Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the school I wanted to get in because of how prestige it had in terms of the course I wanted to study. However so many things got to me as the days approached for me to begin my program because I had heard how my race was really minority in the school like I mean extreme minority. That made me a bit worried because I had been used to having more of my kind around me. Things got worse when I realize I was the only black person in my class. In the beginning it freaked me out but I thought of it as a positive thing because now I had an opportunity to make something out of myself and be a mouth piece for others like me who may be too scared to think they could not get into a school like RPI. My first semester was an extremely challenging one but I came out head strong with awesome grades and making new friends and making contact. RPI has a lot of amazing professors who are more than willing to help you when you need it. I have made long lasting friendships and I am grateful for the Black Graduate Student Association for helping me settle in comfortably. The facilities here are remarkable and I would not trade it for anything in this world. There is more to be done in terms of race and other sensitive issues but that is why I am here so I can be a part of making these issues become stories. I am so grateful for the school and I am looking forward to what the future holds for me.
Minerva Opare-Addo