IUPUI Personal Statement

Major changes in my life have affected my high school career, but a large impact came from the death of my father in eighth grade. Before his passing, I was an average A/B student in middle school and even elementary school, which quickly changed in 8th grade when my classes became too hard for me to handle. I decided the best thing for my mental health was to drop out of my higher level classes. This lead to being in standard classes throughout my first year of high school with minimal effort from my part. After constantly missing school, I failed my second quarter. Instead of bouncing back from this, it pushed me down, making me believe I would never be able to recover. Without any motivation, I ended my ninth grade year with a grade point average of 1.4.

I was nine years old when my family made the stannous decision to come to America; with only a few clothes and barely any money, the pursuit of the American dream seemed more like a fantasy than anything else. Ever since I was young, I was drawn to the medical field. Looking back, it all appears as a nightmare now: a cold room, no electricity, and my parents imploring for the nurses help. Yet this nightmare was my firsthand experience at the detrimental effects of a limited healthcare. Growing up in a poor town of Albania, I faced minor health concerns, but it wasn’t until I got sick with a common cold that my life almost ended. The unsanitary hospital condition and the lack of medications were part of the sad reality I could not escape from. Thus today, it is my goal to make a significant contribution to the health of the future generations. My passion for the medical field combined with my determination on building and perpetuating an outstanding healthcare service, has lead me to pursue a master’s degree in Health Administration

After barely graduating in the spring of 2017 from Lopez Early College High School, I went straight to my parent’s house not knowing exactly what I was going to do with my life. I knew I had ruined my life after not paying attention to my teachers and counselors about applying to colleges. They said I was a wonderful and intelligent student with a tremendous capacity of succeeding in life. Although everybody thought that about me, I never did. I was constantly under pressure thinking that I had to work in order to support my family economically, so our house was saved. I was also worried about whether my parents were getting divorced after every insignificant argument they had. I had to be an excellent example for my two younger siblings; but even though I tried my best, I never was.

I am reaching out to you because I am highly eager to be a part of your police cadet program. I am a Finance major at IUPUI. I have a passion for law enforcement and want to engage in this program to gain meaningful experience and lead me to a pathway of success.

My choice to attend FIU was one of the easier ones I’ve made so far in my academic career. I was drawn to the university as I felt a sense of community here that has only been further enhanced as a legacy, with both my mother and stepfather having completed their Bachelor degrees at this institution. The relationships and connections my parents were able to build here were a testament to FIU’s ability to bring together people from so many different backgrounds and create a family. I experienced an even greater connection as my stepfather found a lifelong friendship and mentor in an FIU staff member and honored him by making him the godfather of one of my younger brothers. Thus, FIU has been a special part of my life even before college was

My mother became depressed, my father became disabled, and my brother was skipping school. I continued going to school from eight until four, which was a big relief in my life because it made me forget the hard times. My grades slowly began to decline, as well as my motivation. I gave up many opportunities such as attending New York’s number one specialized high school. I recognized my mistakes and was able to identify my failure. School was not the only place where I lacked interest in because I also slowly started to push my friends away. As a young teenager, I did not think I would ever make it to college. I became frustrated at my parents because my life was ruined and it was all their fault.

When I think of college I picture a beginning to the rest of my life. I want a school that will teach me how to be successful in both life and my career. A place that I can look back in life and think I made the right choice for me.

I am a disabled father of 6 children, attempting to discover a way to keep up with societies rapid pace. I am educated in several vocational skills, but the visual disability I live with deters me from practicing successful employment at the labor levels of my experiences. By pursuing a degree in business administration more doors will be potentially open for me to explore operating a business of my own as a sole-proprietership. However, tuition for school seems to be a potential setback from getting started. Operating a self-sufficient green farmer seems like the route of business that I will be able to manage. With the curriculum I have my abilities to handle most operations has already increased. I have already achieved a gain in my self-awareness from achieving excellent grades. If possible, furthering my education goal to include additional courses may help in developing my business plan.

