Title: Rising Up Against the OddsMy name is Atiyyah Noordeen, a rising sophomore majoring in Finance at the University of Colorado Boulder. I come from a chaotic home where turmoil, from my father's ongoing struggle with bipolar disorder to my mother's ab by Atiyyah

Title: Rising Up Against the OddsMy name is Atiyyah Noordeen, a rising sophomore majoring in Finance at the University of Colorado Boulder. I come from a chaotic home where turmoil, from my father's ongoing struggle with bipolar disorder to my mother's ab by Atiyyah - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

My name is Atiyyah Noordeen, a rising sophomore majoring in Finance at the University of Colorado Boulder. I come from a chaotic home where turmoil, from my father's ongoing struggle with bipolar disorder to my mother's abrasive coping methods, held dominion. I was born into a whirlwind of unstoppable circumstance. By a cruel twist of fortune, my family's financial situation proved to be less than optimal, causing an otherwise bright childhood to be consumed with adversity and hardship.

In the midst of this chaos, I discovered the power of education. School became my refuge; a place where order existed in the form of equations to be solved, texts to be read, and essays to be penned. My circumstances might have been extraordinary, but so was my motivation to rise beyond them. A turning point came when the school I dreamed of attending, CU Boulder, initially rejected my application.

Fuelled by the relentless inspiration derived from my home situation, motivated by the staunch belief in my abilities and driven by profound determination, I challenged this and decided to appeal the rejection. Instead of feeling disheartened, I felt a spark igniting within me. It did not matter what my circumstances were. It did not matter what the world said. All that mattered was my strong-will and fervent belief in my potential. I embraced what seemed impossible and finally earned my place at CU Boulder, showing the world that adversity can be translated into success.

Each day as I navigate through academic exigencies, my past serves as a pointed reminder of why I am striving to reach my goals. My present reality is a stark contrast to what my life previously signified; reminding me that my roughest storms could not presumably sink me. They shaped me. Presently, I am getting through the announcement of my parents divorce and the break up of my own two and a half year relationship. As finals are approaching I am choosing to remember the strength I possess in order to end the year very strong.

While my academic record does not glitter with top grades, it is a testament to the strength I possessed in overcoming a tumultuous past. I carried a high school GPA of 2.8. I currently maintain a college GPA of 2.6 but am on track to be at a 3.0 by the end of the semester. While these numbers may not initially reflect the typical scholarship recipient, they highlight my potential to succeed and thrive in the face of adversity. Just as I turned my rejection into acceptance at CU Boulder, I am focused on and dedicated to increasing my academic performance and making significant strides in my finance studies.

My ongoing motivation comes from an insatiable desire to gain financial stability for myself and my family, something we've lacked. My studies in finance serve a dual purpose; as an escape from the turmoil and a bridge leading me to a brighter future. The rules, systems, and structures in finance present an unparalleled level of excitement for me. Each equation and balance sheet is a problem waiting to be solved, much like the challenges I've faced throughout my life, and that is why I am focused on succeeding in my field of study.

In conclusion, the motivation to transform not just my life, but also my family's life, keeps me rooted. The challenges I faced have only served to fuel my drive for financial freedom through my pursuit of high-quality education. The journey may be rough, the road may be tumultuous, but in the face of adversity, I've chosen to rise. My story is not about the hardship I encountered, but about how the hardship did not stop me. Given the chance to be a Varsity Tutors college scholarship recipient, I shall continue proving that circumstances do not define us; our actions do.