This is your first of 3 required posts for The Gatekeepers. Respond to the topic below in a 2 paragraph response (that's a total of 10-14 sentences at least). You must use and analyze 2 specific quotes from the book to support your answer (cited with the page number).
Topic 1: In this book we follow several students on their journeys to college - Becca, Mig, Julianna, Jordan, Aggie, and Tiffany. Choose one student whose story you found the most interesting, relatable, or compelling. Explain why you were interested in or felt a connection with this student. How did his or her struggles help you learn something about your own college process?
Hit comment on this post to write your response.
I felt most interested in Aggie’s story because as I was reading Aggie was described has having solid grades throughout her sophomore and junior year until her senior year when her grades began to take a plunge. While reading this I wasn’t that surprised that her grades began to struggle during her senior year because most students sometimes may struggle to keep their grades up during their last year of high school but what was surprising was that Aggie was involved in so many extracurricular activities at her school that her school work began to take a back seat in her senior year.
ReplyDeleteAggie was a great leader at Oldfield; the school she attended, Oldfield was a boarding school and reminded me of MATCH a little bit with really wanting to prepare their students for success. However Oldfield was mostly an all white school and Aggie was a Latina who lived in the inner city of NY and she didn’t let where she came from stop her from being an active leader in her school and embraced any challenges her school put her up against. However her grades/ SAT scores did not show that she was a strong and brave student and I could relate to her in this situation. What was surprising was that Aggie knew her senior year grades wouldn’t show that she could be a Wesleyan student with those types of grades. Aggie had stated in a little paragraph attached to her application saying “[I am] aware that Wesleyan really looks at a student’s transcript […] my past semester grades would be classified as unbecoming of a Wesleyan student” (pg.141). This shows to the administration and also to me that she took responsibility of her actions and I think that’s one positive point I will take with me into my college process. That even if you work hard and get involved with every club and sport it is still important to work hard to get good grades, but if you don’t receive the grades that want or need take ownership of your grades and be brave enough like Aggie to let administrations know that you are responsible for your grades and how your grades represent you.
One student whose story I found the most compelling is Aggie Ramirez's story. I was primarily interested in her story because of her family background which is quite similar to my family’s. My parents moved here from Jamaica in the 1980s."[One] had progressed past high school, with the exception of a few community college courses"(pg.222).Aggie was what was known as an ideal student who "was mostly self-made"(pg.223).
ReplyDeleteAggie, being the ideal student, grades started to slack off her seniors year receiving both “C’s and D’s...weighing down the rest of her record,which was mostly A’s and B’s”(pg. 222).Her grades had slowly but surely depreciated as a result of her “myriad activities”(pg.224).Her struggle of balancing school and extra curricular activities has taught me that in order to remain on a high pedestal one must “[learn how to prioritize]”(pg.141) and that apart of prioritizing is taking responsibility for the work and the things you have done.This is why find Aggie’s story compelling because being responsible for your self ultimately you accepting your mistakes and continuing on with the same hope you begun with. Although Aggie got rejected from Wesleyan,she managed to push through,persevering, and continuing through her college process knowing that she did work hard but made a slight mistake.
I wouldn't say that I was interested in any of the stories.I also couldn't say that i was truly compelled by any of the stories either.I could relate to the story of Jordan Goldman not because I enjoy stories About people who go on to do great things but because I realize we think alike when it comes to colleges .I was also interested because i know my little brother wants to be writer,even though the two are not alike.
ReplyDeleteI saw that Jordan had interests in Amherst as one of his college choices."But all these considerations about whether to apply to Wesleyan or Amherst or Vassar would be likely moot"(pg88).Moot means doubtful."He felt sure he knew what Browns response would be"(pg106) I guess i can relate to Jordan because I want to apply to Brown and Amherst but i don't really think I will get into the colleges.Jordan goes onto do good things so maybe I might too so i guess thats some form of hope.Jordan goes onto attend Wesleyan university and then Oxford.He then makes college guides(might buy a few).
