4.

Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or

worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
-capable, ambition, considerate, dedicated, cooperative, determined, hardworking, insightful,
optimism, organized, patient, perceptive, perseverance, positive, productive, responsible, sincere,
reliability
Throughout much of my life my family and I have been struggling through poverty which

has taken a big role in my everyday life especially in my education. My father is the only one

who works and earns money to maintain a family of six. My mother was in a severe accident

which has taken a toll in her life since she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, depression and

other diseases. Much of our income goes towards my mother's medical expenses as well as

utilities and house bills, which means that only a few dollars go towards my siblings and me. For

much of my elementary and part of my middle school years my siblings and I wore the same

clothes for two days, my sister and I carried ripped backpacks to school, we had no colors or

pens and sometimes we were scarce of paper. In order for use to receive supplies, we would go to

places where they would provide students with free stuff and we would rely on those supplies for

the whole year. I was always embarrassed to enter school because I had no friends or people to

talk to since many would show signs that they didnt like me. Living in poverty has allowed me

to accept everything I have and receive and appreciate everything I have for there are other

people out there struggling much more than me. I have become a stronger and a more

independent person for I do not care for what others think or say about me. Until this day, I'm

still considered a low-income student but I have become a hardworking, insightful, and capable

young woman that is determined to one day become a doctor and pay back to those individuals

who struggle in poverty and cannot afford much under those harsh conditions.
1.Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively
influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
I personally lack leadership roles for I have low self-esteem and lack confidence but I feel

like my biggest leadership role I have ever experienced was being a link crew leader. As a leader,

I discussed with incoming freshmen my struggles in high school and how I overcame them that

way they learn and have an idea of what to avoid, expect and challenge in high school. I

encouraged and motivated them to not be afraid and open up to new experiences that comes their

way for they can pave the way for a good path later on in life. Throughout the year, I was a

mentor for my freshmen so when they had a question or needed someone to talk to they always

came up to me. There were moments where I would gather my group of freshmen and talk to

them about their grades, teachers, classmates etc., and what they are struggling with so that way

we can encourage in ways that they can bring up their grades. For the freshmen orientation, I

gave them a tour around the school campus, we played fun, learning and interactive activities

and in the end, I awarded them with goody bags and cool bracelets. Overall this interaction with

the freshmen allowed for the encouragement and motivation of their high school experience.

What really made me stand out as a leader was the fact that I made an impact on one specific

freshman. During lunch, I noticed a poor young girl sitting by herself reading a book, so I stare at

her for a few seconds and I was hesitant on what to do. My quick reaction was to go up to her

and talk to her so that she can get comfortable with me and invite her over to my friends. I talked

to her all during and a bit after school about my struggles in high school, her hobbies and talents,

where she was from etc. The next day at lunch I introduced her to some nice girls I knew would

welcome her so she stays with them and after a few days she comes up to me and says thank

you. I realized that because of my encouraging words and advice she was able to make new

friends, gain self-esteem and be a happy girl again.

6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered
this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

Since I first began elementary school my strongest subject has always been mathematics

and it has been like this currently. Math for me has always been fairly easy for me, the concepts

and lesson are easy and quick to comprehend. There are a few times where I am extremely lost

and I have to ask the teacher or go to tutoring because my mind simply cant wrap the concept.

It is the one subject Im always looking forward to and never am I afraid to do the homework,

quizzes or tests. I have never had below a 95 percent in any of my math classes, its a subject that

always entertains me and relieves my mind from all the other boring and difficult classes. This

has furthered my interest by becoming a math guru in which I basically assist other students who

are struggling with math and give them a one-on-one instruction. Being a math guru allows me

to gain social and leadership experience for It also allows me to refresh my memory and learn

new things since some students ask questions in math classes that I took 3 years ago. This one-

on-one interaction with students will give me the experience for when I need to speak with other

doctors, police, or examiners about a crime scene or the death of someone. I want to major in

criminology or maybe engineering and with math being my strongest subject, it will allow me to

accurately analyze study results using statistics to correctly dose medicine, or use my math skills

to calculate angles, forces etc.

5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to
overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
The most difficult challenge I have ever faced was moving schools from Washington

state to California for I had to acclimate myself for a new situation and start a journey with new

people and a new environment. The biggest problem I faced was making friends. I experienced

betrayal when I made an effort to make friends because all my classmates would do is laugh and

say rude things to me behind my back. I was bullied by the way I dressed since I would wear the

same clothes for two days and also because I carry a rolling backpack that had a broken wheel.

My family and I were very limited with money, especially since both my parents did not have a

job so much of my clothes consisted of ripped and old clothes. As a result of this situation I lost

my communication skills so for my whole 6th and 7th grade year I was silent and I would only

talk to teachers when it was necessary. This resulted in me having no friends and losing my

confidence and self-esteem. In regards to my education, I was always that intelligent student who

always challenged myself with a result of maintaining straight As. Although I would cry and be

depressed, it would allow me to become stronger in my academics. After being betrayed so many

times I felt that I needed to attain that level of popularity which I felt I never succeeded. It was

up until high school where I found my true self and realized that experiencing betrayal made me

become a stronger independent person. Although I still lack communication and interaction

skills, I now challenge myself to finish my journey of becoming something great in life and

accomplish big things to repay for that low income childhood that I faced. No longer do I have to

hide my true identity but rather express it in ways that no would make me be a happy person and

not care for what others think or say.