Undergraduate / "To make my dreams come true" - Essay on FSU admissions on Vires, Artes and Mores [4]

My values have always been important to me in making choices and the way I live my life. Florida State University's guiding philosophy of "Vires, Artes, Mores", signifying strength in all kinds, exemplified in skill or art, character and tradition, are values that I try to uphold in life.

"Vires" the Latin meaning for strength is needed to accomplish any goal. Playing basketball in high school is one way I embodied strength mentally and physical. During the season we would have intense practices till six, which would just knock me out. It takes a lot of mental strength to get home from practices and games late and then finish homework, study, and keep good grades, when your body just wants to rest. I have extremely high hopes for myself and to ever be able to reach them, I have to have strength in every aspect of my life, no matter what obstacles or barriers impede my way.

"Mores" meaning character, custom, or tradition is important in one's identity. My family and religion reflect my character and traditions. My family being Dominican and devout Catholics, I have a lot of rich traditions. From birth my mother has taught me to always be involved in church from being in Alter Server to being an Usher in mass. Doing the right thing is very important in making my decisions. I try to make my Catholic values a key part of my character. Also, being able to take on new challenges and being flexible is essential to my character, being that I lived in four states and moved a lot. All the people and friends I have made during the places I have lived have reflected in my character.

I live my life full with tradition and character and try to exemplify strength in everything I do. I believe I can use Florida State University as a tool to make my dreams come true and impact the world in a positive way.

Undergraduate / 'my choice in economics as my major' - UT Purpose Statement [3]

PROMPT:The statement of purpose will provide an opportunity to explain any extenuating circumstances that you feel could add value to your application. You may also want to explain unique aspects of your academic background or valued experiences you may have had that relate to your academic discipline. The statement of purpose is not meant to be a listing of accomplishments in high school or a record of your participation in school-related activities. Rather, this is your opportunity to address the admissions committee directly and to let us know more about you as an individual, in a manner that your transcripts and other application information cannot convey.

I am in the early stages of writing ... i just posted it to see how it was going... it any help would be great... dont be afraid to sound mean.

Up until my last year in high school I always saw myself one day attending the University of Texas. I did all the things you're supposed to do if I wanted to go UT, I took advanced classes and I received mostly A's in all my class, and participated in sports. When they gave out class rankings my junior year I was so excited that I was in the top ten percent of class, which made the outlook of going to the UT more of a possibility. Soon after my first semester of my junior year all my plans were rocked with the news that we were moving to Delaware. I would have to undergo my senior year in a new school in a different state.

As you can imagine the move was not welcomed well by me, I would be moving away from all my friends and my life in Texas. The first couple months in Delaware were tough, it was everything you would expect when you move your senior year. I didn't know anyone outside my sister who was experiencing the same situation as me. It was not until I made the basketball team where I was able to get know my teammates and made friends that I started to adjust to life in Delaware. Playing basketball at my new school gave me something to look forward and gave me a since of belonging. Since I was the newest member of the varsity team I had to work harder than everyone to get playing time. While I adjusted to living in Delaware by studying for school, going to practices for basketball, and working at Best Buy that gave me the opportunity to be so busy that I forgot I had no social life whatsoever.

As my life started to get more consistent I started to once again look at my college options. The only problem was that UT was about 2,000 miles away from my house in Delaware. I always knew I wanted to dorm in college but I never wanted to be that far away from my family. There was no way I could go back to Texas when my family was in turmoil. My parents had just separated and my sister had dropped out of high school. So when it came time to apply for schools I decided to not apply to Texas. I couldn't move away thousands of miles from my family when my family was going through tough times. I then decided to attend St. John's University which was two hours away from my family. After a year of attending St. John's and enjoying everything the school offered me, I still aspired to attend The University of Texas.

My stay at St. John's reassured my choice in economics as my major. I think this is the right moment to get back to my previous plans and swing for the fences. As an economics major I believe the University of Texas is the best school that can give me the tools to prepare myself for the future.