#proudtobefirstgen

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Share Your Story: Diana Vicezar

“Motivate and empower other students from your community to study and set high goals for themselves. You are a role model to your peers. Do not give up, you can do this!”

“I’m a Freshman at Pitzer College in Claremont, California. I’m an international student from Paraguay passionate about...mentoring international students on how to apply to college in the US. I remember how anxious I was when I applied to college a year ago. Coming from a low-income family, & knowing that my parents didn’t have the option of getting into high school, motivated me to apply to college...However, when I started the application process, I found myself in difficult situations where I felt like I wasn’t ready to take this step...People used to tell me that because my parents didn’t have a degree, it would be impossible for me to get one. This led me to wonder if I was right in thinking that I could get into a good university. One day I came home & started crying over my ACT books thinking it would be easier for me to give up. But, then I remembered why I wanted to go to college in the first place. Now that I’m in my second semester of college, I’m proud to say that I am a first-generation international student in the United States.” What is your college application advice? “Don’t listen to people who say you can’t achieve your dreams & that you aren’t good enough. Work hard, do your best in the application & you will see that with your effort, talent & perseverance you will get into your dream school.” —Diana Vicezar

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Share Your Story: Irnande Altema

“Life does not end in high school. It is just the beginning because you are slowly seeing and learning the world around you.”

“I am a daughter of immigrant parents who originated from the Caribbean. There were so many uncertainties when I applied to college. The FAFSA application confused my parents and I to the point that the Financial Aid office of the undergraduate institution I attended reached out to us to walk us through the process…I did not know there was a Writing Center until later in the first semester. After that information was shared, I learned about other campus resources by asking other students and faculty. The more I inquired, the greater my knowledge, access, and opportunities grew.” What is your college application advice? “Ask the institution if there is an established program and supportive services for first-generation students!” —Irnande Altema

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Share Your Story: Erving Sosa

“Follow your passion early, see what you really like, and do not compare yourself to others; we all have different growth and abilities.”

“It took me 6 years, 3 major changes, 2 degrees, 169 credits, stress, anxiety, and sleepless nights to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Minor in Mathematics from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV). I worked at a fast-food place and paid my tuition out of pocket and am glad to be graduating debt-free. I failed courses but did not give up. At times, I doubted my skills and future but did not give up. Life is not easy, college is no simple task, but what matters is to not give up and to stay committed to your goals….I am grateful for my classmates, friends, family, professors, mentors, and everyone else who was there along the way. Proud to be a first-generation college grad and founder of Hispanics Who Code. Who knew in a matter of months I would go from flipping burgers to developing software at American Express as a software engineer next month. Follow your dreams and do not give up, no matter how you get there or whatever life throws at you, as always stay humble.” What is your college application advice? “If for some reason, you can not afford your dream university, go to a community college then transfer to that university or another.” —Erving Sosa #proudtobefirstgen #shareyourstory#highschool #firstgen #highered#firstgenerationstudent#collegeapplications #firstgeneration#softwareengineer #engineer#fgliexcellence #lowincome#firstgensupport #collegeadmissions#classof2022 #collegefreshman#highschooltips #forthestudents#inthistogether #collegeadvice#readiness #realtalk #proudtobefgli#collegeaccess #studentsuccess #grit#determination #supportsystems