Undergraduate / 'grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimers' - Apply Texas-Common App-Topic A [2]

Write an essay in which you tell us about someone who has made an impact on your life and explain how and why this person is important to you.

My grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimers when I was 7. At the time I had no idea what this entailed, but I loved her all the same. She loved and doted upon me but as we both grew older I began to realize that my grandma's mind was beginning to deteriorate. Alzheimers is more than just loosing memory, it's forgetting how to do things for yourself, loosing control of your body, and living without really being there. It was very hard on my grandfather and mom to have to watch and suffer through, they were brave and caring and loving till the day she died. I look up to and respect my mom and grandfather for their loving, caring and accepting hearts because the real victims in Alzheimers are the family members. My grandmother had the last 10 years of her life stolen from her, she didn't know what was happening or if anything was wrong, she showed no signs of pain, but as a family we all knew.

My grandmother was an amazing woman, she played with me in my playhouse and picked me up from school. She wrote countless letters to me as a child and loved me unconditionally. She taught me how to treat people with respect, and care. She loved everyone that she came into contact with and lived each day to the fullest. Although my grandma was not given a long and healthy life, she remembered who her family was and cherished every moment she was given.

This past summer my grandma left this world to move onto her greater journey; she left memories and lessons I'll have forever. I am able to turn this heart wrenching journey into by something positive by spending time with Alzheimer patients in an Assisted Living Home. The majority of patients here don't have the close family that my grandmother had, I am able to be a light in a dark place by caring for them.

My grandma taught me to love others and treat people with a kind heart. My grandmother may have been cheated from the rest of her life, but she taught me that a terrible situation can have a positive outcome. Because of her, I see the good in everything and never take moments for granted.

Undergraduate / 'I motivate myself' - St. Johns-short description [3]

Please upload or provide below a short personal statement of 250 words or less on the topic listed below.

What motivates you? We'd like to know what activities you really enjoy. Do they tie in with any career goals? Have you won any awards or honors?

I motivate myself; I have goals and I set out to get them. I love learning and trying new things, I have a zest for life. I try to have purpose behind my actions and live life to the fullest. I don't let little things bother me, if something isn't important 7 years from now then it doesn't matter. I am focused on my future-my career.

Having a speech impediment and being teased has led me to want to make a difference in others' lives as a Speech Pathologist. I want to help and encourage others to be articulant in their speech the way I am not. Although I have received honors and awards in dance, orchestra and academics, my greatest gift is my initiative.

Undergraduate / 'Being a member of PALs' - Apply Texas-Common App [5]

There may be personal information you want considered as part of your admissions application. Write an essay describing that information. You might include exceptional hardships, challenges, or opportunities that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials, personal responsibilities, exceptional achievements or talents, educational goals, or ways in which you might contribute to an institution committed to creating a diverse learning environment

Being a member of PALs has given me opportunities that I would have not had otherwise. PALs is an organization dedicated to assisting peers and the community; we mentor children, volunteer, and act as leaders and role models. I joined PALs because I like children and I thought it would look good on my college applications, but I did not realize how much more I would get out of the program.

I was assigned three PALees, elementary students that needed assistance in some form or another. There seemed to be nothing wrong my two girls, but there was something different about my third PALee, Casey. He was shy with me and didn't want to open up. Whenever I wanted to talk I practically had to pry information out of him. I brought different games and activities, things a second grade boy should like. He rejected it all. This led me to think that Casey didn't want me as his PAL and that I wasn't making a difference.

One Tuesday, I brought Sponge Bob dominoes for us to play, he won the first game and I won the second. After the second game he began to cry and pout and I asked "is it because you didn't win both games?" Casey didn't answer me, so we sat in silence. I asked if he wanted to play again, but he only wanted to be taken back to class. On the sad walk back, Casey asked if I still loved him and if I was mad at him because he wanted to go back. That he was having a bad day and was sorry. I had never thought that a second grade boy could break my heart in two, it was then that I realized that Casey did care about me visiting, I had just not found a way to reach him on his level yet. I assured Casey that I did and we talked for the remainder of our visit.

After that, my visits significantly improved with Casey and we always had a lot of fun together. Being Casey's PAL taught me that we impact others in the smallest ways. Casey might not always want to play games and talk to me, but simply being there can make a huge impact on someone. Because of Casey, I try to be impactfull and make a difference.