I have loved math for as long as I can remember. From an early age, I found joy in solving problems, and math quickly became the subject where I excelled. What I love most about math is how it provides clear solutions—there’s always an answer, even if the path to finding it requires creativity and persistence. Working through complex equations or figuring out a tough problem feels like solving a puzzle, and every solution is a small victory that builds my confidence. Math has been fundamental in shaping my academic journey and career aspirations. It gave me a sense of competence early on and served as the foundation for my success in STEM. As I advanced in my studies, math became more than just a subject I was good at—it gave me credibility. In a field where women are often underestimated, excelling in math helped me gain the respect I needed to be taken seriously as a woman in STEM. It allowed me to prove my abilities, both to myself and to others, and fueled my desire to pursue engineering and eventually computer science. Math teaches essential skills like problem-solving, logical thinking, and resilience—skills I use not just in my studies but in everyday life. Whether I’m working on engineering projects or mentoring younger students, math has taught me how to approach challenges methodically and persistently. I see math as more than just numbers and formulas; it is a tool that empowers people to think critically and make informed decisions. The beauty of math lies in its universality. It is a language that transcends fields, connecting technology, economics, and science. I love how math can be applied in countless ways—from designing products to modeling data—and how it underpins nearly every innovation that shapes the modern world. My passion for math drives me to explore these intersections and use my skills to develop solutions that make a real difference. Math will always be at the heart of what I do. It has not only opened doors for me but has also shaped how I view the world. I am excited to continue building on this foundation, knowing that math will guide me through future challenges and innovations.

The challenges I’ve faced as a first-generation American and first-generation college student have shaped my educational journey in profound ways. My parents came to this country without a network, without knowing the language, and with limited resources. They emphasized education as the key to a better future, but when it came time for me to choose a college, they struggled to guide me. They were initially reluctant about my decision to attend Brown University across the country, and the transition to college was difficult, especially when the pandemic hit. During that time, I felt overwhelmed and seriously considered dropping out. Instead, I took time off to reflect, and this experience gave me clarity about my career goals and strengthened my resolve to uplift others in my community through my education. Returning to Brown, I found new purpose in mentoring students from similar backgrounds. As president of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and a coordinator for the Pre-orientation program, I’ve worked to create inclusive spaces where students of color can thrive. These roles have shown me how important it is to ensure that others don’t face the same challenges alone. I am passionate about STEM because it combines creativity and problem-solving to make the world a better place. My degree in design engineering has given me the tools to develop innovative solutions, and I look forward to furthering my knowledge by pursuing a Master’s degree in Computer Science. This advanced degree will allow me to gain the technical expertise I couldn’t fully explore during my undergraduate studies, preparing me to build products that address real-world needs. Financially, attending college has been challenging. My family relies on me, and I carry the weight of knowing that my success will affect not only my future but theirs as well. This scholarship would relieve some of the financial burden, allowing me to focus fully on my studies and make the most of the opportunities ahead. With your support, I will continue my journey in STEM, driven by the desire to develop innovative solutions and help others along the way—just as Rebecca and Richard Whiddon did throughout their lives.

Wearable health technology inspires me because of its ability to empower people to take control of their well-being. From fitness trackers to glucose monitors, wearables provide real-time insights into physical activity, sleep, and health metrics. For individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes, wearable devices enable continuous monitoring, allowing early detection and intervention. This technology shifts healthcare from reactive to proactive, helping people adopt healthier behaviors before problems arise. What excites me most is how wearables make healthcare more accessible. In underserved communities with limited access to healthcare, these devices bridge the gap by enabling remote monitoring. This innovation became especially important during the pandemic, when access to in-person care was limited. Wearable technology provides both patients and healthcare providers with tools to stay connected, improving outcomes and reducing the burden of frequent visits. Beyond individual benefits, the data from wearables fuels research into public health trends and personalized treatments. There is also potential for more inclusive designs, giving people with disabilities better tools for managing their health. Wearable technology offers more than just convenience—it improves quality of life by providing people with the information they need to thrive. As I prepare to pursue a Master’s in Computer Science, this kind of innovation aligns with my goal of developing technology that drives positive change. My background in engineering has already shown me how technology can solve real-world problems, and I am excited to gain deeper technical skills to create meaningful solutions. I hope to work at the intersection of product development and health technology, designing products that empower individuals and promote equitable healthcare. Wearable technology reminds me that innovation is not just about creating gadgets—it’s about addressing real needs. As a woman in STEM, I believe my perspective will help shape more inclusive and impactful products. I look forward to contributing to a future where technology, led by diverse voices, solves meaningful problems and improves lives.

