The Latin words, "Vires, Artes, Mores" have been the guiding philosophy behind Florida State University. Vires signifies strength of all kinds - moral, physical, and intellectual; Artes alludes to the beauty of intellectual pursuits as exemplified in skill, craft, or art; and Mores refers to character, custom, or tradition. Describe how one or more of the values embodied in these concepts are reflected in your life.
I have written a page that I will include later...Thanks for the help
This is what I have written so far...
Osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that first starts in the bone. Most commonly, osteosarcoma develops at the end of long bones. An example of this is the knee or the shoulder which account for 90% of all cases. Most of the cases of osteosarcoma are found in young poeple ranging in ages 10-24 years of age. Usually these cases are labeled as high grade and require both chemotherapy and surgery for complete recovery.
Osteosarcoma has a lot of meaning to me. It was the toughest challenge I have ever been faced with and at times I didn't think the nightmare was ever going to end. I never thought I would be faced with such a deadly disease at such a young age. I was 15yrs old when I was diagnosed. The major thing that got me through it was hope. My cancer started in my left femur and it wasn't until I broke my leg doing a split at school that I found out through x-rays that there was a mass in the bone which caused the bone to become fragile and break. After a biopsy, it was diagnosed as cancer and I started an immediate protocol with chemotherapy treatments for a whole year. After 6mos of chemotherapy treatments, the surgery came to remove my left femur along with a partial knee replacement. The cancer caused me a lot of heartache and questions of "why me?" I had to deal with and overcome this obstacle. The chemotherapy kept me sick both in the hospital and when I returned home. My blood counts would drop which meant I would be prone to get fevers if I was around anyone who might have something as simple as a cold. I was basically kept in seclusion due to this and away from family and friends. At times I wanted to just give up, but I would tell myself I am going to make it through this. My friends and family supported me and were there by my side through it all which really helped me a lot, especially my mom.
The main thing I learned from having cancer is that no one is untouchable, neither race, creed, or color. Things happen every day to people who don't deserve it. I've watched miracles and tragedies through my experiences. I sadly watched other children and friends I made in the hospital die from cancers. I heard babies crying who had no idea what was happening to them. At times I felf undeserving of the gift of life that was handed to me, but in the end I was thankful. I was thankful for something greater than myself which handled the things I couldn't control.
College essays are always better when you focus on one specific moment. I would suggest writing about one period of time in your whole experience. How did you feel? What happened? What was going through your mind? Putting a ton of detail about a period of five minutes is usually more interesting to college admissions people than a brief overview of a few years.
Thanks for your help and suggestions...
April 2, 2008 was the day I would receive the call that would prove to change every aspect of my life. While my mother spoke on the phone with my doctor, I sat in my room oblivious to the news she had been informed of. The moment I saw tears in her eyes, I knew. I did not want to believe it. My mother said, "the doctor just told me the mass was malignant." My mother was barely able to let the words escape her lips. An ineffable fear and pain came over me. My mother and I both held each other and shed tears of pain and the unexpected. At that moment I saw strength in my mother who looked into my eyes filled with tears told me, "we will get through this, just be strong, we got to be strong for each other." I will never forget those words of encouragement my mother gave. Being a teen, I thought I was invincible as most teens do. In fact, what parent ever wants to receive such news about their child. The main force that kept me with a positive attitude was the love, and support from family, friends and the medical support staff.
After a long year of chemotherapy and the side effects, I finally learned a lesson about myself as a person, daughter and a student. I found I was stronger than what I gave myself credit. It takes commendable strength to battle cancer and the chemotherapy treatments for a year. Also the will-power not to give up and keeping the faith, to have courage about something you know so little about, but still be victorious. Life has much more meaning and this is what drives me to want to become a doctor of pediatric hematology/oncology. I want to give back to kids who suffer from this debilitating disease called cancer.
During a recent conversation, I was told "I'm sorry," in reference to my illness and problems I have faced over the past 3 years. I replied, "I'm not." My hardships and experiences have given me strength, determination, and character. I now see the value of life and all that it has to offer. I awake every morning considering each day a blessing from above and a true gift. Not too many people can say this. It takes tremendous strength, both mentally and physically to endure the type of chemotherapy treatments, surgery, along with months of physical therapy. It takes determination and courage not to give up. This is what it takes, this is what I have become. I deeply appreciate learning and applying myself along with the interaction of others, and the diversity that comes along with it all. The quality of learning and the diversity that exists at Florida State University is what drives me. I hope to be among this community of people. I will always contribute what I have learned and will anticipate opportunities of learning from such excellence.