College Mentoring for Access and Persistence (MAP) Essay Book

8/6/2019 College Mentoring for Access and Persistence (MAP) Essay Book

1/28

College MAP

Mentoring for Accessand Persistence

Best essays from the class of 2011

June 2011


2/28

College MAP: Mentoring for Access and Persistence

Table of contentsPage 2 A letter from Gary Belske, Senior Vice Chair and

Chief Operating Officer

Page 3 Celebrating the accomplishments of the 2011

College MAP Scholars

Page 421 Winning college admissions essays

Page 4 Expect the worst but hope for the best

Taylor C., Atlanta, Georgia

Page 6 Overcoming loss by helping other heal

Olasha L., Boston, Massachusetts

Page 8 Into the light

Lauren L., Chicago, Illinois

Page 10 Chosen to dream

Alejandro L., Dallas, Texas

Page 12 Another Cinderella story

Queen N., Denver, Colorodo

Page 14 The secret ingredient

Dennis Luis P., New York, New York

Page 16 What Ive learned from my sister

Donna R., Palo Alto/San Jose, CaliforniaPage 18 Motivation

Hannah G., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Page 20 What bothers me?

Jia Ahsan M., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Page 23 The power of mentors: an interview

Page 24 Making college a reality: a roadmap for current

high school students

You can learn more about College MAP at ey.com/US/en/About-us/

Corporate-Responsibility/CREducation-closes-opportunity-gap-for-low-income-students.


3/28

About College MAP

Many high school students dont consider going to college. The goal seems too distant,

the application process too confusing, the cost too expensive and the rewards too unclear.

At Ernst & Young, our people are working to remove these obstacles. We want not only to

encourage students to apply for college, but also to help them succeed once they get there.

Our latest effort, a US-based initiative called College MAP (Mentoring for Access and

Persistence) was developed in collaboration with College For Every Student, a not-for-profit

organization that has helped thousands of disadvantaged students get on the path to collegeThrough College MAP, we help demystify the process of applying to and affording college,

encouraging students who might not have considered applying for college to do so.

College MAP matches teams of Ernst & Young Mentors with groups of high school students for

monthly sessions focused on getting to college. The group mentoring design allows allocation o

responsibility among the volunteers (i.e., team members who cannot attend all sessions may st

participate). Mentors receive training prior to the programs start, in addition to three webinars

throughout the calendar year to share best practices and navigate through tough issues. Colleg

MAP Mentors are provided with a curriculum and a resource center, and take turns leading

monthly sessions, enabling them to enhance presentation and engagement skills.

One distinctive feature of College MAP is the focus on persistence. In addition to helping

students apply to college, Ernst & Young mentors also work with them to build the skills that

will help them persist in completing their four-year degree, including:

Awareness of the lifelong benefits of getting a higher education

Financial readiness that helps students apply for aid and pay for college

Persistence skills to help students complete a degree and succeed in careers


4/28

2 College MAP: Mentoring for Access and Persistence

A letter fromCollege MAP

program sponsorGary BelskeOne of the great privileges of serving as the executive sponsor for Ernst & Young's College

MAP program is the opportunity to meet some inspiring young people. It doesnt matter

that our College MAP Scholars are not yet old enough to vote. These young men and women

command respect because of the many obstacles they have overcome in order to think of

themselves as potential college graduates. Their commitment to expanding their minds and

their futures through education demands admiration.

We wanted to give you the chance to hear their stories, so we asked our first class of College

MAP high school seniors to write about their journey toward a college education. The very

best of those essays are printed here.

At Ernst & Young, we started College MAP because we believe it is essential for businesses

like ours to address the widening gap between the demands of the workplace and the

educational attainment of Americas young people. Our own organization hires thousands of

recent college graduates every year; and increasingly, we look for candidates who match the

diversity of our global clientele.

However, there is a personal aspect to this effort as well. Approximately a third of us at

Ernst & Young are also the first in our families to attend a four-year college. So we are

keenly aware of the difficulties of blazing a new trail when no one in your family has taken it

before and feel a great obligation to help those coming along after us.

Many of our College MAP Scholars have significant challenges to overcome and they aresurmounting them. Their essays make clear that these young men and women are natural

role models. As they fulfill their own potential, they may also make their family members

and friends more aware of their potential as well as inspiring the rest of us with a sense of

hope for the future.

Gary Belske

Senior Vice Chair and Americas Chief Operating Officer


5/28


Celebrating the accomplishments of the2011 College MAP Scholars

In 2011, the first class of Ernst & Young College MAP Scholars will graduate from high school and go onto pursuecollege degrees in education, business, engineering even the culinary arts. These students are a diverse group:

they come from nine different cities, many are first or second generation Americans, their interests range from

sports to music to technology. Some have endured personal hardship; most come from families where they (or a

sibling) will be the first to attend university; all will require financial aid to complete their education. Acceptance to

college is a major milestone that opens up many possibilities for them.

We asked the Ernst & Young College MAP Program Managers from across the US to share with us our Scholars' be

college admissions essays from this past year. We asked them to identify essays that exemplify the commitment

these students have made to their education, the challenges that have shaped them and the value that they see in

pursuing higher education. This was not an easy choice; all of our Scholars wrote with integrity and with a sense of

purpose. They wrote from the heart.

