Allow me to introduce myself, I am Bryan Le, a freshman that is currently attending a charter school by the name of “Downtown College Prep”. I am currently living with my parents and two younger siblings, one brother and one sister. Over my years in a public elementary school, I had seen others being happy because of one’s help and that made me feel happy inside. I then thought of ways to help others when I stumbled upon the fact that doctors help people everyday, which seemed as a great way to help many people so that they may continue to be happy in life. As I entered Downtown College Prep, I was urged by the staff to explore my options and to set a goal in life.
“Tell me an issue you are passionate about, and then argue against it,” said Gregory Mader, my father’s employer, and, coincidentally, an alumnus of the University of Chicago, as he gave me a glimpse of the intense critical thinking atmosphere I would experience at the University of Chicago. I was hooked and I began to crave the intellectual diversity the university would offer, as I sought to learn more about it. One day, I came across a curious booklet in the mail: The Life of the Mind. As I gleaned enriching information from the booklet, I envisioned myself in a new community that I could explore and simultaneously call home. The University of Chicago is a hub of cultural interaction, multidisciplinary insightful discussions, and amazing discoveries.
My grandfather, mother, and entire family were raised in Bellingham, Washington as was I. I can’t imagine going to any other school than Western Washington University. This past year has been a whirlwind. I had to decide which schools to apply to, take many tests, finish up a senior project, found a new passion, and lost someone close to me. I now realize that the only school I want to go to is Western. A few weeks ago I went to tour a few colleges in Eastern Washington.
When I was was younger, I was a caterpillar crawling around trying to get through life, waiting to turn into the beautiful butterfly I know I could soon become. I made good decisions along with bad ones, saw the beauty in life as well as the unpleasant. I was like everyone else trying to be their own person, but now as I look at myself in the mirror I can finally see who I really am. I see myself as the beautiful butterfly I once dreamed of becoming, ready to fly down my own path. I have been in my chrysalis and I am finally out and ready to fly into my bright future.
My primary goal for attending college is to be financially fit and also use the knowledge I’ve gained to help underprivileged youth achieve their goals. I come from a poor background where I have struggled to make ends meet. I didn’t receive any scholarships to attend college after high school so I skipped it. The cost of college is a burden that I couldn’t have taken. I used the motivation of when I took time away from school surrounded by people in situations I never wanted to be in.
This is me Today I am a kid in school, just a number to most people. Just a statistic to my high school, and to Wake County Public school system. The not the only this I am, this is not the only place I have been or the last place I will be going. You see for me to be just another number here, or a good statistic at my high school, I had to have learn a thing or two along the way, this journey that I am on, that all of us are on, had to start somewhere.
In my freshman year, I made a choice to relinquish some of my social life and replace that time giving back to my community. I joined a non-profit organization called the Volunteer Corp. We spent our time at food banks, park clean-ups, and even hosting local events. This experience left a lasting impression on me in many ways; however, one experience changed my perspective on life and serve as a constant reminder of how the smallest contribution to others can be the most powerful. St. Joseph University, in Philadelphia, held an event called Hand in Hand. It was an event dedicated to raising awareness for people with physical and/or developmental disabilities.
I am awakened by the bright light seeping through and around my black-out curtains. The clock on my night stand reads 3:02pm. I realize it is Thursday my night off from work and that I actually slept 6 straight hours with no interruption (that’s a record since I started working nights at the hospital). Still drowsy I toss my covers off and peel my listless body from the comfort of my cozy bed. I stumble down the stairs to the kitchen where I turn on my Keurig and realize it is “THURSDAY!
I graduated back in 2013 from a pretty decent school district. During high school I wasn’t an A student or a B student, I just did what I needed in order to pass. Once I got to my junior of high school I started taking things more seriously, I started making A’s and B’s. Once my senior year started the pressure was on. Everyone asking “what college are you thinking about attending?”
Getting involved means being apart of something more, having the chance to met different people, helping out the community, but its also means learning more about who you are as a person. Starting off at Washburn University I plan to get involved right away, in activities or clubs that would help my academically and socially like the Hispanic club , Freethinkers and French club. I will set goals for myself and achieve them, some small some big. One goal I am pursuing right now is learning french and Portuguese, i plan on going to Brazil next year. School goals, are turning in my work on time, stay focused on any task that is given to me, making sure I understand what i need to do and how to do it.
My mother entered my bedroom and immediately her face widened in absolute shock. “What did you do?” I froze, panicked. I had been discovered. Twelve-year-old me was sitting on the bedroom floor when she had come in.
I was sitting in the bleachers at Ramapo College in the gymnasium at a camp graduation about to fall asleep, when the Mayor of Mahwah called out my name. I had no idea what was going on, I stood up confused, walked slowly down the bleachers over to the Mayor, and shook his hand as he handed me a plaque. I stood next to one of the Sargent 's of Mahwah Police Department and the Mayor looking at my new award. It read, “Colonel Elliot E. Coley Leadership Award.” I remember thinking it must have been a mistake.
My first year at Smith College was a whirlwind; I was elected as the freshman class president, rowed in the first boat on the novice crew team, and maneuvered the social and academic changes every freshman undergoes. I learned a lot about myself, such as what environment I succeed in. Most importantly, I learned that although I can excel, I do not thrive in an environment that highlights intense academic rigor. Rather, I envision myself thriving academically and socially advancing at a university that encompasses academics, social life, athletics, and has a large and diverse student body that resides both on and off campus. I attended a very small high school, and I thought I would find comfort in attending a small liberal arts college.
Ready (or Not) for College The week before Eastern Kentucky University started, I found myself being appreciative for the people and experiences that God had placed in my life to prepare me for this stage in life. Last year, I did not want to take a gap year but after my parents persistent and reasoning I decided it would be better follow their advice. Now I am extremely grateful that I did take a year off as it would 've been very overwhelming, especially with moving from overseas, adapting to the new environment while working and attending school. One way I was prepared for college is from the knowledge and skills that I learned in high school.
Growing up in the small town of Clarksville, TN my whole life, I never had to be the new girl at school. I went to high school with the same kids I went to pre-k with, up until my junior year. One afternoon, I heard about a new opportunity for me- Middle College at Austin Peay State University. Getting into Middle College was no easy task, but I took the chance.
