What the purpose of my education? by Dominic

What the purpose of my education? by Dominic - April 2015 Scholarship Essay

Great subject for an essay! After going through the process of selecting colleges, taking SATs, searching for scholarships, networking with colleges... whew, I haven’t sat down to think about what the purpose of my education is, and how my life will change when I get to attend and graduate from college.

This topic is encouraging me to think deeper, analyze my impact in this world and contemplate how going to college will change me. Wow, that’s a topic that I hear many differences of opinion on. I know there are lots of kids that say it’s not important. It’s not worth the effort. Honestly? It’s my life and its up to me to blaze my own path. Ya college is not an option, it’s a requirement!

Having been accepted to the universities of my choice, it’s my responsibility to make those dreams a reality. Many scholarships target subjects that I cannot relate to. My focus is to share my life experiences in the essays I submit. The struggles just to get accepted to college, the financial burden, the stress of knowing my life is changing, and all are stressful. So the purpose of all that is what?

• Making a difference in my life and the lives of my family and community through the profession I have chosen. I will be a Physical Therapist and enrich lives and they will enrich mine as well.

• Being a role model to other young kids of color. The role models we see are professional athletes, rappers, and celebrities. Why can’t I be a role model through my achievements, positive attitude and contributions to my community?

I come from a mixed race background, black, French, Irish, and Spanish. I have very, very poor family members in the worst neighborhoods of Chicago, and amazing family members that have been blessed with college educations. I’ve seen my father struggle to escape the life he was given—receiving a Bachelors Degree at the age of 50! Yes college changed not only his life, but also my families and mine.

College and the dream of a secure future will change me. I am committed to honor the help I receive by becoming an amazing adult and role model to other young people of color. That’s a promise!

So thank you! Scholarships change lives for not only the recipient, but for my community also.