VOCES Video: Mynor Alvarado

Profile

Mynor is a single 23-year-old male born in Guatemala. He is enrolled at a private university in Texas, works part-time, and lives off-campus. His parents’ highest educational attainment is a high school education or less (no college education) and their family income is less than $40,000 a year.

College choice:
Mynor wanted to stay close to home. He did apply to other colleges for an ego boost, but he planned all along to stay close to home. Mynor played soccer in high school and wanted to continue playing, so when a nearby college offered support and a spot on the team, he chose that institution. Upon reflection, he now sort of regrets staying so close to his family. He had other options and with financial aid could have gone elsewhere and been exposed to even more opportunities. Mynor’s parents were not involved in the college selection process, but were supportive of his college goals. His parents expected he would do the work to choose a college and get in, and he felt that was one less thing for them to worry about.

College information:
Mynor was enrolled in the AVID program (college prep), where he learned about colleges. He also did campus tours and received help with the college application process. Further, he became best friends with his high school counselor by continually pressing for information. When it came to deciding on a major of study, Mynor looked into disciplines that would get him money. He knew someone with a degree in philosophy who was unemployed, and he did not want that for himself, so he decided to study business.

The following is an excerpt from an essay Mynor submitted about his college experience as a recipient of a Hispanic College Fund scholarship.

Like many other immigrants, my family was seeking to escape the poverty and dangers of the country. We successfully established ourselves in Austin with the help of other relatives who had [settled] there prior to our arrival. My parents have endured harsh working conditions. My mother cleaned houses, while my father worked many labor intense jobs including landscaping, construction, and clean-up crews. For a couple of years my parents and I, along with 8 other families, lived in one house. Eventually, my parent’s raised enough funds to finally move.

In addition to their hard work, my parents provided me with many opportunities. With the help of many helpful people my mother and aunt had met through work, I was able to attend excellent schools. My elementary school is one of the top schools in Austin, but it is mainly populated by white students. It was a frightful, but a very rewarding experience as well. I continued my education in schools in accordance to the feeder cycle of my elementary school.

When it came time for college, I decided to stay in Texas. There were several schools outside of Texas interested in me who[m] offered me full scholarships, but I was not interested in leaving the state. I was also determined to play soccer in college.

I was accepted to every school I applied for, and was offered money from many of them. I eventually chose St. Edward’s University due to their reputation and their offer to play soccer. Prior to my admittance to college, I applied to as many scholarships as I could. I was awarded many of the scholarships I applied for. I even received a scholarship originally intended for African Americans because of their lack of applicants.

The counselor’s office was my second home my senior year in high school. My first year at St. Edward’s, I was able to obtain enough scholarship and grant money to receive free schooling. I have received the same assistance all four years. I am graduating in May 2007 with a B.B.A. in International Business. I hope to continue my success through my career aspirations in the consulting industry.