I want to succeed in a way I haven't before. I am 28 years old restarting my life and pursuing a higher education. If you had asked me what my educational goals were five years ago, I would have laughed in your face. Now, all I can say is I want to succeed. I haven't tried this hard in a really long time. Education was not for me, I hated studying and I hated school. I can't tell you what changed, except that I woke up realizing I want more in life. I have a 3.9 GPA right now while being invited to two national honor societies; things I never reached when I was 18 years old. I'm trying to do better, and I impress myself everyday. I want my family to be proud of me because right now, I'm so proud of myself. College is not easy as you know, and there are more times I think about giving up than I think about moving forward. However, I just know how disappointed I'd be in myself if I did give up. I am studying nutritional sciences at Rutgers University in hopes to become a Registered Dietitian. I want to help people through nutrition and encourage others to make positive changes in their dietary lifestyle. However, my age and financial situation has created certain obstacles to where receiving scholarships can help me keep my head above the water. Since I'm older, I need my own insurance which I get through my employer. Classes are mostly scheduled in the mornings, when I should be at work. This has created stress in my life because I need to work so I can pay rent and pay my tuition and get health insurance. But I need to take four classes to be considered full-time but if I'm full-time then I can't work... it's a never ending cycle of stress. Being awarded this scholarship would allow me to allocate my income to rent and therapy while still having money for my tuition. I would incredibly grateful to be able to receive financial help so I can breathe for at least one semester. My stress elevates each time I see a tuition bill email sent to my inbox, and it sends me to a minor panic. There's a constant worry about ensuring I have enough funds in my account and I hate how that makes me feel. This scholarship would allow me to survive just a little longer while I continue working. Thank you for your consideration.

Hello, my name is Andrea, thank you for taking the time to read my application. I truly don't know how to explain why I deserve this scholarship over other applicants. What I can say, is I have recently switched career paths and as a 28 year old woman, it's been hard between rent, tuition, and other expenses. I'm seeking assistance anywhere I can and it's not always successful but at least I can say I'm trying. This scholarship would help me with my payment plans. I'm very motivated since changing careers and going back to school; I have this drive I didn't have years ago and I'm grateful for the success I've made. Against other applicants, I have more work experience and life experience than the standard demographics. I work hard and never quit; I'm working part-time now to make income to afford basic necessities. I'm a good student, a great employee and person; I deserve this scholarship because I know what it means to work hard for your money and I see the value in that. This wouldn't be a waste to me, it's a hand reaching out to keep me above water. Thank you for the opportunity.

Hello, my name is Andrea Castillo. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I am a 28 year old Latina going back to school to pursue a bachelor's in Nutritional Sciences. I currently have an associate's in Culinary Arts Management which I earned back in 2018. I love all things food related, it's what drives me. However, I wasn't always this motivated student like I am now. High school was a hard time for me, like many students, I didn't fit in and I didn't have many friends. My academic work wasn't great and I skipped school a lot. Upon graduating college, I went straight to work in kitchens. Ten years of working experience has taught me so many valuable lessons and skills that I use now in my pursuit for a bachelors degree. I have learned time management, attention to detail, and leadership skills. As a manager, I learned how to lead a team, gain respect, and really just learned what kind of manager I wanted to be; I left to focus on my studies. It wasn't until I began attending Rutgers University that I started doing volunteer work. Turns out, I really like it. Volunteering is a way to connect with like minded individuals while serving a purpose to your community. Through the RU Nutrition Club, I made friends and dedicated time to volunteer for events. My leadership skills allow me to become an important member in the club and I enjoy being able to help the board members maintain organization and help delegate. So why did I go back to college, one may ask. It started because being a manager wasn't fulfilling anymore and I wanted more challenges in my life. Since cooking was my passion, I explored other areas and realized becoming a dietitian checked my boxes. I love helping people and maintaining a healthy eating pattern. Since working in healthcare, I realized I wanted to continue working with the geriatric population. My residents are everything and more; they are hilarious, frustrating, and above all, encouraging of my future. I want to help encourage them to eat healthier, to be mindful, and live a healthier lifestyle. This journey has shown me what I am capable of and I'm truly surprised at my success. I was never a great student, but I also know I never tried this hard in my life. As an older student, there are many obstacles that I've gone through, and continue to go through. Finances, a social life, and health insurance run through my head and it makes me sad; being older than most students makes me even more sad because the connections I make are purely academic. Nonetheless, I know that if I had the opportunity to take these classes back when I was 18, I would not have been able to take school as serious as I do now. I believe God has a plan for everyone which gives me comfort, and I'm becoming the person I knew I could be. With this scholarship, I would be able to pay for school and use my income for rent. I work part-time in a long term care facility which helps me maintain health insurance and pay for groceries; however, I do have to set money aside for tuition which gets stressful as I'm sure you know. This money would enable me to focus more on school and not work. I would be beyond grateful for this scholarship. Thank you for this opportunity.

