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Lookout Scholars Scholarship

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Recommended: Essays on first generation college students

Having the unique perspective of an immigrant, who has had to overcome numerous obstacles to become integrated into American society while maintaining my roots, has motivated me to make the most of my education. Thus, being surrounded by and working alongside like-minded, driven individuals with differing, yet relatable backgrounds excites me, and I know that I will have this opportunity as a member of the Lookout Scholars Program. To be in an environment with other first-generation college students who understand the significance of their education and truly appreciate the opportunities allowed to them will be motivational and inspiring. I believe engaging in a stimulating and encouraging cohort with students who desire to be challenged in …show more content…

Therefore, I am eager to have the opportunity to learn from a support network of peers and mentors that are dedicated to Lookout Scholars. Reflecting on my background as an immigrant and witnessing the opportunities that I have as a first-generation college student, I realize how vital it is to be both humble and eager to learn from others who can impart their wisdom, while also equipping myself to be a leader and to share my knowledge with others. Thus, being mentored by a Carolina Firsts Advocate and guided by the Lookout Scholars Director will allow me to make the most of my education by gaining the insight, knowledge, and experience that I can one day impart with others who have similar backgrounds to …show more content…

Remembering how long and uncertain our journey has been, from leaving our hometown and family sixteen years ago, to obtaining green cards, to years spent saving enough money to afford citizenship, I realize all that my parents have sacrificed to create a promising life for me. Thus, I have decided to never let past obstacles prevent me from creating a successful future. Reflecting on the reasons as to why my family moved half way across the world—the high crime rate, insufficient job openings, and no real opportunities for improvement, allows me to realize that attending a college in the United States is the key to making those dreams a reality—dreams of safety, opportunity, and success. Being a first-generation college student means that I have the opportunity to make my parents proud, honor their sacrifices, and give back to the country that has given me a new identity and allowed me the opportunity to improve my

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As I strive to achieve great academic success and leadership at Montana State University, I hope that my previous experiences will catalyze this process. Using my interests in academics, participation in extracurricular activities, and my own strengths, I hope to become a strong leader. I know I can achieve being both a scholar and an example for other students by utilizing my previous experiences. When I start my journey at Montana State, I expect to find students with common academic interests as myself. My goal is to connect with these students, who appreciate education in a similar way I do, in order to help each other understand topics or lessons that we will learn.

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Christina Funk, junior, established a new organization that will benefit incoming freshman and returning students in their academics, student involvement, and social life. Funk’s organization, Students4Students was created in the beginning of August and has already over 50 official members in this organization. Students4Students consist of mentors known as Wolves and mentees known was Pups. Mentors must have attended University of West Georgia for a least a year and obtain a 2.7 GPA or higher. Most mentees are freshman who would like guidance during their first year of college.

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1. After watching this video I learned that the first generation college students in the late 1960s struggled so much so we could be in this excellent program so we could succeed. Nobody should ever be neglected an education like those students. We have many opportunities as the result of their actions and sacrifices because they fought so that this program could be as successful as it is. If those courageous students would have not spoken up and fight for their rights I would have not been here right now.

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Liz Addison’s essay, “Two Years Better Than Four,” was first published in the New York Times Magazine back in September of 2007. Addison went to two community colleges and majored in biology; earning her degree in 2008. In her essay, she is responding to Rick Perlstein's article “What’s the Matter with College?” in which he claims, “College as America used to understand it is coming to an end” (211). Addison refutes Perlstein’s claims by saying, “My guess, reading between the lines, is that Mr. Perlstein has never set foot in an American community college” (212).

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Attending your graduate program will be challenging to my current knowledge I have achieved in my undergraduate career. Although challenging, I am eager to acquire and improve my current intellect and emotional growth sharpened and supported by the program’s faculty. I grew up in a small oil field town surrounded by cultural diversity. This is an important aspect in my hometown; therefore, being immersed from a young age has instilled in me the importance diversity brings. Although I come from a Caucasian middle-income family, my heavily influenced Spanish environment has shaped my identity and behavior to cherish integration.

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Historically, Latinos are known as one of the biggest minority groups residing in the United States. There are many attributes that apply to this particular population and one of the most current ones is the numbers of college graduates increasing with the years. The goal of this research project is to study Latinos and higher education. The purpose of this research is to study first-generation Latino college student and the specific financial challenges and the benefits that come with being a member of such ethnic group. My goal is to learn what specific challenges these students have to overcome as a first generation as well as the benefits given to these particular students for being a first generation.

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My second research question was What academic, personal and or exterior resources is this population currently accessing in order to achieve their goal? The emerging themes with in this Research question where library, financial aid, scholarship, professors, department, advisement, Chicano/a studies, student support services and Educational Opportunity Programs. The concepts created from these questions where support network, financial capital and involvement. My last research question was what services are they in need of to endure their success and degree obtainment? Emerging themes where tutoring, encouragement, community, quiet place to study, financial aid, mentors having materials and the sense of feeling welcomed.

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Many people dream of a life filled with riches, but that dream is hard to obtain without a college degree. It is somewhat ironic how people dream of being a successful student and going to college but the cost of tuition turns that dream into a horrible nightmare. It is not a shock to most people when they that college tuition is expensive, but in the past few years it has increased to an all-time high. Lower and middle class students have now begun to realize that college tuition is holding them away from their dreams. Even though college tuition could provide opportunities for job creation and economic growth, tuition is not affordable for the average American household which in effect, prohibits students from taking opportunities like going to college in the first place.

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