Scholarship / 'My academic success stems from math and science'. Suggestions on the content and how to improve it. [2]

Since a very young age, math and science have been the main subjects from which much of my academic success stems. Both of these subjects have given me the opportunity to learn the new language that both fields have to offer. Such languages are like any other language, but there is one difference. Unlike other languages, math and science are universal. Many people, if not all, are somewhat familiar with the language that revolves around both subjects. It is for this reason that I have always excelled in these subjects. Another reason why I have excelled in math and science is because I have known these languages throughout my entire life. My skills in math and science have traveled with me to America, a place where English is the dominant language. The skills that have accompanied me on this journey have enabled me to assimilate to the American culture by giving me the tools necessary for success.

As was mentioned before, math is a language unlike any other. This language is one that opens an individual to a world where reality is far beyond simplicity. In other words, a person who has a strong foundation in math is able to picture out the numerical computations that have gone into the construction of a project. Such ability is one that, without a doubt, takes time and practice. Both of these components are the ones that I use when it comes to math. I never stop challenging myself, even when the courses I take prove to be an unbearable challenge. Because mathematics is a subject that demands critical thinking, I make sure that practice is always in my schedule. Such practice is seen whenever I go to the store. I force myself to make mental computations of the things that I purchase before the cashier does it for me. In doing so, I am able to train my brain to think without relying on someone else. The restless nights that I spend practicing skills beyond my level is something that I would never change. The set of lens that I have gained with math by challenging myself with courses, such as calculus, have allowed me to gain confidence in taking risks. This is another factor to which I attribute my success in math. The courage that I have to take risks despite the potential failure that may arise in the future. However, failure is not something that I guide myself with. I always try to keep my mind fixated on the idea that I will succeed. I never underestimate all that I can bring to the table, especially when it is related to a subject like math.

Likewise, the language of science has changed the way that I perceive the world. Of the many fields that science has, I have only been able to expose myself to the physical and life sciences. The main courses that I have taken within these two branches include chemistry and biology. Another route in the science field that I have also exposed myself to is research. As little as it seems, the amount of knowledge that I have amassed in these areas is far more than what I had ever imagined. Much of what I know is due to the amount of interest that science sparks in me. Like math, science requires a student to have an inquisitive mind. In other words, one must be willing to ask questions that arise from bewilderment. In asking those questions, a student is able to learn at his/her own pace. Because of this, questioning everything around me is a factor that goes into my success in science. Whenever I am confused about a topic, such as the origin of the universe or what makes us human, I strive to ask questions. The beauty of asking these questions is the fact that the answers I receive help me get back on track. In respect to being involved in science research during the summer, I see those opportunities as a way to challenge myself. Challenges like these are the ones that feed my hunger for knowledge. These challenges do not completely satisfy my hunger because whenever a person is deeply devoted to a particular subject there is no end to learning. Learning simply becomes the fuel that feeds our unceasing hunger.

Nevertheless, the success that I have encountered with math and science has been the result of dedication and the love that I have for both subjects. Both of these subjects have allowed me to live life differently by giving me the opportunity to question all that surrounds me. It is for this reason, that I strongly look forward to a career in the STEM field. As a college undergraduate, I hope to continue challenging myself with courses and internships that put my math and science skills into practice. One of the many courses I hope to master is physics. Opening myself to the world of physics will give me the ability to study the mechanisms that play a part in how airplanes fly. In doing so, I will be able to accomplish my dreams of becoming an airline pilot.

Scholarship / Discuss the subjects in which you have had difficulty. What factors do you believe made it difficult [3]

Academics has been a strong motivator in my life. However, this motivator was not always my biggest strength. Believe it or not, I have had a lot of difficulties in many academic subjects. Much of this difficulty springs from my academic years in elementary school as well as migrating from another country. Coming from a country where English is spoken little to none and United States history is rarely taught, proved to be my biggest challenge. After being enrolled in elementary school, the challenges that English and history instilled in my life only began to worsen. Both of these subjects were now part of my curriculum and there was nothing that I could do to stop learning them. The worst, however, was seeing how the students around me were skillfully proficient in history and English. I remember when teachers used to call on them to read stories that they read like a memorized song. Likewise, the students would recall historical dates and events that only proved to baffle me.

