After filling this out I feel like I hardly have a chance of getting accepted into UF, but I've worked hard and it wouldn't really hurt to give it a try. Let me know if there's any way I can improve this, I haven't found any resources to help me on this.
"On the previous Personal Information page, you answered Yes to one or to both questions. Please provide your detailed explanation below. Based on the incident(s) disclosed, UF may ask for additional information up to and including all relevant court documents.
Have you ever been charged with a violation of the law that resulted in, or if still pending, could result in probation, community service, a jail sentence or the revocation or suspension of your driver's license (including traffic violations that resulted in a fine of $200 or more)?
Are you currently or have you ever been charged with or subject to disciplinary action for scholastic or any other type of misconduct at any educational institution?"
"When I lived in New York, I had a troubled sophomore year; my mom had been planning to move our family to Tampa. I was very attached to my school, my friends, and New York. I wanted to stay in New York and pleaded with my mom for months if there was anyway I could stay, but I needed help, and called attention to myself in an extremely negative way. Very upset, I started to drink alcohol as a cry for help, to the point where I tried to get myself on probation to stay in New York.
Those few months were the lowest in my life; but I am extremely grateful that I've learned and greatly reformed. It was a different place, a different time, and I am a different person. I've learned how to ask for help when I need it, and though I'm not proud of the actions I took, I'm proud of the improvement I've made; I believe the experience and the people supporting me made me a better person, morally, academically, socially. At the time I believed I had no real future, but my family, friends, and teachers have helped me see my future and strive for it.
Violation of law:
In White Plains, New York October 6th, the year 2007 I was arrested for petty larceny and unlawful possession of alcohol at the age of 15 and was given a few weeks of informal juvenile probation, until it was agreed my problem was more emotional than criminal.
In Yonkers, New York, February 2008 I was arrested for graffiti and possession of graffiti instruments in my backyard. At my arraignment I was given a curfew of 7pm and restricted from entering the area of 222 Mary Lou ave. Then I moved to Tampa, Florida and flew back to New York August 2008 for my trial and was given about a $200 dollar fee
Disciplinary charge:
I have been suspended from Charles E. Gorton High School, in Yonkers, New York. I was to be admitted St. Vincent's Westchester Hopsital outpatient day rehabilitation for 6 days until it was agreed that my problem wasn't serious enough for me miss school."
People make mistakes, especially during hard times.
You are a different person now and that's all the admission officers are looking for, I think.
If possible, set up an interview and explain to them thoroughly face-to-face. I'm sure they would like to actually hear from you.
Disciplinary charge:
I have been suspended from Charles E. Gorton High School, in Yonkers, New York. I was to be admitted St. Vincent's Westchester Hopsital outpatient day rehabilitation for 6 days until it was agreed that my problem wasn't serious enough for me to miss school."
just a minor grammar mistake.
good luck with your application!
Yes, college is big business, and you stand a good chance despite these issues.
I suggest rewriting this as an essay about an experience you learned from. For example, how about a short narrative that tells the story. Do not say you drank as a cry for help, because it sounds like an excuse. Tell this like the story it is, and remember, a lot of us hae done things that were way worse.
Instead of using the word "larceny," tell the story. A story can win people over, but labels just make them judge you.