We hope the essays in this book will inspire you:

To apply to college if you are a high school student

To volunteer as a mentor and to help a young person achieve his or her dream

To support efforts in your community to expand access to education for disadvantaged youth

Our best wishes to all the 2011 graduating seniors, and especially to our 2011 College MAP Scholars.

Did you know?

An education can mean the difference between succeeding in life and

just getting by.*

A child from a low-income family who graduates from a college or university

has a greater than 80% chance of joining the middle class or better. Without

higher education, that childs odds are less than 40%.

Of all new jobs created in the early 21st century, 85% will require a college

education.

Low-income families are 32% less likely to send their children to college than

families with higher incomes. And only 6% of low-income students ultimately

earn a bachelors degree, compared with 40% of high-income students.

College completion rates for minority students are lower than for non-

minority students. Fewer than 18 percent of African-Americans and just 11

percent of Hispanics earn a bachelors degree, compared with almost a third

of whites, ages 25 to 29.

*Sources: Brooking Institute's study, "Higher Education May Slow Mobility Gap," America's Edge report, "The Skills Gap,"US Department of Education and

The New York Times.


6/28


Expect theworst but hopefor the best

Taylor C.Booker T. Washington High School

Atlanta, Georgia

Taylor plans to attend Columbus

State University and study Aerospace

Engineering.

Anything youset your mindon can becomemore than a

dream. It canbecome areality.


7/28


I once asked my father about a quote I used to use for everything.

Expect the worst, but hope for the best.He said that there were two ways tolook at it; there was a pessimistic or an optimistic view to consider. That made me wonder

if I was a pessimist or an optimist. Both have more in common than just being a part of the

same theory. Mind, Power, Thought, Vibration, or in other words The Law of Attraction,

meaning that anything that you think can contradict how your daily life will be. Think

positive, life becomes positive; think negative, and life converts to a negative state. It bega

to make me wonder about how I viewed my life. Did I view my life in a positive state or a

negative one?My results became clear when I finally decided to gulp down my fears of public rejection

and signed my name on one of the most hair-raising lists in the history of Booker Taliaferro

Washington High School: the Auxiliary Team tryouts. As silly as it sounds, the Auxiliary

Team at my school is one of the most known and talked about. These young ladies are the

constant reminder of what every other mademoiselle is not. They uphold beauty, grace, an

unnerving confidence; three things that a wallflower like me at the time didnt possess.

But, something in that day just got me so sick and tired of being left in the shadows. See, I

figured that if I could just make it on that team, I could switch from being an undesirable to

an untouchable.

Needless to say I showed up the next day ready to work for what I wanted. But as the day

went on during tryouts, I just knew it wouldnt work out in my favor for the simple fact that

I could not get one turn, flip or dance step correct. Why am I even here?, I wondered andslowly but surely, I began to drown myself in a seemingly never-ending sea of doubt. I quit

and did the only thing I naturally knew how to do, ran home and cried to my father. He was

disappointed to see that I had so quickly given up when I had only just begun. He told me

that I couldnt just live my whole life scared of rejection and that if I didnt change that I cou

never achieve any goals in life.

Suddenly, I realized how right he was, how much of a pessimist I was being by assuming

that I could only achieve failure. With new confidence I strutted back into that gymnasium

and took on any and every sassy fast-pace twist, turn and twirl they threw my way, and I

ultimately succeeded in my goal and became a part of the Marching 100 Auxiliary Unit: Fla

Corps-Blue Thunder! It showed me that if you believe in yourself and use your inner ability

of positive thinking, anything you set your mind on can become more than a dream. It can

become a reality.

Please note: these essays have been edited so that

spelling, punctuation, etc. are consistent with

Ernst & Young standards.

The essays included represent the opinions of the authors

and not necessarily those of Ernst & Young LLP.


8/28


Overcomingloss by helpingothers heal

Olasha L.Madison Park Technical High School

Boston, Massachusetts

Olasha plans to study Nursing at University

of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.*

For me, it doesntmatter howhard it is or howlong it takes. I

am determinedto become anurse.

*Pending completion of prerequisite coursework


9/28


10/28


Into the light

Lauren L.

Perspectives Leadership Academy

Chicago, Illinois

Lauren plans to study Theater at Eastern

Illinois University.

I made apromise thatI was going towork my fingers

to the bone andmake a changein my life.


11/28


Im drowning in a sea of darkness, and I see a light coming towards me.

The only thing I can think of is not this again. This is the third time thi

month that I have had this dream and I cannot wake up. The dream starts owith me in complete darkness and a bright ball begins to move towards me. Only its not a

ball, its the head of my eighth grade teacher, Mrs. Carol. She is yelling and spitting differen

words at me. Slacker! Unsuccessful! Never going to amount to anything! The next thing

that comes to mind is her saying in her very thick Chicago accent, What high school do

you expect to get into with these scores?! Nobody will accept you! Then a big hand reache

down and grabs me like a fishing hook. I wake up trying to figure out if this is really a dreamor is it my reality?

