Undergraduate / UCF Admissions Essay: I Am a Bird [11]

There are two prompts. One prompt is to explain a bump in the road in my life and the other is to explain how my family or environment influenced who I am. I put them both in one.

Since I was young, I learned to express myself in the way that was best for me. When I was seven, I won a poetry contest. My poem was about how if I could be any animal I would be a bird so that I would be able to soar high through the sky with no limitations on where I went. At the time I had no idea how much that poem would relate to my life. But I knew that words were an outlet for me. They were a way for me to form a connection with myself and also with others, whether they were spoken or written.

My grandfather always encouraged me to write. Writing was one of his many talents and one our favorite pastimes. We spent a lot of time together. He was a great father-figure to me. I lived with my biological father, but he was always busy working. Though my grandfather never saw me physically, due to the fact that he lost his sight the year before I was born, he often told me that I was a growing up to be beautiful young lady. One day I asked him, "How do you know I'm a beautiful if you can't see me?" His first response was "well for one, you're a part of my family", and then we laughed. I adored his sense of humor. Perhaps, that's where I got mine from. He then explained to me that a person creates their own beauty by making an effort to be the best version of themselves. His words were not spoken in vain.

As I got older I learned to give people a chance to show their qualities instead of judging them at first glance. This allowed me to take the time to understand people better. I also worked hard to better myself as an individual. I made sure that I excelled at what I did. I did well in school and I was always a competitive person. I won many spellings bees. I also entered an invention contest and won an award for my idea. My ability to do my best seemed invincible.

In December 2005, during my senior year of high school, I was in the holiday spirit. But, my cheery spirit soon became cheerless. My grandfather suffered from a stroke. About a week later my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It became hard for me to focus on anything but them. To my devastation, my grandfather passed on February 21st, 2006. Three weeks later on March 11th, 2006, my grandmother also passed. It seemed that everything that meant something to me was frozen in time. It was a struggle for me to accept the fact that they were gone. But, I had to realize that my grandparents would want me to take advantage of the fact that I still have my life. I had to continue living and make every second count. I graduated from high school, went on to pursue an Associate Degree and I am not stopping there. As a bird is not bound to one branch forever, I will not be bound to the obstacles that life may bring. I will soar high in life with no limitations on where I can go.

Suggestions and comments will be appreciated. Thanks.

Undergraduate / ~Why I chose to attend UCF~ A Knight in Shining Armor [10]

When I think about what I look for in a college, many aspects play a role in my decision. It has to be a place that not only provides me with the tools to succeed academically, but also to be a well-rounded individual in society. It is also important that the college is a place that has morals. It has to be a place where I can feel like I am part of a family. These things are important to me because I live in a society where I've learned to appreciate people and the way they perceive the world that we share. It has allowed me to get an understanding of life from many aspects. I put much time into finding a college that possesses these characteristics.

As a result of my effortful research, I found that the University of Central Florida is the right choice for me. Not only is UCF highly reputable academically, but it is a place that reflects morality. The fact that it was founded as a non-segregated university symbolizes its respect for unity and its desire to give everyone equal opportunities from the start. I admire the fact that the vast selection of degree programs and the diversity of the student body will not only allow people to explore their options, but it would allow me to learn from others, meanwhile pursuing a degree in Health Services Administration. The HSA program at UCF has an impeccable reputation and will give me the key to open many doors to my future as a successful Health Services Administrator. The location of the university would allow me to take advantage of the renowned and extensive internship opportunities, while simultaneously make a visit to my family easily accessible. I know that after leaving UCF, I will be able to take on any battle as I live up to my name as a Golden Knight.

Suggestions and comments please.

Undergraduate / UCF Admissions Essay - Which topic does my essay suit best? [6]

1: If there has been some obstacle or bump in the road," in your academic or personal life, explain the circumstances?

2: How has your family history, culture or environment influenced who you are?

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

Please tell me which topic my essay suits best? Any suggestions for a better conclusive phrase? Please state your opinions on how I can make the essay better. Thank you.

At an early age, I learned to express myself in a way that was unique to me. At the age of seven, I won a poetry contest. It was about how if I could be any animal I would want to be a bird so that I would be able to soar high through the sky with no limitations on where I went. Words were always an outlet for me.

My grandfather always encouraged me to write. He was also very talented in that area. We spent a lot of time together. He was a great father-figure to me. I lived with my biological father, but he was always busy working. I hold nothing against him though. He had to provide for our family and I respect him for that. Though my grandfather never saw me, due to the fact that he lost his sight the year before I was born, he always told me that I was beautiful. One day I asked him, "How do you know I'm beautiful if you can't see me?" And his response was "well for one you're a part of my family", and then we laughed. I adored his sense of humor. Perhaps, that's where I got mine from. But, then he explained to me that beauty shines from within.

As I got older I was able to understand that phrase better. I learned to give people a chance to show me their qualities instead of judging them on appearance. I also worked hard to better myself as a person. I made sure that I excelled at what I did. I did well in school and I was always a competitive person. I won many spellings bees. I also entered an invention contest and won an award for my idea. From elementary to high school my grades soared high like the bird in my poem.

During the holiday season of 2004, my junior year of high school, I was in the holiday spirit. But, cheery spirit soon became cheerless. My grandfather suffered from a stroke. About a week later my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It became hard for me to focus in school. To my devastation, my grandfather passed on February 21st 2005. Three weeks later on March 11th, 2005, my grandmother also passed. Everything in life that once mattered to me seemed to fade. It has been a struggle for me to accept the fact that they are gone. But, I have accepted the fact that I have to continue to live my life and make every second count.

Undergraduate / Why I chose to apply to UCF? (my journey to success) [21]

This is not the finished product, but I would like to know if it sounds to generic, what I can do to improve it? and any other advice you have.

When I had to make a decision about what step I would be taking next to better my life, the University of Central Florida was at the top of my list. If I am granted the opportunity to attend UCF, all of the numbers in the world could not add up to what it would be worth to me. Some of the best things that I've came across in my life are priceless. Amongst having a close family, close friends and finding true love, the benefit of getting a quality education is something that is very important to me. It cannot be sold to or brought from me. Yet, it is one of the biggest investments that I will make in my lifetime.

Fifty years from now when I am sitting in my rocking chair, thinking about my past accomplishments, I want to be able to reminisce about the valuable decisions I have made in my life. It would make me happy to be a part of the history of a university that has climbed up the ladder of success from the start.

It would be an honor to gain acceptance to UCF. I have done my research on the university and I know that this is the right choice for me. The diversity of the student body shows that UCF is a school that represents everyone. The variety of degree programs prove that the school is interested in providing people of various backgrounds with many options. It shows that UCF is a place of open arms. It is a place that wants to see me fulfill my goals.

I have read that over 70% of the staff at UCF has doctorate degrees. Getting accepted to UCF is not only about getting into a top university, but to me it means being accepted into a family of people who will guide me on my journey to success. It also means that I will be surrounded by positive role models who will be my constant reminders of the reward you get from being persistent.