Sample Personal Statement (in progress)

Rialto Student

SSN

Date

            I always thought that my father would be there when I graduated college, when I got married, and when I had children. But it was one sunny afternoon that my world changed forever. It smelled good when I was walking towards the kitchen and knew my dad was coming home soon from work. I was ready to have another typical afternoon meal with the family, talking about politics and the society, but that day was different.

That day he had a solemn face and I could tell that he was ready to talk about something very important. My heart began to beat faster. “I’ve got some bad news,” my father said. Setting aside his lunch box, he began to explain. “I’m sick, mija, really sick. I’m not sure, but I think this is going to kill me.”

Hearing that my dad had a terminal illness was something that hit me so hard that I didn’t know how to react. I was shocked, but I didn’t cry in front of him. I couldn’t. After dinner I left to my room and that’s when the tears fell and couldn’t stop falling.  I think about the hardships that we have all been through and overcome because of my father. The fact that he has been working since the day I was born to keep me alive and sheltered has taught me to work hard to be a success. The hard labor that I have seen him perform has given me even more strength to succeed in life so I won’t have to be living off of every paycheck.

            My father did not have the same chance as many other people did growing up. He was taught that all you had to do was wakeup at dawn and work in the fields past sunset in order to live. That is what I have learned, to work really hard for what you want out of life. It is not just him working that has affected me. He also tells me everyday that my education is the most important thing that I have going for me. “You don’t want to end up like me,” he tells me. “You will have everything mija as long as you go to school.” I promised him that I would always do well in school so that one day he wouldn’t have to work so hard. He is the flame that kindled my fire to be more in life than just a high school graduate. I can’t settle for a minimum paying job. I have seen the stress in my father’s eyes everyday that he comes home from work. His job consists mainly of manual labor. He does not need to be literate to do well at his work, just strong, but the older he gets the harder it is on him. That is why I chose to get a job at the age of fifteen. Working prevented me from joining a sport, however, something that I really wanted to do. Working has also prevented me from many extracurricular activities such as sports, joining clubs, and doing volunteer work.

             Knowing that my father will not be there to see me become a successful person brings a lot of grief to me, but still I strive to become the best that I can be. I have more responsibility on my shoulders than most of my peers, but becoming responsible at a young age has been good. Now I am ready for the outside world because I have seen how harsh it can be.

             My father has been a great influence in my life. I have learned responsibility and have become a liable person because of him... Conclusion