Sogol Simany introduces herself as an optimistic, caring, and responsible person from Iran who wants to become a teacher or school counselor to help people learn and achieve their goals. When she came to the United States in 2000, she faced many challenges like learning English and supporting her family financially. After her father passed away in 2003, she had to decide whether to stay in the US or return to Iran to mourn, but chose to continue her education in honor of her father. While attending community college and working full time, she earned her bachelor's degree in psychology and now wants to pursue a master's in education to help students by combining her backgrounds in psychology and special education.

1. SOGOL SIMANY
Personal Statement
I would like to introduce myself as on optimistic, caring and responsible person. I
want to become a teacher or school counselor because I found it fascinating to be able to
help people to learn and to guide them in achieving their goals.
I was born in Iran. Before I arrived to the United States in the summer of 2000,
my almond-shaped eyes and my dark black hair were very normal characteristics of a
woman living in Iran. Little did I know I would be faced with so many challenges when I
arrived to the United States. Among those challenges was learning a new language and
supporting my mother financially. In Iran, I had no financial responsibilities over my
family and was not worried about learning a new language. When I came here, it opened
my eyes to a whole new world. I had to start all over again.
In 2003, I was faced with another life-changing moment. This was the year I lost
my father. I soon realized that the three years I had to adjust to our new lifestyle had
been completely changed. My father passed just one year before my high school
graduation, and I had to make the decision of whether to stay in the United States or go
back to Iran to mourn the loss of my father. However, I knew that deep down inside my
father would have wanted me to continue my education in the United States and reach my
goals.
In honor of my father and in honor of my family, I took the chance to stay in the
United States and be somebody. As a woman in Iran, opportunity and freedom is very

2. limited, getting into university as a woman in Iran, especially as a Jewish woman, is
nearly impossible. Therefore, I made the decision to pursue a higher education here in
the United States. However, I also was the breadwinner of my family and had to
financially support my mother while going to school.
After finishing high school I attended Santa Monica College for two years and
West Los Angeles College for one year while working full time as an assistant teacher for
special education. Then I transferred to Argosy University to finish my Bachelors in
Psychology. I want to start a Master in Education and fulfill my dreams. I want to
combine what I have learned in psychology with my strong background on special
education to better understand students and their needs.