As many immigrants in the United States, my parents' search for a life with richer opportunities was something that tremendously affected me. The reason for this was because, as a child, moving away from everything that I knew was beyond shocking. I was only seven years old when I had first set foot in an American school. Such experience proved to be a challenge of its own because I had to assimilate to a completely new life. With this new life also came the task of having to learn a new language. However, my own vulnerability fed me with the strength to persevere. Every day after coming home from school, I remember going straight to my room and scouring through the many English books that my mom had bought me. I forced myself to read one book each night by sounding out new words. Whenever I came upon a word that I did not know how to pronounce, I would write it down and take it to my teacher the following morning. This habit continued all the way throughout elementary and middle school. Upon reaching high school, I faced a new challenge. This challenge was making sure that I understood what I was reading. I was realizing that being able to read something was one thing, but comprehending it was completely different. In fact, this skill is one that I still continue to refine. Many of the struggles that I had faced while learning English, however, began to dissipate with time. My writing began to take more shape and style because of all the practice I had been exposed to. I saw the partial end of this struggle in seeing myself take A.P English Literature as a junior in high school. The course was a challenge, but all the things that I learned made my struggle appear, far more, enriching.

History has always been a subject where memorization and practice have played a painful role. It is this that makes history a challenge for many students across the world. I identify myself with many of those students. Since middle school, history classes have been a dreadful pain for me. Such pain originated from lacking the skills necessary to commit facts to memory. Another factor that contributed to my struggle with history was the lack of interest that I had for the subject. I never really understood the purpose of studying history in life. Such indifference was what made my grades in all of my history classes plunge to nearly failing grades. This, however, changed for the better by the time I had reached seventh grade. As a seventh grader, the guidance that I received from my teacher, Mrs. Daniels, was beyond helpful. She would always tell me that success in history does not come from having an interest or disinterest in the subject. One must focus on the purpose for why one studies history. She once told me, that in order for my grades to improve in history I had to have a goal in mind. I began to see the goal of graduating from college and becoming an airline pilot as something to reach for. Apart from that, I began to connect personal experiences with events in history in order to help me recall memorized facts. Such skills proved to bring a significant amount of success throughout many of my high school history courses. Challenging myself with A.P United States history was one of the best things I had ever done. My exposure to college level history proved that Mrs. Daniels's advice was working. My grades jumped from seventies to high nineties. There were times when I would walk out of a high school history class with only two points away from one hundred. This improvement demonstrated me how strong perseverance and dedication can be in helping a person overcome their worst struggle.

Overall, the challenges I had to face with English and history were extreme. I was able to enhance my skills in both subjects. Likewise, I was able to overcome the vulnerability that at one point fed my hunger for learning and also kept me behind. There is still a long road to go and I know that it will not be easy. Continuing to better my skills in these subjects will take a lot more than just perseverance. There will be many other struggles that I will be forced to endure. However, there is an essence in struggling. I have realized that struggles help us grow. It is for this reason, that success is much sweeter when life strikes us with struggles that seem impossible to overcome. Once we overcome them, life becomes a story of lessons learned.

Scholarship / Unfairness at the jewelery store - describe a situation when you or others were treated not right [3]

Briefly describe a situation in which you felt that you or others were treated unfairly or were not given an opportunity you felt you deserved. Why do you think this happened? How did you respond? Did the situation improve as a result of your response?

As a Latino immigrant, I can say that there is one common goal that my family and the families of many other immigrants in this country share. That goal is the desire to better our lives and the lives of those we leave behind. Although, in the beginning, this goal is nothing more than a dream, our drive is so strong that the sacrifices we make are valuable in and of themselves. After all, the sacrifices we make are the ones that teach us life long lessons. Through these lessons, we encounter many memorable experiences. However, memorable experiences are not the only things we come across on our journey towards this goal. There are times when situations lead us astray. Racism, for example, is one of the many obstacles that nearly most, if not all immigrants experience. In my case, racism was something that both my family and I had encountered at a local shopping center. This incident not only proved the unfairness with which the individual involved was treating my family and me, but also the still prevalent nature of this issue within our society.

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon when my aunt, Modesta, my parents and I decided to go out in search of a birthday gift for my grandmother, who was turning 75. I remember the slight frustration that my aunt and dad were showing on their quest to find the perfect birthday gift. We drove from store to store searching for something that would not only be memorable, but that would also leave a lasting impression on my grandmother. My aunt's and dad's desire to get her the perfect gift was so strong that, I was starting to get annoyed of their argument about what to buy my grandma. They were driving me crazy, especially my mom, who pretty soon became the intermediary between both of them. After seeing the spectacle argument that both my aunt and dad give whenever they cannot agree with each other, my mom came up with the perfect solution. She decided that a golden ring and necklace with my grandma's name engraved in it would be the ideal gift for this occasion. Both my aunt and dad agreed, without any further argument.