Let me tell you a little about myself, growing up in a larger than normal family has its setbacks and struggles; but non-the-less special. Also growing up and helping take care of your great grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s, takes a special family. I never though of myself pursuing a career in the medical field, ever. I actually despised the idea; I wanted to become a CSI, I wanted more science, but something happened. When my great grandmother came to live with us after the Alzheimer’s had spread, I was there to help her, when my parents working. I helped feed, bath, cloth, distributed medication, use the restroom, I even cut her hair and painted her nails the colored she loved, dark red/maroon. It was in those years, before she died, that I saw myself helping other just like this. I love to say that my great grandmother inspired me to become a nurse. She inspired me to become who I am now.

This spring, I will be completing my first year of graduate school in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of New Mexico. I graduated with a B.S. Degree in Environmental Science from UNM last year and was the first in my family to earn a college degree. I transferred to UNM in the fall of 2012 and have had the opportunity to interact with many professors, which I feel helped to influence my decision for graduate school.

I came to America from Vietnam when I was just three years old. I spent a majority of my life with my grandma, who has always taught me the importance of helping others. She always told me to have; you must give, and if you have nothing to give, you can always give your time. This phase has been a huge guide in my life, and it has truly shaped me into who I am. At a young age, I always felt that my purpose in life was to help people. After attending many doctor visits with my grandma for her health check-ups, I was confident my future occupation would be in the medical field. During these frequent doctor visits, I had the chance to watch the interactions and cooperation among different healthcare professionals in different settings. Being in this inspiring environment, I hoped one day I could mirror them and make a difference in people’s lives and the community. Although I have always wanted to help those in need, I was uncertain of what specific career role would allow me to fulfill my passion for helping others.

Going to a university can encompass a variety of factors and meanings for each of the individuals that it applies to. Here, at ASU, there is an abundant amount of these backgrounds always coming forth and attending this university that helps fuel to the variety of why people attend such a higher level learning institution. As to how I contribute to this diverse pool is of the reason of my family and pressures placed onto me by them. I come from a fairly large family that consists of eight people, including myself. I am the oldest of five siblings and the first who has ever been able to graduate high school. With this in mind, it is obvious that I must be the role model for the younger bunch along with striving for better after my high school graduation. All my siblings are expected to follow in my footsteps which can at times be stressful because I want them to walk onto a even better path than I ever did in my school career path. With being the first in my family to ever graduate, my parents want me to be a good representation to combat the negative comments usually associated with people of Mexican descent and how they often do not get far in life.

At Dodge City High School I was in many activities such as The Pride of Southwest Kansas, varsity tennis, drill team, enriched learning, and many other honors classes, I was even the president of the decoration committee my junior year. After my sophomore year I added another egg to my basket, and was hired at my first job. With my first job I helped my mom by getting my own phone, paying for the bill, and buying my own items and necessities. But with all these activities and work, I started to get tired, but more than anything, I got lazy, and careless. I started to spend more time procrastinating and doing things last minute. I started showing up late to class which led to not even showing up at all. At this point in my life, everything was going down hill. I got dismissed from drill team, I went from first chair in the band, to dead last, and my grades reflected my attendance. I pushed everything to the side and blamed it on “senioritis”. I thought I was doing everything right and I did what I wanted, but it wasn't until I got called down to the office for a meeting, that I realized that I was putting to shame every effort and all the time my mom spent on raising

After a valiant attempt of fighting cancer, my mother passed away. As for many before me, it was a difficult transition to endure. Yet, her words still resound in my soul. She told me to live my life without any regrets. There is only one area of my life that I regret. I regret not achieving my educational dreams, goals, potential. My transcript as the track record of my educational journey fails in comparison to my life journey. I am a responsible and hardworking person. I have worked for Grossmont Union High School District for over 27 years. I have been happily married for over 23 years with two sons in college. I have had the privilege of being the care provider for my family members. I am a survivor of my own medical issues and surgeries. I will continue to give all my energy to supporting my family, church and community. I have given “A” work in the classes that I have completed, since my freshman year. I have always put everyone else first in my life. If I could do it all over again, they would still be first. I have done a lot of things in my life. However, I have to do this for me. I am not just older, but healthier and wiser. If given the opportunity, I have to attain my