Growing up Iranian American, I was greatly impacted by the opinions of my peers early on. Classmates would criticize my lunch or convey evident shock at the fact that I was Muslim, so I grew up feeling patronized for much of my early life. Eventually, I began surrounding myself with others who were also in my shoes, facing the discrimination that came along with being different. Over the years growing up surrounded in a fusion of cultures has made me appreciate the diversity that makes each culture so unique. Growing up traveling the world, learning multiple languages and being encouraged to accept all that cultures have to offer is something that is very beneficial in today’s global society and something that I will bring to SMU’s diverse campus. Should I be fortunate enough to attend SMU I will bring my open mind and worldly perspective to the learning environment and clubs on campus. Within the classroom I’d apply my background in my desire to study conflict within the Middle East and ways to resolve that.…
I joined Army JROTC because I wanted to be a part of a team thatWhi I Enrolled In JROTC people respect and honor. I also joined JROTC because I think it will help me out later on in my life. My god father served in the military for 4 years. My step father served in the military for 5 years. With them being in the military has gave me some influence to join the military.…
Allen, W. R. (1992). The color of success: African American college student outcomes at predominantly White and historically Black colleges and universities. Harvard Educational Review, 62, 26-44.…
My Carolina story is one of perseverance. I grew up in a prominently white and underrepresented area, being a multicultural male it was very hard to fit in. However, with the backing of family and friends I was able to overcome many of the obstacles that plagued my area. Through hard work and dedication, I believe that anything is possible. It can be said that as long as you believe in yourself nothing is out of reach. For me this was the key to my success, however, upon applying to UNC-CH I was waitlisted. This greatly hurt my confidence as I felt as if I wasn't smart enough, but to my surprise I made it off the waiting list and enrolled in UNC. Nevertheless, the effects of being waitlisted lingered over me a long period of time. I found myself contemplating whether I was smart enough to attend such a prestigious university. Although soon enough I began to get involved on campus and through this I realized UNC was the best place for me and that no matter what I could make it at a esteemed university. The diversity that UNC offers was a vital key in helping to understand my place, I heard that "diversity creates identity" and this has been one of the strongest statements I have ever heard. My Carolina story is one of struggle and perseverance to fit in, yet, with hope and hard work you can accomplish anything.…
There are over one hundred Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States. These are institutions of higher education that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community. Two of those colleges include the prestigious Howard University and Fisk University. Both these colleges helped and still help African Americans. Both are very good schools and have several similarities as well as several differences.…
On the other hand, white colleges don’t provide the same degree of motivators for those same students. Professor Mikyong Kim also states that “because African Americans at PWIs contend with greater minority-related stress, and because the…
Historical Black Colleges and Universities are better than Traditionally White Institutions socially by having a family feel. Students are surrounded by people of…
Being that I am first generation student, attending a community college has definitely guided me in the path of success. At my community college, I have been able to develop strong relationships with my professors as well as other professionals who have generously mentored my next steps. Tuition is a reasonable price, which has allowed me to focus on my academics rather than a money burden. A variety of support services are offered on campus, which has helped me triumph in my education and maintain a 4.0 GPA. Overall, attending a community college has been the first of many steps of success.…
Would you like to attend a historically black college or university? Located in Washington, D.C, Howard University has many important values. Howard University is very fortunate to be located in such a historical area. Being located were Martin Luther King gave his I have a dream speech. Howard also has a very important mascot. Lady Bison, her symbol meaning strong, and outgoing. I would like to attend Howard University because of it’s historical background, academic choices, and student life. In addition, Howard University has a variety of athletics, and a structured admissions process.…
Going to college means more to me than being able to say I have made it to a successful start. One of my lifelong ambitions is to be able to give back to the less fortunate. Through a community service event I've realized some things should not be taken for granted, especially when there are poverty-stricken families that have to worry about a simple meal for their children at night. Thus, I will not let the false perception of society about my race determine legacy, the amount of degrees I earn or limit my…
Before I came to Randolph-Macon, I was narrow-minded, not social, and was against coming out of my comfort zone. My mindset before coming to college was that I could come to college for 4 years, coming home almost every weekend, and go right back home and work on the water or work in the office of my parent’s clam and oyster company. Now I have broadened my horizons and see myself doing so much more with my life. Making it through that terrible first week of college, I realized I could make it through anything and handle anything life threw to at…
Hi – I’m Vivian Malone Jones and I’m a colored girl— in September 1963 I am the first colored girl to enroll in the University of Alabama. Blacks were forbidden to sit in the same place with whites anywhere—and for colored folk to have the chance to get the same education with white folk caused much uneasiness. Governor Wallace along with police, a mob of white folk and dogs blocked the entrance to the college. We had to be escorted in by the National Guard. I graduated in 1965 and because of my bravery; black men and women can attend any college of their choosing. Take advantage of the opportunity and pursue a higher education.…
My urge to a higher education will lead the way to a successful career and possibly a beautiful home in a good community. I will also be able to set a good example for my little sister and my nephews and nieces. Having them realize that although our family has struggle for many years due to these intuitions that oppress us there’s always a way around it. I feel privilege in a sense because the struggles that my older family members went through were lived experiences that made me stronger and strive for a better outcome. The endless nights that my parents worked to provide me with food and shelter has kept me alive long enough to change history. I have also come to realize that these forms of Institutional Racism exist on many levels. The fact that we were redlined and segregated from good neighborhoods with lack of proper resources leads my brothers to dropping out of school. Forcing them to work at fast food places living check by check causing stress upon which lead them to gangs. Which eventually had them in jail facing time due to these forms of…
Growing up in poverty not only made me the person I am today, it caused me to long for an enhanced version of myself for my future self and family. This is a goal I know I could achieve through continuing my education to Florida State University. I believe I would benefit from the community at Florida State University as I would be surrounded by other students who yearn to improve their academic career and lives, as they willingly attend to pursue their chosen degrees. Also, I’ll be able to immerse myself in clubs and organizations that consist of people who share the same dream of a career in science and medicine. The community at Florida State University will benefit from me because not only do I work my hardest, I have the dedication, and confidence, to succeed in anything I set my mind to. Working diligently at my job and school, allowed me to gain experience with time management, discover my dedication to education, and discover my dream college: Florida State…
You see, growing up in Connecticut with a mother wanting the best for her child meant private institutions. For me this meant being the only black child in a 50 mile radius. Fitting in was not something easy to do when you're the spokesperson for all things black. Race followed me like an omnipresent shadow, forever looming and forever a foe. But the real villain in my story was myself. I fought against illusions, for what I wanted instead of what I needed, to fit in rather than to stand out. Like a raging bull driven mad, I destroyed all that surrounded me and almost myself. My grades fell, my interest dropped, you could say I hit rock bottom.…