San Diego Mesa College Financial Aid Office: Fill & Download for Free

Now that school starts in one week, I’ve been dreading yet thrilled to write this answer. Being completely honest, I’ve intended to write this answer for a while (since December haha), but as I’ve been scrolling down this question and looking at the answers of all these qualified students, I felt like I paled in comparison to the others and that my opinion won’t make an impact on other students.However, I’ve been reflecting about my high school career during the summer, and why I was able to overall flourish: my perseverance and self-reliance to endure and overcome. I’ve come to realize that I can make a positive impact, and how no matter where you stand in life, you can only rise up from there.I’ve been a bit shy to answer because I’ve felt like many Quorans will testify that my school choice for the fall isn’t a proper reflection of my academic resume, and it probably is or isn’t; I’m having a bunch of imposter syndrome myself. But one thing’s for certain, I hope that this answer helps a bunch of prospective Seniors that are discouraged to become encouraged.You shouldn’t sell yourself short, you have a plethora of ways to demonstrate your authenticity to the admissions officers.It took me 1 surprise acceptance to perceive that…Thank you for that TED talk! Now onto my High School and College synopsis!Myself:I’m a low-income (16k, so really low-income), Hispanic female residing in the Greater Los Angeles Area. I have two younger male siblings, and I live with my single mom (my Dad got divorced when I was 8 and left us). I’m not going to lie and say that my URM and background had a influence in specific colleges, but considering that most of the schools I applied to are in California where Affirmative Action is (was) banned, I’d say it didn’t matter overall.High School:My school is just as stereotypical as my background is. It’s your typical overcrowded K-12 public school, located in the pinnacle of crime, with over 3000 students, minimal student resources, etc. The last time we sent a student to a top school was when I was a freshman. The valedictorian of that year went to Georgetown University. How prestigious that school is, is up to you guys to decide. Not trying to diss my high school in any way, but let’s just say it took me a bunch of self-reliance and my high school had little to no influence to where I am today, besides one special teacher. Also keep in mind the students here are content to go to school at all, most them go to my state school, Cal State LA.High School stats / extracurriculars / experiences:(For this next part, I’m merging my GPA’s, extracurriculars, and experiences all into one because I feel like it exemplifies my identity more precisely and why I got to this point).This is where I feel (felt, but kind of still do feel) very, VERY intimated.My overall Weighted GPA is a 3.44 GPA (3.49 after Senior year but this GPA doesn’t matter) and our school doesn’t report our unweighted, but when I calculated it on my own accord, it came out to around a 3.19. I’m ranked 75 out of around 800 students (I’m barely top 9% of my class is all I remember).I was given a fee wavier for two SAT’s and three Subject Tests. The first time I took my SAT was in March my Junior year and I got a 1190 (Oops). I studied hard my summer before my Junior year and I took the SAT again. I got a 1280 (610 English, 670 Math) which I ultimately reported.For my Subject tests, I took it December of my Senior year. I got 570 Math II (Oops!), 740 Biology (Molecular), 800 Spanish. I knew Spanish wouldn’t necessarily supplement my major aspirations, but I still reported it to my schools since, you know its a perfect score. I also reported my Biology score. I DIDN’T report my math II score to any school.Freshman Year:For starters. I had a rough freshman year. I was hanging out with the wrong people. I was encouraged to do drugs. It started off with just Juul’s, but it quickly elevated to weed, and I mean edible weed that would get me fuc**d up. I was used by males during parties; they would intoxicate me with drugs so that they could use me for their own pleasure. In, short, I was hanging out with gangs that were up to no good.Looking back, I’m surprised I wasn’t raped, or worst. Many of the people that I hanged out with either got suspended or transferred to the district’s continuation school (a high school for very low-achieving students). When I reached my sophomore year, I began to hang out with people that are enabling me to become the best me. As a consequence of my rough Freshman year, my GPA was low:First semester freshman GPA was a 2.33, second semester GPA was a 2.67. I took Honors English 1/2, but all of our Honors courses don’t count for extra GPA points, so those GPA’s are my Weighted and Unweighted simultaneously. Also, I want to note that I didn’t fail any course, but I got a bunch of C’s and B’s, only like 1 or 2 A’s in PE and such.Sophomore Year:I started caring about school at this point, since many things hit me at that point. Many of my “friends” got suspended at that point. My mom lost her job and had to get three small jobs to keep me and my family sustainable. My youngest brother got into an accident and underwent surgery during the second week of school. It made me appreciate the value of my high school and how this was paving the road for an opportunity. I guess it was apparent in the classroom because I started performing well. So well, that within