We drove to the nearest jewelry store and entered without any hesitation. Upon entering, a white gentleman approached and greeted us. He asked us if we needed any help. My aunt quickly responded,"No, gracias." She assumed that the guy in the store knew Spanish. Unfortunately, this was not the case. He walked away for a while and then came back to the spot where we were standing. He fiercely stared at us. At me. My mom. My dad. My aunt. Watching our every move, as though we were going to steal something from the store. At first we did not pay much attention to him. However, his constant looks did not take long for us to notice what he was doing. During this time, my aunt had spotted the best design for the ring and necklace that we were going to give my grandma. Pretending as though nothing was happening, my aunt turned to the gentleman and asked him, if she could get the design on two sets of jewelry. Following this, came a stream of remarks wrapped in humiliation and disrespect. The gentleman responded to my aunt by telling her, that she could not afford that design on a two set jewelry piece. He also told us, that the store was not for someone of our economic status. He insisted that we were going to steal something and that he needed to keep an eye on us. As unusual as it seemed, these harsh words struck me like lightning. I began to feel not only inferior to the gentleman, but also worthless. He had created the worst image of us in no more than two minutes. However, we did not let his comments intimidate us. My aunt, on the other hand, decided that it was best for us to leave and not buy anything from the store. Despite the unfairness with which we were treated, we came out of the store with our heads held high. Proud of being Latino immigrants.

This was, by far, the worst experience that I had ever encountered in my life. The only good thing about this incident was the fact that I was able to learn how to approach problems like these. As my mother always tells me, respecting others is the only way out. It does not matter if we are respected or not: the only thing that counts is the character with which we approach those around us. After all, the image that we create of ourselves is what others will use to base their sense of judgement upon us. For this reason, one must always strive to carry oneself with dignity and respect.

Scholarship / By seeking leadership experiences, I've been able to learn to communicate and empathize with people [7]

Discuss a leadership experience you have had in any area of your life: school, work, athletics, family, church, community, etc. How and why did you become a leader in this area? How did this experience influence your goals?

By seeking leadership experiences, I have been able to learn to communicate and empathize with people. One of these leadership experiences was my involvement in The Love Kitchen after school program. With the central goal of helping students who have difficulties in academics, The Love Kitchen has been a place of growth development. My involvement in The Love Kitchen taught me the importance of helping those around me by guiding those who may feel lost.

My mother enrolled me in this program in middle school. She thought it could help my English improve. I spent three years attending The Love Kitchen and saw a tremendous improvement in my English. I also made friends who helped me break out of my comfort zone. They would constantly push me to participate in class and events that would purposefully expose me to large crowds. With the help of Mrs. Heights, the program coordinator, I expanded my leadership skills and my comfort with English improved. Her immediate response to my mother's call for help made me realize that there are good people in the world. Before migrating to this country, I thought that my family was not going to find a single person that would help us succeed and adapt to such a different world. Mrs. Heights showed me otherwise.

One year after I had been enrolled in The Love Kitchen, Mrs. Heights called me and asked me to volunteer in her program. She told me that it would be an amazing opportunity for me to reach out to students just like me who had emigrated from other countries. I decided to participate and spent three years tutoring these elementary and middle school students. From this experience, I gained responsibility and became less timid. I also gained confidence from helping young children who were being challenged with both academic and social problems. I remember one day when one of the students was talking to me about his troubles at home. He opened up to me and told me how his mother had separated from his father because he would spend his money on drugs and alcohol. I spoke to Mrs. Heights about the student's situation and talked her into arranging a fundraiser to help the student's mother pay her rent. Through this, I was able to realize the power each of us has to make a difference in the lives of others. We each have the responsibility of contributing to the world. I managed to discover these things at The Love Kitchen.

The skills I picked up in this program have given me the confidence to challenge myself and grow. My encounter with the student and my response to this situation have guided me to work hard and consider about out of the box solutions to problems. The leadership skills I gained in this program are ones I continue to employ in my future career. By having compassion and understanding people, I will be able to help others experiencing stressful situations.

Scholarship / Contributions to my community and what I have accomplished. [2]

Discuss your involvement in and contributions to a community near your home, school or elsewhere. Please select an experience different from the one you discussed in the previous question, even if this experience also involved leadership What did you accomplish? How did this experience influence your goals?

I vividly remember hurricane Sandy. The destruction that it caused on many people living on the East coast is something I'll never forget. It was hard to watch the news and see the way people's homes, cars and businesses were destroyed. Everything that people did for protection did not help prevent the destruction that had occurred. I also remember how many schools, including mine, had closed for an entire week due to flooding on streets and subway lines. All of these things not only led people to lose their jobs, but also many of their possessions. Horrified by the sights that I was seeing on the news, I began to think of a way for my school to get involved. I spoke to my school's principal about creating food drives, movie nights and even a Valentine's Day party. All of these ideas were carried out to help raise money for families who had lost everything.