As months went on getting closer to my eighth grade graduation, I realized that the dream

was becoming my reality. I was afraid. I will never get into high school! screamed in

my mind. Then one day my pearly gates opened. Behind them was an acceptance letter

to Perspectives Charter High School. I really had no plan on going to a charter school,

especially because I had no idea what that meant. Honestly, I was just excited that I got one

acceptance letter.

To my own surprise, I made it to graduation. This was only the first step in a long road of

many. My next challenge was to make my change for high school. I was afraid, but I would

not let fear stand in my way. All through elementary school, I watched my mother struggle

to make ends meet. She did everything to make me happy. I, on the other hand, never

returned the favor. My mom would sit up late at night crying because I, her only daughter,was heading down a path of destruction. I never cared about school. My effort in school wa

like a worm trying to grow legs never going to happen.

Four years ago, I made a promise that I would never see my mother suffer and cry those

tears again. I made a promise that I was going to work my fingers to the bone and make a

change in my life by only working toward success. No more bad grades. No more fighting

with my family. No more getting into trouble. I can achieve greatness. From the first mome

that I walked into the doors of Perspectives Charter High School, I knew I was working for m

own success. My grades have not been below a C; I keep my GPA well above 3.0; and I work

hard to be an outgoing person. There have been times when I stumbled and thought that I

was not going to be able to make it, but I did.

Out of all four years of high school, senior year has been the toughest. The year started off

with a new principal and all new rules. This was a challenge for me. I, along with my fellow

classmates, was used to the rules that we had been going by for the past three years. This

was an example to me that things are going to come up and you have to suck up and buck

up. If you want success, you have to work for it.

University life will be no different. It may be a challenge, but it will be overpowered by my

greatness. I always try to give 100% in everything that I do. I know there may be some

challenges as far as school work, but there is nothing that I cant and will not do to overcom

that. I plan to study hard, and if I ever need help, I will ask for it. Thats pretty much all you

ever can do when you find yourself in a dilemma. Striving to be the best at everything that

crosses my path is not only my first step to success but it is also the biggest. Nothing will

stand in the way of making my life stronger and my brain larger. I am claiming success, and

since it is said, then it will be done.


12/28


Chosen todream

Alejandro L.

Kimball High SchoolDallas, Texas

Alejandro will attend University of Texas at

Arlington. He has not selected his major

yet but is considering the Performing Arts,

Music and Business.

Step by step, Iwill come closertoward my goalsand whatever

my heartdesires.


13/28


I was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on October 20, 1992, but was temporarily raised by my mom in a

small town in Mexico called San Felipe Torres Mochas. I was born poor, and my mom had to work day and

night to at least afford something to eat. When I was four years old, I started to work at selling jellies and lollipops around theneighborhood, because my so called father wouldnt give us anything to eat. Sometimes we didnt get to eat simply because of him and

his addiction to alcohol. However, that heartless man had a kind brother that would bring us food, while our so called father was in the ba

drinking. Each of us would call him dad more than we would to our biological father; but those were the old days and soon I started a new lif

here in Dallas, Texas, with my grandparents.

I was separated from my mom, my three brothers and my two sisters, when I was just four years old, and I never really got a chance to grow

up with my family. This is why my brothers and sisters, to this day, see me as a stranger when Im around them. Growing up like this was a

nightmare for me, because in school I would often see kids hanging around with their families and I was always standing all alone. I always

felt lonely, insecure, afraid and unloved, but I never let anyone take notice of it.

Five long years I lived like this, until my big brother Miguel was brought into the US by my grandparents for a better life and education. Even

though we both went to the same school, and I hoped for a different experience, it was the same as it was before. Miguel would usually

hang around with his friends and would ignore me and leave me out of the picture. It didnt take me long to realize that I would always be by

myself in every way. So I soon learned how to be more independent in every little thing that I wanted to do.

You see, as a child I couldnt speak English because it was hard for me to understand it. So I started to push myself to a whole new level tha

I never thought of ever reaching. Then, I went on to reading and listening to words that were in English. With the help of my teachers and

friends, I started to communicate with others very well and that became my first achievement in life that I had accomplished on my own.

In middle school, I was one of the smartest kids in class; there was nothing that I couldnt do and nothing that could slow me down. After I

graduated from middle school, I started to dream about my future and how wonderful it could be once I put my mind to it. I dreamed of beina big shot that everybody respected and whom everyone could look up to as a role model. However, I knew that in order to be that kind o

person I had to go to college and get a higher education. I have thought about this ever since.

The universities that I want to attend are the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and Southern Methodist University (SMU), because I

believe that those universities can give me the right elements I need to succeed in life. I have been accepted to UTA and I plan to major in

either Music, Business or in Theater Arts, because those are areas that I enjoy, Im really good at them, and also love to do them. Before I

ever started to think about these careers I wanted to be a journalist, but that no longer seems like my path. I was inspired by some of my

teachers at J.F. Kimball High School, because they truly believe that there is much potential in me and that I can really be who I want to

become in life. That truly gave me the necessary push I needed. You see, they actually believed that I could be so much more than just a

student. They believed that my potential would one day lead me to make a difference in the world. I dont know what I would do if it wasnt

for the teachers at Kimball. They changed my life.

