Taking a second crack here. Disclaimer: I edit & write for journalistic radio. I am not a style guide
luuma wrote:I was born in the Bronx, New York to a single mother...
My father was born in the Bronx, and I don't know of anyone who calls it the Bronx, New York. At any rate, if you leave "New York" in there, you need a comma after it.
luuma wrote:The particular extensive transnational community where I grew up has offered Hispanic immigrants with an alternative to complete assimilation by preserving the Hispanic culture and lifestyle.
Either change "offered" to something like "furnished", or get rid of "with" (I think it's better to get rid of "with").
luuma wrote:By high school I could speak English fluently, yet at times I had trouble articulating myself completely, and I continued to think in Spanish.
This sentence seems to contradict itself. I might change it to read: By high school I could speak English fluently, yet at times I had trouble articulating my thoughts completely, as I continued to think in Spanish.
luuma wrote:...strongest suites.
(I repeat myself) strongest suits.
luuma wrote:The growing epidemic of gangs in my neighborhood made going outside to play a luxury for the white children I saw on TV;
Umm. Ok, calling an activity "a luxury for Jack" means that Jack would consider that activity a treat that is out of the ordinary. You might get the point across clearer like this: ...in my neighborhood meant that going outside to play was a luxury reserved for the white children...
luuma wrote:My schools did not have large outdoor campus with access to outdoor activities, nor did we have a gym that could fit entire classes. Instead, the public schools I attended were largely underfunded
see previous
luuma wrote:The combination of these factors began to take an adverse affect on me
I think that "have an adverse affect" is more accurate.
luuma wrote:that I could not succumb to my environment like many of my friends and family had It slowly began to dawn on me
Missing a period there.
luuma wrote: that my only option for a better life was higher education, and to get to there I would need the right grades and continue working hard to move forward.
I would need to get good grades and continue working hard in order to move forward.
luuma wrote:from volunteering with international organizations to serving as university senator for off-campus students, using my leadership skills from work and taking care of my siblings in new academic and professional contexts.
off-campus students, putting the leadership skills I had honed while working and taking care of my siblings to use in new academic and professional contexts.
luuma wrote:My multi-cultural perspective has worked as a catalyst during my academic and professional experiences
You just used "academic and professional". Either remove the previous one (just make it "in new contexts"), or change this one to something like "collegiate career".
luuma wrote:My interest in a legal career began to during my studies abroad.
previously addressed
luuma wrote:My host parents were both lawyers, whom became inspirations the more I got to know them professionally and personally.
previously addressed
luuma wrote:I am determined to carry out my ambitions to advocate for those who need it most.
What is "it"? Maybe: for those with the greatest need?