My mother always spoke to me about her childhood ; Long/Short term goals/Hispanic heritage

My mother has always spoken to me of her childhood, from roaming the streets of her hometown in Mexico to picking every field imaginable throughout the many countries of the United States. Like many Hispanics in the late nineteenth century my mother and her family received their U.S. citizenship by agreeing to work on farmer's fields. All the stories my mother has told me, have made me appreciate her and my Hispanic heritage even more. My mother continues to work hard to make sure my brother and I never have to go through what she did growing up. Moving from state to state, working twelve-hour shifts picking fields, and struggling from lack of money. The goals I have set for myself are not only from passion but to make my mother and every other Hispanic family that has struggled for their chance of opportunity in the United States, proud. With out their hard work I would not have the opportunity to pursue my dreams in the field of physics.

The one memory that has consistently replayed itself in my mind is, me as a child telling my mother that I was going to be a NASA scientist one day. Every choice I have made academically and for my future has been driven by that memory. Since I was a child the vast unknown that surrounds the Earth has always intrigued me. My interest in astronomy, with my love for math and science led me to astrophysics. That is how I decided to major in Physics and continue to graduate school for a PhD.

As of now I am still an undergraduate at the University of Texas at San Antonio and plan to graduate with a Bachelor's degree in December of 2015. However, before that I hope to be a part of research programs that will take my knowledge of astronomy and astrophysics a step further. I have already started applying for summer research programs at different observatories and universities for the summer of 2014. These programs will not only help me gain experience but help me decide on a thesis topic in astrophysics for graduate school. My main interests lie in cosmology and the early universe. I hope to gain a better understanding of them through these research programs.

After graduate school I plan on continuing to do research and even follow my childhood dream and apply at NASA. I would be thrilled to be a part of great explorations and discoveries made of the universe. Although, I still want to go further while doing research. I want to go as far as doing research with Sir Roger Penrose or Stephen Hawking, and many other remarkable minds that think beyond Earth's atmosphere. I see no limits. Once I have accomplished my goals I am also considering becoming a physics professor to help and inspire other students to follow their dreams.

The Hispanic heritage that lies in my mother and was passed down to me has encouraged me to work hard for my goals. Accomplishing my goals will prove to the Hispanic community that there is opportunity and anything is possible. I want to show my mother and the Hispanic community that all the years of struggling to help the future Hispanic generations was worth every drop of sweat

Need help improving or correcting, please!

"..nineteenth century comma ..."


farmers' fields maybe?


"...my mother [delete has] told me have made me..."


without is one word


I don't think you need a comma here..maybe...


I do think you need a comma after now

Overall, I think this is really good! I like how you tie physics to your background. Hope I helped.

Dammit, thought I had posted, apparently it didn't go through. Anyways, you say "my mother" way too much. It's very repetitive. Otherwise solid essay.

.... this sentence is too long and therefore your idea does not flow well. Better have couple of sentences to say this idea.


Like many other people with Hispanic origins in the nineteenth century, my mother's family too was granted US citizenship after they agreed to work on farmlands.


The stories that my mom used to tell us about their humble beginnings in the US were very inspiring to me.