Undergraduate / Family history + my qualities or unique traits - UCF Admission Essay [2]

We ask that you respond to two of the topics below. Your personal statement should be no longer than 500 words or a total of 7000 characters for both statements (refer to character remaining counter below the essay). The best personal statements are not necessarily the longest ones.

2. How has your family history, culture or environment influenced who you are?
4. What qualities or unique characteristics do you possess that would allow you to contribute to the UCF community?

UCF essay on #2 and #4 I combined both into this essay. This is my day/night for working on college essays :) I appreciate your input!

I like to think that the apple does not fall far from the tree, when I think about who I am. I am fortunate to have a family that has strong values and beliefs and has given me unconditional love. I have grown up in a family where the philosophy is to give to others and do for others. Fifty plus years ago, my mother's great aunt, whom I am told, had no more than two nickels to rub together, made it her mission to help less fortunate children. Today, because of her hard work and efforts there is a center that serves the needs of children and adults in South Florida that have severe as well as multiple developmental disabilities. When she left this world, she left without any monetary value, but instead with love and knowing that she had enriched so many people's lives. My father as a young man started a program to assist mentally aphasic individuals in providing them job opportunities. As life would have it, my parent's paths led them together and today, they continue to serve the less fortunate whether it is with underprivileged children or children that have cancer, or multiple developmental disabilities. Giving up many weekends and holidays, my parents receive more joy in life by doing for others.

As a first grader my parents signed me up to join cub scouts since they believed in the values that scouting taught. Twelve years later, trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courtesy, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent, the Boy Scout law are characteristics that I now possess. By being part of the boy scout organization and in working towards my Eagle, my experiences have helped mold me into the person I am today. Whether it is working with children with cancer in a hospital environment, walking to raise funds for the cure of cancer, feeding the homeless, or helping a community organization through various service projects, I have gained valuable lessons from every experience. These experiences have forever changed me and I look at life from a different perspective. Earning a degree from the University of Central Florida would be a great accomplishment in my life and I realize that it will require determination and perseverance. I am ready for the challenge. I have learned to take advantage of every opportunity afforded to me, and my college experience will be no exception. My experiences with the less fortunate have taught me to continuously push myself because I respect the fact that the opportunities I have been afforded are a blessing and that my potential is limitless. From my family and through my own experiences I have learned the importance of giving back to others and the community. I will continue to give back to the Central Florida community as a student of the university and as a person of virtue. I will use my education to not only better myself, but also to further help others. As Herbert Spencer once said, "The great aim of education is not knowledge but action."

Undergraduate / "...today's world with the turmoil" - FSU ADMISSION ESSAY [2]

Florida State University

Vires signifying strength is reflected in my life in various ways. Academically I am very strong in the area of mathematics and enjoy business as well as economics. This strength has allowed me have a better understanding of the challenges our society and economy is facing in these troubled times. Physical strength, an attribute I have acquired through my hard work and dedication to wrestling. As a member of the variety wrestling team, I have challenged myself and pushed myself to maintain the level of strength needed to endure the trying matches. Morality, a code of conduct in the teaching of right and wrong is a value I learned early in light and have continued to learn through my schooling as well as by being a Boy Scout. Part of the Boy Scout law, "To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight", is something I recite every week and believe in.

Artes, exemplified by my artistic skill and creativity gives me an avenue to express myself. Utilizing my artistic skill I have shared my creativity in designing a wall with inspirational art at a center for children and adults with severe and multiple developmental disabilities. Mores referring to character, custom or tradition is an important part of my life as well as my families. For the past 12 years, I have been involved with various organizations, which has been instrumental in forming my character as it is today. As a Life Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, I am currently working on my Eagle Project so that by December I will be awarded with the great honor and distinction of being an Eagle Scout. My Eagle project, along with other projects that I have been involved with in helping those less fortunate has helped me realize how fortunate I am. I have been blessed with a family that has had a history of working with those less fortunate and has always engaged me. These events, like feeding the homeless, working with cancer patients, or assisting those with mental or physical challenges has now become a custom and a tradition with my family. As it has been passed down to me through many generations, I plan to instill these same values to my family and future generations.

Attending Florida State and receiving a higher education has always been a goal of mine. By following the guiding philosophy of Florida State University, I have overcome obstacles and preserved, and by continuing to follow this philosophy, I know that I can obtain the goals I set for myself.

Undergraduate / "Circle of Love" - Univ of Florida admission essay review on a meaningful event, experience ... [2]

write a concise narrative in which you describe a meaningful event, experience or accomplishment in your life and how it will affect your college experience or your contribution to the UF campus community. You may want to reflect on your family, your school or community activities, or your involvement in areas outside of school.

Circle of Love

November 15, 2006 will forever be engraved in my mind. It was the day I met Ricky, a four-year-old boy who was battling cancer. I met Ricky through a Circle of Love event at Broward General Hospital. And at the time, I had no idea that such a fleeting moment would impact my life so profoundly.

Ricky and I spent one afternoon together. We played games, built crafts, and enjoyed the day's festivities; and for a brief moment, I was able to numb Ricky's pain. When the afternoon first began, I could not help thinking how unfair life was that such a young boy would never grow up and enjoy many of life's experiences. But as the day progressed, Ricky made me forget all of those thoughts. He did not seem to think that he had been dealt a bad hand in life; he simply was grateful for each and every day he had. The day ended with a celebratory cake. Ricky was unable to eat the cake, but he knew his limitations and accepted them, which I thought was extremely admirable. At the end of the day, Ricky and I said our good-byes. I went on my way with a lump in my throat knowing that there was a good chance that Ricky would not be around for next year's event.

A few weeks later I received a thank-you note from Ricky expressing his gratitude for me coming to visit and playing with him. As I read it, I could not help but feel that I was the blessed one for having the chance to meet such an extraordinary individual. Who would have guessed that a four-year-old boy would teach me so much about life and myself.

This experience has forever changed me. I now look at life from a different view. Unlike others, I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to achieve a higher education. Earning a degree from the University of Florida has been one of my goals for as long as I can remember. I know it will not come easily, nothing worthwhile in life does, but through determination and perseverance I can achieve anything I put my mind to. I have learned to take advantage of every opportunity afforded me, and my college experience will be no exception. My experience with Ricky has taught me to continuously push myself because my potential is limitless. I have also learned the importance of giving back to others and the community, and I will continue to give back to the UF community as a student of the university. I will use my education to not only better myself, but to further help others. As Herbert Spencer once said, "The great aim of education is not knowledge but action."