College Admissions Essay: Reflecting On My Life

Throughout our lives, we make choices and decisions that change our lives and others in positive and/or negative ways. It is these decisions that determine how we will be remembered, our legacy. When I graduate high school, I want to be remembered by the qualities that define me as a person and the good I’ve done for others. Throughout the years, I’ve been often been described by my family and friends as bold, confident, outgoing, and hardworking. Not only are these characteristics important to me, but they are important to my family, as they want to leave a legacy in the name of our family. The qualities I have exhibited are the same qualities past family members have shown and are remembered for. Through always putting out my best effort when it comes to work and school, I have shown my dedication and discipline. Through doing what I can to help others, I have displayed my commitment to world peace, the betterment of the world as a whole, and the yearning to make a difference in someone’s life other than my

Up until high school, I never really knew what I wanted to pursue in. There were so many options and although I did have some idea before entering the 9th grade, I was still waiting to find a subject that I truly enjoyed. During my freshmen year, I finally found that subject – biology.

Earlier in my life I thought success was having a lot of money, houses, cars, etc. I grew up thinking that people who had lots of money were successful and happy. My obsession then, became to make a lot of money so that I can lead a successful and happy life. I have come to understand that success is not in the amount of wealth or property you have amassed.

I remember waking up that day and that feeling in my stomach, knowing what was about to happen. Growing up I knew about my father's sickness. My family, I recall, was always supportive. No one ever thinks about how one day, everyone you’re around for years, can just vanish. I cherished my friends as I was growing up. I lived there for a majority of my life, up until fourth grade. I remember sitting at a neighbor's house and having the mother come into the room and inform me that I need to be home swiftly. As I ran home, my head was crowded with thoughts to the point where I could not even think about why I was supposed to be home quickly. That day marked the transition of what would be the biggest change in my life. As by dad became sicker,

Being a first generation student requires more will power than I ever thought I owned. In middle school I was denied by my parents the chance to shadow a pharmacist because they saw this as an unattainable dream. It wasn’t until I began working with disabled children and tried to pursue a nursing degree, that I found the courage and determination to pursue all of my dreams in spite of my upbringing.

Looking back at the years that I have completed in high school is a funny but a true life changer. If I was to go back to one year of high school I would want to go back to freshman year. One reason why I would want to go back to freshman year is to talk to myself. Another reason I would want to go back it tell myself to listen more. The last reason would to see if I could improve myself in any way.

I have taken and loved a variety of my media classes here at Ball State University. I have taken courses in video production, audio production, news production, copywriting, scriptwriting, newswriting, interviewing, reporting, photography, graphic design, media analysis, and media law. I have really enjoyed getting familiar with all of the different journalism, telecommunications, and news departments at Ball State University, and have aspects of each program that I enjoy. Although many of my classes have been very challenging and time-consuming, I am not discouraged. Instead, I feel as though I am more excited graduate, get my degree in Telecommunications with a Concentration in News Production, and start a career in the industry. Even though some of my required courses have been for print media, I have enjoyed my courses for broadcast media more. I feel like there are aspects of video and audio media that can’t be told in writing, and that is why I am working to get into

As a result, college became the first place I began to question “Who am I?” and “What am I?”. My self-identity was in great question; outside of “Black” I lacked further explanation. I was confronted by individuals who boasted cultural and national identifies that held both ancestral and historical significance to them. At the time I could say I had none of this. I was introduced to the cultural lines from around the world but also within my own race. They defined themselves outside of just being Black, claiming titles such as African-American, Bajan, Liberian, and Nigerian. This gave me a new definition and confusion on what titles I should use to define my cultural status. I began seeing my cultural background as a minority within a minority because of the lack of representation of Black-Americans in higher education. As a result of this racial similarity yet cultural diversity, that began to become blatantly obvious, I chose to learn about my history and begin to answer the questions Rutgers University created. I took classes in histories from all areas of the African Diaspora, the political implications of being a minority, and ultimately majored in Africana Studies, History, and Political Science. It was through this pursuit for my roots I found pride in my own unique Blackness.

I believe the turning point of my life began with the separation of my parents. I had always imagined myself living in my native homeland of the Dominican Republic. Yet, my life would drastically change as a consequence of my parents divorce. A few weeks after my parent’s divorce, my mother and I arrived undocumented in Boston, Massachusetts. Thus, at the age of fourteen, I found myself in a new country with few family and friends. The following chapter of my life would require me to not only make sacrifices but also become more independent. The meaning and value for me becoming independent at a young age was twofold: (1) I was able to help my mother financially and (2) I learned the meaning of hard work and perseverance. I recognize that my tangible core values cannot be measured by test scores—though I have done well academically—but by my desire and perseverance to become a successful Latina.

In the novel life lessons:two experts on death and dying teach us the mysteries of life and living. The novel talks about many lessons such as

The first seven years of my life I had a great group of friends who loved me dearly. I went to a great school, and I had a very loving family. What I did not know is that my life would change in the blink of an eye. While I sat in my desk first grade year, the intercom came on and the lady said, “ Breanna Fair needs to check out.” When my family got home, I saw boxes packed with my family’s belongings. I wandered down the halls of Andalusia Elementary School and there were many thoughts running through my mind. What’s happening?Why did we move?Will I make a lot of new friends? At first I felt scared, but now I have attended Andalusia for almost twelve years and I could not be happier with the group of friends I have and the accomplishments

My life hasn’t always been the easiest. In fact, I have gone through a lot for a typically high school student. Most of the things I went through, a lot of people haven’t. Yet, nobody is perfect right? In those four years, you may learn scholarly wise, but you also learn to grow up real quick. These four years in high school really made me think about the person I used to be, who I am today and who I want to be in the future. Your high school years really are the most important years of your life.

I was always different from the other kids in my class. I was reserved and quiet. Most would tell me that I always look like I was in deep thought. Well that's because I was. I always thought that I thought deeper and viewed the world differently than other people my age. I had a great interest in people, in fact they fascinated me. I greatly enjoyed meeting new people and listening to their life or things they like. So I guess one could say my interest in Anthropology dates back to grade school. History was always my best subject, I would always sit at the front of the class "bright eyed and bushy tailed". But I especially loved when they talked about different civilizations of people and the thing they did. When it was time to decide where I wanted to go to college and

College is a great opportunity that I am blessed to be going through today. I see it as an opportunity to grow as a person and set myself up for the future I want. The success I have in the future will be greatly affected by how I do in college.

My education in applied communication has given me the unsurpassed platform to start this program and field choice because it has allowed me to study the communication field through a larger scope; while this program in mediated and mass communication will narrow down and specialize my training for an exciting and rewarding