Make my dreams come true at Duke University!!!

If you do not know me personally, I would like to formally introduce myself. Hi, my name is Alyssa Guardado. I was born and raised in Miami, FL, I am half Peruvian and half Nicaraguan, and my favorite color is purple. I am beyond excited to say that I recently got accepted to Duke University.

All my life, I have worked hard and taken advantage of the opportunities that were available to me. In middle school, I worked hard to maintain a high enough GPA to get into a magnet school. I got accepted to Terra Environmental Research institute, and I worked hard there too. When I had the chance to apply to School for Advanced Studies, I jumped on it. I got accepted to the #1 school in my state, and the #4 High School in the nation. But it was not over yet. I took AP classes and Dual Enrollment classes throughout my entire High School career, and at SAS, where they let you take college classes for half the day, I managed to qualify for an Associate’s degree by the end of my Junior Year. Before I could even get my high school diploma, I could have gotten a college degree. But I still worked harder.

I took classes that would give me knowledge for my dream career, becoming a lawyer. I still aimed for excellence. I tried hard in every class because that is how I am. When I do something, I give it my ALL, I give it 101%. All this has led me to many opportunities and achievements. I became a Nyah Project Finalist, I interned at the Advocate Program, I was a Posse Semi-Finalist, and I am graduating in the top percentile of my class. But probably my most influential achievement was becoming a Questbridge College Prep Scholar in my Junior year and Questbridge Finalist in my Senior year and even though I did not match, I persevered.

I used this amazing opportunity to apply to some of the best schools in the nation. And Duke University, ranking #10 among National Universities, saw my potential and accepted me. All my hard work and dedication led me to this point.

From one day to the next, I was given a life-changing opportunity. And I am willing to work hard to become a Duke Graduate; however, I need your help.

I have done all I can to open up all these opportunities, but unfortunately, financials are out of my control. Even with loans, jobs, and help from my family, the money required to attend is overwhelming.

Any help I can get, big or small, would be greatly appreciated! Please help me attend this school. I aim to become an outstanding lawyer and to inspire other Latinas, like myself, to pursue their dreams.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you for your help and support!

I will continue to aspire for greatness, and I hope you can help me do that!