Twice a week for four months, many students in my school opened their hearts and dedicated their time to volunteer in this club. As the person who had come up with the ideas, I began to create flyers and posters along the side of other students who had chosen to give a helping hand. Some of the students brought boxes from their homes, others brought bags full of goods, and teachers donated money. All of these actions, gave me a sense of gratitude in knowing that all adversity can be overdriven when individuals stick together. Week after week, the students and staff at my school worked vigorously to raise enough funds and goods for families who were left displaced. Whenever I felt tired, I would simply look through the glassed windows of each classroom to see the effort that all of the students were putting into their respective tasks. I would look at each student carrying boxes and think to myself of what would have happened if I had not come up with a way to get my school involved. The urge to help was so strong that many of the students within my school, including myself, would stay after school to get things done. Sometimes we would even volunteer on Saturdays and take the boxes, to families and local soup kitchens. Other days, we would wear shirts with a sign saying, "Relief Funds For Hurricane Sandy," and put up a stand next to the school. My dedication and the dedication of other students within my school was, indeed, helpful to many of the victims that were affected.

The skills that I had acquired through this leadership experience were far more enriching than what I could have ever asked for. By organizing and participating in this event, I was able to drive past my diffidence. I became more comfortable communicating with those around me and began to see life through a different lens. Like everyone else, I had the obligation to help people. In seeing all of the damage that was done, I was more than compelled to do so. I began to see myself and my family reflected in the many faces of those adversely affected. I also began to think of what might happen if my family were to be in the same situation as the families that I was seeing on the news. Would people reach out to us, or would they simply stay as bystanders, looking at the desperation on our faces? Such question was one that I continuously asked myself day after day. It was the constant asking of these questions that motivated me to contribute to the relief effort of Hurricane Sandy. In contributing to this effort, my lifelong goal of becoming an airline pilot began to strengthen. I began to see the potential that I had to lead others around me. Likewise, my commitment to this relief effort gave me the confidence to realize that I was making a difference. This experience had given me qualities that until this day no price can match.

With all of this said, my commitment to bring a sense of relief to families affected by hurricane Sandy was by far one of the best things I had done. Through this event, I learned the role of a leader in this world. I was able to see how a leader is not simply judged on his/her good looks or personality. A leader is judged on the commitment and sacrifice that such person exerts on acts that help to establish change. Only when a leader is able to do such thing, can one say, with confidence, that a leader fits more than the definition of the word itself. A leader, simply, becomes more than a guide. A leader becomes the person who knows how to navigate through failure and setbacks. All of these things contribute to the monumental efforts that come together to make life more valuable.

Scholarship / As a student, I have taken part in many after school and summer programs; non academic skills essay [2]

Other than through classes in school, in what areas (non academic) have you acquired knowledge or skills? How?

As a student, I have taken part in many after school and summer programs. These programs not only helped me improve my English, but also prepared me for college and life beyond. My involvement in summer research programs at universities has given me the opportunity to discover new aspects of science. Likewise, my involvement in community service activities has enabled me to perceive the world differently. By giving back to my community, I have learned important life lessons. One of those lessons is that even the smallest actions can make a difference. These lessons are essentials that one cannot simply acquire from sitting in a classroom. They must be acquired by being out in the world and experiencing the vividness of life.

For example, taking part in the HIRES-CUNY research program opened my eyes to all the great wonders of science. I learned about the many career choices that exist in the field of science. It is through this experience that I learned about a career in Aeronautical Engineering and applied mathematics. Furthermore, I learned how to work collaboratively in groups to accomplish an important goal. Learning this skill not only strengthened my work ethic, but also made the quality of my work much better. By working side by side with college professors and PhD science mentors, I have been able to pick up research and presentation skills. Some of the presentation skills that I have learned include: never losing sight of one's audience, always projecting one's voice, and maintaining good body posture. Although these skills may seem simple to carry out, they are not so simple for me, especially when I am presenting in front of an audience. However, the confidence that my mentors have instilled in me has allowed me to face these situations with confidence. With respect to research, some of the skills that I have obtained include: analyzing data, using laboratory microscopes, employing data on GIS (Geographic Information System), and acquiring computer science skills with python. Developing these skills has helped me become a better prepared, college bound student.

My participation in community service activities has empowered me to reach out to those around me. Whether it is by helping to clean up my neighborhood, volunteering at the local tutoring center, or helping to clean up parks, I have realized that being involved in helping others is a great way to learn. Through my involvement in community service, I have been able to cement strong values that will serve me in college and beyond.

Overall, these extracurricular opportunities have helped me grow tremendously. Through my participation in college research programs and community service activities, I have been able to handle ambiguity in the work field and be more open to change. Working in these settings has exposed me to different people and different working styles. This has been one of the most rewarding things that I have acquired by simply getting involved.

