College Admissions Essay: Big Expectations Of My Family

A few things that have influenced myself as I am today are my family history and my environment. Growing up, my classes were always fairly easy to me, so naturally I always had a higher than average grade. But when things got harder I started to work harder to maintain my grades. I always felt so accomplished when my mother and father would brag about my grades and intelligence and I wanted to always feel that way. My brother never applied himself in school and I would see how disappointed they were in him and I knew that I only wanted to make them proud. By the time I got to high school I had figured out that no one in my family besides aunts or uncles that were married into the family had ever gone to college and from that point on it was my next big goal to achieve.

History is my academic passion -- specifically the archeological and genealogical bases of individuals and families. But setting aside bones, genetics, and all that fun evidence, I also love to study the more anecdotal past and present situation of a family: where they've lived, what they've done, and how they've done it. Studying my own family, i've found that neither of my parents, or my soon to be step-dad has obtained a degree, and with my older brother choosing the armed forces route, I'm left to navigate on my own and chart new territory for my family -- I will be the first to get a college degree. Hopefully my choice will influence my younger sibling to also pursue her goals. I believe by making this decision, to be the first to

I cannot say that growing up in the family I am in hasn't been difficult for me, because it has. However, to say that it is something I'd like to change if I could, I also cannot say. The turbulence and commotion I have experienced has sculpted my character. Had I not grown up the way I did, I would not be as tenacious and ambitious as I am today. Through the struggles I've faced and whom I've faced them with, I have not let them define me, and I have even grown more because of them.

Three rambunctious, energetic children. Two hardworking, loving but frequently exhausted parents. One girl amidst the ruckus attempting to complete her homework. Five years ago, my family symbolized this chaotic mess, however, change is upon us. Promptly that one girl turned into me, Hami Abebe, a resilient leader who checks those three little rascals tidy up their beds, eat their breakfast, grab their lunch and snacks and punctually leave for school in the morning. Subsequently, when they come home, I help them with their homework after this, they eat Mother’s delicious dinners, change into their pajamas, and say their prayers every night. Even though my parents leave for work at seven o’clock and come home exhausted at six o’clock, they still push themselves to their limits to care for us.

Growing up in America, I knew that I had lots of opportunities to benefit from. With that in mind, my teacher expedtly said to me that I would be among students who will struggle through education, and in a way subtly that I will always be a failure.However, that just inspired me to prove her wrong. I became more driven toward bettering my academics. I know that being a doctor is not the same as other careers since my childhood I have a calling to become a pediatrician.This scholarship is an esteemed administration that will help me to achieve my dreams and enable me to serve other members of the society who are like my brother as well as mentoring people with same aspiration. I have understood my purposes which I strongly believe will help

With all this being said, I’ve always strived to better myself. The best way to accomplish this is to receive a college education. Sadly, college is a big expense for my family, especially due to recent events within the family. Last year for nearly nine months my father was without work because of an injury to his back. This made it hard for us to accomodate so quickly to less income coming in. Now that he is back to work is has been easier but still the hardships aren’t gone. My grandmother has just undergone surgery for her eyes which rendered her blind and is now living with us as she needs close supervision. If awarded any scholarships, it can ease up some of the worries and lighten the

As a child I received my first scholarship from the Big Shoulders Fund in Chicago and was able to continue attending my elementary school although my parents could not afford to pay the tuition expenses. They have always been transparent with me about their financial struggles and done their best to pay for my education regardless. From the moment that I received that first scholarship I understood that it was my responsibility to do all that I could in order to be able to attend the college of my choice. I went on to attend high school on a scholarship and became a part of a work study program in order to decrease additional expenses. No aspect of my childhood had taught me how to fit into a prep school, however I was grateful to be there because to

The connotations associated with living in the south include the idea that family is everything. My family influences a lot of the decisions I make, and through my family I am able to learn a lot about myself. I am given an abundance of opportunities with respect to my family. For example, if it weren’t for my grandparents, I may never have traveled to Colorado and learned what it’s like to be an employee. I owe a lot to my grandparents, especially since they hired me to work in their shop every summer since I was nine. These are the types of special opportunities others don’t have. Opportunities that I cherish each and every day. On my father’s side of the family is where I gain all of my musical knowledge. With a father and a Grandfather

In life we make a series of choices and decisions. These will shape our life and influence who we become. However, many of us are unaware of the influences that guide the choices we make. A great deal of who we become is written in our genes. There are numerous things to factor in like culture, media, peers and curiosity.

My parents were immigrants who came to a foreign land, knew nothing of the language and culture, and had no real educational background. Needless to say, their new lives in the U.S. did not start out on a high note. My mother would tell me stories of how she would clean abhorrent motel rooms in the blazing sun for menial pay, and she’d say that when she was seven months pregnant, she had to sleep on a mattress on the floor because she and my father couldn’t afford a bed yet. Along with this, my father would describe to me all of the odd, unfavorable jobs he took on just to make a few dollars. Both of them had to give up considerable amounts of their lives just to give me the opportunity to have an education, and knowing about these experiences, and knowing about their relationship with money, I became motivated to ease any financial burden I could for them by now applying for as many scholarships as I could.

I deserve this scholarship, I am from a single parent household with the just my mom. I have four siblings. I am the middle child, so I don’t get all the attention in the household, I get the least. So everything that I have or want me must work harder than the other members in the house. Everyone in the household looks for me to make it to a four year college or university. Everyone wants me to be able to get enough scholarship, so that my mother doesn’t have to come out of pocket and pay money. Most of my mom’s income is for the bills, and food so she doesn’t have enough to give me income for college. Being from the single household, I couldn’t get involved in extracurricular activities, organization, and

In high school, students dream of getting a scholarship to go to the school of their choice. I truly feel that I deserve the scholarship because I have worked my hardest and done my absolute best to dedicate myself to my education. I've been through a lot personally within my family that has affected me immensely, but despite it all I was able to retreat to my strong mindset of putting my education first, even if that means before my problems.

To bottle the essence in this premier moment- the liquid of success and pride, the raw emotion in that moment that has propelled my character to it's actualized state of being- would have been a fantasy amongst reality. I open my tear dotted eyes as my ears resonate the echoes of confetti cannons and cheers from the arena. My muscles ache with joy, and my mind is chasing the realization that is at hand. I have just won a midwestern color guard championship. The golden haze of chaos that ensues is one that has forever imprinted on my mind, a haze that lingers in my peripheral vision, in constant search of a worthy emotion to compare to. The prime success in this moment alone- has been the sole fuel in the flame of my determination and strive for achieved ambitions.

Through my interactions with my extended family over the course of this project, it has become evident that there are specific traditions and values that each side of my family holds dear. Both sides of my family certainly share some common values and traditions among them; however, over several generations each side has its own distinct folklore and values that have been passed down through time. Despite my premonition that interviewing my family would be a rather simple and straightforward endeavor, getting the information that I was hoping to find from my family has been anything but easy. Following my interviews with my family, it is clear that the traditions and values of both sides of my family differentiate them as well unites them.

No one can’t meet a family like mine’s. My family is well diversified. Every family member plays an important role in all my family’s lives. In my family, there are four people: my father, my mother, my little brother and me. My father is one who brings money home and is also responsible for organizing and planning family trips. My mother is the one who is in charge for making meals and makes sure everyone eats at the appropriate times. My little brother is the pet of the family. He actually doesn’t have any responsibilities, for he’s the pet. I am the rock of support in my family. I always go beyond my parents’ expectations. I also support my younger cousins and little brother, by being a role model that they can look up to. Another