thankful. It’s going to provide the help we need with all of the mentors and all the events that the Honors College is hosting.
Jean visits with Bob McMath, dean emeritus of the Honors College and a supporter of the Path Program. Photo by Kristen Coppola.
Question: How do you feel about the cohort? What were the others like?
Answer: I thought it was great the way that we were like tricked, you could say, into using teamwork and finishing that story and how we got engaged. I could see how some people are more forward than others when talking, and some are more shy but then transitioned into talking with everyone. It was a great experience getting to meet everyone in Path, and talking with our mentors. I really connected with our peer mentor Fernando. We have the same major and stuff. It was good. Good networking. I can definitely share the tools and motivate people to join the Path Program.