College Admissions Essay: Why My Family Represents My World

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

Many people made no big deal of me, I have never been the one to stick out to people. My family has big expectations of me. My education is worth nothing to close family members I have never been so baffled at how people can be cold hearted towards their own blood. I was put on lower expectations than those of my younger cousin, because I was not born here did not mean I was not bright. Showing what I am capable of will show those I can be someone in life. For me a scholarship is more than just money it will show those near me what I can be capable of accomplishing. It will show others not from hear that they as any other person from here can accomplish a dream they have to provide for your family, to show others that nothing will stop you

Growing up in a home where right is not always considered right is hard. Barely crossing the finish line or passing was never acceptable. If you barely passed, there was no success to be associated with it whatsoever. Although I dread constantly hearing “a 99 is not good enough”, I have grown to appreciate it. The “do not settle for less” attitude that my parents have instilled in me has helped me in choosing my friends wisely and surrounding myself with like-minded people who display great determination.

No one has the true opportunity to pick to whom they are born to. They also do not have a say as to how they are raised. In a lovely fantasy, one could say that they did, but realistically speaking, no. The way that one views the world as an adult takes a huge part in how their parents raised them. If they were raised to discriminate against minorities, then more likely than not, they too will do the same; if they were raised in an environment of drugs and alcohol, then a good chance that they will go down the same path as well. How someone is brought up is important because it reflects to how they act in their older years. This can be either fortunate or detrimental to the character’s relationship and a community. Just like I am no different.

When I was 14 years old I realized that I was adopted. Although my brother looks a lot like me, there is no way that we are related in anyway. He is so short and we always argue. My sister also argues with me all the time and she is too selfish. Also my mother is too nice to share my blood and my father is to judgemental. I just pretend that I don’t have any idea that I was adopted and act clueless. Everyday my brother has grown more distant from me. My whole family is like this but my brother is the biggest giveaway. One time I told my mother: “I need my birth certificate for the field trip at school” and she replied, “Honey you cannot go on the trip, I’ll worry about you.” After this event I did a little investigating on my own and found that there was no record of my birth. I finally realized that my family knew I was not apart of the family.

I am unique in many ways and this due to the many influences in my life. What makes me so unique is my family background, my personality, and my everyday experiences.

I twist my fork into the pile of noodles right in front of me in the classiest way possible. I stuff the noodles in my mouth and I'm shocked. These are way better than I ever thought. I stuff even more noodles into my mouth. After five minutes of not so classy eating, I realize that I embarrassed myself in front of my relatives. I look down in embarrassment, but my aunt looks happy. Maybe I'm worrying too much about keeping up a good image in front of my own relatives. Why am I so nervous in front of them? That’s a dumb question because I already know why. Even though they're my biological family, I don't feel a connection to them.

My family? You actually want to use these few minutes to read about my family? Well, let me just say one thing: we are all so, very different. So, making connections is easier said than done. Yet, I have made a few crucial connections with my cousin Hayley, my cousin P.J., and my mother.

My family and I are all Catholic. I owe a lot of my values and love and character to my faith. Faith is so important for all of my family members. Ve base all of our family values and what we do off of God and the teaching of the faith. From my parents, to my cousins, to my grandparents, faith is the cornerstone of out life. To be initiated into my Catholic faith, I was Baptized. I was Baptized in October 29, 2006 at St. Anselm Church in San Anselmo. This was a big celebration for my and all of my family and close family friends were invited for this special day. I don’t remember much from this day, but I know I was very well behaved, wink, wink! The atmosphere was amazing. The fact that I was going to become a part of the Catholic Church was a big deal for all of my family and friends. I had two Godfathers when I was baptized. One of them was our good family friend, Loic. I am so grateful that he my Godfather because he is always there, and I am so happy that he is close to our family. My other Godfather was my my uncle, Chuck. He had always been the best joke teller, but he is also a very important part of my extended family. I am so grateful that both of these guys became my Godparents.

When I think about who I am in my family, I recall my experiences, good and bad, that has made me who I am today. To begin with, my parents divorced when I was a toddler, so my family consists of the maternal side of the tree; they’re too loud, too proud, and full of drama, but I 'm sure that all families have brown spots–don’t they? When is a family considered dysfunctional? Is there some secret sauce that makes up a functional family?

Talking about family has different meanings for me. As life goes on, I have come to discover

“Family: a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household.” In 2017 we have several different types of families. In current times, single families are not the majority type of family. Stepfamilies and single families dominate. Luckily, I have been blessed with the fact that my parents are still together, making my family a “traditional” family. Of course my family has had a positive effect on me. They helped form me into the person I am today. Like every other family, we have our defects. In my house, we have five residents: My mother, my father, my sister, my niece, and myself. Everyone in my family tends to have many of the similar traits and personalities. I blame a majority of our personalities on our heritage

You would think the average family is both parents living in the same house and everything is fine and peachy. You go away with your family on vacations, you go to family events together and you all and all you have a good time together. In my case my family is nothing like the typically american family, my family has had a lot of problems. When i was about 10 years old in 4th grade my dad stopped living with me, my mom, and my sister. Before this happened the reason my dad left was because he found out my mom was cheating on him. At the time my parents were already having problems. My sister's sweet sixteen was coming and the day before her party my parents had a huge argument. They were fighting about money, my dad was freaking out

Since the day I was born, my family has always been there for me. But it wasn’t until a few years ago that I’ve genuinely had more appreciation for them. As of today, my love and appreciation continues to grow.

I have been fortunate enough to have grown up in a content and supportive family. My parents are still married, my grandparents, and even some great grandparents, survived to see me grow up, and I have a good relationship with my immediate and extended family. My family and my experiences with them have formed me into the person that I am today. Despite having an average, middle class, white picket fence life, my family is not as ordinary as they seem on the surface.