four weeks, my World History and Culture teacher said “You belong in the AP version of this class.”It was weird at first. The “chola” girl was in an AP classroom “What a mistake,” I was thinking as I knew there was no point in being here. I was beginning to take my education more seriously, but at this point, I thought my freshman year screwed up my chances of a UC school (At this point, I wasn’t very aware of private schools and/or other prestigious schools, I presumed UC’s were the top-tier schools, well…..Berkeley is up there). Really, I was just aiming for Cal State LA, Cal State Fullerton if I was lucky.This class was also when I met my lifelong friends. It started when the teacher separated us to study groups, but it quickly turned into a friendship after a while. They were supportive in my journey and have allowed me to flourish in every possible method possible. This was also when my teachers started to see potential in me.First Semester sophomore GPA was a 3.50 W (3.33 UW estimated), second semester GPA was a 3.83 W (3.67 UW estimated). I got only A’s and B’s during these semester, with two more A’s my second semester. I also took Honors Biology, but again that doesn’t add to my GPA.Junior year:(I apologize this is a long story)This was a life changing experience for me in a plethora of ways. For one, because I performed well my sophomore year, I was recommended to take 4 AP courses my Junior year. I was a bit hesitant to take 4, so I ended up taking 3: AP Spanish Language, AP US History, and AP Biology (I omitted AP Lang).The summer before my Junior year was when I got a job at McDonalds. Money was getting really tight with my mom, so I decided to pick up a job to help out my mom with the rent, considering it went up.AP Biology is also where I met my favorite teacher ever. He saw so much potential that I didn’t see in myself. I was fascinated with Biology, especially the Cellular branch. I was giving my mid-term research project in thermodynamics and regenerative biology because it was something that I was genuinely intrigued by. My teacher and students were impressed by my intellectual curiosity to say the least.It was around November when we found my older (well he’s younger, I mean the older of the two) brother had a tumor forming on the side of his head. When my mom called me on that day crying, and yelling in fear while she was at the hospital, she told me to go home and not work at McDonalds that day so that I can pick up and take care of my brother. I was scared that day for my brother; I couldn’t go to sleep because I feared the worst. The next day I had an exam for AP Spanish and AP Biology. I somehow went through the Spanish exam but I completely fell asleep on the Biology one. My teacher called me up as the period was over and he told me to see him after school.When I saw him after school, I found out that my brother’s tumor wasn’t life-threating, so I was a bit relived, but I was still worried about the consequence from my AP Biology teacher. Instead, he asked why I feel asleep and if something was wrong at home. I explained to him everything that was going on, and here’s what he said: “I’ll allow you to take the test tomorrow. But I will say you should really consider the Science Olympiad. You seem like a great fit to compete in STEM and as the advisor, you can also guide the students as well.”I was dumbfounded. In short, I never saw myself as a leader of sorts. How can a “post-chola” girl be a leader to anyone? I also had never participated in any extracurriculars, except working at McDonalds prior to this moment. After talking about it with my friends, and how they would want to participate as well, I decided to take that leap.So there I was, the Captain of the Science Olympiad. I myself did the Thermodynamics and Protein Modeling events, but it ultimately was great helping other students discovering their passions for STEM and how fascinating it can be.On the day of the Science Olympiad, I discovered that I won 2nd in the Protein Modeling event. Not only that, but a student won 1st in the Code Busters event, someone else won 3rd in the Experimental Design event, and someone else won 2nd in the Astronomy event. This was the first time our Science Olympiad team won at least 3rd in a event, let alone in 4 events.During April of my Junior year, my AP Biology teacher asked me if I was going to do anything during the summer. He asked because he had a contact in Astra Zeneca and he would help me land an internship there. At that point, I didn’t know what an internship was, but I said okay since I knew I wouldn’t have done anything but be on my phone during the summer, maybe skim through my AP homework.Eventually, my teacher told me to start making a resume and questions since he got me an interview. Again, I never had a interview at that point, so I was doing things that I wasn’t accustomed to. When I had the interview, I didn’t realize just how prestigious landing an internship there would’ve been until I got to the building and I awed at the innovation and diversity.When I sat down with other women, they asked me to share my story. I explained my background, how invested I was in learning Biology, and how I wanted to shape Cellular Biology in the future. They were impressed. They told me how I would add to the dynamic and innovative culture, and how many people underestimate past adversities to their own advantage.I found out two weeks later that I landed a position in the Scientific Apprentice sector.Before