Scholarship / Tell us about something that may help us evaluate your nomination - need to enhance this response. [2]

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about that may help us evaluate your nomination (i.e., personal characteristics, obstacles you have overcome)?

I grew up in the West Farms neighborhood of the Bronx, a place where drugs, alcohol and crime were a daily plague on the community. As a result, I have struggled to trust people and make friends, because I do not want to be influenced by the negativity that surrounds me. Another reason why I stay away from the negativity around me is to prevent myself from being bullied. I have always feared being ostracized from a group simply because I have opened up and shared my life with the world. For this reason, I have never had the courage to speak about the world I come from. No matter how hard I push myself to open up to new people, I worry that I might get hurt.

Being an immigrant is one of the reasons why I fear opening up to new people. I have seen how people treat immigrants and the many obstacles they face in the United States. As a child of two immigrant parents, I know what it means to not be able to see your parents for hours that seem to go on without end. The worst part is realizing that they have to work long hours and multiple jobs not only to support a family of four in America, but also the family left behind. This is the harsh reality I had to face during my first years in America. I saw how my parents debilitated themselves night after night just to get food on the table. I also had to adapt to the idea of relying on myself and no one else. In a country where people could care less about what happens to you, learning to accept the reality of not having anyone to help you was quite shocking. For this reason, I was forced to grow up faster than normal. I was forced to take on adult responsibilities at the age of thirteen years old. By working at the local supermarket, I was able to financially help my parents.

Living in America as an immigrant has helped me grow up and taught me many things. One of those things is the importance of family. In my life, I have learned from my parents what it means to be respectful, and to dream big. When I think of my parents, I appreciate all my parents have given me despite their limitations. For example, they have always helped me study, despite their own inability to read and write in Spanish or English. They are the ones who have given me the purpose to work hard for my goals. Having them as role models helps keep me moving forward.

Apart from the support I have received from my parents, the lessons they have taught me have allowed me to appreciate life from a different angle. For example, not so long ago, my father was released from his job due to the closing of his factory. My mother had to work double shifts in order to earn enough money to pay the rent at the end of every month. I also had to dedicate part of my schedule to working part time as a tutor. This experience taught me the importance of sticking together as a family when facing hard times. She once told me, that a person's character is not judged on the qualities and/or abilities of that person, but rather on how well that person stands after falling. In this situation, we had fallen as a family. However, we still managed to get up and continue working hard despite how impossible it seemed.

Such is the world I come from. A world that has given me very little in material things, but an abundance in lessons and opportunities. All of these experiences have contributed to making me someone who persists, no matter the obstacles I face.

Scholarship / I need assistance correcting my response to the prompt what has most influenced me for the future [4]

What has most influenced your professional or career aspirations for the future?

Every time I see a pilot risk their life by helping people get to their destination, I cannot help but feel inspired. I look up to them and many of the times thank them for their service. In doing so, I show my appreciation for their work. Their work motivates me to pursue a career in the field of aviation. Another thing that indulges my interest for aviation is the beauty of flight. Flying is a magical experience that has the power to transform every child's dream into a reality. For this reason, I consider myself to be passion driven

Scholarship / Tightly packed responses; career impact, influential person, six qualities and leadership [5]

Please help me look at the content and word count of each response. I cannot seem to get each of these responses to 100 words each. Furthermore, I do not know if the responses I've provided measure up with what the questions are asking.

What has most influenced your professional or career aspirations for the future?(100 words max).

Flying is a magical experience that has the power to transform every child's dream into a reality. Having said this, every time I see a pilot risk their life by helping people get to their destination, I cannot help but feel inspired. They make it their duty to protect the lives of their passengers before their own and in doing so show how selfless they can be. Heroes like captain Chesley Sullenberger inspire me to see the strength and devotion a man can have when facing a seemingly inevitable disaster. His response to his particular situation is something that made him a true hero. This is one of the many factors that makes pilots inspirational. They look for the wellbeing of others and place more importance on the safety of their passengers. Such quality is something that makes flying so magical. For this reason their work motivates me to pursue a career in aviation.

Describe an influential person in your life, and how he/she has helped change your view of yourself and the world. You may use examples from your family life, community service or extracurricular activities.(100 words max).

Seeing my mother guide me despite her inability to read and write in Spanish or English is something that until this day continues to inspire me. Not long ago, my mother was released from her job because her factory had closed. Because of this, she had to find a job that would allow her to work double shifts to help pay the rent at the end of every month. Through this experience, my mother taught me the importance of never giving up. She did not have to teach me with words what I was able to see with her actions. From this situation I was able to learn how adversity always tries to pull one down. However, when a person confronts adversity with a sense of determination and motivation there is nothing one cannot overcome. Everything becomes easier to see and confront, which makes the blind on our eyes fall, thus allowing us to see where we step.

