I am going to make it to UCF, "bump in the road"

The UCF essay is 500 words in length, and is about "a bump in the road" you have faced, and why you belong at UCF.

I'm going to start off this essay with a simple statement: I am going to make it to UCF. I firmly believe that if you want something, and try hard enough to make it happen, nothing is impossible. One of your essay topics mentioned "a bump in the road". My road has been full of bumps, to say the least. There were many times I thought I would never make it any further on that road, but somehow I would always find the strength to continue on. When my father left my family and my parents inevitably divorced, my entire familial structure crumbled. I essentially "grew up" in a matter of months and was relied upon to take care of both my younger sister as well as my distraught and sometimes suicidal mother. Often I would have the responsibility of preventing and diffusing fights between my parents. Since my father has left, things have been less hectic, but because of my mother's mental illness and alcoholism, day to day life at home can still be a struggle for me. And although this is a traumatic time in my life, it has made me stronger emotionally and has taught me responsibility and maturity. Rather than reflecting my intelligence, my grades have reflected the difficult life that I have had at home. In addition to the struggles with my family, there have been other "bumps". During this difficult time, I also came to terms with my own sexual orientation, and over time learned to accept myself as a lesbian. On top of all of the difficulty and stress of my parent's complications, I had to deal with my own confusion, alone. While it was certainly not easy to admit to myself (as well as others) that I was different from practically everyone I knew, I learned that you cannot hide such a crucial part of yourself. Accepting myself has strengthened me, and am now much more open minded and accepting of everyone's diversity.

UCF will give me the opportunity to leave the difficulties and distractions of life at home, and give me a new chance to truly apply myself. I need an opportunity to prove to everyone that despite all of the factors that could have held me back, I persevered and rose to my full potential. Of course I love the UCF campus, and the classes you have to offer, but what I love most about UCF, what makes it the right choice for me, is the possibility, the possibility to make something for myself, and finally do something for me, rather than trying to please other people. If I am accepted it will mean so much more than an education to me, it will be a chance for me to flourish. I belong at UCF because I know it can give me the chance I need. I am willing to take a chance on UCF, and I know that if UCF takes a chance on me, they won't be disappointed.

^Ummm...not quite, especially since college decisions are not always uniform...you can be the best student ever and not get accepted. This is an immediate turn off.


^They don't need to be reminded of the prompt you are answering.


^Get on with it.


^Wait...I thought that your dad left.


^Kind of out of place.

The last paragraph is not very unique. All of it can be said for practically any college. I guess that's ok though cause it's hard to write something truly unique to the college you're applying to.