Pursuing a college degree as a first-generation American has been both a hopeful and challenging experience. I know that earning my degree isn’t just about personal success—it has the potential to elevate my entire family. Growing up, my parents emphasized education as the key to a better life, but they struggled to guide me through the college process. Neither of my parents attended college, and my father didn’t even finish middle school. They came to this country without a network or knowledge of the language, and while they believed education was essential, they couldn’t offer much help when navigating higher education. One of the hardest parts of pursuing college has been realizing the path isn’t the same for everyone. Many of my peers at school have a legacy of education—they have access to knowledge and connections that smooth their journey. I’ve had to figure out everything from financial aid to course selection on my own. There’s also a responsibility that comes with being the first in my family to pursue higher education. I feel the weight of knowing my success will impact not just my future but my family’s as well. I don’t have the option to fail, and I constantly think about how today’s choices will provide a better life for those who supported me. The transition to college was more difficult than I expected, and the pandemic made things even harder. At one point, I felt so overwhelmed I considered dropping out. Instead, I took a break to reflect and figure out what I really wanted from my education. During this time, I realized my goals go beyond just moving myself forward—I want to uplift others from my community who face similar struggles. This experience gave me clarity and a sense of purpose that has motivated me since returning to school. Since coming back, I’ve made it a priority to help others by sharing the lessons I’ve learned. As president of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), I’ve worked to create a welcoming environment where students of color feel supported. I also coordinated a Pre-orientation program for underrepresented engineering students, giving them early access to resources many of us didn’t have. These roles have shown me how important it is to build networks of support for those from non-privileged backgrounds. I’m proud that many students I’ve mentored continue to seek my advice even after our formal relationships ended. Looking ahead, I am excited to pursue a Master’s degree in Computer Science. This advanced degree will give me the opportunity to develop skills I wasn’t able to fully explore during undergrad. I want to work at the intersection of product development and community impact, designing inclusive technologies that reflect the diversity of their users. My ultimate goal is to build a career that not only drives innovation but also opens doors for others, ensuring future students from underrepresented backgrounds feel they belong. Pursuing higher education as a first-generation American has been challenging, but it has given me unique perspective and determination. I know the importance of education—not just for myself but for my family and community. With every step I take, I hope to create opportunities for others and help break cycles that have kept so many out of higher education.

Being the first in my family to earn a college degree means breaking cycles and opening doors—not just for myself, but for my community and the next generation. My parents always emphasized that education was the key to a better life, but the path was never clear for them. My dad never finished middle school, and neither of my parents knew how to help me navigate the college application process. They were hesitant about me moving across the country to attend Brown University, hoping I would stay closer to home. Even now, as I prepare to graduate next semester, they expect me to return home. The transition to college was harder than I could have imagined, and the challenges of the pandemic only made things worse. At one point, I felt lost and overwhelmed, to the point where I decided to drop out. Instead of leaving for good, I took time off—a decision that gave me the space I needed to reflect and reassess what I wanted from my education and career. During that time, I realized that success was not just about moving myself forward but about helping others along the way. This shift in perspective gave me the motivation I needed to return to school with a renewed sense of purpose. Since coming back to Brown, I’ve made it a priority to use the lessons I learned to uplift others. One of the most meaningful ways I’ve done this is through mentoring younger students. As president of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), I helped create a sense of belonging and support for minority students in STEM. I also coordinated a Pre-orientation program designed to level the playing field for incoming engineering students from underrepresented backgrounds. What I’m most proud of is that even after our formal mentor-mentee relationships ended, many of these students continued to seek me out for advice. Knowing that I’ve made a lasting impact on their academic journeys means everything to me. Looking ahead, I’m excited to pursue a Master’s in Computer Science. There are technical skills I’ve always wanted to develop but couldn’t fully explore during my undergraduate years, given the demands of my engineering coursework. This advanced degree will not only deepen my expertise but also set me apart in the field. I plan to use these skills to design products and solutions that are inclusive, innovative, and impactful. Ultimately, my long-term goal is to build a career where I can combine my technical knowledge with my passion for community building. Whether it’s through product development or continued mentorship, I want to create opportunities for others, especially those from backgrounds like mine, to succeed in STEM. Being a first-generation student isn’t just about earning a degree—it’s about proving that we belong and making sure that others know they belong, too.

