Undergraduate / "my father has (has not) shaped my dreams and aspirations" - prompt 1 help [2]

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.

I find myself having to think of one special occasion in which my father has shaped my dreams and aspirations but I just cannot. It's not because there have not been any moments but quite the opposite. His whole life has shaped my dreams. Seeing my father's dedication to his job, marriage and family has pushed me to be the person that I am. Someone who pursues their dreams, strives for the best and never gives up.

Ever since my father moved to the United States from Mexico he has been working extremely hard to make a living. Once I was born he had to work two jobs in order to support my mother and me and ever since then I have been able to see the dedication in his eyes. He always works extra hours and even on holidays in order to raise more money. Five years ago he settled in his job as an electrician. In this job he found himself having to take the state exam which he must pass in order to receive his electrician's license. Although my dad is not fluent in English he went out and bought a lot of books in order to prepare for his test. He passed his exam and received his license. Yet his simple strive for excellence surprised me and I knew that I had to grow to have that same characteristic.

My father is also an excellent father. He has done an exemplary job at raising my sister and me by always being there when we need him. When I had problems at school he would discuss with me and come to an outcome which we both agreed with. He is not only my father but he is one of my closest friends that I can depend on. He always discusses with me about the future and how I must always fight for what I want. That I must be just like him but better because he didn't have the opportunities that I have.

My dad has simply been more than a dad to me; he has been one of the greatest influences in my life. He has taught me right from wrong and one day I dream to be like him; an intelligent person with the career that I strived for. I want to be the F.B.I. agent that my dad couldn't be because of his conditions. Through his work and efforts my dad has taught me to keep working on the things that I want and to always continue ahead no matter what obstacles are in my path.

Undergraduate / what my dad has been preparing me for my whole life - UC prompt 1 [3]

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.

After seventeen years I begin to see what my dad has been preparing me for my whole life. To be an independent woman who can succeed and achieve her goals. My father has always been my idealistic role model. He is an intelligent man as well as a hard working person. No matter what mistakes I have made in life he has always been there to help me and correct my wrongs. He wants the best life for me, the one that he strived for but because of his conditions as a foreigner could not accomplish. My father has definitely given me the ability to strive for the best and aspired me to have a positive outlook in life.

Beginning about twenty years ago my father moved to the United States in search of reaching the American Dream; to succeed and strive for his goals. As a hard worker he had many jobs in order to earn enough money to live a calm life. Two years after he moved he met my mother and soon after I was born. In order to gain enough money to raise me, my father had to work two jobs and he rarely ever got enough rest. Soon enough my mom got pregnant again and sadly at the same time my dad lost his job. This is when times got rough and we all had to pick up card board boxes in order to earn a couple of dollars to pay our rent. Luckily a couple of months after he was able to get a stable job and help my family and me earn a living. Fifteen years after I find myself having to succeed in life and I am aiming for the highest to make my father happy. All his fighting and restless nights was so I could attend school and become a smart young lady. Now that I have reached the time to apply for colleges I remember my dads words "never give up" and so I will not. I will make him as well as myself proud and will succeed and earn the life as well as career that he never could. I will definitely fight and strive for a perfect life and it is all thanks to my father.

Undergraduate / "I had to reach the finish line." - Help with Prompt 2 [2]

Prompt:Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

I would like to know if i head toward the right direction? Thanks!

The adrenaline was rushing through my body as my heartbeat sped up during my warm up. My arms numb and my legs were fragile like glass preparing to fall and break. It was time; we had to walk towards the start line. Flag up, then down! Go! We all ran up like a stampede of animals pushing and shoving attempting to get to the front. The first mile was fine, nice and smooth like any other but then my ankle pain reappeared. A strong and sharp pain struck my ankle and I suddenly felt like giving up. But then as I began to walk I heard a shout from the crowd, "Ixchel!" I looked up and saw my light, thin coach cheering me on. I shouted back "it hurts I have to stop! I'm giving up." At that moment I saw her face in disappointment and suddenly it hit me. I had to keep going, keep looking forward and not give up. I had to reach the finish line.

It was cross country league finals. Pierce College looked a little fuller than usual as more than twenty schools were there to compete. I spoke with my other teammates as we contemplated on the chance of moving on into running the city finals. I knew we could do it but only if we gave it our all. I just kept repeating to myself "never give up, don't give up".

It was time for our warm up and I had to make sure to stretch my ankles and knees extra carefully so they wouldn't give me too much difficulty. I counted down the seconds although it seemed like an eternity to my race. I was nervous! I saw kids covered in water, dripping in sweat, wrenching in their own perspiration. They were done, they had finished their race. Their nightmare was over, now it was my turn.

I walked towards the start line. I desperately looked around for my coach and then I finally spotted her. I looked right towards her and said; "I don't think I can do it, it's too hard."

She smiled and said "there is no such thing."
It was time, I had to get prepared. The flag goes up and then slowly down. Let's Go! I began as usual not sprinting my first mile but setting my pace. I ran one circle around the field, I was getting closer to the sign that said two miles, but then out of no where a sharp pain attacked my ankle. I knew this pain, it would come and go during so many prior races but it just couldn't happen in this one. I kept jogging trying not to give up but I just couldn't I wanted to give up. However, all the training, all the scrapes and cuts, all the practice, it was worth it I knew I had to keep going. As I ran behind my school rivals I began to make my way through them one by one. I left them behind and before I knew it I had finished the race. Not only that but I got sixth place in league!

After my race I ran to my coach yelling "I did it! I did it!" repeating it over and over again. I was still soaked with sweat all over my body although I didn't care because nothing else besides the fact that I had finished mattered. My coach just grinned and said "I knew you would, you're a strong athlete and always life up to your challenges."

A grin came across my face I knew we had made it to city and not only that but we won league! As we received the trophy's I sensed that tears were coming down my cheeks. It was the first trophy I had ever earned.

In the end of my race I had realized that although many times I want to give up in life I just can't. I have to fight for what I want and if I want to win I must try hard. Throughout my life I know that plenty of things will get in the way in order to scare me off but I mustn't lose hope. If I fall and make a mistake I can't back down I have to fix the mistake and move onto fixing another mistake. That's just how things are learned and winning sixth place and league helped me realize this. I am a dedicated, strong and hard worker.