I feel a slight bit of a connection to Jordan Goldman because of his ambition to go to an ivy league school. I was a student seeking to pursuit that also, because I have strong writing ability and my skill to convey a message. I rely is better than average at times. where I differ from him is the "SAT score (1460) which placed him just above schools like Wesleyan", (pg.78). My score was lower than that, but I always thought that my writing would save me in the long run. I too wanted to be the son that gets recognized for attending Harvard and my mom would brag about me with pride. I also differ from him because my parents are still together, but both of them are counting on me to do something great with my life. I too "spent a lot of time day dreaming, for a celebrity life the future might bring", (pg.80). I want to become a famous music writer and get recognized for my hard work outside of MATCH as well as inside of it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jordan when he says "he doesn't like the idea of being told what to do", (pg.82) that's why I want to pursuit a college that would offer classes that would put me in a boss position. Jordan has a persistent drive to go to an ivy school and I have an ambition to go to a great school also. I like him, "I am not concerned about the status of the school, more concerned about the good conversations and people I can learn from", (pg.85). My mission is to educate myself as person with a learning disability and achieve awards in life for it. Jordan is an inspiration for me to keep persevering through these college appliances and what ever goals I feel as though I need to complete.
Malik said
ReplyDeleteI think Mi’s story is the most relatable because I was once in his position. Mig Cruised through high school with C’s, D’s, and F’s. Steinbeck wrote “Mig had a C average during his freshman through junior years” (49). This conveys how lack a daisy he was in school. From there on, he made the dramatic change on his education. Although Mig didn’t have the best grades, he disciplined himself to change his outlook in school
I started high school by cruising through my classes, not paying attention to my grades. Like Meg, I came to a point in my life that I changed my ways in school. Steinbeck wrote “Mig sat down and filled out the Native American Preparatory School (NAPS) application, having concluded that his mother was right: he needed help”(50). If Mig can fix the way he did things to benefit himself so can I. Due to Mig’s action, I altered the way I study for test, focus in class, and to make sure my grades are on point. Mig’s struggles showed me that you can change your life and always strive to do my best in school because colleges look at my grades
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ReplyDeleteThe person I chose to talk about was Mig. His story had captured my interest and the one who I could relate to the most because throughout his freshman and junior year his grades were on average C’s and D’s. I can relate to his experience because throughout my freshman and mid junior years my grades were not up to my expectations of where they should which is around A-B range. My grades were a C average as well. Because of Mig’s grades, he wasn’t the most intelligent student in school, though he did have an “unusually high intelligence” (pg. 51). Mig had a talent in which he can write impacting, strong poems and short stories. This talent had helped him shape who he was, which also allowed him to sign up for the NAPS program. The NAPS program will help bring up Mig’s grades though he would have to repeat junior year.
ReplyDeleteOnce Mig repeated his junior year, his grades began to rise from C’s and D’s to A-‘s and A’s. “He pulled his GPA up to a B plus/ A minus” (pg. 52) I can relate to Mig’s situation here as well because once I had a talk with my college counselor and realized my grades are not where they should be I volunteered to stay afterschool everyday to get the help I need on homework and ask questions when needed. By deciding the right choices I needed to improve my grades it all paid off towards the end of my junior in which my grades were higher than my previous years. I will also continue to stay afterschool and receive the help I need to help improve my grades as I move onto to senior year. Overall, Mig had made the right decision when he repeated his junior year knowing that it would benefit him and could easily improve in areas he needed help the most. In the end, Mig is accepted to Wesleyan University and all of his hard work pays off.
the person i choose to talk about is becca. her story is very interesting because she shows the ups and downs that i feel a lot of people at MATCH including myself will go through. she has been put through a lot of triumphs and she persevered though them and eventually was accepted into cornell. in addition to the rejection from other colleges, she also had the pressure of her brother being rejected from college and wanting to take a different path than he did. "Becca had been deeply affected by how hard her brother and parents had taken the news, however bright it might seem to an outsider, and she had vowed that she would not be as narrow in her perspective- ah hard as her parents"(pg..110-111). this builds pressure because you are no longer working from just your diploma, you are also working for other peoples honer and graces.
