Maria Carla Chicuen - Achieve the College Dream: You Dont Need to Be Rich to Attend a Top School

ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD

Lanham Boulder New York London

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Chicun, Mara Carla, 1988 author.

Title: Achieve the college dream : you dont need to be rich to attend a top school / Mara Carla Chicun.

Description: Lanham : Rowman & Littlefield, [2016] | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016002276 | ISBN 9781475827347 (cloth : alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: Universities and collegesUnited StatesAdmission. | Education, HigherUnited StatesFinance. | MinoritiesEducation (Higher)United States.

Classification: LCC LB2351.2 .C48 2016 | DDC 378.1610973dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2016002276

TM The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.

Printed in the United States of America

In loving memory of Salvador Vicente Jr.
for the inspiration to achieve despite adversity

Education is a gift that once given, can never be taken away. It is a gift, however, that requires investment and participation on the part of the recipient. America is an amazing land of opportunity, one in which hard work and determination can open many doors.

Young people often dont focus on the future until they are about to graduate and then it can be difficult to get into the most prestigious colleges and universities if they havent prepared properlyeither because they didnt know what to do or didnt believe they could ever afford to go to an elite college.

I am often asked to give advice to students. I tell them that there are two parallel mistakes they can make about the future. The first is that they fail to consider the future. Too many young people live just for the moment, without regard for tomorrow. Tomorrow will come and so it is critical to understand that the choices they make today are important.

Think carefully about what courses are selected in high school. Opt for academically challenging classes that will serve as good preparation for the rigors of university work. Students should also gain leadership experience where possible by engaging in extracurricular activities and community service; all of which are attractive to admissions officers.

The second mistake students make, particularly those who come from low income and/or immigrant backgrounds, is to live in fear of the future, believing that their current situation will dictate what they can achieve tomorrow. Fear of the future, fear of the unknown, fear of the uncontrollable are all constricting forces that if left unchecked conspire to limit potential. They will keep you from deliberately and rationally moving forward. More importantly, they will keep you from actually enjoying life to its fullest. Do not be afraid of the future; instead, embrace it and prepare for it.

As educators, we strive to give our students the gift of education. To empower them to be independent thinkers, to be bold and believe in the possibilities that can become reality with hard work, determination and preparation. The resources and opportunities are out there if they are wise enough and willing to work for them. Mara Carla Chicun is an example of what can be achieved when you set your sights on a goal and never look back.

To dream the impossible dream is not only a lyric from Man of La Mancha, it is the lesson learned by the author, who dreamed of going to an Ivy League university even though she once thought everything was stacked against her: meager income, language barrier, and immigrant background. But in this inspiring and practical guide for students, parents, and educators, she illustrates that not only is attending a school such as Harvard a laudable goal for any student, it can be attainable regardless of financial means or circumstance.

Beyond the practical steps that she outlines in Achieve the College Dream, Mara inspires us to look beyond the misperceptions and misconceptions that aiming for higher education may often throw in the way of those who think that the Ivy League is out of reach. She shows us that for those who truly want to go, they can get there. The trick is to start early and be persistent. The road isnt easy; its not a limousine ride to Yale or Stanford, and nothing will be handed to you without working for it. But with drive and passion to better yourself, the kind of drive and passion exhibited by Mara, the sky is the limit.

This book provides hope, guidance, and a pathway to the dream and practical advice to make it come true. The future is what you make it.

Alberto M. Carvalho, Superintendent of Schools

Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Writing this guide required a special mix of information and inspiration, the same essential ingredients of my transformative journey to college. Along the way, many people generously offered me the knowledge and encouragement that proved vital for the publication of my very first book.

I am indebted to Trevor and Chini, who made sure it all made sense; to Manuel, Eniko, Toby and Anabel, who provided insightful commentary; to Marta Isabel, Debora, Sheyla, Lucas and Ana Karla, who validated my purpose; to Shiv, Alex, Francis, Caroline and Nancy, who shed light on the books possibilities; to Dina, who guided me through the publishing process; to David, Ms. Collins and Ms. G, who believed in me; to Jorge, who advised me always; to Sarah, from Rowman & Littlefield, who gave me the opportunity to bring this book to the world; to Emily, who introduced me to my wonderful agent, Lindsay, from Levine, Greenberg, Rostan; and to Lindsay, for her expert, tireless advocacy.