Calculus plays a vital role in STEM because it enables us to model, analyze, and solve complex problems that arise in science, engineering, and technology. It provides a way to understand change—whether it’s measuring how fast an object moves, analyzing electrical signals, or predicting population growth. For these reasons, calculus serves as a cornerstone in the STEM field, offering essential knowledge for engineers, data scientists, physicists, and many others. It is not just a theoretical subject, but a practical tool that makes innovation possible. I personally discovered the importance of calculus early in my academic journey. After quickly advancing in math during high school, I took my first calculus course as a sophomore. This class opened my eyes to how mathematical concepts could be used to solve real-world problems. It gave me a solid foundation that has been essential throughout my time as a design engineering student at Brown University. From calculating stress distributions in materials to determining fluid dynamics in mechanical systems, calculus has shaped the way I approach engineering challenges and product design. In my degree program, calculus has become an indispensable tool. It allows me to model and break down complex systems into manageable components, which is critical when working on technical designs. Engineering is as much about problem-solving as it is about creativity, and calculus gives me the ability to think analytically, a skill that is transferable across many fields. For example, in one of my classes, we used calculus to analyze energy transfer within mechanical assemblies, a concept that is also crucial in fields like robotics and sustainable energy. This cross-disciplinary nature of calculus makes it a key element in fostering collaboration between engineers, computer scientists, and other professionals in the STEM space. Beyond my academic experience, I believe calculus is essential in preparing future STEM professionals to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. Many emerging fields, such as machine learning, robotics, and climate modeling, rely heavily on calculus to develop innovative solutions. The ability to think critically and mathematically is vital for anyone seeking to make a meaningful impact in STEM. Mastering calculus not only unlocks opportunities for individuals but also empowers them to become part of larger innovations that can change society for the better. While calculus can be intimidating, I see it as a gateway to understanding how the world works on a deeper level. It has taught me to think beyond surface-level answers and engage with problems methodically and logically. For students pursuing careers in STEM, learning calculus equips them with a mindset that fosters curiosity, problem-solving, and resilience—qualities that are crucial for long-term success. I am grateful to have acquired these skills early in my academic career, as they have been instrumental in my growth as a student and future engineer. Looking ahead, I am excited to continue using the tools I’ve gained through calculus to solve real-world problems and develop innovative solutions. Whether in product design, computer science, or engineering, calculus has provided me with the foundation I need to succeed and make a lasting impact in STEM.

Pursuing a degree in STEM has always been about more than just academics—it represents the intersection of curiosity, creativity, and social impact. As a design engineering student at Brown University, I have discovered the power of combining technical problem-solving with user-centered design to build solutions that genuinely help people. My experiences so far have fueled my passion for innovation, and I intend to continue this journey by enrolling in a Master’s program in Computer Science. With this advanced degree, I aim to bridge the gap between engineering and product management, building technologies that not only solve pressing issues but also promote accessibility for diverse communities. Throughout my academic career, I have remained deeply committed to uplifting other students of color and ensuring they thrive in STEM fields. Serving as the president of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) at my university has been one of the most impactful roles I’ve taken on. In this capacity, I worked to build a supportive community for Hispanic and minority students, providing professional development, networking opportunities, and peer mentorship. I believe fostering such spaces is essential for underrepresented students to feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed in environments where they are often the minority. Another pivotal experience has been my role in coordinating Brown University’s pre-orientation program for incoming engineering students. This program is designed to level the playing field by equipping students from underrepresented backgrounds with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive in a rigorous academic environment. Having personally witnessed the impact of this program on students’ confidence and sense of belonging, I understand how early interventions and intentional support systems can set the stage for success. My involvement in this program reaffirmed my commitment to ensuring that no student is left behind, especially those from marginalized backgrounds who may not have access to the same opportunities as their peers. Looking toward the future, I see myself at the intersection of product development and education, leveraging my skills to create tools and technologies that address real-world challenges while promoting equity. My goal is to use my engineering and computer science background to build products that are accessible and inclusive, ensuring that technology reflects the diversity of its users. Beyond product innovation, I aspire to continue advocating for the inclusion of students of color in STEM through mentorship and outreach programs, demonstrating that they have a place in these fields and a voice in shaping the future. Being a person of color in STEM is both a challenge and an opportunity. It offers the chance to redefine what innovation looks like by bringing diverse perspectives to the forefront. My journey in STEM is not just about personal achievement but about opening doors for others and contributing to a more inclusive future. With every step I take—whether in the classroom, in leadership roles, or in my professional career—I aim to make the field more accessible for those who come after me. Through my work, I hope to inspire the next generation of innovators and create a lasting impact on the STEM community.

