A first-generation college student means you are the first person in your immediate family to attend college. Senior Dylan Rodriguez is just one of the 400 first-generation students who were awarded a position in Florida State University’s CARE Program. CARE stands for the Center for Academic Retention & Enhancement. This program ‘operates to provide equity and access to traditionally underrepresented students disadvantaged by virtue of educational and socioeconomic reasons.’

“It was five-thirty p.m. on the day the decision letters were coming out when I found out about my acceptance. I was next to my best friend and I couldn’t believe my eyes. At first it felt unreal. It didn’t feel like I got in because I even questioned myself when I opened the acceptance and confetti was still coming out,” recalled Rodriguez. Ever since his freshman year, Dylan was determined to apply for the CARE program. Rodriguez decided to choose FSU because of the diversity and the way they challenge their students to do their best.

After seeing his mother struggle to provide for him and his siblings with the necessities they needed, Dylan hopes to pay back the love and favor when he becomes successful. Alongside his mother, his biggest supporters are his group of friends and some of his teachers, including Ms. Pinto, Mr. Gray, Ms. Ardner, and Dr. Synder. As for his two younger brothers, Dylan hopes to inspire them and show them that anything is possible. “I have to teach them that regardless of any hardships you may have in life, you can still do the things you want to do in life and succeed,” mentioned Rodriguez.

Dylan expressed, “In college, I hope to achieve life lessons that will lead me to a good life. I hope to achieve satisfaction and contentment.”At FSU, Dylan hopes to major in Nursing and receive a Master’s degree in anesthesiology.