Undergraduate / "I learned to be determined, think big, inspire others" - admission [2]

When we first get a seed we gain a mindset of determination for it to grow. If it doesn't grow, we get rid of it or get something to make it grow. All of the extra soil is recycled. We allow no one to tell us what it cannot do. The concept must happen in order for men to become successful. We have to become determined, think big, inspire others, never allow anyone to define my future and be around growing people.

I remember someone telling me "My daughter did better than you and did not get into that school. Why do you think you can?" That quote hurt me so much, but also gave me more determination. My reading coach told me I was going to be successful if I stayed determined. Even if I did not get accepted, I am still going to try again. My new meaning is to 'not know I cannot, but I have to'.

One of most important thing a human can learn is to recycle learning. In my spare time I mentor my younger cousin, Jenese to move forward. She lives with her mother. Jenese's mother is not in her right mind, but Jenese is so smart. I hate see someone that smart waste it. There are so many young girls who have big talents, but no one to push them. I met a young girl who loved Astronomy. I told her to be the first to go to Mars. She was so surprised to hear someone tell her that. My mom used to tell me she was an actor, scientist, doctor and secretly President of the United State. After that I remember telling people I wanted to be Sectary of State. People started telling me none of that willever happen, think of something more realistic.That is why so many girls are not achieving as much. We need to push girls at a young age and telling them they can do anything. All of the information I received came from older and wiser women. I love talking to older women about life, they have so much wisdom. Wisdom should never be kept to yourself. Everything I learned in my pass I want to pass on to younger girls.

In high school I had friends who were not pushing me, but inside I wanted so much. I was an eagle around chickens. There I became caught with socializing and not focusing on my dreams of learning. I can recall having so many dreams of traveling the world and doing big things. I used to study the Encyclopedia and Atlas in the third grade. I blame myself for not cutting off friends who did not want to grow. I am responsible for allowing other keep me from being focus. The goal now is to move forward. Each friend who did not want anything, I kicked out of my life. I told myself "I have to be the eagle".College classes are more interesting and I'm doing so much better than in high school now. I am doing better because I learned to keep my mind on the prize and be the eagle. The eagle travels along. It's going to be hard flying alone, but in the long run it is worth it.

This year has been a learning experience. I began to learn who I am and focus on that. God has given me so many opportunities and ideas to engage in. Sometimes I feel like Socrates about not knowing. My interpretation of Socrates ignorance is 'I am not perfect nor do I know everything. Those are the reasons why I want to grow. Wanting to grow makes you wise'. Out of all the mistake or things people said in the past became a learning lesson. That learning lesson has helped me become a wiser girl about the world. I believe God wanted all of this to happen so I could help other girls choose the best path. "Knowledge is to never stay in one place. That's why there are other people. It's peoples job to past it on."

Undergraduate / An interest in Neuroscience or Philosophy - Transfer essay (grammer, content, tone) [4]

In the words of Joyce Meyer, the eagle represents determination, perseverance and strength. Eagles are known for their determination to prepare for the worst, need for more, and for not fearing the storm. I always had the mind of an eagle. When I had my mind on something (the prey), I kept my mind on it and captured it. My first year at Pensacola State College has been great, but I know I want more. I want to be at a school that offers more academics, a bigger location and more opportunities.

The education at PSC has been extraordinary and I do love the small one on one classes. Like many college students I have not chosen my major yet and I am still exploring. That's why I decided to apply as a transfer my sophomore year. I want my sophomore year to be about exploring classes and being around others in majors of my interest. I have an interest in neuroscience, philosophy, anthropology and other culture studies. I remember when I bought my first atlas at a book fair when I was in the third grade. I was obsessed with ancient Egypt and India. I was the little girl who had an imagination in space. I would pretend I was Cleopatra and that I knew hieroglyphics. My mind is full of adventures and sometimes I feel like I should be Indiana Jones. Over the summer I'm looking forward to caving at Suwannee University. Since one of my choices is to go into Anthropology I want to become involved in more research like discovering some of those ancient mysteries of the world. Do the ancient Americans have a link to Mesopotamians and ancient Egyptians? I know at a bigger university, there are people already involved in research of that kind. I believe it was Aristotle who said you have to get out there in the world to discover the truth. The best way to answer any of those questions is through a diversity range of academic classes. A few to name are Biblical Studies, Archaeology of the Levant (Syria-Palestine) and Gandhi's India. I want the opportunity to expand my horizon with classes based on my interest. The only con with having a big academic range is me wanting to take everything in such little time. A woman once told my class to find something you like to do and make legal money with it. I love traveling, helping other people and learning about the world. My dream job is to have my own show on The Travel Channel as an archeologist or work for National Geographic. Some of my favorite traveling shows are Andrew Zimmerman, Taboo, Man vs Wild, The Naked Archeologist and Samantha Brown. The most beautiful part about going into any field studying people is you will never stop learning. There was a scientific study that showed people who are constantly learning new things are less likely to get Alzheimer's disease. To further my career of being an archeologist I would love to expand my knowledge with the diverse range in classes and get involved with more active research discovery in the next college I attend.