Some believe that a person of character demonstrates the following six qualities: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Pick one of these qualities, describe the value of this quality, and, most importantly, explain how you have exemplified this trait. (100 words max).

The value of self-respect is something we often take for granted. However, only when our self-respect is threatened can we discover its importance. Not so long ago, I remember buying my grandmother a gift for her birthday. I had come across a salesperson who insisted that I was going to steal something from the store because I was an immigrant. Despite the horrendous comments of the gentlemen, I decided that it was best to remove myself from that environment. By removing myself from this environment, I was able to show the value respect has in my life. I demonstrated having respect for myself and the individual who had discriminated me.

Describe a time when you were in a leadership position. What obstacles did you have to overcome? How did you overcome those obstacles to obtain your goal? (100 words max).

As a member of a club at my school, Community Leader's Club, coming up with a way that my school could contribute to the effects of hurricane Sandy was challenging. The reason for this was because neither me nor the other students in the club could think of a way to contribute to this cause. It took everyone in the Community Leaders Club about a week to come up with a solution on what my school was going to do in order to help victims of hurricane Sandy. We had explored all of the options that were laid on the table and nothing seemed good enough. With the help of my principal and Global studies teacher, who had advised that we create a fundraising, the students and staff in my school began to take action. Such challenge was essential to experience because it taught me the importance of what one chooses to do and the impact that such action can have on the community. For this reason, choosing the best way to help was crucial to the success of the club at what it was intending to do; help victims who had lost most if not all of their possessions.

Scholarship / 'nightly struggle to read stories' - this essay aims to describe myself the best way possible [2]

Write an essay which conveys to the reader a sense of who you are. Possible topics MAY include experiences that have shaped your life, the circumstances of your upbringing, the way you see the world or any personal theme which appeals to your imagination.

Does this response fit the prompt. How can I revise it to make it stronger?

Sometimes overcoming the barriers that life throws at us can feel daunting. We try to hide who we truly are in order to protect ourselves from the judgment and discrimination of those around us. In doing so, we end up drenched in fear to the point where escape is no longer possible. However, when we conquer our barriers we prove to ourselves that nothing can break our desire to keep moving forward. We also prove to ourselves that despite there being a cloudy day the sun will always come out and shine brighter tomorrow. It is this vision that keeps us from collapsing before ourselves.

Such is the case with my experience as an immigrant. Migrating into the United States from the Dominican Republic with my mother and sister was the biggest test of my life. At seven years old I had to leave behind my family, friends and the only neighborhood I had ever known. The hardest part was having to adapt to a new language and a culture that I was unfamiliar with. Within the first five years of living in the United States, my ability to translate words to English proved to be my worst enemy. There were times when my teachers would ask me to read out loud words that, no matter how hard I tried, did not make any sense to me. I would read and stumble upon the simplest words, such as kitchen, couch, and table. Students around me, who knew how to pronounce these words fluently, would giggle and cover their faces to disparage me. These moments did not stop until I had reached sixth grade. There were times when my teachers would scold those students who laughed at me and times when they would stand aside, in silence, disregarding the humiliating giggles of the other students.

During my early elementary school years, being laughed at because I could not accurately pronounce words was considered funny. I, however, saw this as an opportunity to show those who laughed at me that I could overcome this nightmare. I never got home with a tear rolling down my face because I knew that I had to be strong. I knew that I had to find the strength to peacefully fight off the giggles and rid myself off the language impairment that I had. I found such strength in seeing my mom get home from work late at night. Her commitment to support both my sister and I motivated me to want to learn English. By the age of ten I could speak English, almost fluently. All of this because of my nightly struggle to read stories such as, " Where the Wild Things Are" and "The Giving Tree."

Scholarship / What do you consider to be the most pressing global issue today and why? 25000 character limit essay [3]

Please help me look over this essay for a scholarship.( I need help with editing it and content). It is similar to one I have written for another scholarship, but this one carries a similar idea, dealing with racism. Below you may find the prompt.

What do you consider to be the most pressing global issue today and why?

Response:

Despite the seeming eradication of racism, the world continues to experience prejudice and discrimination. I, myself, have been a victim of the prevalent nature of this ongoing problem in today's society.

