During a summer program at an elementary school in 2011, the author tutored students in reading and math and realized their passion for teaching. This experience showed the author how education can change someone's life for the better, as it did for them. The author now wants to promote education in minority communities and be a role model to show students the importance of pursuing higher education. The author was pleased to see improvement in one student they tutored and to hear the grateful mother say that the tutoring helped her son's reading and math. This reinforced the author's belief that education is the most valuable gift and inspired them to continue their own education to earn degrees from UC Riverside.

1. UC Transfer Essay
During the summer of 2011, my passion for education was boosted by my experience at a
local elementary school. My education had already helped me to escape the shadows of Plato’s
Cave, to understand the importance of academic enlightenment; however, after having a
remarkable experience helping students with reading and math in a program offered at
Washington elementary school, I realized my career goal: I want to teach. Because of the help of
teachers, I see life very differently; I see the possibilities of reaching my goals and becoming the
first member of my family to earn a college diploma. My experience has inspired me to believe
that education is the salvation of the youth in minority communities. I have a passion for
promoting the importance of pursuing a college degree. I believe that education is the key to
turning someone’s life around, just as it has done for me.
Parents understand the importance of education for their children, but they need someone
with experience to influence their children to go to college. A community working together helps
young students learn that education is the key to success and change. The young student I tutored
brought me joy because I saw him improving quickly. His mother also saw a change in his
behavior. His mother said to me “Estoy contenta mirar a mi hijo feliz. Tú lo has ayudado mucho
con su lectura y matemáticas.” I was pleased that she was happy to see her son’s improvements.
At this point, I realized that education is the most wonderful gift that someone can receive. This
has inspired me to continue my education, hopefully at UC Riverside and earn a college diploma
in Spanish. In addition, it has inspired me to go to graduate school at UCR to complete a M.A.
and Ph.D in Spanish and Latin American Literature and Cultural Studies.