ReplyDeletein addition to having a interesting story, i could also relate to some of her mistakes and her struggles in the classroom. Becca knew she couldn't go to any school she wanted to. "it was because Becca was not a student whose grades and scores would automatically make her the the object of universal wooing, like Julianna (pg.42). I can relate to that statement because in any school, there will always be the average "Beccas" and the genius "Juliana's". when I read this, i thought about me because i see myself feeling how becca feels while I'm in school.
The person that I feel more compelled to speak about is Becca. The reason why I feel compelled to speak about her is because of her college essay. Becca unlike many others took an extremely risky rout in terms of a topic. Becca chose to speak about the "... brownie story"(pg.42). This is interesting to me, because normally when you think of a College topic you think of a safe topic.
ReplyDeleteWhen I say safe I mean you think of a topic that will show who you are. You do not usually think of a topic that is too risky because you are judged by college admissions. Also knowing that you will have to "...compete for admission against her classmates as well as the general population"(pg.43) her topic was interesting and it helped her to stand out. Becca's story was the most interesting and stood out the most to me because she knew that she was not a guaranteed shoe in for all of her school selections. But she still went forward and wrote her college essay on an extremely risky topic.
The person I choose to talk about was Mig , due to the impact he had on me because I can relate to him the most. As Mig was struggling with his grades “Mig had a C average during his freshman through junior years” (pg 49) in high school it grabbed my attention as I had similar struggles. My case was that in my freshmen and junior classes in order for me to play basketball I would need to push myself to improve my grades. Even though the text didn’t mention Mig playing basketball but it mentions that “ Mig is a Man-Child.” (pg 51) This is due to my height caused me to have another connection with Mig. Mig begun to work harder and study more in school and it landed him at place in the NAPS program. This program would soon lead to improving his gpa in order to pass in his junior year.
ReplyDeleteMig joins the NAPS program, Native program that gives out scholarships to hard working students. After Mig gets involved “He pulled his gpa up to a B+/A-.” (pg 52) His scenario caused me to see more similarities as once he put in hard work towards his work his grades improved. This is something I would hear from many teachers and it seems to be true. As the end of my junior year was coming towards an end I pushed myself to get high grades in order to pass a final with a low grade. All the long hours in school then after school as well paided off for me after all even though did not like them
Keiaa
ReplyDeleteThe most interesting story to me is Becca. H Becca college essay is somthing I chose to talk about because you can tell a lot about her. Becca is interesting because to the readers they felt that her essay was "well known" and she was able to make it her own. This is also interesting because Becca was only fifteen when she decided to eat the brownies, and she was able to take full responsibility. Usually it takes a while for young teens to even blame themselfves for their wrongs and Becca had no problem doing so. Becca also felt bad because of the girl that sick from eating the brownies.
When Becca said "I feel responsible" (p.39) she was able to take responsible made her seem more mature than most 15 yr olds. Also Becca was still able to attend school but was willing to take the consequences. Becca also went beyond when she " took an extra seventy-six words to answer the question"(p.42). Becca's journey helped me a lot because a bad situation Becca came across helped her in the long run because she was sucessful with her college essay.
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ReplyDeleteThe person that I felt most interested in as well as a connection with was Becca. I felt as though Beccas story was one of which that shows truth and growth as a student as well as a individual. choosing to write her essay about the "brownie story" pg 42, was a big risk when sending it to top collages, but collages want to see and get to know the truth about the real you. although the brownie story might have been to provocative, but it was a big learning experence for Becca and i felt as though her choice was good. Beccas story spoke to me a lot in her essay because its and experence that most students dont talk about other than with their friends but when telling collages about yourself. For example becca states "i was the only one out of all my friends who told the truth" pg 42. you should choose life changing experences and tell the truth about how it changes you and what you've learned from it because if you lie and collage admissioners feel as though you are lieing then they will not want you,therefore, Becca choice was wise.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore i can connect to becca because when i start to write my ccollage essay i plan on choosing the a life changing stoy as well. one that tells the truth of who i am and shows how ive grown since then as a individual. Although Beccas story wasnt one that most collages would think was apporiate it still told a lot about Becca and not that she smoked pot and like to party, but that she owns up to her actions and she is honest. Becca is a insperation because she shows collages something new and is not scared. this was interesting to me because writing collage essays teachers tell students to pick topics that tell a lot about you as not only a student, but as an individual and this topic was approved by her teacher and her parents. overall even as provocative as the topic was it was a life changing experence that told a lot about becca and grabed the admissions readers attation and thats what collages essays about all about.