Hello, my name is Andrea and I am 27 years young. As a first-generation student, the pressure has been on me to achieve more than my parents. However, as a child of two immigrant parents, I saw how great their lives were without an education. So I convinced myself I didn't need to go to college. I spent a couple years as a manager, a couple years as a line cook, and I am now working in recreation at a long-term care facility while I attend college. Going back to college at this age has been quite overwhelming and stressful. Not only do I heavily rely on my parents for help with bills, but I also help pay my tuition. This scholarship wouldn't be for me though, it would be for my mom who always sends me cash to pay my tuition. My mom has never once stopped helping me, and earning this scholarship would help me help her as I pursue a higher education. I want to help people, plain as simple. No matter the situation I'm in, I see a need and wish I could help. However, I fear I don't know exactly what 'drives me'. All I know is that I want more in this life. I went back to school because I needed a challenge in my life and I knew I would need more education. As an aspiring dietitian, helping others learn ways to better their eating habits is the goal. But I don't have all the answers because I wake up some days depressed, exhausted, and stressed out. I don't know how I get up most days if I'm being honest. However, I have overcome a lot in my life and I know this moment is temporary because while I currently worry about my next tuition bill, I know I'll be okay in a couple years. This moment is temporary and I know it will be worth the pain, stress, and sadness I feel not being able to buy my family gifts for Christmas. I just want to work hard and make enough money where I can afford to give back to my family. As supportive as they are, they also deserve peace and happiness. This scholarship will help alleviate some of our stress at least for one semester. We are a family of hard workers and as a current student and part-time employee, I continue to work just as hard to build my career. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you for taking the time to read my personal experience as a first generation college student. Both my parents did not attend college, nor did they even graduate high school. However, my parents made it work. They moved from El Salvador to the United States at the age of 20 with no work experience nor understanding an English. My parents have worked hard all their lives, which pushed me to work just as hard; there were no sick days for them, and I learned from them what it means to never give up. However, I gave up going to college when I was younger. I'm 27 years young now realizing the importance of a proper education. I don't think the blame is on my parents, but I did use them to stop going to college. I always thought "If they could do it without school, why can't I?". Years later I realized it was about achieving more than them. Yes I could continue working more for more money, but going to school would ensure I could make more money while continuing to excel in my career. I am working in a long-term care facility part-time while I attend college. I have always worked hard, and continue to do so while I go back to school. Receiving this scholarship would not only help me, but help my mom not worry for one semester. She continues to help me and earning a scholarship would help me help her. Thank you.

My name is Andrea. I am a 27 year old Latina with a Culinary Arts Degree from Middlesex College. I worked in kitchens since I was 16 years old. As the years passed, I realized I needed more in my life. I working JFK Medical Center when I first got the idea to go back to school but I was scared, as most older adults feel when going back to school. I worked with many dietitians in the hospital and admired what they did. And that's when it hit me, I wanted to be a dietitian. A year later I found a new job, in a long-term care facility where I worked in Recreation. I applied to Middlesex College, earned an associate's degree in science, and got accepted into Rutgers to pursue my major in Nutritional Sciences. I can't say exactly how I want to impact the world, but I do know I want to make an impact on those I meet. I have suffered, survived, and still showed up to work with a smile on my face. I love the job that I do, and I love working with my residents because they truly make my day better. I just want to be know as someone who never stopped caring, someone who was dependable, and never gave up. I want t be an inspiration for other older adults wanting to make a career change. Through my career of choice, I plan to do just that, through dedication and willingness. I have developed great relationships with my team, residents, and their family. To me, that is my world. I want to help the residents by showing them the importance of a healthy dietary pattern, and encourage them to make changes. I know dietitians have a bad reputation because who wants to change their diet because they're told they have to. I want to build relationships with them first, and encourage minor changes. I think convincing someone with diabetes to eat her sugar-free dessert is a positive impact. My long term goal is make changes that will improve the wellness of others. I want to make a difference and encourage others to do the same. I am a hard worker and I truly believe I encourage others to work just as hard. I want to continue making small positive changes that allow me to climb up the ladder and become someone in charge of making actual changes in the system. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and this opportunity.