A year ago, I remember wanting to buy my grandmother a gift for her 75th birthday. My parents along with my aunt and me drove to the nearest jewelry store and entered without any hesitation. Upon entering, a white gentleman approached and greeted us. He asked us if we needed any help. My aunt quickly responded,"No, gracias." She assumed that the employee knew Spanish. Unfortunately, this was not the case. He walked away for a while and then came back to the spot where we were standing. He stared at us fiercely, watching our every move. At first we did not pay much attention to him. But it did not take long for us to notice him and feel uncomfortable. My aunt spotted the perfect ring and necklace for my grandmother. Pretending as though nothing was happening, my aunt turned to the gentleman and asked him if we could purchase the ring and necklace. The gentleman responded to my aunt by telling her that she could not afford that design on a two set jewelry piece. He also told us that the store was not for someone of our economic status. He insisted that we were going to steal something and that he needed to keep an eye on us. His words struck me like lightning. I did not feel inferior to the gentleman, I felt worthless. He painted a humiliating image of us as thieves, but we did not let his comments intimidate us. My aunt suggested that we leave and not buy anything from the store. Despite the way we were treated, we came out of the store with our heads held high, proud of being Latino immigrants.

As a Latino, there is one common goal my family and the families of many other immigrants in this country share. That goal is the desire to better our lives and the lives of those we leave behind. In the beginning, this goal is nothing more than a dream, but our drive is so strong that the sacrifices we make are valuable in and of themselves. After all, the sacrifices we make are the ones that teach us life long lessons. Migrating to America, dealing with racism is a sacrifice that many Latinos make. In my case, my family experienced racism at a local shopping center. This incident proved that racism is still prevalent and that there is a lot of work ahead. Only when we come together will we be able to victoriously yell out freedom.

Scholarship / This is an essay on the challenges that my peers and I have encountered. [2]

What are 3 of the biggest challenges facing you and your peers today? How can those challenges be overcome and what can you learn from them?( 1000 words or less).

Can someone please help me look over this essay. I need some help in determining if the challenges that I have chosen are suitable for this response. Also, please look over the spelling and wording, since this tends to be my biggest problem. Thanks.

The path from childhood to adulthood is fraught with many changes. Along with these changes comes the stress that peer pressure, bullying and the need to have good grades has on teens. All of these external pressures contribute to the many problems that teens are forced to experience in today's society. These same problems are the ones that both my peers and I have have had to confront.

Staying on top of the academic work at school can be challenging. However, creating step by step plans to help navigate through high school can help ease the stress one feels with the difficulty that's experienced in academics. Some of the steps that students should take whenever they feel apprehended by the tension that comes along with academics include: setting a specific schedule for studying by designating a specific place and time, participating in mind-relieving activities such as, yoga, or breathing techniques, and sleeping and eating healthy. Following a strict regime as this one will not only help students like myself diminish the stress that comes with academics, but also keeping a sane and healthy mind. Moreover, peer pressure is a force that tends to negatively affect both my peers and I at school. Because of the environment in which our school is located, we are constantly surrounded by negativity. With this negativity lies the heavy use of drugs and crimes that students around my school witness. Sometimes the influence is so strong that students from my school fall victim to the use of drugs, alcohol and violence. This is something that goes beyond our control thus we can only hold strong to persistence amidst a world that seems impossible to escape from. Situations like these are the ones that test one's character in light of hardships. The only thing that one can do is learn to see such problems with an open mind.

Bullying is something that no parent would ever want their child to experience. However, this is one of the worst teenage problems that affects millions of youths including my peers and I. Bullying causes fear in the minds of children, and makes them nervous going to school each day. Any form of bullying is relentless, causing the affected teenagers to live in a state of constant fear. Having said this, I was a victim of bullying in my school. When I first arrived to the United States being picked on because I could not speak English was quite shocking. Everyday I would go to school and find myself in an abyss of never ending laughter and mean comments. Students would constantly call me names and point me out as "the immigrant" with very little concern for the way I was feeling. However, this language barrier fed me with the strength to persevere. I never allowed the laughter that my inability to properly speak English broke among those around me. Such strength allowed me to continue improving my English by practicing on a daily basis. This same situation is one that I still witness in high school. Students in my school, especially those who come from other countries, are confronted with the constant abuse of their classmates who call them names and spew them with the same verbal insults that I was once hit with. It is for this reason that something must be done about bullying. Spreading awareness and knowledge of the many forms that bullying takes is not enough because the only things that matter when dealing with a problem like this are actions. We must unite and take legal actions in respect to this issue. Only with the help of the law will we be able to remove the blindfold that has kept us blind for so long.

Overall, the problems that come with peer pressure, bullying and the stress tied to academics are many. These same problems are the ones that in many situations lead teens my age to either drop out of school or fall a victim to crimes. However, this does not have to be this way. We can all work together to help teens continue studying and learn how to cope with the stress in their personal and academic lives. By learning how to connect with adults that can guide and show students the right path to success, we will be creating a better future for every teen in America. Such dream is one that I hold close. I would one day want to see how every child is treated equally despite of his/her ethnic background. Living up to see this world will not only bring happiness to me but also to those who share the same dream as me.