I had high hopes when I received my first college acceptance. I am the first in my family to go to college and receiveing that email was in itself an experience. Not a single person in my family could have told me that the journey I was about to begin was more than just academic. My primary concern going into college was passing my classes; little did I know that the culture shock, homesickness, imposter syndrome and mental health would all have a say in what it means to be a college student and first-time "adult." It was drilled into my mind that education was the avenue I needed to pursue to have a good future and I still believe this. I think pursuing education is very fulfilling and challenges you in ways that nothing else will. I have not only developed my skills in my academic and professional life, but I have had to grow an immense amount and personally-developed into a very different person, in comparison to when I first stepped foot on my college campus. My first year was incredibily difficult. I left my home for the first time and travelled 3000 miles to a new state where I had no friends, family, or connections. I was in a new city with a different climate and overall atmosphere. College was not like high school and I was shocked at how much I was supposed to get used to under such different circumstances. Long story short, I went through a very rough patch and made the decision to leave school. I made myself believe I didn't belong and my mental health was hurting to the point where it was physically manifesting itself. Despite being at one of my lowest points, I had the mental fortitude to speak with a Dean and instead of dropping out, I went on a temporary leave of absensce, intending to return when I was able. I spent just under a year working on myself. Reflecting on who I was and why I made the decisions I made; why I reacted to specific situations in this way or that. I taught myself to knit and explored things I kept myself from trying. I grew a lot in that time period and eventually reached the point where I could say I was ready to go back to school. I underwent the process to return and have been in school ever since. You will learn about yourself while in college, there is no way around it. You can choose to remain the same or dare to see what you can become. A lot of the choices I made to get to college were out of a desire to be accepted or validated. I initially wanted to study engineering because I thought that was expected of me; I'm the one that got to go to a good school, aren't I? After years of reflection I realized that I cannot live my life for others. So I study for me. I've had many people help me throughout my journey and am incredibly grateful as they were there when I felt like giving up - more than once. It's people who believe in education and what it can do to poeple from our community that made a difference in whether I stayed in school or not. I decided to stay. If I were to establish a scholarship, I would want to highlight students who did something they were afraid of. Too many of us are afraid to get out of our comfort zone and it's holding us back.

As a FGLI student, I did everything I could to be prepared for college. During high school, I attended workshops for my applications, sought help from counselors, I was active in multiple extracurriculares and received good grades. I thought I was good to go when it came to getting into a good college. And I was, but it was up to me to discover the challenges that came after the decision letter. I go to college out-of-state. Leaving home is a big step, especially for a Latina. Initially, my potential move was met with skepticism from my parents. They thought moving across the country was too far and assumed I wouldn’t be able to handle being on my own with the only familial guidance happening through the phone. However, despite my family’s concerns, I decided to go to Brown; the resources the school offered were too great. It was exhilarating, all my hard work had payed off and I was going to a good school. My first semester started off well enough, I met a few people (as much as was possible with the pandemic) and I was excited about my classes. The issues started to surface when I got to the point in the semester where everything (homework, projects, labs) felt like it was unmanageable. I knew college was hard, I was mentally prepared for challenging material. However, I did not prepare myself for the amount of harm I would do to myself in order to feel like I was on par with my classmates. In other words, everyone made it look easy and I felt like I was the only one struggling. To think a problem set is hard is one thing, but to tell yourself there is something wrong with you and that’s why the problem set is hard is a whole other and it’s precisely what I did. I told myself that I didn’t deserve to be at the school, I clearly didn’t fit the demographic, I reasoned. My parents didn’t go to college, one didn’t even go to middle school; My high school has a day care for students’ children, what am I doing at an Ivy League? These are the thoughts that plagued my mind for so long I stopped eating just so I could stay at my computer longer and try to figure out my assignments. I had to stop what I was doing and decided to drop out of school. I made a call and nearly finalized my leaving when I was given the option to take some time off and return when I was healthy. That was a year ago. I am back at Brown, currently maintaining a 4.0 GPA and studying Material Engineering. I am grateful for having overcome one of the most testing challenges I have experienced and I want to share my journey because it is unconventional and yet not at all different from what many FGLI students face. We often think we are alone in our struggles and reason rest is for later, help is for people who have time. That is clearly not the answer. As First-Generation students we are left to figure out college on our own and we often leave before we understand all our options. I intend to use my experience to help others in a similar situation. I am studying engineering to give a voice to those who aren’t currently present at the decision table. I am already taking part in organizations at my school that uplift POC in STEM and elsewhere. And this is only the beginning.

