Undergraduate / "... becoming Superman" - FSU Essay..last one I promise [NEW]

And last but not least the FSU essay. Like before, all help most appreciated. Thank you!

As a child I would fantasize about becoming Superman. Superman had it all. He was physically powerful. He had character. He fought for justice. Clark Kent, Superman's alter ego, represented the intellectual side of a well rounded individual. Now a young adult, I find myself wanting to emulate the qualities of this classic hero. As I look upon the meaning of Vires, Artes, and Mores, I realize that like Superman, they describe different aspects of my own life, which have shaped the person that I am, and continue to mold me into the person I want to become.

Vires represents strength. My own name, Andrew, means strength. My mother must have known this, for I needed strength to overcome a seizure disorder which I had as a baby that could have left me handicapped. For much of my babyhood, I underwent painful tests, procedures, and treatments. Strength within me got me through these challenging years and thankfully led to a full recovery. During my adolescence, a nightmare became a reality. My parents got a divorce. I had a choice. I could let this breakup negatively affect me, or I could use the pain as fuel to grow and learn about myself and life. I learned I had an incredible source of moral strength within me which led me out of this darkness. Moral strength helped to get me through these turbulent years and emerge as a resilient, well rounded individual.

Artes symbolizes the beauty of intellectual pursuits. An avid reader since I was a child, my passion for intellectual pursuits has made me the studious, dedicated scholar I am today. It is also my passion for intellectual pursuits which led me to choose a high level curriculum. This has also influenced what I choose not to do with my time. Instead of sitting in front of the television for hours on end, or immersing myself in mindless video games, I would rather work on my tennis serve, read a really good book, write a short story, or create humorous videos with my friends. This alludes to the "artistic" aspect of Artes.

Mores, the last of these words, signifies character. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated, "What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are small compared to what lies within us." Within me lies a great deal of character. Earning the honor of "Citizen of the Month" every year of my elementary education takes a back seat to the satisfaction I get from serving my community. When I participate in community service projects or volunteer my time to teach kids how to play tennis, I derive a great sense of fulfillment in serving others. The amount of character I have within me will guide me through the college years which lie ahead.

Superman might have been my hero in my youth, but I have learned to become my own hero. I have the strength, character, and skill within me to excel through my college years and beyond.

Undergraduate / "...constant fighting of my parents" - UCF essay number two [NEW]

This is my second UCF essay on How my family history, culture or environment influenced me. As before, please look it over and give me feedback as well as corrections. Your help will be greatly appreciated!

One of the worst days of my life was also one of the most meaningful and memorable. The weeks leading up to that day had been rich with both tension and the constant fighting of my parents. "Andrew, Cara, Troy, can you guys come down here, we need to talk to you," my parents shouted. My siblings and I feared the worst. My parents were getting a divorce. A nightmare had become a reality. My "perfect" life had ceased to exist. Never before had I experienced such emotional pain. Initially devastated and lost, I now realize how much I benefited from their breakup. Even though I now came from a "broken" home, I became more whole. In the aftermath of the schism, I got the chance to be closer with each of my parents, and each of my parents in turn, imparted invaluable lessons of life unto me.

My dad spent most of my childhood establishing himself as one of the most popular and sought after pediatricians in my hometown. He also spent a lot of time away from home at night working late hours at the emergency room. Because of his hard work making money for the family, I had to grow up without a strong father figure. The divorce brought with it a chance to get back the lost time with my father. For the next five years we had various bonding experiences and I have benefited greatly from this new found relationship. I learned much from the renowned pediatrician beloved by so many. One such lesson my dad taught me was the importance of initiative. After eight years of rigorous schooling, my dad got his M.D. in medicine. Everyday I try to emulate the drive and hard work which got him through all those years of medical school. Working and paying his way through college himself, my dad showed me the value of good work ethic. From him, I learned to balance academics with both an internship, and a part-time job. My dad wasn't the only parent to teach me many lessons to help me throughout life however; my mom influenced me as well.

