My Personal Statement Applying to Harvard University

After completing the required courses for admission, passing the Critical Reading and Writing Skills Test, and applying with the personal statement below, I was successfully admitted to Harvard’s Journalism Master’s Degree Program.

Sharing my personal statement for inspiration to those navigating a similar opportunity, and to put out in the universe what my heart is set to do.

At the age of six, I fell in love with mass communications. Yes, it was a very unusual interest at such a young age, and I couldn’t put a name to it at the time, but the strong desire and interest I had in communications were genuine.

My mother used to drop me off for summer school at a library located next to a radio station. Through a window, I would see the radio broadcasters go on air. It was fascinating to think that they could communicate and entertain people through the magic of radio. I wanted to be part of it, so I walked in and asked for a job continuously. Of course, the receptionist wasn’t taking me seriously, but on a lucky day, I coincided with the owner and general manager of the station. He was intrigued and spoke to me. If I was willing to show up at 5 a.m. every day, the job as co-host of the morning show was mine. 

For years I showed up prepared with material to talk about on the air, and my paychecks came in the form of CDs and tickets. Instead of enrolling me in girl scouts, my parents got me a broadcasting coach and drove me back and forth from radio station to radio station as I did other shows and voiceovers. 

It was no surprise to my family and friends that I proclaimed at an early age that I would major in Mass Communications when growing up. I wanted to “be the voice of the community,” as I used to say.

In 1999, my family immigrated to the United States after a flood destroyed our neighborhood in Mexico. The sudden move changed my life, but it never drifted me away from my dream. Instead, it gave it a deeper meaning. 

Scouted by a radio producer in Atlanta, at 14 I started my journey in the U.S. as a radio personality for a Spanish radio station. From traffic reports to local news and even my own show about love, I continued to do what I loved most, but this time with the opportunity to inform and entertain the community I had found as an immigrant in this country. I quickly realized that I wasn’t just speaking on a microphone; instead, I was empowering with information a community that was trying to succeed in a foreign country - just like my family and me. I recognized my power and responsibility as a bilingual and bicultural journalist. 

For a few years after college, I drifted to the sales and marketing side of the business. However, more than a deviation, I now realize it was an incredible opportunity to help me better understand the industry and learn to see opportunities. 

Despite the detour, I never stepped away entirely from my passion. My love for the art had me writing and producing on the side for fun. Deep inside, I knew I wanted to go back to journalism full-time because it is then that I feel alive and with a purpose. 

In 2021, strongly feeling that there were so many stories to tell about my underrepresented community, I decided to step back fully into journalism. However, if I was going to do it, I would prepare to be one of the best. 

I want to be heard and open opportunities in reputable platforms to tell the stories of underrepresented communities. To be in a leadership position to influence change, I need to educate myself and become one of the best. This is why I have decided to pursue a master's in Journalism. 

To instill diversity and give a voice to minorities, I need to earn a seat at the table where decisions are being made. As I seek to become a leader in the industry, I need to earn credibility and build a reputation as a competent and prepared journalist to be heard. 

My journey at Harvard University began with a Feature Writing class by the experienced Sarah Kaufman. That class changed my life. It pushed me to peek into my potential and allowed me to realize that I am capable of more.  It inspired me to pitch and land a story at a leading film and entertainment magazine in the Southeast, putting Latinas on the cover for the first time since it was founded in the 90s. 

This is the impact I want to continue to make, but I can only achieve it by perfecting my art. 

As an immigrant, bilingual and bicultural journalist, I have a big responsibility to be the best journalist.