I have always been confused about the way a word processor was created. I understand that a computer reads every letter as a combination of binary numbers and this is eventually displayed as a letter a user can read on a screen, but how did it start. How did anyone know what wires to connect? Or how to connect the screen? When I think of the beginning of the word processor or even the earliest computers, I remember that a small idea can have the potential to become an enormous part of everyday life. It’s hard to believe that only decades ago, people couldn’t call or email a friend a few houses away, much less anyone farther than a few miles radius. However, I can currently use a phone to call, email, read a book, and even look at recipes from across the country. We have the potential to do great things, the aforementioned developments are proof. So, if a telegram can become a cell phone in a matter of years, I am excited to see how much further we can take all sorts of technology. For example, computers still run on power, which reduces the amount of people they are accessible to. It sounds crazy to say that a computer that doesn’t need power to run will eventually exist. But is it any crazier than saying you could one day call your parents from all the way across the country, when the telegram was prevalent?

My first semester of college took place during the worst of the COVID pandemic. Everybody knows college is difficult, but we were the first class that would have to go through it while a pandemic was affecting all aspects of our lives. I moved all the way across the country for the first time without knowing anyone at my new school. I was taking challenging classes while attempting to figure out a social life in a time of social distancing and isolation. It was hard, but I managed to move forward for the first month. Slowly, however, I started to fall. I would call my family back home, every single night so that I could feel their presence as I slept. I would constantly tell myself that I didn't deserve to be where I was, and would skip meals so that I could spend more time on my assignments; believing that the most important thing at that moment was to make sense of the work that was in front of me. My anxiety got so bad at one point that I had to narrate my days so that I wouldn't be overwhelmed by the thoughts that said I wasn't worthy. "You're just opening the door to go to the bathroom; twist the knob, pull back the door, go through the door; walk past the hallway, open the door to the bathroom by twisting the doorknob...." It was only a matter of time before my parents grew too concerned and flew to visit me. I realized how deprived of human interaction I was when I saw them for the first time. They stayed with me for a couple of days, and it was during this time that I realized I was miserable. I hadn't been able to laugh in weeks and my health was far from satisfactory. I made one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make and decided I needed to leave school. My original intention was to drop out, but I spoke to a dean who helped me make the decision to take the year off. I am writing this essay a year after that decision was made, and am happy to say that I am about to finish my first semester of college. During my year off, I learned to take care of myself by constantly telling myself that I am not perfect and that there is no reason for me to be. I learned that I am allowed to take time to work on myself, so that I can be the best I feel I need to be to work, create, and perform. I learned that I let fear and other people's expectations control me for far too long and that the only person whose respect I need to gain is my own. For as long as I can remember, I worked so that I could go to a good school. Once I got there, I realized that there is so much more to me, and everyone else, than grades and internships. We are people, who fail and cry. We constantly make mistakes and there is no reason for why we should think less of ourselves when mishaps happen. Our time is limited, and I would rather make mistakes and laugh about them with people I care about, instead of punishing myself for not being perfect.

Luz Rivas went to the same elementary school and high school as I did. She graduated from MIT with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Instead of determining her degree was enough to move on, she went back to her community to incite change in STEM. When I was in the 5th grade, she visited her old elementary school to start a club called DIY Girls. This club was open to 5th-grade girls who wanted to learn about science and technology through projects like LED cards and coding with Scratch; I joined the program—without any idea how big of an impact it would have on my future. For as long as I can remember, I have known that I want to leave a positive impact on the world, and no matter the scale of a project, this idea has been my primary source of motivation. I believe that pursuing a career in STEM will do just that--leave an impact. There is a significant gap between the number of men and the number of women, not to mention women of color, in STEM; therefore, every woman who becomes a scientist, mathematician, or engineer makes a difference by bringing a diverse perspective to the table. A perspective that has too long been ignored. One of my personal goals in STEM is to continue working for organizations like DIY Girls. Luz and I have a similar background, and knowing she could get her degree is reason enough for me to believe I can do the same. I never saw a woman represented as a scientist or engineer growing up; I didn't know it was possible until I was made aware of it through DIY Girls. That is why I hope to continue to expose people from different backgrounds to the STEM field and provide the tools necessary to make a career out of their dreams. Additionally, I would like to address the dark side of technology as part of my career. Discriminating technology and the misuse of data are a few of the many problems that have resulted from advancements in technology. I want to do my part to make the internet and computers a safer place for everyone.

