Undergraduate / 'small pieces of myself ' - UCF Application [2]

This is the first part of my application essay and I was wondering if it was good or not. So feedback would be very much appreciated.

4. What qualities or unique characteristics do you possess that would allow you to contribute to the UCF community?

There are billions of people in the world and not one of them is the same. Each one of us are different and unique in our own way, varying from the past times we enjoy to the languages we speak. We all have something about us that is reflected upon the people and things around us. I feel as though there's a combination of things I can bring to UCF that no other individual can.

One of these things would be passion for the many different aspects of life and my overflowing individuality. Whether it be my dynamic love of music, favorites of mine ranging from the newest voices of Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga and Demi Lovato dating back to classics such as Journey, Aerosmith, and even Dean Martin. Or my never quenched interest in time periods throughout history including but not limited to the 1930's, the civil war era and even Trojan war times in places like Greece and the rumored country of Troy that is said to have once been located in modern day Turkey. And what kind of Italian American would I be had I not mentioned my appreciation of good food, starting from homemade Italian to Mexican tacos and burritos to classic American meals like barbequed hamburgers and macaroni and cheese. There's even my love of writing. It could be completely random short or long novel length stories but I can always fill a paper as long as I have a pencil in my hand, a fresh sheet of paper and a great idea brewing and begging to be written.

Something else that would allow me to contribute to the UCF community would be my determination and craving to learn new things and to be challenged. Whether these new things be academic subjects or just life skills I can utilize on a daily basis. I also tend to see things more realistically and more maturely then that of someone my age which helps me see the world and the people around me for what they are. But most important is my unwavering desire to do the right thing. My integrity and willingness to stand up for what I believe in. Whether it be respectfully sticking by my opinion and refusing to back down or be bullied/pressured to change who I am or being the one to get what I want in life by earning it fair and square, by working hard and doing the right thing.

In the end, all these things are but small pieces of myself that make up a person who could and would contribute an outstanding amount and combination of cultural diversity and originality to your school's community, creating a more diverse and unique atmosphere among the thousands of students attending the University of Central Florida.

Undergraduate / 'Challenge and prepare' - UCF Part 2 [2]

This is the second part of my application essay and I was wondering if it was any good or not. Feedback would be very much appreciated.

3. Why did you choose to apply to UCF?

I have to be completely honest when I say I never dreamed of going to UCF like the many people who are applying might have or at least claimed to since childhood. In fact, I didn't even know the University of Central Florida existed for the longest time. I actually lived in an entirely different state so the only colleges I ever heard of were the names of nearby institutions like Princeton, Harvard and Rutgers but those were basically it. That is until I moved to Florida.

As time passed and I started to grow up I began to realize what was really out there for me. I discovered the University of Central Florida sometime through the middle of high school and I feel its exactly what I'm looking for in a school. Not only do they have the academics I require but they also have the culture and community I would like to be surrounded by. Not to mention the location which is perfect for me. It isn't too far away from my immediate family but it's a new area and will give me the opportunity to live my own life and become more independent. It was also give me the chance to meet new people while getting a quality education.

As a freshmen, going into college would be a big first step to becoming an adult and achieving my dreams. I think UCF would be the ultimate stepping stone to my future as a detective. I know that UCF will challenge me in all the right arenas and prepare me to be successful in whatever I choose to do and while there are plenty of other schools out there I want to be a Knight.