Undergraduate / Becoming the Girl I've Always Wanted To Be--Common App Transfer Essay [2]

Here is MY ESSAY for the Common APP Transfer Prompt! Basically Why do I want to Transfer and what do I hope to achieve at another institution.

I went off to the city for college in September 2013. My major was Business Management with the intentions of pursuing an MBA and career in finance. After my first semester in the city, I had become diagnosed with clinical depression, anxiety, and pseudoseizures. The illness had stemmed from past years of bullying, and dealing with the changes of college. I made my journey back home and enrolled for the spring semester at Bergen Community College. My first year of college was an obstacle for me because of my mental illness and learning how to deal with it. I do not want to make this a sob story because it's not at all. Challenges are not sent to destroy a person but are sent to promote, inspire, and strengthen that person. My first year of college was my challenge and I was able to overcome that. My health is no longer an obstacle that will get in the way of becoming the woman I have always wanted to be.

During the summer of 2014, I had my "Aha!" moment. I decided that finance and business was not the route for me. Through taking some classes in Communications, I found my calling and passion, which is mass media and journalism. I film, produce, and edit videos for my YouTube channel. I designed and developed my own professional website and blog. My blog and YouTube channel focus on beauty, fashion, and celiac disease. As a philanthropist, I became the Founding President of the Teens Living with Celiac Foundation. The Teens Living with Celiac Foundation was able to become a 501(c ) 3 non profit organization through funds I was awarded in 2011 from the Scholastic Inc. 2011 BE BIG In Your Community Contest. The Teens Living with Celiac Foundation inspires, supports, and connects teens with celiac disease across the state of New Jersey and the United States. My interest in Communications & Media has taken me from establishing a nonprofit organization to developing my own website and filming YouTube videos.

My mother went to Bergen Community College and graduated with an Associates Degree in Psychology. She then furthered her education at Rutgers University. Following her footsteps was coincidental, but attending Bergen Community College has been the best decision I have ever made, thus far. Through my three semesters at Bergen Community College, I have been able to find my passion for Communications & Media. However, my time at Bergen has come to its end. I must reach my full potential of my investment in post-secondary education, which means moving beyond Bergen Community College. Bergen Community has been my foundation towards a better education. Bergen has prepared with the skills, tools, and values needed to persist onward to a four -year institution. I am ready to uncover the benefits of a fulfilling college experience, with the opportunities necessary to develop into the person I desire to be. I desire to be a well-rounded, educated, cultured, and popular TV personality. My passion for change, diversity, and strong skills in communications & interest in media will guide me to a Bachelors Degree in Communications.

Undergraduate / 'celiac disease awareness' - Common Application Essay #1 [NEW]

Sometimes the hardest battles in life are the ones no one can see. Celiac disease is one battle that many face throughout the United States. As someone with celiac disease, I wanted to make a difference. Ghandi once said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." For the past three years, I have been living that change as the founder and president of the Teens Living with Celiac, NJ non-profit organization. I developed the organization to raise awareness and give support to other kids and teens with celiac disease. For many years, I felt alone but now I realize that I am not. I want to help others realize that too.

When I was six years old, I got severely sick and was misdiagnosed with many illnesses, after three years of testing one had comeback definite. I was diagnosed with Celiac disease. The only treatment for celiac disease is adhering to a strict gluten free lifestyle. If I were to eat foods with gluten, severe damage can happen to my small intestine resulting in days spent in bed. Even after my diagnosis, I was facing many obstacles stemming from celiac disease. I no longer wanted to let those obstacles stand in the way of living a happy life.

At fifteen years old, I met a girl with celiac disease and realized that I am not in this fight alone. After my encounter with her, a light bulb lit up inside my head! I thought what if I could do something in my community to raise more awareness so that other kids and teens like me do not have to suffer alone. That same year, I applied for a grant from Scholastic through Clifford's Be BIG In Your Community 2011 Contest. Basically, I described the need of celiac education within my community so that I can help others. Let's just say, August 24, 2011 was one of the best days of my life. I received a letter stating that not only did I receive First Prize out of 1,000 entries but I was the youngest recipient of the award.

With my prize money, I established my non-profit organization and hosted the Catwalk For Celiac Fashion Show fund-raiser. Through the fund-raiser, I raised approximately $10,000 for my organization so that I can develop projects for kids and teens. Within the past three years, my life has changed completely. I have learned to use celiac disease as my superpower because without it I would not be considered a hero or role model to others.

Currently, I am the national teen advocate for celiac disease awareness. I have shared my story from coast to coast. I have been interviewed for online magazines and websites. My most recent interview was on the popular web show, "The Celiac Diva Show." I never thought I could be able to make a difference because I am only one person. But, through this experience I know now that it only takes one person to make a change.