Undergraduate / "Fall seven times, stand up eight" - UC application prompt #1 [6]

Describe the world you come from - for example, your family, community or school - and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

My parents always stressed the importance of working hard and getting a good education. Growing up in the Philippines, where the rate of illiteracy, unemployment and the incidence of poverty is precipitous, motivates me greatly to focus on my education and better my future.

I was fortunate enough to have the chance to study abroad when my family moved to the United States in 2006. Although adjusting was difficult, from the language to the culture, I was determined.

My family moved around the United States many times, from Texas to California, in search of better jobs. Truth be told, I disliked Los Angeles at first. Middle School was horrid-I was introverted and timid, so it was difficult to make friends. It wasn't until the summer of seventh grade that I became more outgoing and sociable.

Everyone says high school is the time when you discover yourself-and I agree. I entered high school oblivious and undecided of my future. All I cared about were getting good grades, but my mother always encouraged me to try new things. I tried out for cheerleading, and surprisingly made it. Cheerleading became my escape from stress, but I unfortunately had to stop because of scoliosis. I visited my pediatrician multiple times because of my injury. During one appointment while waiting for my doctor to call my name, I noticed how melancholic the other children were around me. Then, after they visited the doctor, they had a smile on their faces. I knew then I wanted to be just like my doctor.

I struggled during my junior year of high school. My sister and I have always had a close relationship, but I never knew she would keep her sickness from me. My sister was diagnosed with depression and at times she would have tantrums because of it, and she'd end up hurting me. When I told my parents, they explained that she wasn't herself and to forgive her.

I told two of my closest friends about my sister, but it was my positivity and relationship with God that helped me surmount difficulties.
My sister is still under treatment, but with time she's getting better. She gave me a book full of quotes and this is my favorite one, "Fall seven times, stand up eight," a Japanese proverb. I'm pretty sure I've fallen on my face more than seven times from stunting in cheer, but this quote might also mean that no matter how difficult obstacles in life might seem, it is possible to defeat them. I'm no longer the oblivious, flimsy freshman. I'm a senior in high school with a set future of becoming a pediatrician.

Scholarship / Inspirational Mom; Jeff Krosnoff Scholarship/Inspiring poem [NEW]

In the past, we have asked you what song or poem inspired you and why. This year we want to broaden the topic to include anything that truly inspires you. Be honest and open. (For example, a song, a poem, a movie, an event historical or otherwise, a book, a field of study or a person.)

Some days I wake in the middle of the night to find my mother checking papers of her students or working on projects for her school. She is not only a wonderful teacher, but also a remarkable and inspirational mother.

My mother tells me stories of her childhood in the Philippines and how difficult it was to have lived in poverty. Her family owned a restaurant. When she came home from school, she had to help attend at the restaurant. My mother was only in primary school at the time, but she excelled in balancing work and school. In fact, she graduated as a valedictorian at her high school. She studied hard in college in order to give us a life in America. She inspires to me to do better in school so I can provide a better life for my future family and buy my mother the house of her dreams.

Apart from having a beautiful mind, my mother also has a beautiful heart. I've never met a much kinder and altruistic person than her. I remember how my sister and I used to fight all the time about sharing a computer. One day, I came home from school and there was a brand new laptop on my bed. There was a note as well, "Here's a brand new laptop. Stop fighting with your sister, okay? Love, Mom." I still have that note to this day, and it makes me smile whenever I look at it. My mother is also a part-time mediator between my sister and I whenever we have our fights. Also, once every few months, my mother makes cheesecake to give to some of our neighbors, and I can see how happy my mom makes those people.

Mother is not only kind, but also encouraging. I can't think of one event where my mother hasn't been there to cheer me on. When I used to be in cheerleading, and we'd have competitions, my mother would always be there in the front row with my dad holding signs and balloons. Also, in the leadership program I'm a part of, my mother would always drive me to the meetings early in the morning and pick me up super late at night. There are times when I'd fail at some of the things I joined, but my mother would be there to say it's okay and that trying my best is succeeding. She is also aware of my passion to be a pediatrician, and she supports me a 100%.

My mother is the type of person that can light up a room. She's always making people laugh, and I swear she tells the best stories. There are times when I feel my sickest and saddest, but my mother is always there to comfort and nurture me. She also gives the best advice and many people come to her for them.

Besides my mother's nurturing, I also admire her ability to cook. I'm always there to watch her whenever she's cooking to sample her dishes, eat leftovers, or help her clean up. She's the one who inspired me to cook, and if I do say so myself, I'm excellent at it. Cooking is our way of bonding and unwinding.

Although I get along with my mother well, there are times when I dislike her decisions and we end up arguing. These arguments, however, are what make our relationship stronger. Honestly, I can be stubborn and arrogant, but it inspires me how well my mother knows me so well and put up with my difficulties.

I'm very fortunate to have my mother. She's taught me to be kind to others and to try my best in everything I pursue. She is my role model, and she's made me the person I am proud to be today.