Undergraduate / A positive change in Dominicana. Summer Health Professions Education Program Diversity Essay [3]

Hello, Please help me edit this essay, which is for the Summer Health Professions Education program. I would greatly appreciate it if you criticize it as best as possible telling me where the essay needs improvement and what is good about it. Thanks in advance. Below you may find the prompt and my response.

Thanks

SHPEP seeks individuals who will advance the goals of diversity in the medical and dental profession, reduce health-care disparities, and/or improve health care to undeserved populations.

Coming from the Dominican Republic

Please share your experiences in one or all of these areas in the space provided below.

Coming from the Dominican Republic, I had been born in a very small and lower class family. We migrated to America, in search of a better life and opportunities that would transform the many struggles that we had been forced to endure into blessings. However, the truth of such move later proved to be only a facade. The symbol of greatness and prosperity that I would always hear others talk about America was not as such when my family and I had arrived in the land of the so called plenti and abundant. I suddenly realized that in order to succeed in America my family and I would have to work twice as hard as any other family mainly because the highest level of education that my parents received was that of a grade school education. Years passed and we slowly adjusted to living in America.

At the age of twelve, four years after my family had arrived in America, we decided to travel back to the Dominican Republic for the first time. I remember that as soon as we stepped off the plane and headed outside people, including children, were sitting along the passenger sidewalk with hats on the floor trying to coerce those who had arrived into giving them money in return for their cultural dances and songs. This only meant one thing and that was that the Dominican Republic was still the same place as I remembered. It was still a place where the disadvantaged were constantly oppressed and prevented from improving their lives for the better of society. Likewise, the Dominican Republic was still a place where the inequality between the wealthy and poor was still rampant and growing on a daily basis. Two days after our arrival, my mother, aunt and I headed to the country's capital city, as we were trying to buy some grocery for the week. Upon turning a corner, a young gentleman, who was probably no older than twenty five was sitting on the pavement along a wall desperately asking for money and food. I looked at his legs and noticed the level of swelling that they had and just stood there thinking about the pain that he must be feeling and whether he was able to walk. The level of sadness that I was feeling in that moment of time was beyond what words could describe. I was both puzzled and numb at what I was seeing. Nothing made sense, as I could not understand how there could be so much poverty in a city where lights illuminate every street-way, and a multitude of people pass by in luxurious cars completely indifferent to the level of suffering of many disadvantaged and lonesome souls. This is something that still continues to puzzle me. The reason for this is because I know that this situation continues to go unnoticed by government officials, the people who we citizens trust to improve the healthcare system and many other things within our society.

A week went by and the level of impotence that I was feeling about what I had witnessed in my own country was abysmal. Perhaps being born into a low class family helped me live and understand what struggle meant and the value that the smallest of things possess. Because of my family's social class, I was able to see the level of poverty that plagued much of the Dominican Republic. This was so much so that the same scenario I had witnessed before repeated itself, but this time in a hospital and in a more personal way. My mom had received a call telling her that one of her brothers was at the hospital with severe injuries from a motorcycle accident as a result of overspeeding. I remember how we rushed to the hospital in a Voladora, or speeding van as they are called in the the Dominican Republic, only to realize that my mom's brother had not yet been taken care of by the doctors because of the shortage in staff. I looked at the patient's waiting room and was awestruck by the number of patients awaiting to be taken care of. How could this be, I thought to myself. The only question that I found myself asking was, where are the doctors of this hospital? Nurses and doctors would sprint from one room to the next whenever they were called through the hospital's intercom, requesting their presence in different room. Everything seemed to be lacking order and cohesion. Suddenly, my ears were overtaken by a loud scream coming from a woman who appeared to be holding a sick infant in her arms. Did he die, I thought to myself. "What's going on," I asked my mom. However, she was just as clueless as the rest of us looking over. "He is not breathing," the woman yelled. "Please help me, please." I couldn't believe it. I had been a witness of a death that could have been prevented if there would have been more doctors and nurses available. Amidst the chaos, my mother called a taxi and took my uncle to a private hospital, where he was rapidly treated and kept in observation for two nights.

It is evident that experiencing both of these scenarios in one single visit to the Dominican Republic speaks of the rampant level of imbalance that continues to prevail in my home country. The saddest part of this, however, is that if nothing is done to help improve the healthcare system in the Dominican Republic, the situation will only continue to worsen. Laws alone will not be able to amend the many problems that persist. It will take more than just activists marching to lead the government to implementing better healthcare, better living conditions, and better trained doctors in their field. Until every citizen who has the luxury that others can only wish for step up and use their experience and power to effect positive change will the Dominican Republic be able to see a difference in the healthcare system. Now that my family has slightly risen up from poverty and that I have been blessed with bountiful opportunities, I feel that it is my duty and responsibility to give back, all with the goal of leading my country in the right direction.