What do you guys think about my UC Personal Statement?

<p>Prompt #1: Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.</p>

<p>Please do give me tips on how to make my essay much better and stronger.</p>

<p>In sixteen years of my life, I have lived through difficult obstacles, but I have overcome these obstacles. Being an only child, considering as a middle class family who came from the Philippines, I had everything in life that I could wish for, but a happy, complete family. I lived through many challenges without my father. I have never seen him; he passed away seven months before I was born. My mother barely has time for herself, for me as well. She has to work every day just to support me. I have no idea how I survived this kind of environment at such a young age. I learned to discipline myself in this kind of environment; having no one to talk to, no brothers, no sisters, or parents. Even though my mother has no time for herself or for me, she’s still there being a real mother who would do anything for her child. She pushed me to the limit in everyday life and situations where I almost gave up; however, being raised this way made me realize that giving up will never give me any good results in life. She pushed me in every perspective, especially in education. She said that education is the only thing that I will have and that no one can ever steal it from me. Also, this is the reason why I’m going to graduate early, as well.</p>

<p>However, my mother met my step-father three years ago, which is the main reason how we got here in the United States. Since we came here, my mother had time for me unlike in the past years we went through. I managed to adjust in this new, very different environment by myself. I managed to learn their language, especially the slang words, it was hard and I wouldn’t talk to most of the people because of this reason. This experience made me weak in some areas of my life, but I ended up pulling up through because I was raised as a strong and disciplined person. It made my communication skill weaker than ever, so is my confidence. This experience will be my virtue in the long run.</p>

<p>Thank you! :D</p>