The perfect college experience is about being around a diverse and universal community, a bigger city. A bigger city can provide me with opportunities I only dreamed of. One of my favorite sports has become fencing and I would love to have the opportunity to fence more. Some other activities I want to be a part of are ethnic cooking and dancing classes. I was able to take an advantage of those opportunities during a summer in New York City. Another pro a bigger city can offer is transportation. I live about an hour away from the school and gas is killing everyone. It's so hard trying to be involved. I want the access to get on a bus or cab and be able to attend every meeting, social events, and get supplies without a problem. I love diversity in people from backgrounds to career paths. The best place to find that is in a bigger city. You can find people who are into art, scientific research, business, law, the list goes on. One of my favorite books is People by Peter Spier because I appreciate the difference in people and culture. I remember going to New York City and seeing people who spoke languages I never heard of. I learned so much by speaking to the cab driver. There is so much more learning about other cultures and religions. When you are in a bigger city you're surrounded by all kinds of people. You have to be mashed with other people on the subway or walk besides them to get to your destination. I believe those are the moments you gain humanity. If I have to do a project on a religion, art, culture or a time period, the resource would be so much better. If I had to write a research paper on the Jewish community and the Holocaust, all of the resource would be in the city. The best resource would be to go into a Jewish community and find someone with first-hand experience. Being in a bigger more cultured city is an academic and culture experience. You can learn so much about yourself through others. When you learn about yourself, you learn to accept other people.

I'm the eagle when it comes down to something that requires determination. I cannot help but to go for it. Most of the things I want are hard to get unless you have the opportunities. An internship opportunity for Anderson Cooper 360 would be perfect. Anderson Cooper has covered some of my favorite topics like the flood in Pakistan and The 2008 election. Anderson Cooper is the best person to gain a global perspective of the world from. There is so much proof that student with intern experience and a great attitude have better opportunities with getting their foot in the door. Since the third grade I started reading the almanac and encyclopedia, I wanted to travel the world. First Lady Michelle Obama said more students should study abroad in China. I would love to attend a college with safe, affordable connections with other countries to study abroad. I spent all summer learning Spanish and a little Hindi in Houston, TX and I need to use it. In ten years, I want to learn ten other different languages. The first place I want to visit besides my uncle in Amsterdam is India. India needs to be explored; it's the home of the world's oldest standing religion. While I am there exploring the land, I am going to give back to the people of India by volunteering. Life is a give, take and pass down. All throughout high school, I was involved. I had to know what was going on and how could I help. I remember visiting other schools and seeing how much passion the students had for certain issues. I have that passion for education, healthcare and women empowerment. No matter where I go, I have to find time to help others. That is why I made it my job to walk to the hospital after school and volunteer. I personally believe a college experience should be about being involved and finding time to help others. Those are the moments you find your purpose. Another big opportunity I would love to have is meeting some of my favorite people. A few to name are Alice Walker and Maya Angelou. There is so much I want to ask and thank them for. Interning and studying abroad are some college opportunities that could help get my foot in any door. The best way to make any of this possible is to have the opportunities.

I know a college does not always make a person, but a good one could open doors and help them acknowledge their power. Knowledge is power! Everyone keeps telling me that a degree is a degree. I never viewed college that way. I want to explore the academic opportunities, meet people with the same big goals I have and be involved in a worldly atmosphere. PSC is a great start for anyone and has some of the greatest professors and students. I know staying and doing my first year locally was best for me. I was able to prepare and ground myself for a bigger city. The difference is I want more and I am willing to work a light year for it. I know I'm made for bigger things and hard work just by looking at my hands. I have the hands of someone willing to work hard and achieve big. I have always been an "idealist person" rather than a "practical person." You get one chance at life; do what you want to do. I have the mind of someone like Oprah; pretty much I have an Empire State of Mind. When it comes down to determination, I'm the eagle.

"Eagles: When they walk, they stumble. They are not what one would call graceful. They were not designed to walk. They fly. And when they fly, oh, how they fly, so free, so graceful.