PharmD Student Overcoming Adversity
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Victor M Vazquez. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy candidate for 2018 at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I was brought to the U.S. at the age of 11. This country has given me many more opportunities than my country of origin would have. As grateful as I am with the many opportunities, my future is at risk due to my current financial circumstances. I am the first one in my family to attend a graduate program and I hope that in 2018 I can become the first doctor in the family. To date, I have done my best to succeed and complete my studies on my own. I have worked multiple jobs while in college in order to afford tuition. I currently work at a pharmacy and I like to say that I truly enjoy my work especially while being a pharmacy student. It affords me the hands on experience I transfer into my coursework.
In less than half a year, I went from a person who knew nothing about pharmacy to a certified Pharmacy Technician. I am now in my third year with this pharmacy and starting my second year of pharmacy school. As an intern, I am a very productive employee who is often searching for ways to better himself in his position and works along with the pharmacy team to improve efficacy, not to mention keeping up-to-date with all the changes in our practice. I worked full-time throughout my first year in pharmacy school. Additionally, I became part of a school program that focuses on servicing and educating under privileged communities here in Chicago, all while prioritizing time to study. I have proven to myself that I am capable of taking challenges and making them successful. I overcome setbacks and continue to strive forward toward meeting my goals. I hope you will also see my potential and dedication to excel in this field.
At this point I’m sure you are wondering, “Why am I reading this?”
I am a student who, due to my ineligibility to obtain student loans, private loans or financial aid, has had to pay his own education in order continue in the Pharmacy program. This was manageable while completing my undergraduate studies because I attended a Community College in Chicago. Throughout the years, I knew it would get more difficult to continue my education if my eligibility for financial resources did not change. In spite of that, I wanted to prove myself that I was worthy of a higher education, even if I was unable to complete the program, being accepted would be fulfilling enough. Little did I know that I would fall in love with the thought of one day graduating as a Doctor of Pharmacy.
Unfortunately, my family’s financial struggles impedes them from aiding me through school. There are numerous scholarships out there that I do not qualify for, even though they are meant for Hispanic students like myself, they are specifically meant for citizens of this country which I am not. I am a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient which allows me to attend school and work in this country for a certain period of time while allowing me to renew this permit every 3 years. I have tried many ways to afford my education yet I am becoming insecure about my future in the program since the school year has begun. While I almost paid last year’s tuition in full with the help of family, I tried to save money for next year’s tuition. Unfortunately, I am nowhere near achieving that goal.
So here I am, asking if anyone would like to fund me for my next school year. A fellow Pharmacist convinced me that I should not be embarrassed to reach out in light of exhausting most other resources. Initially, I was not sure if this was the best way to approach my situation but with almost no options left, I am requesting your help. I do not plan to be complacent with what I have done so far because I know I can go the distance and truly make a positive contribution to this field. I am more than willing to repay your generosity once I complete Pharmacy School. Being in this position, I think of many things I would like to do in the future for students in my situation. I plan to give back by creating a scholarship that would fund the undergraduate studies for at least one student at my community college and one for a graduate program so they too may fulfill their dreams in spite of economic or other social barriers.
If I can answer any questions or provide additional information in your decision making process, please let me know. I thank you in advance for taking the time to review this correspondence and hope to hear from you in the near future.
Warmest Regards.
In less than half a year, I went from a person who knew nothing about pharmacy to a certified Pharmacy Technician. I am now in my third year with this pharmacy and starting my second year of pharmacy school. As an intern, I am a very productive employee who is often searching for ways to better himself in his position and works along with the pharmacy team to improve efficacy, not to mention keeping up-to-date with all the changes in our practice. I worked full-time throughout my first year in pharmacy school. Additionally, I became part of a school program that focuses on servicing and educating under privileged communities here in Chicago, all while prioritizing time to study. I have proven to myself that I am capable of taking challenges and making them successful. I overcome setbacks and continue to strive forward toward meeting my goals. I hope you will also see my potential and dedication to excel in this field.
At this point I’m sure you are wondering, “Why am I reading this?”
I am a student who, due to my ineligibility to obtain student loans, private loans or financial aid, has had to pay his own education in order continue in the Pharmacy program. This was manageable while completing my undergraduate studies because I attended a Community College in Chicago. Throughout the years, I knew it would get more difficult to continue my education if my eligibility for financial resources did not change. In spite of that, I wanted to prove myself that I was worthy of a higher education, even if I was unable to complete the program, being accepted would be fulfilling enough. Little did I know that I would fall in love with the thought of one day graduating as a Doctor of Pharmacy.
Unfortunately, my family’s financial struggles impedes them from aiding me through school. There are numerous scholarships out there that I do not qualify for, even though they are meant for Hispanic students like myself, they are specifically meant for citizens of this country which I am not. I am a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient which allows me to attend school and work in this country for a certain period of time while allowing me to renew this permit every 3 years. I have tried many ways to afford my education yet I am becoming insecure about my future in the program since the school year has begun. While I almost paid last year’s tuition in full with the help of family, I tried to save money for next year’s tuition. Unfortunately, I am nowhere near achieving that goal.
So here I am, asking if anyone would like to fund me for my next school year. A fellow Pharmacist convinced me that I should not be embarrassed to reach out in light of exhausting most other resources. Initially, I was not sure if this was the best way to approach my situation but with almost no options left, I am requesting your help. I do not plan to be complacent with what I have done so far because I know I can go the distance and truly make a positive contribution to this field. I am more than willing to repay your generosity once I complete Pharmacy School. Being in this position, I think of many things I would like to do in the future for students in my situation. I plan to give back by creating a scholarship that would fund the undergraduate studies for at least one student at my community college and one for a graduate program so they too may fulfill their dreams in spite of economic or other social barriers.
If I can answer any questions or provide additional information in your decision making process, please let me know. I thank you in advance for taking the time to review this correspondence and hope to hear from you in the near future.
Warmest Regards.
Organizer
Victor M Vazquez
Organizer
Chicago, IL