With a continuous rise in COVID-19 cases, many students are not in school and a majority have no intention of participating in after-school programs if it means more Zoom time. However, I had the pleasure of instructing a number of elementary and middle-school-aged girls who did not let the situation affect their goals. I helped these girls build circuits to light up their projects and, in a sense, trained a new generation of engineers. We faced many challenges but managed to get past. I believe that that goes to show my commitment and their own to making STEM more inclusive.

My favorite source to learn about personal finance is books. I have recently been interested in learning about investing, so I read The Motley Fool Investment Guide for Teens: 8 Steps to Having More Money Than Your Parents Ever Dreamed Of. The Motley Fool is a financial and investment advisory firm, and I find that reading their book is literally worth millions. This book also offered important insights into more common financial concerns, like credit cards and bank accounts, aside from investment advice. I have expanded my personal finance reading list in the last few months and have already started applying the tips. I also find videos to be incredibly helpful; people who have tried different finance strategies can share their experience and results. One of my favorite YouTubers is Graham Stephan, who maintains an immensely popular channel about personal finance. His videos cover a wide range of topics, and I find that they accurately intersect with some of the advice I found in the books I read. Books are great, but they lack continuous updates (due to the lengthy publishing process), so I compliment these sources with the information provided by my bank and its website.

"My greatest achievement might be a bit of a cliché, but it was my college acceptance/matriculation." That's how I was going to start this essay, but I realized that I should never try to undermine this achievement by making it out to be a small feat. Hundreds of thousands of students get accepted to college every year, and many decide to attend—but not many look like me. The college system is not designed for students of color to succeed. These higher-learning institutions are accustomed to catering to white, typically wealthy, students. Knowing what would get me accepted was a challenge on its own, never mind the fact that there is nothing that prepared me to experience the campus. Extraordinarily, accepting the idea that my college acceptance/matriculation is remarkable changed how I perceive my accomplishments. Learning that I can overturn a status quo that pollutes my community taught me I am worthy of being seen, not a stereotype but a more-than-capable student. For context, I am from a primarily Latinx, low-income neighborhood, and it is a sad reality that very few attend college; as a matter of fact, a large number do not complete high school. My generation's parents are predominantly immigrants who left their country of origin due to the lack of necessities. Many of our parents dream that they may provide enough for their children so that one day they can receive a degree; however, as I mentioned above, not many do. My high school emphasized the importance of college but did not provide adequate resources for it to be attainable. We had a single college counselor, meant to advise two thousand students. We could not afford SAT or ACT Prep. Finding a quiet place to do our homework was difficult enough; distance learning posed a completely different challenge that we could not prepare for. My dad made a make-shift office out of one of our closets so that my twin sister could have her own space. To make matters more complicated, my cousin moved into our home due to trouble at her own. I also have two younger, school-aged sisters who need their own space to complete school work. I mention everything I did to illustrate how it can be a challenge to do your best when your situation appears to be incredibly dire. I relate this story to provoke specific images because there are times when small events are overlooked, despite them having a massive impact on individuals. Like me. I grew to understand that my circumstances are not the same as those experienced by new classmates. In college, I have met students who have college-educated parents and who had access to tutors. I have made it clear that that is not my case, but that is the reason I have learned to think of my going to college as an outstanding achievement that was not easily attained and, therefore, a source of pride. As for the future, my academic goals consist of obtaining my Bachelor of Science degree from Brown University. Along the way, I plan on gaining experience through a combination of internships and volunteer opportunities. My personal goal is to address some of the issues in my community. I believe that I will make a difference once I have made connections and acquired the resources necessary. All in all, I started out thinking my acceptance was a piece of information, that it wasn't a reason to be proud because so many other students did the same. Eventually, I learned that my circumstances were working against me, and still, I am attending a top university. I learned that I should be proud of what I have done. I learned to stop thinking up excuses to justify my acceptance to others, telling them that I got lucky, etc., because I worked for what I have achieved. Most importantly, I learned and know that I can make a difference in my community and plan to do so.