I used to think that Kimball was a school filled with students that didnt want to succeed, but I was wrong. Kimball is filled with students and

teachers that want to do much more than be just another person at Kimball. They want an opportunity to rise up from where they all stand.

have encountered students that dream to see a better tomorrow and know that they could actually make that come true for everyone.

At Kimball, I was considered a college-ready student thanks to a program called AVID. Because of that program I got to know what I was really

interested in. I never would have thought that I would be such a high-achieving student, but I am, and that is really something! A program that

has also helped me a great deal is Ernst & Youngs College MAP, because they have given me such great advice and guidance. In the past two

years with College MAP, we have gone to visit some colleges and explored possibilities that have helped my dream become a reality.

At first my family thought that I wasnt going to get this far and that I wouldnt be such an outstanding student, but I have proven them

wrong and now I have their full support. However, their support is emotional and not financial. Despite all of this, I wont give up, no matter

what. I have learned that there is always a way to reach whatever goal. I know that if I work harder and harder to achieve my goal, one day

will get there. And until then, I will continue to try my best and my hardest.

Ive been through so many hardships that I finally understand why I was given the opportunity to come to the US and that is, to become

someone that one day will give a better life to those who were born just like me. If it wasnt for my grandparents, I probably wouldnt knowwhat life was about and what I would be missing out on. I will forever be thankful to them. At the same time, if it wasnt for the people that

I had the opportunity to meet along the way at Kimball, Ernst & Young, and UTA, I would not be this wise and honest person that I have

become; and so I will always cherish these relationships.

At times, I feel that I have been a very lucky person to have such amazing friends and I will never take them for granted. Now Im about

to graduate from Kimball High School as an Honor Society student and with a great reputation. But if I had to go back in time and change

something about my life, I would change nothing at all, because without experiencing the things that I had to experience, I wouldnt be the

same person who is writing this essay today. I would go through all the pain and struggles all over again, because now I know that it would

be worth it at the end of this long road that I have had to walk through; and step by step I will come closer toward my goals and whatever m

heart desires.


14/28


AnotherCinderella story

Queen N.

Martin Luther King Early College HighSchool

Denver, Colorodo

Queen plans to attend University of

Colorado at Colorado Springs.

With hard work,motivation andperseverance, Ihave achieved

so manyunthinkablegoals.


15/28


The glass slipperfinallyfits!

Just like a Cinderella story, I have experienced and endured the craziest

obstacles in my life. I am the African-American version of a Cinderella wh

has come from rags, dirt and pests, to the best of the best. Life has a wayof taking a person on a horse ride. Sometimes sacrifice and pain is all a part of growing as a

stronger person. It can be considered as fear to some people, but more of strength in genera

Once there was as girl born and raised in a little village in the country of Nigeria. She was

the oldest of seven children in her family. At the age of three, she witnessed the unfortunatdeath of her mother who left behind a newborn baby and the rest of the family up to this

brave three-year-old to take care of. From that point forward, sacrifice and passion was her

logo. Perseverance flowed from the tip of her hair, through her spine, and down to the tip

of her toes. With so much compassion in her heart, she was willing to do anything for her

beloved family. Forced to grow up so quickly, and left alone with a stepmother who had no

care whatsoever for the well-being of the kids that did not belong to her. The stepmother

made pain and suffering an everyday feeling for this little girl. Calling her degrading names

bashing on her dreams, and giving words of discouragement was the stepmothers daily jo

No matter how much the situation hurt, the little girl was driven with passion and held her

head up high, moved forward and played a continuous role of a mother to all of her siblings

With a father on the other side of the world, life was unbearable to this girl and her family. Just like

Cinderellas stepmother deprived Cinderella from going to the ball, this girls stepmother made itimpossible for success to come to her, blocking any possible means for the family to join their fath

in the United States of America. After all the stepmothers failed attempts, they finally arrived in

America on the Christmas of 2006. Being a 13-year-old girl and leaving everything that she was

used to, life was never the same for this little girl. She had left everything that she had known,

including her culture and friends and was forced to adapt to a whole new life in a hard way.

Atfirst,fitting in was a part-time job for this girl. She always walked into her classrooms with

a shirt that was torn in several places, pants that were too big and resembled that made for a

boy, her shoes were torn, and worst of all she had a haircut that was meant for a male. She was

ridiculed and teased for everything that she attempted to do and every word that she attempted t

pronounce. This situation broke this girl down to rock bottom where all that she could do was rise.

She dedicated long hours to her studies and she lived and breathed her education. In a matter of

three months, she wasfl

uent in speaking English. She learned the appropriate clothing to wear anquickly rose to the top 10 in her class, and nothing could stop her or bring her down. She promise

herself that no matter what situation that it was, she would never let anything stand in the way

of her success. She exuded strength through every fiber of her being. She emerged out of that

situation to be a stronger person andfinally showed the world that the glass slipper fits.

Of all the obstacles that popped up from left to right, the girls family was one of the bigges

Even though she loved her family so much and was willing to do anything for them, they

were the biggest roadblock on her way to success. She was forced to give up everything th

she had worked hard for, her childhood and teenage life for her family. She had a disabled

brother whom she loved so much, but lost so much in the process of putting his needs

above hers and taking good care of him. She was pushed to the breaking point with trouble

emerging from every part of her life and to tears everyday that her family could not afford

clothes and food for a day. Then again, she made a vow to herself not to allow her future to

end up like her fathers. She wanted so much more happiness for her family, and she was

determined to face and circumstance to achieve greatness for herself and her family.

