I plan to make a positive impact on the world by pursuing a career in nursing, where I can support and care for people during some of the most important and vulnerable moments of their lives. My passion for nursing, especially midwifery, began in high school through my child development classes. One story that stayed with me was about my teacher’s experience with her midwife. She explained how supportive and understanding the midwife was, and how close they became throughout the process. Hearing this made me realize the difference compassionate, patient, and attentive care can make. It also felt personal because my own mother had a difficult birth with me, and I want to help other families feel safe, informed, and supported during their journeys. Growing up as a first-generation student in a low-income, immigrant family, I learned the value of hard work, resilience, and empathy. My parents worked long hours in low-paying jobs to provide for our family, and I understood from a young age that my education could not only change my life, but also the lives of future generations. Navigating the college application process on my own, learning about financial aid, and applying for scholarships were overwhelming experiences, especially while coping with my father’s overdose in January. Missing school during a critical time and catching up on academics taught me how to persevere even when life feels overwhelming. These experiences gave me a sense of purpose: I want to use my knowledge and skills to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. To prepare for my future in nursing, I have taken courses in child development and science, worked at CVS where I learned responsibility, organization, and how to help people in practical ways, and served as a leader in my school’s Black and Latinx club. These experiences have strengthened my communication, teamwork, and empathy skills—qualities I know are essential for anyone in healthcare. I plan to make a positive impact by providing compassionate care to families and patients, ensuring that they feel heard and supported. Beyond my work as a nurse, I want to mentor others from first-generation and immigrant backgrounds, helping them navigate the challenges of education and career paths, and inspiring them to pursue their goals. By combining my personal experiences, education, and empathy, I hope to make a meaningful difference in my community and leave a lasting impact on the world.

A college degree would change the path of my life and the lives of future generations of my family. Growing up as a first-generation student in a low-income, immigrant family, I have seen how financial struggles and limited opportunities can affect an entire household. My parents came to the United States seeking a better life. They worked long hours in low-paying jobs to provide for our family, and I saw how much effort it takes just to make ends meet. Their sacrifices inspired me to work hard, but I also understood that my success could create opportunities for generations to come. Going to college would allow me to break the cycle of financial insecurity, give my family a more stable life, and ensure that my future children can pursue their dreams without fear. For me personally, earning a degree would be proof that hard work and determination can overcome obstacles. It would give me the skills and opportunities to build a meaningful career and make a positive difference in the lives of others. I am passionate about nursing, especially midwifery, because it combines science, care, and advocacy. My interest began in high school through my child development classes, where we learned about childbirth and maternal care. One story that stayed with me was learning about my teacher’s experience with her midwife. She explained how supportive and understanding the midwife was, and how close they became during the process. Hearing about this made me realize how much care, patience, and communication matter during childbirth. This story felt personal because my own mother had a difficult birth with me, and I wanted to provide that same kind of compassionate care to other families. Nursing is not just a career for me. It is a way to take my struggles and turn them into something meaningful, while helping others during some of the most important moments of their lives. To pursue this passion, I have taken courses in child development and science to prepare for nursing school. I have also worked at CVS, where I learned how to help people, stay organized, and communicate with empathy. My leadership in my school’s Black and Latinx club and my involvement in cheerleading taught me teamwork, responsibility, and perseverance. These experiences have strengthened my character and prepared me to face the challenges of college and a nursing career. A college degree represents hope, opportunity, and the chance to create lasting change. It will allow me to reach my goals, inspire future generations of my family to value education, and help me give back to my community. It symbolizes resilience, purpose, and the possibility of turning challenges into opportunities to help others. I want my children to grow up knowing that education is achievable and that it can open doors, no matter the obstacles they face. By pursuing nursing and dedicating myself to helping others, I hope to make a positive impact on both my family and the world around me.

