How education at Rock Academy changed the trajectory of a family’s history.
Hard work, tenacity, dedication, and focus describes many successful people. Alejandro, a graduate from the Class of 2023, has all that and kindness, sincerity, and a love of God. Alejandro is the first person in his family ever to attend college, and he was accepted to Princeton with a full-ride scholarship.
When asked why Princeton, he shared: “It is my dream school. Watching endless Michele Obama interviews about Princeton, her inspiration as a minority student overcoming all doubts and odds against her, is an awe-inspiring story for me to follow in the footsteps of such an amazing, bright woman.”
At the Rock Academy, Alejandro served as ASB Rep, Admissions Ambassador and Team Captain. Outside of school, Alejandro was involved in San Diego Squared, a STEM diversity leadership initiative, and KIPP where he assisted in the marketing of KIPP schools to low-income, first generation students.
When he opened the Princeton decision letter during his English class, he shared, “It felt like I was leaving a legacy worth remembering. I remember one day after school, an elementary student, whom I had never met, came up to me and said, ‘Congrats on getting into college!’ It brought tears to my eyes that as a a low-income Hispanic student, I was leaving behind a legacy for students to follow at a private school in San Diego.”
For Alejandro and his family, this means a chance at a new trajectory. A proud Latino son of a chef and a dry cleaner, he hopes to pursue Public Policy and Global Health. He shares, “My intended major was molecular biology; however, as my interests change, I might end up doing something I never expected. As of right now, I am leaning towards public policy with a minor in global health. I aspire to work either in the UN or WHO to improve the life of humanity.”
According to recent data from the nonprofit First Generation Scholars, the acceptance rate for Ivy League universities is less than 10 percent and the average annual cost is over 80 thousand dollars. Alejandro is the recipient of a Questbridge scholarship that will cover the total cost of his undergraduate education. He is also a part of the rising percentage in recent years of Latino American students who are attending college.
When asked what was the toughest obstacle to overcome, he shared, “Finding my voice. A voice of my own, a voice I can own, and a voice that’s powerful. And I know at Princeton, my voice can be elevated, and I’ll be able to change the world.”
