by Alejandra Oceguera, class of 2028, a Theater Arts student at Santa Clara University.

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Introduction

I am Alejandra, a Santa Clara University Theater Arts student. I came from a charter high school in a low-income community, where most of my peers were low-income. I was a first-generation student, along with many others too.

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Personal Experience and Effort

I noticed differences in how my high school counselor treated students in the classroom based on their personalities and connections. I remember one student being recommended for a $2,000 scholarship because she was outgoing and talkative with the counselor and other students. However, this scholarship was not recommended to anyone else in the class, even though many students demonstrated good behavior and worked hard.

Access to Resources

The lack of financial stability in my high school meant that students either did okay or poorly in their courses and tests. Many students passed their exams with 3s, while a smaller group received 0s, 2s, or 3s. Only one student earned a 5, and he was a peer who could afford to purchase Heimler’s AP exam practice book and two other similar books, which cost him $150.

College Admissions and Future Opportunities

First-generation students faced difficulties applying to college since they were the first in their families to attend and did not fully understand the application and enrollment processes. Scholarship applications also had many requirements, such as high school activities, grades, and extracurriculars. I was not heavily involved in clubs or school activities in high school, so I had no time to build and expand connections. As a result, I didn’t know who to turn to for recommendation letters for scholarships and college applications. Eventually, I found two teachers, but it was a complex process.

Social and Cultural Dynamics

Many students who did not speak English were not motivated to apply to college despite being pressured to do so because they could not understand the college application process. The counselors would tell them in Spanish, “Apply to college, come on. Make your account and fill out your information,” without taking the time to help them deeply understand the process.

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Conclusion and Thoughts

High school was great with the teachers and students. However, I still lacked resources such as tutoring, which could’ve helped me more in the long run going into college.