"Delay is Not Denial" This proverb has always resonated with me throughout my life, and from the very first day I heard it, I adopted it as a self-proclaimed mantra. I come from Lagos, Nigeria, from a family of four with a very humble background. My parents are far from wealthy, but they have always overextended themselves to ensure I receive the best education possible. They sent me to Grange for my primary and secondary education, a school famously known in Nigeria for its exorbitant tuition fees. Even though it was extremely tough for my parents at times, they kept me and my younger brother in the school from kindergarten through 11th grade. I recall being pulled out of class a handful of times due to incomplete fees, yet my parents ensured they saw me through till the very end. I was drawn to the United States for higher education for several reasons. My frequent visits to America up until about 2015 exposed me to its diverse and vibrant culture, which has always fascinated me. The dynamic environment, innovative spirit, and advanced educational system of the U.S. stood out as ideal for my personal and academic growth. Additionally, the opportunity to immerse myself in a culture I have long been engrossed in provided a compelling reason to pursue my studies here. The United States' commitment to cutting-edge research and development, coupled with the potential for networking with top professionals and institutions, further solidified my decision to seek higher education in this country. In 2022, I gained admission to Texas Tech University. While I was filled with joy, I also became stricken with worry, knowing it would be very difficult for my parents to support me through four years of school without financial aid or scholarships. The first semester was very rough as foreign exchange issues from banks did not allow me to complete my payments in time for the second semester. Fresh off a stellar semester where I achieved the Dean's List award (which I have since won three more times), I sat during my Christmas break, three days before the new semester, praying for a miracle that seemed next to impossible. A day before resumption, my aunt offered to pay my tuition instead of waiting for the bank in Nigeria to wire the money to my university. I instantly broke down in tears as it was indeed the miracle I prayed for. As you can see from my first sentence and the theme of my essay, delay is indeed not denial. I cannot single out one person who inspires me the most because I am surrounded by many individuals with inspirational qualities. My mother maintains faith that everything will work out; my father shows incredible resilience in the toughest situations; my aunt's kindness and generosity often lead her to inconvenience herself for loved ones; and my younger brother always wears a smile no matter the situation—all of them collectively inspire me. For instance, my father's resilience was evident when he worked multiple jobs to keep us in school, teaching me the value of perseverance. In short, my family is my biggest inspiration, and I strive to emulate their best traits to become a pillar of greatness in modern society. I hope to further my education by obtaining a master’s degree in software engineering. My undergraduate experiences, particularly overcoming financial challenges and excelling academically, have prepared me for the rigorous demands of a graduate program. I aspire to contribute to advancements in technology, particularly in areas that can improve lives and drive innovation.