Provide any other information about yourself that you feel will help this college

personal statement - admission essay

PLEASE GIVE ME ANY SUGGESTION TO MAKE MY STATEMENT BETTER
I wanted the statement to give heartfelt and explain the reason for my poor academics at the beginning

200 WORD

Please provide any other information about yourself that you feel will help this college make an admission decision.
This may include work, research, volunteer activities or other experiences pertaining to the degree program.

Looking back, I visualize my setback as a leaky rowboat, navigating the voyage but also being paranoid about another leak. My journey has been eventful. It has built my character and I wouldn't change it.

Before confidently pursuing Landscape Architecture, I faced a set of disorientation. I went through unrelated majors. Retaking failed classes, and ultimately feeling unfulfilled.

Sophomore year I took a semester off. I didn't know what to study and had depleted school funds. Although the insufficient funds sound pitiful, it was a blessing. After all, it's what I told my parents to get off my back for a little. During that time, I worked at Midtown Garden Center, a quaint little space tucked between luxury high-rise apartments. This is where I gained experience, knowledge, and gratitude. Creating arrangements and small landscaping made me think about the possibilities on a larger scale. Digging deeper I bought Garden/Landscape books, joined plant clubs, hosted plant workshops, and attended Tropical Plant Expos.

My trials and tribulations connected and concluded an epiphany of my passion. I intend to use my artistic personality and horticulture awareness to impact my community. I believe that the University of Florida program will fulfill my passion.

The presentation is not heartfelt. The reasons are unclear and shallow at the most. What comes across is the image of a petulant spoiled brat who shows no remorse for past misdeeds. There is no epiphany that would convince the reviewer that your take at studies this time would be any different from your past half hearted and/or disinterested studies.

Maybe the explanation is too short. Maybe it needs to focus on a particular reason or event. I can't put my finger on it at the moment. These are all unacceptable reasons for low grades. Rather than trying to explain away a negative, focus on developing the positive instead. Develop the passion for horticulture instead. Discuss your work experience and how the exposure gave you direction both academically and in life.

Make horticulture the center of your life and interests. Develop the explanation to represent the hobby that became a passion. Avoid any mention of low grades and negatives in the essay. Present only the positive since the discussion should only relate to work, research, volunteer activities or other experience in relation to horticulture. There is no sense in trying to work in an explanation for a topic that is not covered by the prompt.