University and college admissions

attend college in order to become qualified for a successful future career. In today’s society, attending a top-rated university or Ivy League institution is seen as the ticket for embarking on such a path. Yet because these programs are so competitive, the application process has become unnecessarily devastating, involving extensive test prep, unending academic pressure, exhaustive hours of extracurricular activities that may or may not earn a student an impressive mark of distinction, and emotionally draining interviews, campus visits, and networking events. The message revolving around college admissions is even worse than the agony of the application process itself—a message that a student’s worth and value…

program for successful, college-bound African-American and Hispanic students. To Jozina, Gateway was an opportunity to seize—the first step onto the path that would take her to success. But it took up a lot of time from the things she enjoyed most, like her academics or her leadership roles in the community. The speakers at the program told Jozina everything she should do to get ready for college: develop a list of potential colleges and universities, take the SAT or ACT or both, apply to the…

Thank you for considering The University of North Florida as your home for the next four years. The admissions team is very displeased to inform you that there will not be room here for you at our college. After reviewing your essay and application we were all very entertained but doubtful we would ever be able to meet you. My favorite part of your application had to be when you explained why you didn’t do very well in your Spanish three class, “I got a C- in Spanish because yo no hablo…

I make the statement that I am a “driven” individual, I mean that in every aspect of my life. In the realm of athletics and fitness, I knew at the beginning of freshman year that I needed something outside of what the Foresht Lake Academy varsity program had to offer. My internal drive gave me the motivation to go out on my own and train for my first half-marathon, a sport I have been competing in ever since. This motivation has also been present in the academic sector of my high school…

When I first started university, I had to go to an advising session; while, I do not remember what it was about, The one thing that managed to grab my attention was when the advisor said “I can spot a freshman a mile away” when someone asked her how, she replied” just search for people who look lost and confused”. It struck a chord deep within me because I was really lost and confused, not only that but also anxious, friendless, and afraid of all the responsibilities and of the possibility of…

Going to college has always been a dream of mine. I grew up with the notion that going to college would equal success and that is what I aspired to be, successful Not very many people in the community I grew up in even gives college a thought so when I go accepted to The University of Alabama I knew I would continue onto my next journey but that did not come without major obstacles I came to the university knowing that I would excel in my studies and be the best that I can be but that was not…

On first thought, the word “volunteer” itself brings about connotations of selflessness, of community service, and of outward devotion. In no way are these translations incorrect, yet they only scratch the surface of what it truly means to be a volunteer--both in wholehearted spirit and on the University of Tennessee campus. Don’t get me wrong; dedicating one’s self to community service is great and all, and I know that the time I’ve spent doing so has been instrumental in my awareness of…

Growing up, I had never traveled far out of Buffalo, only reaching as far south as Florida or as far north as Toronto. The ideas and culture of those around me have always been the same. This has limited my time for growth as a college student; whereas, studying abroad in Sydney would grant me the experience of a new culture, new ideas, and a new opportunity to learn about myself. Sydney offers vast choices to not only enhance my college education, but to be an essential part of it. i will be…

in High School, my list of goals has drastically changed and helped to guide me through the college process. Quickly, I realized that my goals parallel many of the Jesuit values that Georgetown University exemplifies. It was after two service trips to West Virginia, tutoring underprivileged children once a week, and being part of my school’s Community Service Corp’s that I realized just how integral a part of service is to who I am. Service is not a one-way street, but rather it is about…

Then, my oldest brother dropped out of school to work. I’ll never forget the day my father looked deeply into my eyes and said, “No matter what, go to a university. I never had the opportunity and I want you to have it.” From that day until the day he passed away, I promised myself that I would become a university graduate. Now fatherless, I faced the world with two goals: 1) to make my father proud and 2) to build a community around me. My family was always working and I rarely saw…