I get into Astra Zeneca, I’ll quickly showcase my GPAFirst Semester Junior GPA 4.0 W (3.5 UW estimated), Second Semester 4.5 W (4.0 UW estimated). Yes, I got straight A’s my Junior year. You can really tell I’m starting to have a large upward trend.Astra Zeneca Pre-Senior year:I’m adding Astra Zeneca as it’s own category because this was something that truly morphed my aspirations and my career choices. I collaborated with some inspiring woman that seemed to overcome grander challenges than me, and they were paving the road towards a better tomorrow. I myself did a published research paper on a medicine that would supplement specific immune illnesses.Working at Astra Zeneca made me perceive two things:I don't want to be a doctor when I grow up because blood disgusts me, eww!But I do want to pursue a major in a Molecular or Cellular Biology of sorts and work somewhere like Astra Zeneca, where I can innovative Biology for the better of mankind.Senior year:I won’t go into an excessive tangent again, simply because it wasn’t very eventful. Just know I spent a lot more time this year doing community service and that I was busy during this time with college applications. Also I took 4 AP’s this year, AP English Literature, AP Spanish Literature, AP Government, and AP Macroeconomics.First Semester Senior GPA 4.33 GPA UW (3.67 UW estimated), Second Semester 4.67 GPA W (4.0 UW estimated).Essays:For my Common App and UC essays, I talked about many things that shaped me into the individual I am, such as my bad influences, my teachers, and how that resulted in self-resilience and endurance. I felt like no one event in particular shaped me, but rather a slew of them that definitely impacted me. It sounds pale and boring, but I did eloquently write them and my background that you just read about me should give you an idea of what I wrote about, since I did include fragments of all that in the essay.Other Extracurriculars:Like I said, I wasn’t very involved at my school. By my Junior year I definitely joined a few more clubs, but I’m definitely supplemented by the few that are really strong.Astra Zeneca InternshipResearch Paper on MedicineMcDonalds work experience; I quit last month lolMESA (Math, Engineering, Science, Achievement); joined Junior yearDrama Club; Joined Senior yearScience Olympiad; Captain (2nd place Award)National Honor Society; Joined Junior YearChicano Club; Joined Junior yearCommunity Service Based clubs; 4 of them to be exact, ranging from Junior to Senior yearDance Team (2nd place award at Las Vegas competition)Letters of Recommendation:It’s obvious that my Biology teacher wrote me a letter of recommendation, considering I’m here because of him to begin with. I also got a letter from my AP Spanish Language teacher, considering how much I helped her with the debates and how outgoing I was in general, and my AP Spanish Literature teacher, since she’s the advisor of the Chicano Club and I was very involved in the club to begin with.I also got a letter from my counselor. She was very resourceful and she told me how private schools were very generous in giving full rides to low income students. She’s the reason why I set up a common app to begin with, and also encouraged me to apply to a school Early Decision as a method of bolstering my chances to a top-tier school.Major:I think it’s apparent at this point that I want to major in Biology. But specifically, if there was a Cellular and/or Molecular Biology variant offered by a school, I would always go for that one. If not, I chose regular Biology as my major.Schools:Not going to lie, I only wanted to apply to schools in California. When I set up my common app, I filtered it all out to just California schools and I chose the ones that I saw catered to me. I chose some silly choices and one left-field one, but about 95% of my schools were from California.First I submitted my Cal State Application on October 30th. I applied on this application to:Cal State LACal State FullertonCal State NorthridgeCal State Long BeachI wanted my Cal State list to be as realistic as possible. Even though I was more optimistic about higher ranked schools, I still wanted a list where I would most likely get accepted.Next, I submitted my Early Decision application right on the November 1st deadline to:Claremont McKenna CollegeYou might ask, why Claremont McKenna College? I did a virtual tour of all the Claremont Colleges, and I don’t know why CMC appealed to me the most. Pomona I saw as unrealistic to get into, Harvey Mudd seemed to emphasize STEM too much, I don't want to be in a all-girls school like Scripps, and Pitzer was just, meh. Not only did CMC appealed the most from the Claremont Colleges, but just any college from my Common App in general. I still applied to them in Regular Decision though.Next, I submitted my UC application on November 13th to:UC RiversideUC Santa CruzUC Santa BarbaraUCLAAgain, still some decent choices, and I just chose UCLA to test my chances even though it was unlikely.Then, all throughout Thanksgiving break, I submitted the rest of my common app colleges. They are:Harvey Mudd CollegeScripps CollegePomona CollegePitzer CollegeUniversity of La VerneUniversity of the PacificUniversity of Southern California (USC)University of San FranciscoUniversity of San DiegoWestmont CollegeSanta Clara UniversityAzusa Pacific UniversityPepperdine UniversityVanguard UniversityLoyola Marymount UniversityOccidental CollegeMarymount California UniversityStanford UniversityHarvard