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Dealing: Facing Reality - Leaving For College

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Compiled by Farah Ali

Corina Perez is a senior at a Central Texas high school. Currently, she is the baby of the family and is very motivated to pursue her goals, but is also nervous about leaving her friends. Her favorite character is Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. She works in a jewelry store part-time.

Are you ready to leave for college?
I am kind of scared. Leaving my parents is going to be hard.

What is your dream college? Did you apply to that college?
My dream college is anywhere outside of Texas. Right now I haven’t really applied to any other college besides community colleges.

Do you know what you will be majoring in? Why that major?
I wanted to be a nurse but I am not in the mood to be dealing with blood so as of now, I am undecided.

Is there anything holding you back from attending a university?
Since I haven’t passed my TAKS test yet, that is one thing holding me back from applying to other universities.

Are you the first in your generation to be attending college?
My sister was the first in my family to go to a college. She went for about a year or two and then she stopped going for personal reasons.

Will you be working while you attend college as a means to pay for tuition?
I would be working part time and I am not so sure if I would be a full time student.

Do you have any questions regarding the application process?
I haven’t really applied so as of now, I don’t have questions.

Corina’s favorite class is history because ever since she was little, she always liked history a lot. She is the youngest in her family with three older sisters and one older brother.

Erica Martinez is also a senior at a Central Texas high school. She and Corina have been friends for a while. She’s coming in a little later than her peers on her choices about college, but her plans are getting more defined as she gets closer to graduation. She likes to go out to clubs and usually has some interesting highlights in her hair.

What is your number one fear about heading off to college?
I am kind of scared heading off to college but my number one fear is that the classes may be very hard.

How comfortable do you feel leaving your parents? Or if you’re commuting, how do you feel living with them when you attend college?
I just want to go to school. It’s really none of them.

What is your dream college? Did you apply to that college?
I want to go to Texas A&M. I am still finishing my application.

Do you know what you will be majoring in? Why that major?
I would like to be a veterinary because I like to cure any sick dogs.

Are you the first in your generation to be attending college?
I am the first.

Will you be working while you attend college as a means to pay for tuition?
I think I am going to be working. I am going to try to get loans but if I can’t, I will pay half and my parents will pay half.

Do you have any questions regarding your transition from high school to college?
I am excited about leaving even though I do like high school.

Erica is applying to Austin Community College and is planning on living on campus. Something she likes to do on her spare time is attend Latinitas meetings and the Austin Riverwatch. She has one older brother and two younger siblings.

March 2009