Jennifer Pena

Personal Statement

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe
their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your
story. (250-650)

Who am I? I am that brown girl who lives in South Central and takes public transportation to school. I am
that Chicana whose parents migrated from Mexico to live the American Dream, in order to better their
lives from poverty. I am that Latina who is too afraid to speak up because of the color of my skin. I am
that minority who will not step outside of my house after 6 pm because it is not safe. I am that Hispanic
teenager who strives to be successful because I want to make my parents proud. I am, Jennifer, who will
not be part of that 40% who will not attend college after high school. Being a Latina in this community
has made me who I am today.

On my seventeenth birthday, my father came into my room, congratulating me on turning a new age. He
stepped aside, saying, I know you are mature enough to make your own decisions. If you think education
isnt right for you, then start applying for a job and work after high school. Id always assumed that
parents were supposed to support and help you. He stopped believing in me. In that moment, I knew I
wanted to prove him wrong.

Looking through the different types of cultures/ ethics that generally gets accepted to many colleges, Ive
noticed that the lowest percentage that would get accepted would be Latinos and African Americans.
Usually, the highest would be White or Asian. By completing college, I can raise up the percentage. It
wouldnt matter how much it went up by, but I am the one who will change it.

Although I had no support in my education, I still worked hard and succeeded. Despite the disadvantages
I faced, my appreciation for my culture will always be there, and without it, I would not be who I am
today. I am grateful for my interconnectedness with my community and most importantly my ability to
live a humble and happy life as a proud Chicana.