A single parent trying to raise three teenagers has to be quite a challenge. One woman took the task head on and came out successful. Struggling as a single mother, my mom somehow kept the house running from week to week. The strength my mother had, and still has, to deal with the obstacles presented daily, is astounding. From taking me to and from work, to conquering her fear of teaching me how drive, my mother's strength knows no bounds. This strength is one thing she has definitely left in me. After seeing her strength, I feel I have the moral strength to deal with anything college life throws my way. One lesson my mother has taught and reminds me of everyday is financial management. Even though my parents both worked tirelessly to provide for my siblings and me, financial woes still plagued them. My mom always makes sure I know how to handle my own money and save for the future. Another influential quality my mom has modeled for me is to have an open mind. After the divorce, my mom opened her own mind to new forms of worship and spirituality. She now practices various forms of mediation to increase her own moral strength. My mom has shown me that having an open mind is not only necessary, but also a great tool to have and rely on. I will use this tool during my college assimilation process to adapt to the challenges and changes that come with adulthood. I feel confident in facing the adult world knowing her influence has aided me throughout my childhood and teenage years.

The influence that both my parents have given me has created the strong foundation to succeed with excellence throughout my college years. From having good work ethic to having an open mind, the ways of my parents have shaped who I am today and the person I will become.

Undergraduate / "Bump in the road" for UCF [NEW]

I was hoping you could look over this and tell me what you think, as well as making and necessary changes to it. Your services would be greatly appreciated.

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

It's hard to imagine what one experiences in a devastating car crash. My own experience was somewhat lacking, but only in the sense that it wasn't what I had come to know as a "near death experience." There was no "life flashing before my eyes", no crying out, no praying to God. So what did happen? As I was driving, I felt on top of the world. Leaving my meager job, I was relieved to be heading back to a familiar environment, my social realm; a realm in which I thrived and escaped from it all. While the world was caught up in its own turmoil, two strangers would cross paths and forever more become part of each other's lives.

From February through May of 2008, I had an internship thirty minutes away at Goldstein Schechter Koch. Always in rush hour, I got a glimpse of what the adult working world would be like everyday. With spring break only a day away, I was eager to leave the day at the office and return to my sanctuary of friends and a week without school. Little did I know that the drive home on April 2, 2008 would change my plans.

Driving down 46th street, a warrior roared along in his chariot. This wasn't to last forever, as the warrior would soon find out. Coming off of Taft Street a larger chariot roared. As I was going through an intersection, an SUV blindsided me and sent me spinning. I awoke thinking what had just occurred was all a terrible nightmare. I pinched myself. I was awake.

I replayed the whole thing in my head. There was no life flashing before my eyes, none of that. I was lucky to be alive and walking. I got out of my car and surveyed the damage. The whole upper left side of my car looked like a crushed soda can. The paramedics came on the scene, followed by the police. The usual questions followed; ID, registration, the works. I called my mom and dad. The big question finally came, "Who was at fault?" It wasn't mine. Thank goodness. I still felt guilty; a weight had not been lifted.

The ensuing weeks were spent frightened of a once familiar realm. I was too scared to even drive across the street to the supermarket. I had to be picked up and dropped off like a child and this dealt a huge blow to my self-esteem. I couldn't do any physical activity due to pain in my chest, and for a month I had to see a physical therapist. One day in late May my fear would be put to the test. I got a call from my father saying that his car had stalled out and he needed me to pick him up. This would be the moment which would define how I drive for the rest of my life. Did I falter? Only for a second, I'll admit it. But after that, I was once again a stranger on the road, a warrior in his chariot.

This experience has shaped my life from then on. I now know I have the capacity and ability to overcome whatever life throws at me next. I also learned to appreciate what I can do with my life as well as life itself. With these lessons learned from this experience, I am confident I can excel at the University of Central Florida.