First Year College Admissions

I’m applying to UA Early College because I want to be able to step into college ahead of the game. I have been an overachiever since I was little and take each chance I get handed to me. This program additionally prepares me for courses I will take when in college. It gives a more profound understanding of how classes will be and the paces they will go at.

The Early College Alliance is a new opportunity for teenagers looking for a non-conventional high school experience. I, being one of those teens that are hoping to get more from education, am anticipating going through the ECA program.

Young adults sometimes think that college is an escape from their parents. This common sense is not correct. Parents are the ones paying for your higher education, and are always your cheerleaders and full time supporters. Parents want young adults to make their own decisions, but that are well thought out, and responsible. When mistakes are made parents will most likely understand, and will help their young adult to work though the mistake as long as they communicate with their parents. Verbal communication with parents is one of the keys to surviving college. Parents understand that their college student will make mistakes, as they once did to. Parents just want to ensure the safety and well-being of their child. This is a time of exploration and finding one’s identity. Parents understand that they can no longer spoon feed their children, but they will remain the child’s audience, showing support, and helping out when it is necessary. All a child needs to do is to be open for help, support, and maintain the expectations and standards

My mom had finally reached college after many years of education. She was very excited to go to college and leave home. She soon found out that college was not going to be easy for her. When she was a freshman she had huge financial struggles. After getting student loans she paid for her books and tuition but could not pay for other things. She had to learn how to deal with humiliation after asking some friends if she could stay with them. Next, she had to take on many part-time jobs to get through college. Learning to multitask was another big part during this time. She had to make time for her studying, homework, and projects while still having to work after class. Lastly, after lots of determination, she made it through college. Even though she had to keep up with work and schoolwork, she finished with good grades and got her college degree. My mom now has a very successful job, and now that she can get through tough things with determination. Overall, my mom struggled but was able to pull herself together and finish

Although my parents served more as my support team than mentors through college, I have experienced the benefits of being more open with them about obstacles I face while at San Jose State University. If it was not for the aforementioned people and others that I have met along my journey towards a bachelor’s degree, I would not have succeeded this far as a first generation college

I am interested in attending VPAC Early College for the amount of opportunities I will be given. I’m excited about classes being offered that wouldn’t normally be available in a standard high school setting. As well as being able to socialize and work with people who have similar interests in the Arts. I would also have a more individualized education and would be able to improve substantially due to this. These opportunities will allow me to grow not only as a student but as a person as well.

Being a first generation student requires more will power than I ever thought I owned. In middle school I was denied by my parents the chance to shadow a pharmacist because they saw this as an unattainable dream. It wasn’t until I began working with disabled children and tried to pursue a nursing degree, that I found the courage and determination to pursue all of my dreams in spite of my upbringing.

Being a first generation college student has had its fair share of challenges. Both my mother and father, received their high school diplomas, but that was the extent of their educational careers. On top of that not a single grandparent on either my mother or my father’s side of the family even had the opportunity to attend high school. Though there are an endless array of resources readily available for all students, not having parents to help guide me through my collegiate academic process presented itself as daunting, as I was partially unsure of the road ahead. Being a first generation college student has been a burden, but it has also been, in a way, a blessing. I have had to face academic and financial obstacles other students have not,

Starting college in August of 2008 was completely different than what I was expecting. My parents loaded up my car and sent me on my way to gain a college degree and experience life on my own, but looking back over the situation, I tend to ask myself numerous times do I think I was ready for college and the responsibilities that were to come along with it. Each time the answer was no. Being the first person in my family to go off to college away from home, I had no idea what to expect, or how to handle the things that come along with college life. Needless to say, it took me several major changes and me leaving my first university and transferring to one at home for me to get a handle of the situation.

Over many years college has been known as a main path to success, yet many students find themselves being first-generation college student and face many challenges that come with it, despite the efforts colleges make to remove this stigma. “Thirty percent of higher ed students today are the first in their family to attend college, while 24 percent-4.5 million- are both first generation and low income” (Opidee, 2015, P.1). These percentages are very high, with 30% of students attending college being the first in their family many students and their families don’t know what they’re getting themselves into when they get to school. Students find that being a first-generation college students affects them even before they start college.

I come from a low-income family with a household of eight people. I have my dad, my six siblings, and my mother passed away a few years ago. As a first-generation college student I felt so many emotions. I came from a high school that didn’t prepare me for college courses and that became a problem. What made it worse was that my dad didn’t go to college, so I couldn’t go to him for help. I was scared, depressed, unprepared, I was doing everything on my own. I also felt like I didn’t belong because I believed I wasn’t as smart as the other students or “rich” enough. When I first arrived at UC Davis, I was immediately intimidated. All of the other students seemed so educated and professional and I just compared myself to them without even getting to know them. Let me tell you, getting here wasn’t easy and I know it wasn’t easy for you either, so feel accomplished. You made it! Now that you’re in UC Davis, you will be expected to work hard. Times may get rough, but just remember that help is out there. Take advantage and don’t be afraid or ashamed to seek help.

Although my parents were still living, and always just a phone call away, I felt as though I was on my own. I developed a sense of independence that I had never been exposed to before. Thus, I believe that the transition to college will be much less stressful for me as an individual since I have already experienced the changes that come along with attending a new school. For example, I am now accustomed to the large jump in population in an educational setting, I am capable of making new acquaintances through intelligent conversation, and I have developed the skills of surviving on my own, away from the safety of my parents. These skills will be necessary in the business field, which is what my intended area of study is. Ultimately, through my decision to move away from the only home I had ever known, I have started down a path of adulthood, and have found it in myself to forgive others no matter what the circumstance happens to be. Therefore, although this transition from childhood to maturity may have been stressful, it has proven to be beneficial when I examine the bigger picture; my

Being a first- generation college student is challenging. You are not quite sure how everything works considering your family didn’t go to college. You tend to have less insight on what college is really about. As you start to apply for different schools you are already at a disadvantage. You don’t know exactly where to start looking, and your parents are not fully there to help you either, since they are not aware either of what they are looking for. You might start to feel alone and less and less prepared to start up college. You are

Because I am recently graduating, from Menchville high school, I know that college will be challenging. I graduated a year ago in the class of 2014 and I've decided to take off a year of school before going to college. I took a year off out of school because I wanted to work and get some extra money. So now I'm attending college and my major is social science hoping to become a social worker as a career. I am the youngest of three and the out of my parents and brothers I am the first to go to college.One challenge that I'm facing is not understanding

In college one has to take personal responsibility very seriously. I began my college education in my early thirties. I had been out of school for quite some time and knew that I faced a real challenge. I had to purpose in my mind that I was going to do whatever it took to reach my academic goals. Starting out I faced several disadvantages , from lack of financial aid, to self doubt. I had to take charge of what was my dream and find a way to make it happen. I went to the college after obtaining my GED and just laid it all out on the line. Once I received my first class schedule I felt I was on my way. That very first class night I had an eye opening moment. I realized that this was going to take a lot of hard work and determination. I found out quickly that not everyone