College Admissions Essay: How My Life Changed My Life

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls, and looks like work." - Thomas Edison. An opportunity can change your life, but your attitude towards the opportunity will determine whether it will make your life better. I believe you should take the opportunity when you see it.

Growing up, I never had the warm pleasures of bedtime stories; instead, I would hear about the unimaginable impoverishment my parents faced in their childhood. The immediate reality of poverty obscured their investment in their brighter futures; both were forced both to sell lottery tickets on the streets or trade vegetables for portions of meat: just to help sustain their families. Looking back at those nights, I can only be grateful. As one of the first in my family to attend college, I am piloting a new future, one where I hope to lift not only my family out of their struggles but also the community that has always supported me and global communities today.

My Mom, Dad, and younger brother survived. If it's not medicine, my family would not have lived.

I believe the turning point of my life began with the separation of my parents. I had always imagined myself living in my native homeland of the Dominican Republic. Yet, my life would drastically change as a consequence of my parents divorce. A few weeks after my parent’s divorce, my mother and I arrived undocumented in Boston, Massachusetts. Thus, at the age of fourteen, I found myself in a new country with few family and friends. The following chapter of my life would require me to not only make sacrifices but also become more independent. The meaning and value for me becoming independent at a young age was twofold: (1) I was able to help my mother financially and (2) I learned the meaning of hard work and perseverance. I recognize that my tangible core values cannot be measured by test scores—though I have done well academically—but by my desire and perseverance to become a successful Latina.

It was halfway through my sophomore year when my mom and two older sisters sprints down the stairs and storms out the house. Confused and worried, continuing to curl my hair. My mom walks back in towards me with a gruesome look in her eyes. With so many ideas already running through my head, I was notified that my grandmother was killed by my uncle. I cannot even describe my sense of emotion at the time. Confusion, hatred, and hopelessness all merged into one. And all I could think about was just giving up on everything. That is until my pastor said these words that I will always remember; “You're going to get through this, just have faith.” I took in those words and began to put his words into action

When life gives you the opportunity to be successful, you take it. So, out of every let down or every time you ever ask yourself, “was it worth it?”…, you say “definitely”, persevere, and continue seeking greatness. When I got that opportunity, I hit the ground running. I was hungry to become successful, hungry to graduate from college, hungry to even hear my dad say, “I’m proud of you”. Maybe I could have taken a different route but hey, growing up in a small town like Mullins SC with a high unemployment rate, don’t get you too far. I couldn’t find myself falling into that statistic. Working temp jobs, wondering how I would pay for college…, it was rough, definitely some humble beginnings. This by no means is a message for sympathy.

At the age of 39, I decided to return to school and finish my undergraduate degree. Being a single mother I wanted my kids to see how hard work and dedication can really pay off if you commit yourself and push through any adversities, you will win. I received my degree in Healthcare Management and I have been working in health insurance for over fifteen years. Working with people and helping others is my passion. I love to see a smiling happy face.

During my time as a high schooler, I’ve moved three times to three schools. Each time I move I am in an entirely different situation. I come across new problems, new environments, and new friends. But, two people stay with me. Two people have been in every school I have attended. Even before my birth, they were there. One of them I love and the other I hate… Their names are Wisdom and Folly.

It all started on a day that is very much blurry to me now. It was in junior high not the most fun years of school for anybody I assume. Who knew it would be the day I got arrested I was only in the ninth grade. I didn’t expect that could ever possibly happen to me especially in ninth grade. And who knew it would later have an impact and influence some of my life choices.

I have always believed that most of the time the cruelest people are the ones who have endured the most pain. I have also always believed there is no reason it has to be that way. There is so much to be said for a person who has received so much pain and hurt from the world, and yet gives back nothing but love and happiness. That is the person I aspire to be, and that I believe everyone else should aspire to be also.

Knowing that you have made a difference, no matter how small is the greatest feeling in the world and what my life has begun to revolve around. Throughout school my peers bullied me about my weight and looks. It truly ate me alive. I did not want to leave the house, look at myself in the mirror or in photos, or talk to others. My life revolved around thoughts of how I was not good enough for today's "society". My self-esteem plummeted, causing me to believe I did not have any left. I became shy, anxious, and clinically depressed. I felt like an embarrassment and burden to my family. I took a leap of faith in hopes of discovering that I could be useful and decided to apply to become a volunteer at the Virginia Beach SPCA, it changed my life. I began to research

There was not a specific moment I became me, it was more of a gradual thing. After many years of growing up I realize who I am. I know I am honest, strong, and sometimes I take things too literal. I know that I am still growing up and I have not completely became who I will be, but this is me now.

Perhaps the greatest hurdle I’ve come to face is accepting the fact that it’s okay to not always be...well, okay. Recognizing that asking for help didn't make me deficient, but rather displayed abundant courage, was the most monumental turning point of my life. Sometimes, in order to progress, you must stand still.

While it is impossible to know for certain the course my life will take in the next ten years, I would like to believe that the path my life will follow will be one full of fulfillment and ample success. I aspire to be someone who is influential both to the people I meet as well as to the community to which I am a part of. I am immensely grateful for the educational opportunities I have received thus far, and I plan to use the knowledge I have acquired to its fullest potential so that I may continue learning and growing to become the person I aspire to be. In the next ten years, I hope to have acquired a job that gives me personal fulfillment in knowing that I am positively affecting and contributing to society. I want to be actively involved

It was a typical Wednesday night and i was on my phone like any other 18 year old teenager. I was laying in my bed thinking about my next move in life. For most it would be enjoying college and starting a new chapter in our lives. But these were not my priorities at the time. For i was on the verge of becoming a father. As i began to think about how my life was going to change. I got extremely nauseous and felt like throwing up. I mean how could i provide for another human being while being in school. I started to panic but then i thought about how my parents said they would be with me every step of the way to ensure i finish college. I then tried to shake off these feelings so i got up grabbed my old nike backpack that had a bright white stain on it. That was handed down to me as a present from big sister who once used the very same nike backpack when she was in college ten years ago. After i grabbed my backpack from my old wooden closet. I turned around and realized how messy my room was. My eyes wandered around landed on the diapers my mom bought on sale. I couldn 't help but laugh and think about how i was going to be a dad soon. i then turned around and stared at my St. Catherine 's high school diploma and thought about all the fun times i had in school. And how i was the big cheese that left school now I 'm a young adult ready to take on college. Although, i was young i had just accomplished graduating from a private high school. I then proceeded to walk out the door