Undergraduate / Are titles for admissions essays completely necessary? [2]

When submitting an admissions essay is it necessary to give it an effective title? If so, what do you think I should title mine?

topic: For almost one hundred years, the Latin words, "Vires, Artes, Mores" have been the guiding philosophy behind Florida State University. Vires signifies strength of all kinds - moral, physical, and intellectual; Artes alludes to the beauty of intellectual pursuits as exemplified in skill, craft, or art; and Mores refers to character, custom, or tradition. Describe how one or more of the values embodied in these concepts are reflected in your life.

"Vires" encompasses strength of all kinds. Physical, moral, intellectual or a combination of the three creates a solid character. In my life, it is strength of character that resonates continually. Having the ability to persevere through the hard times and still hold on to my individuality is my "vires."

Through my high school experience exposure to diverse ideas, beliefs and cultures has been abundant. As a student at three thoroughly different schools I constantly stood apart due to my failure to identify with a specific, prototypical, clique. To my peers, the fact that I am African-American and do not embrace the hip-hop culture, the obvious peculiarity of being from a presumably affluent suburb but not a snob, my pride in being a Girl Scout despite my age, even my rejection of the Ebonics dialect makes me an anomaly. I refused to conform regardless of their confusion and ignorant, probing questions on why I am the way that I am. This took an intellectual, moral and physical strength that I didn't know I had. To juxtapose to my peers what it means to be black in America embodies strength. To create a dichotomy between myself and my urbanite peers and help them realize that just your skin is certain color does not constrain you to a particular set of beliefs, practices or culture.

I did not falter in the face of their resistance to my individuality. I embraced this challenge, despite the hardships and barriers, with open arms. This journey to racial identity throughout high school opened my eyes and enlightened my soul. It gave me my "vires" that will flow within me forever.

Any suggestions you have will be greatly appreciated. Thanks :)

Undergraduate / UF Admissions Essay- continuity and grammar questions.. [4]

I'm not sure if my essay is good in terms of continuity. And i have major problems with grammar so any help you could give would be much appreciated! :)

My aberrant high school experience has given me insight into my own identity. By the end of my high school career I will have gone to three entirely different schools in three distinct cities throughout South Florida. My experiences have thrust me out of my typical suburban life, allowing me to meet people from all socioeconomic backgrounds. I have firsthand accounts of the diversity in South Florida and gained a sense of comfortablilty when experiencing foreign lifestyles and beliefs. Diversity, both my own and that which I have experienced, has become a major part of who I am today. It will allow me to be more open-minded throughout my college experience as I expand my horizons in my campus life.

Diversity, as defined by Webster's Dictionary, is to be composed of distinct or unlike qualities. As a young woman of mixed race, growing up in a suburb where I was of the minority, I failed to identify with a specific prototypical clique because of my distinct unlike qualities. I retained parts of my African-American and Native-American cultures while acquiring some predominantly White customs. Unbeknownst to me, my smoothie of race, upbringing and beliefs made me an anomaly among many of my peers. My time spent at my first high school, Boyd H. Anderson, in urban Lauderdale Lakes, was by far the most life changing experience I have ever known. I was astounded by how thoroughly different I was from my fully African-American peers. Whether it was because of where we grew up or our natural tendencies I will never know, but every new friend I made told me how they had "never met a black girl like [me] before." To my peers, the fact that I do not embrace the hip-hop culture, the obvious peculiarity of being from a presumably affluent suburb but not a snob, even my rejection of the Ebonics dialect, made me unusual. In my two years at that school I learned more about the assumed black culture than I could have anywhere else. For the first time in nine years of schooling I was a part of the racial majority, and yet I felt I would never fit into their idea of what it is to "be black." I went through an identity transition from thinking that I would never fit into their stereotype to the realization that the color of my skin does not constrain me to a particular set of practices, beliefs or culture.

My refusal to conform regardless of their confusion and ignorant probing questions on why I am the way that I am took a strength that I didn't know I had. It was an experience that empowered my character to persevere and my individuality to prevail. It was a journey toward racial identity that has enlightened me. Over four years and three high schools I learned to appreciate my individualism. The journey I went through will only aid be in my college experience as I learn more about the world, and myself. Having such a firm knowledge of myself gives me the confidence necessary to excel at the University of Florida.