Undergraduate / Help with USC essay ("to recognize opportunities") [3]

Thomas Edison failed many times before successfully inventing the modern electric light bulb. He said, 'If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.' Reflect on an accomplishment you achieved in an unlikely way.

One of my most important talents has to be my ability to recognize opportunities even in the mists of adversity. However, this insight does not just come in one day; it takes sometime for it to emerge. In my case it took me most of my years at high school. Be prepared for my tail of defeating defeat.

It's 10: 20 a.m. and I'm biting my finger nails. Normally I wouldn't do this, but after seeing the massive crowd in the auditorium, it was the only thing that would settle me down. New at the school, I decided to run for Secretary of my sophomore class. Faced with the task of making new friends I couldn't think of a better way to become part of the school's community. I wrote an austere and candid speech, hoping my classmates could envision what I would bring to the table. However, that did not work! After I delivered my speech, the essence of failure was eminent, and I felt as if I could not breathe. I felt that every word lacked substance and every syllable I uttered was filled with complete hollowness. Everything seemed like an illusion, almost as if I was in a bad dream that had no sign of ending.

When I entered Learning Unlimited Prep, I thought I could offer a lot to the school, and I always wanted to make a difference. It did not matter whether I made significant contributions or even noticeable changes; I just wanted be known in Learning Unlimited Preparatory as the boy who did.

Reality struck me when I heard a prominent Haitian accent during my opponent's turn. His speech was very vibrant; he didn't fail to grasp the attention of the class. He even rapped his conclusion which portrayed him as a fun, outgoing person. From the class's reaction I was reassured that everything would go downhill. To no one's dismay, he won almost every vote.

The loss was devastating, and I couldn't help but think of reasons of why it happened. Maybe I could have done some more bribing, or exaggerated my qualifications, but that wouldn't have helped me later down the road. Even after everything I was going through, I tried not to let this incident impact my life in a negative way. My sister once told me, "You can always pick out something positive even in the worst of times." After a couple weeks I came to realize that I didn't need to win this position to contribute to my school. I could make a difference with no particular status, and took every opportunity that allowed me to do so. I didn't hesitate to join Rotary, Cross Country, and Yearbook. I didn't stop there, as I even became an active member of the Science of the Soul center. I helped wherever I could.

Now in my senior year, I believe I have made a difference with all the small activities I have done through these clubs. Failure didn't hit me twice as I am now Secretary of my senior class and Sergeant in Arms of Interact. These positions would not change the fact that I lost, but I would have never made so many contributions in and out of school if I had won.

Undergraduate / My grandmother - Uf admission essay; 'I have always idolized my grandmother' [2]

UF ADMISSIONS ESSAY:

Prompt: 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.

Unlike most children, I have always idolized my grandmother. Even though she always misplaces her gold citizen watch, and was always a day or two late when it came to giving me my phone messages, she was always the ideal example of an accomplished person in my eyes. According to her friends, she is the chef in the neighborhood they all got advice from, but to me she is simply the woman who got up in the middle of night to assuage my fright from nightmares and the women who made sure I had a snack ready when I came home from school. The surfeit amount of constructive energy she possessed along with her benevolence made her a person that couldn't help but be inspiring. She never failed to help.

When I turned 12, I realized it was my turn to help her. My grandmother was anything but ordinary, she was strong at heart, and I always assumed that I would help her eventually, when she got much older. The moment that really changed my view on life was the day she attempted to commit suicide. She took an overdose of sleeping tablets, and was unconscious for two very long days. At the time I couldn't do anything but pray for her. I was very young, and not matured; I really thought she was just taking a rest from all the work she did. My parents didn't help much either when I bombarded them with questions. Overtime I found out she was suffering from a bipolar disorder, and her action seemed to actually ameliorate her progress. It saddens me daily to see her optimism turn to pessimism. She has numerous medications, none of which has really helped, and to this day she struggles with this condition.

As I got older I became more aware of my grandmother's condition, and started doing active research on it. Looking for different treatment plans; ones that actually worked were either hard to find or too expensive. The truth is that she is suffering just as much as I am. This constant experience bestowed on me the responsibility to find a treatment and get back the grandmother I once had. Going to Unversity of Florida would fit well for my plan.The very plan I made to "help" my grandmother. Not only will I be close to home, but I'll being going to a school praised for its Academics. Business my forteit and UF's as well is what made me choose this school from all others on the list. I plan to attend this school with intentions of getting a great job at the end of it. I strongly believe that the experience and knowledge this school has to offer will do just that; mold me into a person capable of being successful emotionally and financially. When this does happen, I will get my grandmother the treatment she, needless to say, deserves. My strive and dedication to see this goal be conquered is what makes me an excellent contribution to the campus community.