Student Stories: Casandra

Casandra Castillo

Textron Chamber of Commerce Academy 2007
University of New Haven 2011

Making the decision to go to college never existed for me. Instead of a choice it was more of a command from my mother, which I never considered disobeying. The idea of going to college was huge within my family, but honestly if I didn't go it would have been equally accepted. Many of my family members who are in my age group have gone on to work full time jobs, attend cosmetology school, or struggle with part time jobs and children. The same story goes for those in my high school senior class. Most just didn't think of college as an attainable reality. Sadly, the struggle and poverty in my community is the result of such notions.

Although going to college wasn't exactly my choice, I knew I had the choice to pick a college. The lack of encouragement at my high school led me to seek help out of school to assist me in the college process. When I heard about College Visions at New Urban Arts I decided it was best if I became a part of the program. After getting into CV it seemed like the college process flew by quickly. During the process applying to eleven schools seemed like a lot of work - imagine the essays, the extra required credentials, the financial aid forms, and the application itself - but taking it one step at a time made it easier and quicker to get through. The biggest challenge was agreeing to apply to so many schools, but I wanted to make sure I'd have more than two schools to choose from.

The reward in applying to so many schools was receiving the acceptance - and even the rejection - letters. It took the uncertainty away and I was then able to make my final choice. It has only been a year since I filled out my first application, but as I sit in the library of my college the entire application process seems so distant. Having a college to attend after all that hard work is most rewarding. I am very happy with my final choice, I love my classes this semester and being away from home gives me more responsibility.