I mainly can relate to Mig,because Just like Mig i Went through Sophmore and junior year by barely passing.“Mig had a C average during his freshman through junior years” (49). I thought it was okay to turn in things late procrastinate on everything from classwork to homework you name it i waited to the last minute. Thats When i Realized that if i wanted to be something or somebody i had to pull my act together.
ReplyDeleteMy Other Quote i Chose was When Steinbeck said “He pulled his GPA up to a B plus/ A minus” (pg. 52),I can Relate to this in many ways. One way is I would like to Do what he has done,go from that kid who was barley passing to that kid that might be offered scholarships and college grants.My second Reason is because not only do i want to make my family proud i want to make my self proud. I want to make a difference I don`t want to be another statistic or on the news for something bad or tragic I would like to be there for something good. And thats what I got from Migs story.
John S. said...
ReplyDeleteI am interested in the story of Aggie Ramirez. She is a Domincan woman who seems to have been struggling all her life. She lives in New York and her family is low-class. Despite her struggles, she still managed to succeed in college. She said, "I became intellectual, I just wanted to know stuff for the sake of knowing it" (pg. 223).
I can compare myself to Aggie Ramirez in that my grades were not so great all the time. There was a time in which she had C's and D's but that changed throughtout the years. Aggie was even able to graduate from Oldfields with A's and B's, which is an enormous improvement from how she started. It says, "Considering Aggie's A's and B's prior to her senior year at Oldfields, Melissa was willing to gamble that the student could handle the work at Muhlenberg" (pg.225). As a result, I can relate to her in terms of my education and wanting to succeed as a Dominican in the United States.
The person"s story I relate to the most is Migs story. Just like mig I went through freshman year to junior year not caring about my grades that much and only aiming for high C's and low B's. One way i relate to mig is when steinbeck said,''What was most frustrating for mig,as well as for his mother and teachers was that he was obviously brigjht and comprehended everything that he was taught". "He just coouldn't be bothered to repeat it back on a test or a an essay"(pg.50).
ReplyDeleteVICTOR said...
ReplyDeleteThe student that i really connected to the most will be Mig and Jordan. I related to Mig because he aimed for the standard low grades that will just get him by and at times i felt the same way. Like settleling for low grades is the best way to go when you feel really tired of the same routines. "Mig had a C average during his freshman through junior year"[pg.49] This is something that i settled for, and made me connect back to Jordans desire to attend an ivy league school. I felt like i can shoot for way higher then just C's.
These two diffent students in the Classroom really were an inspiration because for the most part , there struggles werent the same but the desire for them both was there. The struggle for Mig , even while being a very smart kid, and Jordans dream to make it into a big college are inspirational to me. There are ups and downs in the college process and in high school and to me these two really embody thriumph in their own ways."But all these considerations about whether to apply to Wesleyan or Amherst or Vassar would be likely moot"[pg.88] Moot being a doubtful nature to something, is very significant because he didnt not want to apply to places in doubt he wanted to have confidence in what he was doing and starting. These two students highlight two diffrent sides of the things i expirience thats why to me their the most i can connect too.
I feel as though Aggie's personal journey is similar to mine own. We are both born leaders, but were not born with all of the supplies needed to help further our goals and aspirations. Our grades however did not always exhibit our strive to better our future. "Nancy saw from the workcard that, like Migizi Pensoneau, she had some C's and D's on her transcript, blemishes Ralph was willing to overlook" (197). Aggie and I both have our imperfections but when we have something we're willing to work for it.