That little girl is strong, determined, kind-hearted, compassionate and she perseveres until the en

That little girl is me. Just like a Cinderella story, the glass slipper finallyfits on whom it belongs. W

hard work, motivation and perseverance, I have achieved so many unthinkable goals and jumped

over so many hurdles, and I am still living and wearing the glass slipper of success and uniqueness

The world hasfinally found whom the glass slipper fits because no matter how rough and confusi

the road can get, no matter how long pressure supersedes, and no matter how many people do no

want to see me succeed, I stay true to myself and I always come out of a situation with the glass

slipper of success. I am unique. I am the Nigerian Cinderella, and the glass slipper finallyfits.


16/28


The secretingredient

Dennis Luis P.

Adlai Stevenson High SchoolNew York, New York

Dennis will attend Paul Smiths College

where he will study Culinary Arts.

My mother isthe reason thatI want to live lifeto the fullest and

pursue a collegeeducation.


17/28


The most inspiring ingredient I can ever have for any dish is my mother

Shes the one who gave birth to me, the one who improved her life to

give my older brother and myself a better childhood. Miriam Navarro

gave us everything when we had nothing. My early childhood days were filledwith arguing and never knowing a home. When I lived with my father, I was consumed with

anger. There was constant fighting, screaming and things said that no five-year-old should

hear. I felt like all there was in life was hatred. Thanks to my mother obtaining custody of m

brother and me, I found my passion in cooking.

My zeal and enthusiasm for cooking was created by my mother, my inspiration. Whenever

my mother would cook, there was always a melody of wonderful aromas I could taste the

food as soon as I walked into my house. I knew I could relax and get ready for a great day o

night. I fell in love with cooking because of the safe way I felt when my mother would cook.

When I saw her cooking or helped her cook, I felt like I was in another world a world where

there were no problems, no anger where there was nothing wrong. To me, this world was

so different from the screaming and fighting I experienced at my fathers house. I feel the

same way when I cook today, like theres no hatred; just love, happiness and joy.

My mother is the reason that I want to live life to the fullest and pursue a college education

She is the only person in my life that has never given up on me or stopped protecting me.

These are the reasons why my mother is my inspiration; she saved me from a lifetime of

suffering, hatred and anger. If not for my mother, I would have spent my time fighting and

drinking instead of applying for college, which I am happily spending my time doing.

My mother gave me a strong appreciation for my culture and background, which influence

my cooking style. I grew up eating Hispanic food and hope to fuse it with future styles of

cooking. My career goals are to become a master chef and own my own restaurant. I know

have to walk before I can run. The steps started in my childhood and will continue to the fir

day of my college career. Upon graduation, I hope to travel the world by sea. Id like to visit

the different regions of the world so I can embody other cultures and styles of cooking, and

bring them home to my restaurant. I would like to study wine in Italy, seafood in Asia, and

return to my roots in Puerto Rico. While in college, Id like to become involved in the study

abroad program to get a head start on my upcoming journey.

Obtaining a Bachelor of Professional Studies will enable me to accomplish my life

aspirations, which were sparked by my mother. It will help me to not only hone my culinaryskills, but to learn the crucial business side of owning and running a company. With my

inspiration supporting me, and the knowledge that I will gain through a college education

and life experiences while traveling the globe, I will achieve my career goals and reach my

full potential.


18/28


What Ivelearned frommy sister

Donna R.Gunn High School

Palo Alto/San Jose, California

Donna will major in Psychology at University

of San Francisco.

The day that Iwent to the DMVto get my licensebecame the best

and worst day ofmy life.


19/28


As I walk upstairs to the condominium with 57 etched on the door, I can

already hear the yelling of Angelica, my 27-year-old sister. I walk in and

stumble on the boxes that consume our floor and make my way to the

far room on the left, thats for me and my older brother Bobby. I walk pasmy mom, Jovita, and cousin Anas room with the loud music blasting from Wild 94.9, put

down my books and head into the kitchen passing my other cousin Saras room on the

couch with her clothes sprawled and tucked in between the cushions. I snatch the first thin

that I see that looks remotely edible and stuff it in my pockets for a clean getaway, when m

mother and sister stop me to ask if I brought everyone home from school. I quickly nod myhead and rush to my room in relief. Usually, I would be bombarded with questions about my

plans for the week so that my mom can find a way to slyly tweak my schedule so that I can

make time to take my cousins or sister to their appointments.

The day that I went to the DMV to get my license became the best and worst day of my life.

As soon as I grabbed my temporary license, I dropped my mother off at home and drove

to my best friends house to show off. It was not much of a show because I had to drive a

beaten silver Honda that sounded like it had a few miles until it reached its deathbed, but

it sufficed. When I came home, my mom handed me a folded paper listing the time and

dates of my sisters doctor appointments. Four years ago, my sister was diagnosed with

Syringomyelia (spinal chord injury) after an appointment with a chiropractor. Late that nigh

she kept waking up in pain and called my mom over for help. She said her muscles felt tight

and she began twitching uncontrollably. For weeks, after struggling to make an appointmenwith a doctor, we got one to see her. After running many tests they found a fluid cyst in her

spinal chord that caused damage to the rest of her body. For months she would have daily

appointments that my mother had to take her to, but when I finally got my car it was my jo

to take her. Every day after school, I would scurry to the car with my family and drop them

off at home, pick up Angelica and my school books, and do my homework while waiting for

her at the hospital.

