Personal Statement
The Route I Took
As a child coming from an immigrant family in South Central Los Angeles, I have had many obstacles come my way. I have witnessed crimes, have had to dodge “drive by” gunshots, and have been harassed by other kids for being different. Looking back at my life experience, I find it surprising that I turned out to be a hard-working person in spite of the many challenges I faced. Most of my childhood friends with whom I used to play baseball are now delinquents, and sometimes I wonder why I am pursuing a different path than they. With regard to school work and education, I never had an actual role model to whom I could look up or dream of becoming one day. Both my parents did not finish high school, and at the time when I needed a role model the most, my brother was on the wrong path in his life. Since my brother was involved in graffiti and gangs, he made it difficult for me to choose the right decisions in education. All of these challenges, however, only make me stronger in my determination to succeed.
The educational decision to take my life in a different direction was mine. If it were not for these key decisions, I would not have had the great influential experiences that I did. Besides, coming from a low income family, I would have never thought of going to college or of even being able to afford it. One of the greatest impacts on my life was a program that was introduced to me in the last three weeks of my fifth grade year. The program, known as NAI, Neighborhood Academic Initiative program, helps hard-working inner-city students pursue rigorous advanced classes. When my fifth grade teacher, Ms. Solomon, recommended me for this program, I talked to both my parents, who did not really know much about it. All they said was “If you want to do it, go for it.” Because I was a ten year old child and did not know what was really important or not, I thank myself daily for saying “yes” to my teacher and joining this life-changing program.
At this turning point in my life, things took a positive direction. My teachers taught me at a more advanced level, and I was expected to excel in all my work. Since everyone around me was focused and had their minds set on achieving a college degree, I felt pressured to do the same. This pressure helped me strive for my best. Without the rigor of this program, I would not have felt driven to attend university. I remember the inspiring words of Ms. Kim Thomas-Barrios, Executive Director of NAI, “The question is not are you going to college; the question is what college are you going to?” The thought of someone, other than a family member, believing in my success, made me want to show that I can achieve that success. Since then, I have pictured myself majoring in Computer Science and returning to the program so I can in turn inspire new scholars with my own words, “I might have not had a role model, but I made it somewhere, so take advantage of the great opportunity that lies before you.” It would be a rewarding feeling to continue mentoring younger students as I have done as an NAI College Ambassador for two years. In this role, I taught them not only about the importance of finance and saving to help fund college, but also about the value of striving for academic excellence.
The opportunity to do something with my life was given to me, and ever since I had that chance, I have used it wisely and given it my all. I decided my life's path all on my own from the age of ten. Although there have been many obstacles along the way, I have taken important steps to a brighter future for myself, but also my goal is to inspire others to do the same. I believe it is as important to steer my younger mentees away from the dangers around them as it is to guide them on the right path.
As a child coming from an immigrant family in South Central Los Angeles, I have had many obstacles come my way. I have witnessed crimes, have had to dodge “drive by” gunshots, and have been harassed by other kids for being different. Looking back at my life experience, I find it surprising that I turned out to be a hard-working person in spite of the many challenges I faced. Most of my childhood friends with whom I used to play baseball are now delinquents, and sometimes I wonder why I am pursuing a different path than they. With regard to school work and education, I never had an actual role model to whom I could look up or dream of becoming one day. Both my parents did not finish high school, and at the time when I needed a role model the most, my brother was on the wrong path in his life. Since my brother was involved in graffiti and gangs, he made it difficult for me to choose the right decisions in education. All of these challenges, however, only make me stronger in my determination to succeed.
The educational decision to take my life in a different direction was mine. If it were not for these key decisions, I would not have had the great influential experiences that I did. Besides, coming from a low income family, I would have never thought of going to college or of even being able to afford it. One of the greatest impacts on my life was a program that was introduced to me in the last three weeks of my fifth grade year. The program, known as NAI, Neighborhood Academic Initiative program, helps hard-working inner-city students pursue rigorous advanced classes. When my fifth grade teacher, Ms. Solomon, recommended me for this program, I talked to both my parents, who did not really know much about it. All they said was “If you want to do it, go for it.” Because I was a ten year old child and did not know what was really important or not, I thank myself daily for saying “yes” to my teacher and joining this life-changing program.
At this turning point in my life, things took a positive direction. My teachers taught me at a more advanced level, and I was expected to excel in all my work. Since everyone around me was focused and had their minds set on achieving a college degree, I felt pressured to do the same. This pressure helped me strive for my best. Without the rigor of this program, I would not have felt driven to attend university. I remember the inspiring words of Ms. Kim Thomas-Barrios, Executive Director of NAI, “The question is not are you going to college; the question is what college are you going to?” The thought of someone, other than a family member, believing in my success, made me want to show that I can achieve that success. Since then, I have pictured myself majoring in Computer Science and returning to the program so I can in turn inspire new scholars with my own words, “I might have not had a role model, but I made it somewhere, so take advantage of the great opportunity that lies before you.” It would be a rewarding feeling to continue mentoring younger students as I have done as an NAI College Ambassador for two years. In this role, I taught them not only about the importance of finance and saving to help fund college, but also about the value of striving for academic excellence.
The opportunity to do something with my life was given to me, and ever since I had that chance, I have used it wisely and given it my all. I decided my life's path all on my own from the age of ten. Although there have been many obstacles along the way, I have taken important steps to a brighter future for myself, but also my goal is to inspire others to do the same. I believe it is as important to steer my younger mentees away from the dangers around them as it is to guide them on the right path.