UniversityDickinson CollegeI just applied to Harvard and Stanford to say I applied to them, but then you might see Dickinson College as a left-field and odd choice, considering most of my choices are from California. So why did I choose a random liberal arts school from Pennsylvania?I have a older cousin that lived here in LA and is currently going to school there. She’s going to be a Junior and she has told me how inclusive and fantastic the environment at Dickinson is. She also told me how great the Study Abroad options were. In short, if I got in and attended, I would be with her for a year there, and she would’ve been a great role model to introduce me to college life.Then on the day of December 13th, I got a email saying my Claremont McKenna decision is available on my portal.I was at home, and I remember telling myself that I did my best on my interview, and on my video explaining how I would be a great fit at CMC, and how eloquent my essays were. But again, I reminded myself that my GPA was low and the acceptance rate isn’t that high, so I was keeping my expectations in check. Or so it seemed…I told my brother to check the letter and tell me what it said.I guess he didn’t know how much it meant to me, because I had my eyes close and I heard him say, “Congratulations Krissy” like it was nothing special. I pierced my eyes open as soon as I heard my brother. I yanked the laptop from him and I read the letter for myself.Accepted to Claremont McKenna College omgosh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!As soon as I saw the word congratulations, I yelled in excitement and I cried. I told my mom the good news and how excited I was. Obviously, she was unaware of the magnitude of my excitement, or how big of a deal this was, but OMG I texted all my friends immediately.That next day, I had my friends congratulate me, my peers, and then I walked to my AP Biology teacher’s classroom and I showed him the good news. He said he excepted nothing less from me and that I was going to thrive as an individual immensely.If you guys didn’t know, Claremont McKenna’s early decision is binding, which means that I’m forced to attend there to begin with. My financial aid was also a full ride, so that relieved a bunch of stress from me as a low income student.During winter break, I told my friend to drive me over there to visit the school in person. Walking through the scenic buildings, the dynamic student body, and the Claremont McKenna school building felt like a dream come true. I loved the small class sizes, which would foster more meaningful learning experiences, and I realized how I can cross classes with the other Claremont colleges too. In short, I knew this was my home away from home.If this college admissions journey meant anything to me, it’s that when they say holistic review, they mean it.I never thought someone like me, who got compromised and abused by cholo men, smoking pot 24/7 and a subpar performing freshmen would ever get into a school like Claremont McKenna. I guess they were inspired by my personal growth and how my experience at Astra Zeneca really did foster growth, both personally and academically. Also, considering my GPA is only low because of my freshman year, maybe they were able to look beyond that flaw for my upward trend and my fantastic extracurriculars.If any rising Senior needs advice with college, please drop a Personal Message, or PM for my social media handle so we can chat there. I’m able to give you general college advice, or help with your essays!I’m definitely going to write more about the College Admissions more on Quora, since I practically a testament of going to a top-tier school with a low GPA.I am beyond excited to attend Claremont McKenna! I just hope I can go back to campus eventually and meet all of my peers.I’m done with my answer in the regard of where I’m ending up, but I never withdrew from my other schools until I got a decision. So, I’m going to write the decisions of each schools below, even though I wouldn’t be able to attend any of them due to CMC’s binding acceptance:Cal State LA: AcceptedCal State Fullerton: AcceptedCal State Northridge: AcceptedCal State Long Beach: Waitlist to Accepted!UC Riverside: AcceptedUC Santa Cruz: Accepted (I have a cousin that goes here and he was pleased when I told him the news)UC Santa Barbara: Accepted!!! (I actually cried because I think UCSB’s campus is beautiful)UCLA: RejectedHarvey Mudd: RejectedPomona College: RejectedPitzer College: RejectedScripps College: Waitlist to Accepted!!! (This was crazy, because even if I didn’t get into CMC, I would’ve had another chance at going to the Claremont Colleges).Occidental College: Accepted!!!!!!!!!!! (WTF I was in tears because I didn’t think I was going to get in. I was thinking of doing this one for ED at one point, but CMC is still the better choice).USC: RejectedUniversity of San Diego: AcceptedUniversity of San Francisco: AcceptedSanta Clara University: AcceptedLoyola Marymount University: AcceptedMarymount California University: AcceptedUniversity of La Verne: AcceptedUniversity of the Pacific: AcceptedWestmont College: AcceptedAzusa Pacific University: AcceptedPepperdine University: Waitlist to rejection (I thought Malibu was a nice city to live in but oh well)Vanguard University: AcceptedStanford University: RejectedHarvard University: RejectedDickinson College: Accepted!!! (I told my cousin. She kept imploring me to go there, but I kept telling her how I was forced to attend CMC).