At the hospital, I met many interesting people who had all sorts of injuries and diseases.

Although I was upset for having to spend my afternoons in a smelly place with no

comfortable desk to work on or food in a fridge that I could empty, I was grateful to have m

such wonderful people. They taught me how to be thankful for what I had, because I wasnt

the one having to go to the doctor every day. Some were in wheelchairs, and that was their

mode of transportation to get there. They didnt have sisters, brothers, or any family left tohelp them. All my sister had was me, so I did what I could to help her. Over time, her muscle

began to weaken and she would temporarily lose ability in her ligaments. She began asking

me to do the most simple tasks like reaching the peanut butter or getting a shirt that she

dropped, and I would always be so upset because I was in the middle of talking to a friend o

the phone or just making up good lyrics for a song. I was so stubborn and did everything fo

myself until then, and then I began to volunteer with all sorts of people. I helped the drug

addicts, the depressed and those on the verge of suicide at my church; I talk to them almos

every day, and although people do not know how much they go through, I could relate to

them being their age. They had a trust in me that they could never give to others. My sister

constant battle started to weaken her mind and she was urged to see a psychologist after

being diagnosed with depression. She then showed signs of manic depression with sudden

bursts of energy to then depressive states where all she did was want to stay in bed.

Dealing with my sister and the other teenage girls from the program at my church, I becam

intrigued with psychological disorders, which have shaped my path toward becoming a

psychologist. I hope to continue learning throughout college about disturbances in the brai

to continue helping people become aware of their conditions. Many people go untreated

every year, and my sister almost became one of them because we financially could not

afford sessions. I hope in the future to work with a program for teenage children to help

them diagnose their problems and formulate plans for each one to help them live their

everyday lives to the normality of others.


20/28


Motivation

Hannah G.

Frankford High School

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hannah will attend Pennsylvania State

University, Abington where she will study

Psychology and take Pre-med classes.

I look forwardeach day tolearning newthings and

continuingmy quest forknowledge.


21/28


Motivation is something that has always been a part of my life and

ultimately brought me to the US to attend high school and hopefully

post-secondary education. Through my experience growing up in Liberia andsupporting my family, I have always tried to help those in need. This desire has driven me to

consider a career as a pediatric doctor.

I was born in Liberia, West Africa, where I lived until 2004. My life there was much different

than my life today. I lived with my grandparents in a small house. There were seven childre

and three adults, only one of them was working. Farming was our only source of income an

survival, but it was extremely hard work. We grew and harvested rice, corn and cassava. I

was only nine years old when I starting working on the farm. The children were told to weed

the grass, water the crops and also chase away the birds that were trying to eat the plants.

In order to generate income, my grandmother would gather our crops and go to the city an

sell them. She would use the money from the crops to buy food and supplies. If there was

money left over she would also buy clothes for us. My grandmother and I were very close;

she taught me how to be a respectful and responsible young lady.

In Liberia, only the wealthy people can afford to obtain an education. Getting an education

was very hard for those of us that could not afford to pay for our school fees. While other

children my age were going to school in the morning, my sister, cousins, and I were getting

ready to go to work on the farm. In 2004, with Liberia engulfed in a civil war, my father, wh

had come to the US in 1999, was able to send for my sister and I to come to Philadelphia

and live with him. While I knew that opportunity would allow me to get an education and liva better life, it also meant that I would be leaving behind my beloved grandmother. Many

nights I lay awake thinking that if I work hard to make something of myself, I will someday

be able to extend a helping hand to make a difference for my family and the people in my

homeland. America has given me all the opportunities that were never available to me in

Liberia. Here I feel like I can express myself, chase my dreams and live like every other youn

person my age. Since coming to America, I have been able to attend school and participate

in activities such as track, library student assistant and book club. I also enjoy assisting my

family with cooking and cleaning.

My career interest lies in the medical field, and I hope one day to become a pediatrician or

an educator. Since childhood, I have cared for babies and young children, always looking ou

for their safety and well-being. Living through the war in my homeland has motivated me t

do well in school. During my time in Liberia, I witnessed babies dying from sickness becaustheir parent did not have money to get treatment for them. Many children died of starvatio

By the time I turned sixteen, I knew that I wanted to be a pediatrician or an early childhood

educator. I look forward each day to learning new things and continuing my quest for

knowledge. I believe that being given the opportunity to attend such a great university will

give me that chance to live out my dream and become the person that I was always meant

to be.


22/28


What bothersme?

Jia Ahsan M.

North Side Urban PathwaysPittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Jia will attend North Carolina Agricultural

and Technical State University where he will

study Business.

Skin color shouldnot botherpeople, and aHonda versus a

Bentley shouldntdetermine socialstatus.


