College Admissions Essay: How Poverty Affect People

I grew up in Oakland, California in an area known as Sobrante Park, a low income residential neighborhood bordered by railroad tracks and a creek. An abandoned park with rusted basketball hoops looming over a cracked asphalt court, riddled with weeds sits near the corner of 105th and Edes Avenues, where young men loiter on the sidewalk outside a liquor store. This is my hometown. Growing up in Sobrante Park, I have seen first-hand how poverty affect people. Lack of motivation and optimism crushed the hope and dreams of many people. Few have graduated high school and even fewer have went on to college. Some have substance abuse problems, served time in jail or got shot. Like many of my peers, I was raised by my grandmother and was figured to …show more content…
There were many life coping character traits that were implanted in me. These character traits are what makes me who I am today. I learned how to cope with pressure. My grandmother raised me on a shoe string budget and it was a constant struggle to live within small means. But I learned things that many of my peers haven’t been taught, how to work with what you have and be grateful. This experience molded me into having the strength necessary to cope with future situations that may be less threatening yet equally stressful. It gave me the ability to handle pressure without cracking under it.
Another life coping character trait that I inherited is a thick skin. I takes a thick skin to get through homework hearing gun shots and the police helicopter roaring overhead. I learned not to let distractions cloud my better judgement and disrupt my concentration. An additional character trait that I inherited is a strong will. I have fought tooth and nail trying NOT to live my life in reaction to my parent’s shortfalls and I’ve become better for it. I’ve developed an undying need to be successful and I feel like nothing can stop me from rising