Undergraduate / UC Prompt "From taking ELD classes for 5 years to taking my first AP class in high school" [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."

I came to America in 2002 at age 6 with no education, no background information on the country, no idea how to speak the language, and absolutely no friends. My family faced a lot of challenges as they decided to move to America. From my dad being disabled, my mom as a part time alteration lady, and constant financial problems. However, it was these challenges that provided me with the determination and dedication to work hard in school and have goals and dreams, one of which is to be the first in my family to attend college. There has been many challenging days and some unexpectedly beautiful days. From taking ELD classes for 5 years to taking my first AP class in high school, I knew I had come a long way from where I started.

One of my biggest struggles in high school was trying to balance my social life and academics. People knew me as the "shy girl" who was afraid to talk. I tried to overcome this problem by putting my fears aside and trying out for the basketball team. I fell in love with the game, and my second year of playing I made it to the Junior Varsity level! I will never forget how happy I was and how I built some of the closest friendships that I still have today. I knew I had to do something to prepare myself for college and since I had a goal to do well in school and go to college, I decided to join AVID (Advancement Via Individual) my freshmen year. AVID not only gave me confidence from all the different types of presentations we did throughout the years, but it was the reason why I challenged myself and took the rigorous courses in my school. The first time I set foot on a college campus was the time where I felt all the puzzle pieces in my life were finally coming together. I always loved when my friends would come to me and ask me to give them advice and tips on how to take good notes, or give them that little push when they felt like giving up. AVID gave me the foundation of what I should be doing and expecting out in the "real world" in order to succeed. Volunteering is one of my favorite things to do, every opportunity that I have come across I have participated in. I've been involved in The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life for the past 3 years and have also been a fundraising officer for AVID cabinet. Relay for life is an event that helps raise money and awareness to save lives from cancer. Even though, I don't have any close family members that have had cancer, I truly love being a part of something special. Being a fundraising officer was an incredible learning experience, it gave me the opportunity to become a leader and have a chance to give new ideas and ways to raise money mostly for bus trips to visit new colleges.

Never in my life would I imagine I would be the person I am today. I came to a world with nothing and made something from my education. My experiences and struggle of my parents have shaped my dreams and aspirations of becoming the first in my generation to attend college and further my knowledge and education.

Word Count:567

Undergraduate / People knew me as the "shy girl"; PERSONAL QUALITY [4]

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 came to America in 2002 with no education, no background information on the country, no idea how to speak the language, and absolutely no friends. I won't go into too much detail about that but I will say there were many challenging days and some unexpectedly beautiful days. From taking ELD classes for 6 years to taking my first AP class in high school, I knew I had come a long way from where I started. My family faced a lot of challenges as they decided to move to America. From my dad being disabled, my mom as a part time alteration lady, and constant financial problems. However, it was these challenges that provided me with the determination and dedication to work hard in school and have goals and dreams, one of which is to be the first in my family to attend College.

One of my biggest struggles in high school was trying to balance my social life and academics. People knew me as the "shy girl" who was afraid to talk I tried to overcome this problem by putting my fears aside and trying out for the basketball team. I fell in love with the game, and my second year of playing I made it to the Junior Varsity level! I will never forget how happy I was and how I built some of the closest friendships that I still have today. At the same time, I was also in a program called AVID(Advancement Via Individual Determination) and being in AVID not only gave me confidence in myself but also it gave me a reality check of what I should be doing in order to stay on top of my class and helped me set my goals and priorities through senior year. All my friends would come to me and ask me many questions about what I do to pass my classes or how I take my notes or if I can give them sources to research about colleges. Volunteering is one of my favorite things to do, every opportunity that I have come across I have participated in. I've been involved in The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life for the past 3 years. It is an event that helps raise money and awareness to save lives from cancer. Even though, I don't have any close family members that have had cancer, I truly love being a part of something special.

"In a world where there is so much to be done, I felt strongly impressed that there must be something for me to do." I believe and relate to the words of Dorothea Dix and I am looking forward to start a new chapter and journey in my life.