ReplyDeleteAggie like myself had parents that could barely do more than keep food on the table. Her parents like my mother came to America from their native home land in hope for a better life. "Aggie's parents moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic as adults, in the early 1970's. Neither had pressed past high school, with the exception of a few community college courses" (222). Acknowledging the struggles our parents made, it is only right that we try to better our future.
I couldn’t say I was completely interested in any of the kids story but I was drawn to and could relate to Aggie Ramirez story .Aggie had encounter a change when her grades started to drop when she became a senior and when I came to Match I used to have amazing grades but I started to receive C's, instead of my B’s. I had also became nervous because I notice that a lot of people struggle with their last year and I am entering my senior year which makes me nervous to think would I make it if my grades drop as Aggie or would I fail. But what I had thought was interested is that she stayed positive and continued to work and not give up. She knew what she wanted to become. As Aggie stated "I became intellectual, I just wanted to know stuff for the sake of knowing it".(223) She has shown me that even through u come from a poor background you should not give up you should fight to improve your grades and go to college.
ReplyDeleteFrom reading this books Aggie open my eyes and shown me that yeah it’s your last year but you can’t stop working and let other clubs take over your responability which is her education. Aggie learns that she has to learn how to balance school work and clubs because her grades started to drop when she did not force on her school work. From her going through this Aggie realize that she mess up because she did[ "not learning how to prioritize”](pg.141)this helps me learn and know how I have to force on my education before anything because I need to past and go to college.
The story that I can mostly relate and draw my attention to was the story of Migizi Pensoneau. Mig what he is like to called was a student with litter passion for his school work and the world “C average during his freshman through junior years” (Pg. 49). His freshman and junior year his grades were on average C’s and D’s and didn’t look like he was going to college. But he decided to make a change and put his educate first in everything. “He felt ready to pay back the investment that so many people had made in him” (pg.52) this show how he changing and wants to better himself for the people who supported him by doing everything he can to get into college and go beyond by taking that step and repeating his junior year to show himself that he can do it. That step helped Mig’s grades from D’s to A’s and B’s.
ReplyDeleteAlthough my freshman year was good, my junior was not how I wanted it to be. Mig’s story showed me that I was not alone in my struggles though my junior year. In the beginning of my junior year I did really well but something happen and I lost all interest in school and my grade showed that. That the same time my teachers and tutor saw what was happening and helped me. It was their help and support that I made it to senior year. Mig with the support of his family and friends showed me how important it is to have support system during the college process.
My interest lied on the story of Aggie Ramirez. As I read Aggie’s story, she was defined for having firm grades until her senior year and I feel like I can relate to that due to the direct comparison of my junior year. I wasn’t shocked that her grades began to drop because Aggie elaborated herself into additional activities at her school which sadly led her grades to suffer. Despite her decrease in scores, Wesleyan University could have been, and should have been, more sympathetic about her extracurricular activities. However, this upsets me because it shows that Aggie is not being mature for her grades and cannot uphold herself with more than one task.
ReplyDeleteOldfield reminds me of the MATCH High School very much because they too strive for excellence and success for all of the student and this is great because I now am able to relate to Aggie. My surroundings have never controlled how well I succeed in school. Living in the city of New York, Aggie still became a positive institution to all her peers as well as others. Not only was she a magnificent leader, but her courage helped her dig through any task tossed her way. One moment that had taken my breath away was that she was aware that Wesleyan University would not allow such horrid grades, but still “felt it necessary to join almost all the activities offered at Oldfields” (pg 141). This shows her to be happy spirited and social and this is the perfect ego for a college student to have. Besides being social, her interest in in-school activities will eventually win the school a better student and a socially driven one as well.
I was mostly interested in Mig,because just like Mig i Went through my junior year by barely passing.“Mig had a C average during his freshman through junior years” (49). All i wanted to do was pass for the year and not have to go to summer school. Towards the end of Junior year i began to realize how important me getting good grades is so that i could go to a great college.
ReplyDeleteOnce Mig realized that he needed to do better, “He pulled his gpa up to a B+/A-.” (pg 52) This showed that we are similar because i know that if i try really hard i can do really well. My mother tells me this all the time. After reading his story i am now more encouraged to no longer slack off and settle for average.