Undergraduate / I always had an affinity for animals, and I was often called the animal/pet whisperer by my parents [3]

This is the prompt: Tell us why you decided to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, share with us the academic, extracurricular, or research opportunities you would take advantage of as a student. If applicable, provide details of any circumstance that could have had an impact on your academic performance and/or extracurricular involvement.

I'm not really sure if I've gone about this the right way, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

Growing up as a child I always had an affinity for animals, and I was often called the animal/pet whisperer by my parents. There was always that basic question asked while I was in elementary school, "What do you want to be when you grow up?", and I always responded by saying a Veterinarian. It seems cliche in some way, but that same response comes to mind when asked the same thing now a days. As I began to learn and advance in my education I established an understanding on what exactly my future goal was in life. I had been told most kids my age were not even sure if they would graduate high school, let alone go to college!

During my Sophomore and Junior year of high school, my mother had Stage 3 Colon Cancer. Periodically, she went to the UW hospital to receive chemotherapy and radiation. I accompanied her on those trips, and while going through the city of Madison I would always, and still do, admire the beautiful academic buildings that make up the city itself. Along with the diverse group of students that are seen laughing together in groups, running down the sidewalks trying to get to their next class, or even the group of student cyclists speeding down the busy streets. The student life is the key to Madisons' attractiveness to the outside world, and my mind and heart have been ensnared by it's diversity.

In order to acquire my ultimate goal, which is to be accepted into Madison's School of Veterinary Medicine, I would take advantage of the biology, chemistry and physics classes that are offered in order to obtain a major in Animal Science or Zoology. I have already taken the recommended courses to help prepare myself for the future, and I have also interviewed and secured an internship at our local veterinarian clinic. I am prepared for my future and have taken things into my own hands to make sure it transpires.

I am enthralled with UW-Madison and have not let my personal life hinder my future. I crave to be that student running down the sidewalk in the middle of a snowstorm worried about being late to class. I crave to be a part of the group of friends laughing about how we all failed that Chemistry test. I crave to feel like I am one with the city itself and I know, without a doubt, that I belong at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Undergraduate / A Heartbreaking Summer - Stage 3 Colon Cancer - UW Madison Essay [3]

The prompt is as stated: Consider something in your life you think goes unnoticed and write about why it's important to you.

This is my first attempt at the essay, and any help and critiques would be awesome!!!

It started off as an intuitive feeling during the summer of my Sophomore year in High School. There were hushed whispers and conversations taken behind closed doors. When a question was asked, it was answered with a burden filled heart and unknowing eyes. I knew that something was wrong, and only time would tell what exactly it was. This was the summer that had forced me and my family to put our entire lives into perspective. This was the summer that I found out that my mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer.

I did not comprehend the enormity of the situation, and what my life would soon be. At the age of fourteen, the only major life event that I had gone through was the death of my grandmother, and I knew the cause was of old age. Imagining the word death and my mother being associated with one another just wasn't possible. My mother was my role model and hero, and to have her be ripped away from me before achieving my future goals was unthinkable. When the school year came around, I assumed the responsibilities of my mother at home. While going through the chemotherapy and radiation she was physically and mentally unable to perform her duties. Maintaining my own responsibilities like school work and friendships was extremely difficult at times, but I managed. The topic of my mother was never brought up around friends, acquaintances or teachers unless asked about, I learned to distance myself from the reality because it was easier to bare.

Finally, as time went by I would walk down the hallways and even out in society and I would look around and realize that I had nothing to feel ashamed about. I was not to be conceited and assume that I was the only one that had a parent with cancer. There had to be other children who have gone through similar things as I, whose family dynamics have changed, and personal lives. These people are unnoticed in society because the main player in the 'game' is the cancer patient themselves. In reality, who is the person that helps take care of the ill, who is the person that takes over the responsibilities of the ill, who is the person that has to deal with the stress and unknown. The children, or even the spouses are the supporters that give encouragement and life to the cancer patient, even if it means there will be drawbacks to their own. We are the supporting characters of the story, and we are the ones that help make a difference in our loved ones life. I am proud to say that my mother has been cancer free for 9 months, and that I was able to be a part of her recovery.