What was an obstacle that you had to overcome when applying to colleges? And what did you do about it?
I was worried mostly how will I be able to afford the tuition. The schools that I did get accepted [to], my family and I weren’t able to afford. In order for me to continue my education, I went to a community college. It was practical for my family and I to do it.

What was a rewarding moment after applying to college?
A rewarding moment after applying to college was knowing there were people who were believing in me. Whenever I go back to my high school and see my teachers, there is a teacher who always tells me that whenever he knows a student is undocumented he lets them know the opportunities there are for them after high school.

What has your college experience been like so far?
My college experience so far has been a roller-coaster, it has its ups and its downs, as cliche as that sounds. I've had moments where I've done well and I have moments where I haven't done my best but overall I think it's [all] been a learning process.

How did you find a way to belong? (Mentor, professor, club, department, organization, in or out of school?
After transferring from community college to where I am now, I wanted to start a club that created an environment for undocumented students, which I did with the support of other people. [T]hrough that creation I was able to meet friends and a mentor.

What are some things you were or are involved with?
I volunteered at New York-Presbyterian in the post-surgery unit. I volunteered at Montefiore in the ER department. I also volunteered at the American Red Cross on behalf of my school. I was a counselor at a program called Summer Program for Kids. I am currently working at a non-profit called SEO and have been working there for four years. Lastly, I am also a research assistant at a Bellevue Hospital

What are your future goals?
My future goal is to hopefully become a pediatrician and an advocate for healthy living in the Latino community. If for some reason I cannot become a pediatrician, I would like to become a clinical child pyschologist.

What is one advice you’d give an undocumented high school student?
To never give up. Be persistent and ask questions. In life, as undocumented, we are going [face] many more obstacles compared to our peers, or even sibilings, or cousins, so that may discourage you at first, but never give up. If you ever come to a moment when you can't– you are overwhelming yourself– always ask for help. [Again,] be persistent, always ask questions because there are always opportunities out there.