Growing up in a first-generation, immigrant family, I have always been aware of the sacrifices my parents made and the challenges I would face as a college-bound student. My parents came to the United States seeking better opportunities. They worked long hours in low-income jobs to provide for our family, and I learned from a young age how much hard work and determination it takes to succeed. I understood that going to college could not only change my life, but also honor the sacrifices my parents made and help create a better future for our family. Preparing for college was exciting and overwhelming at the same time. I had no one to guide me through applications, financial aid, or scholarships. I remember staring at forms with confusing terms and feeling anxious that I might not be able to attend college simply because we could not afford it. The pressure to succeed was heavy. My parents have given me so much, and I wanted to make sure my hard work would pay off. When my father overdosed in January, I missed school during an important time. Returning and catching up on academics while continuing the college application process was exhausting. These experiences taught me perseverance and strength and helped me grow into someone who can face challenges and keep moving forward. Through high school, I discovered my passion for nursing. My child development classes introduced me to midwifery, and learning about childbirth made me think about my own family. My mother had a difficult birth with me, and this personal connection made me want to help others during some of the most important moments of their lives. Nursing is more than a career to me; it is a way to make a meaningful difference. Being a student from an immigrant family has given me perspective. I know what it is like to face obstacles and to fight for opportunities. I want to use my education to break cycles of hardship and create chances for others. Whether through healthcare, community support, or mentorship, I want to help people overcome challenges and achieve their goals. College represents more than education. It represents resilience, responsibility, and the power to create change. By pursuing nursing and dedicating myself to serving others, I hope to make a positive impact in the world and inspire others to believe that their dreams are possible, no matter the obstacles they face.

Growing up as a first-generation, low-income student, applying to college has been one of the most overwhelming experiences of my life. The hardest part was trying to understand financial aid on my own. I remember looking at forms and terms I had never seen before, feeling confused and scared. It was hard knowing my future might depend not on how hard I worked, but on whether I could afford it. I also felt a lot of pressure to succeed. My parents have sacrificed so much, and I want to give them a more comfortable life. At the same time, I felt like I was figuring everything out alone, without anyone to guide me. In January, my dad overdosed, and I missed many days of school during an important time. When I came back, I had to catch up while still applying to colleges and scholarships. It was exhausting, but it showed me how strong I can be. My sense of purpose comes from both my struggles and my goals. Through my child development classes, I became interested in nursing, especially midwifery. Learning about childbirth, along with my mom’s difficult experience having me, made it feel personal. Graduating college means more than earning a degree. It means breaking a cycle and creating a better future for my family.

Being a first-generation student feels a lot like walking through a room in the dark. You know where you want to go, but you’re constantly bumping into things that people who came before you already knew were there. For me, the hardest part wasn't the schoolwork; it was the "hidden" stuff, like navigating financial aid. There were moments when I sat at my computer feeling completely overwhelmed by terms I didn’t understand, terrified that I wouldn’t be able to go to college, not because I wasn’t smart enough, but simply because I couldn’t afford it. Living in a low-income household adds a specific kind of pressure. I’m not just going to school for myself; I’m going so I can eventually provide a comfortable life for my parents. I want to give them a lifestyle better than the one we have now, but figuring out how to get there felt like a solo mission. I didn’t have a roadmap or a mentor at home who had done this before. I had to figure it out piece by piece, slowly and on my own. My perseverance was truly put to the test this past January when my dad overdosed. It was a devastating time for my family, and I ended up missing a lot of school. Coming back was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. While I was trying to catch up on weeks of missed assignments, I was also supposed to be applying for colleges and scholarships. It felt like the world was moving at full speed while I was just trying to keep my head above water. But I didn't quit. I worked twice as hard to catch up because I knew that if I gave up then, I’d be giving up on the future I promised my family. My curiosity about the medical field actually started in my Child Development classes. Learning about midwifery and labor really sparked something in me. It became personal when I learned about the difficult birth my own mother had with me. That firsthand connection made me realize I didn’t just want a job; I wanted a career where I could support women through those high-stakes moments. This curiosity has turned into a passion for nursing, where I can use what I’ve learned to help others navigate their own health crises with the care they deserve. To me, graduating college is about much more than a degree. It is about ending a generational cycle of financial struggle. I want my future children to grow up in a world where "college" isn't a scary word or a financial impossibility. I want them to apply to schools worry-free, knowing they have a parent who understands the process and can guide them every step of the way. By becoming a nurse, I’m not just changing my own life, I’m changing the trajectory of my entire family.