23/28


What bothers me: racism. Racism is defined as a belief or doctrine that

inherent differences among the various human races determine cultura

or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that ones own rac

is superior and has the right to rule others. Racism has been around since theonset of American history. The problem with America is that we can discern flaws much

easier than we can notice semi-perfection.

Our current African-American President Barack Obama faces racism every day. I saw his

election as an election to go down in history with no negative connotation. Only one persoin the world can say that he is the first black president! Yet, those who still hold racism in

their hearts were disenchanted, wanting to continue the trend of white presidents. History

is documented because there were people who went against the odds, against the bigotry,

against the injustices and made their mark in history.

Racism has shaped history for good and for bad. Racism has birthed such great activists as

Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, Prudence Crandall, Booker T. Washington and Martin Luth

King to name a few. These people all changed history for the better. However, Hitler and

Stalin are examples of racism that was turned viciously violent, killing thousands because o

appearance and religion. Freedom of speech and religion are basic human rights.

Racism used to be blatant but now it is subliminal. Subliminal racism is still racism

nonetheless. Racism goes beyond skin color, it exists in all shapes, forms and sizes from

weight to hair to status. Discrimination may never end; we will never live in a world ofrainbows, flowers and picket fences. However, because it wont end doesnt mean that

one should dwell on it, but one should grow from it, sprout a new leaf in this jungle we call

America and not accept the odds but make amends with them.

What else bothers me: social hierarchy. Slaves fought for their education; they wanted wha

they couldnt have. They knew that those who were educated would prosper. Now lets step

into the present; 16% of the US population drops out of school, and most of these people

are African-American. As a proud African-American myself, this saddens me. I take pride in

my education to the fullest extent. People are dropping out of school in high school! Schoo

hasnt even begun to get hard in high school. High school is meant to prepare you for the

big guns: college.

Why African-Americans are dropping out: social hierarchy. Hundreds of years ago one just

wanted the right to an education, money equaled power but knowledge was of a muchhigher value. Now, however, all we hear about is money, the bling bling, big cars, fancy

girls, big houses, etc. Money has began to determine social status and intellectual ability ha

faded into the abyss.

For example, presidents get paid roughly $250,000 annually; however, a football player or

a rapper can get $250,000,000 annually. So, let me get this straight, the person running

the entire United States of America gets paid less than someone who fights for a ball to ge

it to the other end or a person that writes music, whether it has denotation or not that is

completely farcical. Moreover, now the President is in the middle and all the stars of the

world reside at the top of the social hierarchy chart. People that are trying to better todays

generation get paid very little, such as social workers or teachers. But are their jobs not

more noteworthy than a football player or a rapper? I know for some this might be a terribl

thing to say, but we could go without the NFL. But could we go without teachers to educateus? Yet, instead of taking advantage of these luxuries, people are going out and selling dru

or robbing people to try to work their way up Americas respectable social hierarchy.

It bothers me because it makes me wonder, does America have as many morals as it claims

What bothers us in life should have some significance. Skin color should not bother people

and a Honda vs. a Bentley shouldnt determine social status. A doctorate should earn

someone $250,000,000 a year! For right now this is the way things are, but lets not be

shallow, lets dive deep into the intellectual aspect of life, for it should bother you to lack

those abilities.


24/28


Eugene: Im very proud that Ernst & Young is involved in Restoration

Academy. I wish wed had something like College MAP for my class. Though

I had a great GPA and ACT scores, I was still intimidated about making it

into the University of Alabama, when most of the people around me were

applying to community college.

Nick: I got involved with College MAP because when I was in high school,

mentors were important to me. And I wouldnt have been in Accounting

without somebody sitting me down and telling me what I could do with it.


25/28


The powerof mentorsEugene is a junior Accounting major at the University of Alabama and

a Restoration alumni. He has served on a College MAP panel, attended

Ernst & Youngs Discover Tax Program for minority student leaders, and

will soon be a Horizon Intern at the Birmingham Office.

Nick is a senior manager in Tax at the Birmingham Office of

Ernst & Young. He has spearheaded the College MAP program at

Restoration Academy in Fairfield, Alabama, which provides a high-

quality education to predominantly lower-income students.

We asked them to share with us their thoughts on the power of

mentoring:

Eugene: At Restoration Academy, my math teacher, Connie Edwards, was my mentor. She

was so strict in the way she graded. When I was in the 8th grade, she had us doing 10th

grade math. I got a bad grade once, and I got so frustrated in class that I started to cry. She

took me aside and told me that it wouldnt be the last bad grade Id receive and that I would

make it anyway. I ended up at the top of my class.

Ms. Edwards got me interested in Accounting as a profession. I was excited to research it,

and I later learned that there are not so many minorities who choose Accounting. She reall

believed in me, so she reached out to the University of Alabama and helped to get two of m

classmates and me scholarships to Alabamas Accounting program.

Nick: Our College MAP program started at Restoration after Eugene was already at

Alabama, but people would always talk about him he was one of the top students to

graduate from the school. We were able to get Eugene onto a College MAP panel to talk tothe Scholars currently in their junior year, about his path to college. I have to say, Eugene

made the biggest impact.

Eugene: Im very proud that Ernst & Young is involved at Restoration. I wish wed had

something like College MAP for my class. Though I had a great GPA and ACT scores, I was

still intimidated about making it into Alabama, when most of the people around me were

applying to community colleges.