After refusing to go back to college for so long, I finally decided to enroll and get a proper degree at the age of 27. I graduated high school in 2016 and went to community college because my parents said so. At the time, I didn't now what I wanted to be; even more, I just didn't want to continue going to school anymore. I spent ten years working, and building something for myself. However, I injured myself in the kitchen which resulted in two herniated discs that made it impossible to continue working in that industry. After months of thinking about what my next steps should be, I made the decision to go to college to become a dietitian. This was my story and how I fell in love with learning. Going to school was never easy for me, and I always struggled. I graduated high school and college with a GPA under 3.0. Now, at 27, I'm making the dean's list with a 3.8 GPA; of course it's still hard, but I'm trying, something I've never done before. My plan to inspire other first generation students begins with the truth, which is, that it's okay to go to college immediately after high school. I know it probably isn't the most ideal suggestion, but for me, being forced to do something made it impossible for me to enjoy. The fact of the matter is I would have never taken the classes I'm taking right now as serious as I am if I were 18 years old. I, like most young adults, wanted to go out with my friends and enjoy my life. While sometimes I do wish I started younger, I know it would not have been as successful as it is right now. That being said, I am experienced enough now to inspire them to start early, even if they don't have a major in mind, getting the basic classes out of the way will allow them to not be so behind when they are ready. With my sister, I watched her go through years of college to receive her master's and realize she doesn't want to be a therapist anymore. As much as that hurt to hear, it's the reality. We are not the same people we were ten years ago, and as we continue to age, so do our interests. Who would know if I would be this passionate with my major had I started ten years ago. With the ongoing relationships I build with professors, I do think to come back and talk to students. I have lived a different life, and I wanna be able to be someone students relate to. As a student myself, I truthfully rather hear about panelist's struggles and how they changed their major four times to realize what they wanted. Why? Because that's the reality, that's life, and nothing is perfect. To my first-generation students, "It's okay to not know what you want to be. I didn't. Go to school when you know exactly what you want and you're ready to commit to it. If you want to take a gap year, and get your head straight, do that." We need students to see it doesn't have to be now, but going back to school was the best decision I made, even if it took me a couple years to get there. Thank you for your time and consideration.

I'm currently working in a long-term care facility where I routinely discuss patient care with my residents and their families. However, since I am new to the field, I have very little education to appropriately advise someone. To the best of my abilities, I discuss the importance of a healthy dietary pattern and ways to improve their eating habits. Working with my manager, we created "Living Well w/ Andrea", a one hour afternoon program in which I provide a nourishing snack, while discuss the health benefits they provide. For example, I made a dark chocolate made with olive oil which lowers the risk of heart disease and reduces trans fat consumption that regular butter in cake provides. I also create pamphlets so residents and their families can follow along and read with me. I also try and make things fun for my residents. I do believe hearing the same things over and over again get boring and redundant for me; so my approach shows them how good a healthy swap can taste while not completely changing the flavor profile. With this scholarship, I plan to use the information I've learned in class and promote it into my resident's lifestyle. By giving them something to eat, it creates a more welcoming environment where they want to listen to what I have to say rather than sitting through another lecture. I know how they feel, and I know how upsetting it is to be on a "no salt added" list, so I think it's vital to listen to their frustrations and empathize. Resident's family members can sometimes be tricky to work with, but I know they mean the best for their loved ones. Creating a healthy relationship with them will make it easier for me, and others, to discuss changes in a patient's diet and offer healthy suggestions. Food is medicine, and having patient's family members support my ideas helps the patient in the end. A suggestion from a provider is often ignored, but resident's are more inclined to listen to their loved ones. Overall, I think its about communication and emphasizing how food can improve quantity and quality of life. With this scholarship, I hope to continue the path I am on, because I love it. I work hard in school and work and being able to mix the two in this program is rewarding. Thank you for your time, and consideration.