External Forces And The Application Process

High schools implement reforms that build student character, skills and commitment to the community. Berman, S. wants to know how to engage students to become more effective citizens. He believes that building a strong academic program for the students is important but the teachers also need to create a school that is open and welcoming.

As upcoming high school seniors, many such as myself, desire scholarships in order to alleviate the financial burden that attending a university can bring. Though this considerable and generous scholarship prize money will be used to further my education at Texas A&M University, my main wish is to bring pride and satisfaction to my family. As a first generation student, I am humbled by the opportunity of obtaining an education in America. Since my parents were migrants from Vietnam and Hong Kong, a successful life here was unheard of many years before. Financial strains do occasionally plague our lives, however, we have not forgotten the strenuous hard work and sacrifice that my parents have conquered in order to put their two daughters through

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has been located in the heart of Westwood, California since 1919. In its small beginnings, UCLA started with one building, on its south campus, which only allowed for the teaching of approximately 1,400 students and offered two undergraduate programs (“UCLA History: Traditions”). Today, the university has grown immensely and now enrolls over 16,000 students annually and offers over 200 undergraduate and graduate programs combined.UCLA is known for its competitive and selective admissions process, which means that it is very difficult to gain entry into any program this college has to offer (Vazquez). However, the competitive nature of UCLA’s programs is a testament to the prominence of the school and its faculty. With its research, athletic, and academic programs consistently top rated, internationally , it is hard to compare any other California college to this distinguished university (“UCLA Undergraduate Admission”). At its core, UCLA is known for its ambition to educate students and make a global impact on society (“UCLA”). Even though UCLA is considered more prestigious than other universities, it still considers GPA and SAT scores, offers financial aid, and has a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs for its students to choose from. Setting higher standards for its students and faculty is what makes this school so distinguished. UCLA’s variety of students promote elite academic

I come from a family where no one has achieved a higher education. However, my family is thankful for my mother who always supported us. During my high school days, I had a great responsibility and role at home that allowed me to help my mother provide for my siblings and I. Now, I have begun my college journey with the responsibility that financially impacts my household while living with a kidney disease that can be a social barrier to fully focus on my academic endeavors.

I have always known that I wanted to attend a top-tier university. The other details came later; the small size, the proximity to an urban hub, and my major itself. For a while, I was convinced that it would not happen; that I just wouldn’t get in. Now, I realize that I have an opportunity to do so. This is an opportunity I do not intend to waste.

At 17 years old I entered UCLA as a biology major. With my prior successful academic performance and younger age, I was overconfident and immature going into college. During my first 4 quarters my social pursuits smothered my academic ones; I lived a very unbalanced life, and my grades suffered. My second winter break was the turning point, and I realized that committing only 50% effort to academics would not be enough. I acknowledged my mistakes and became entirely determined to change my path from that point forward. I created a list titled “How to Succeed at UCLA,” which outlined the steps needed to regain balance and ensure academic success. I changed every aspect of my life from what I ate, to who I spent time with, to what time I went

When I think of hardworking and dedication the first people that come to mind are my parents. Both of my parents have come from backgrounds where at times things were difficult. They instilled the values of hard work and passion into me from a young age and have ultimately left me inspired. Neither of my parents could attend a post-secondary institution. In fact, if I am accepted into university then I will be the first child in both past and current generations of my family to obtain a university degree. As hardworking as my parents are, to fully financially support two children who plan on going to university just is not possible while paying for other expenses in life too. Considering my father works in the oil field, as one can imagine, there is never a guaranteed amount of annual income that our family can expect. In 2015 alone we experienced a significant decrease in annual income due to the state of economy and the price of oil. A big reason as to why I am applying for the Centennial Scholarship is because I believe my parents deserve to save for their retirement versus paying for the next eight years of my education. My parents have never said

My family has many economic issues but strive to give their children what they need. My mom is senatorial services and my father works as landscaper. Having two parents that work long hours and that have a hard time making ends meet, it makes me realize the importance of scholarships. Because of the fact that we have a full house: my mom, dad, older brother, my other brother, his wife, my sister and my nephew, it is very difficult for me to say that I can get major financial support from my family.

My mother worked four jobs at once to make financial ends meet, while always stressing the importance of education and financial independence to my brother and myself. My grandmother only achieved a second grade education due to the financial constraints on her family at a young age, but still in the end managed to make certain that of her children and grandchildren had what was needed to flourish and become successful, educated members of the community. The tenacity and history of these two women I still carry with me today. Their struggles have inspired to me to only want more from life, but also serve as a positive role model for the younger members of my community. I observed from other family members how an education can open a multitude of doors and opportunities. I want to make the biggest and most significant on my community and on my family as possible, and the only foreseeable path is to achieve a college education to gain the necessary skills, knowledge and connections needed to flourish and implement positive

I come from a small town and a family who hasn’t always had luxurious things but has never went without the things we must have. For that I will forever be grateful. Watching my father and mother struggle to provide for my sisters and I strongly motivated me to want to earn a higher education. I hope to have a career that I both enjoy and that allows me to provide many things for myself and future family. I know that because of my family’s financial stability this will not because easy.

As a first-generation college student, financing my educational pursuit is one of my biggest worries. If it were not for the generous financial aid packets I had received I would not have been able to enroll in college and earn a degree. This monetary support allowed me to focus on academics and ensure that I would be able to make myself and my parents proud. As I embark on this journey of graduate study, I am reminded of the barriers that financial insecurity presents. The opportunity to attend Columbia would require me to relocate from my current home in Boston, Massachusetts. Without assistance it is unlikely that I will be able to supply the funds necessary to make the move possible. In addition, without monetary support it is unlikely

Once school started it changed my perspective on the stigma everyone around me built. My classmates and teacher cared about education, an attitude that lacked throughout some students in all of my high school classes. With a positive environment where everyone participated in the lessons, it changed my approach on my education. Determined to achieve for grades

Finally, the most difficult challenge students face in college is a financial hardship. Many students come from various walks of life and sometimes determining one’s financial capability to offset college costs during the early stages of can be problematic. Some students come from well to do families who have a tremendous capacity to pay full tuition without external assistance. These particular students do not require financial aid or scholarships, as they can meet the institution’s financial requirement regardless of what level in college they may fall under as the source of wealth is derived from the family or families. Other students, however, come from impoverished families whom solely depend on financial aid and work full time or part time

When I was still in the 7th grade, I was sent by my middle school to the local high school to attend classes. My middle school did not offer a rigorous enough curriculum a lack of funds needed to diversify the classes the school district offered. I was not the first student in my district to attend high school classes while still in middle school, in fact, a few students that I knew personally had already done this.. I identified with their frustration when they, as sophomores, had already completed the highest math and English courses the high school offered and there was nothing at a higher level left for them to study in those subjects. I witnessed smart, ambitious, hardworking students in a school system that was unable to meet their needs. However, despite there being

At this point in my life, I realized that I had to create my own path. My sister had managed to graduate and continue her education at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was my turn to create my own path. I understood that if I wanted to help my family, I had to think about creating a better future for