Nick: I got involved with College MAP because when I was in high school, mentors were

important to me. And I wouldnt have been in Accounting without somebody sitting me dow

in college and telling me what I could do with it.

Eugene: When I visited the Birmingham Office, everybody welcomed me with open arms.

Then I went to Discover Tax in New York, met new people and made friends all the way from

LA to Boston.

Im a first-generation college student. Im really happy to represent my family, who give me

great support, at school. And now I have a new family at Ernst & Young.

To learn more about internships at Ernst & Young, visit:

ey.com/US/en/Careers/Students/Programs.


26/28


Tips for grade 9 Meet with your guidance counselor to begin talking about and

exploring colleges and careers

Tell your teachers you plan to go to college and talk to your

family about planning for college

Make sure you have a Social Security number (and memorize it)

Enroll in appropriate college preparatory classes*

Study hard; the grades you earn in ninth grade will be included

in your final high school GPA*

Get involved in extracurricular activities, both at and outside

of school*

Save money for college*

Attend college fairs, visit college campuses, and take virtual

(web-based) college tours*

Read, read, read*

Making college a reality: aroadmap for current high

school studentsPreparing for college what you can start doing now andcontinue throughout high school Develop good study habits

Set academic (and personal) goals by evaluating your personal

strengths, interests and skills

Engage in community service projects, leadership opportunities,

clubs, sports and other extracurricular activities

Find a mentor someone you look up to who is a positive rolemodel

Research colleges using the internet, books, and people who

have attended college

Learn about standardized tests that are required for college

entrance like the SAT and ACT

Get to know your guidance counselor

Talk with your friends and family about college

Start saving money now to help pay for college

Take the right courses in high school that colleges require prior

to acceptance:

4 years of English

4 years of mathematics

3 years of lab science

3 years of social studies

3 years of foreign language

4 years of high school electives

Honors and Advanced Placement level courses

whenever possible

Tips for grades 7 and 8 Practice good habits complete assignments on time, be proactive and participate in class

Ask your teachers and family members lots of questions about colleges and careers


27/28


Tips for grade 10 Ask your guidance counselor about post-secondary enrollment options and Advanced Placement (AP) courses

In October, take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) for practice; when you fill out your

test sheet, check the box that releases your name to colleges so you can start receiving information from them

Discuss your PSAT score with your guidance counselor. What will you need to focus on? Which aspects of the test come naturally for you?

Become familiar with college admissions requirements (e.g., SAT/ACT scores, GPA)

Consider taking SAT II Subject Tests in the courses you took while the material is fresh in your mind

Tips for grade 11 Meet with your guidance counselor to review your transcript

and talk about college options

If you didnt do so in 10th grade, sign up for and take the PSATin the fall

Make a list of colleges that meet your most important criteria

(e.g., size, location, areas of study, living options, tuition cost)

Request information and applications from colleges of interest

by mail or the Internet

Prepare for the SAT or ACT

Have a discussion with your parents about the colleges in which

you are interested

Stay involved in extracurricular activities

Consider whom you will ask to write your recommendations

Apply for on-campus summer college programs for high

school students

Practice completing college applications

Compose a rough draft of your college essay, and ask teachers

and other trusted sources to review it

Learn about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid

(FAFSA)

Develop a financial aid application plan, including a list of

the sources of aid, requirements for each application, and a

timetable for meeting the filing deadlines

Select courses that will position you in the best light possible

as you are applying to colleges in the fall of senior year

Tips for grade 12 Enroll in AP courses and take on extra assignments

Re-take the SAT/ACT

Continue to maximize new opportunities

Finalize your college list

Visit college campuses

Complete college applications (pay attention to deadlines!)

Request your letters of recommendation

Write your college entrance essay(s)

Apply for scholarships

Meet with your guidance counselor to review the application

checklist

File your FAFSA and other necessary financial aid documents

Weigh your college options once financial aid awards and

college acceptance letters are received

Accept the college offer!

* Indicates tips to follow for all four years of high schoDeveloped in collaboration with College For Every

Student. To learn more visit, www.collegefes.org.


28/28

Ernst & Young

Assurance | Tax | Transactions | Advisory

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax,

transaction and advisory services. Worldwide,

our 141,000 people are united by our shared

values and an unwavering commitment to quality.

We make a difference by helping our people, our

clients and our wider communities achieve theirpotential.

Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of

member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited,

each of which is a separate legal entity.

Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company

limited by guarantee, does not provide services

to clients. For more information about our

organization, please visit www.ey.com.

Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member

firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited operating

in the US.

2011 Ernst & Young LLP.

All Rights Reserved.

SCORE No. CV0070

This publication contains information in summary form and is

therefore intended for general guidance only. It is not intended to

be a substitute for detailed research or the exercise of professional

judgment. Neither EYGM Limited nor any other member of the

global Ernst & Young organization can accept any responsibility for

loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as

a result of any material in this publication. On any specific matter,

reference should be made to the appropriate advisor.optioner

congue nihil imperdiet doming id quoim.

Date post:	07-Apr-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	3bl-media-staff
View:	217 times
Download:	0 times

College Mentoring for Access and Persistence (MAP) Essay Book

Documents