College Admissions Essay: The Passion That Changed 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

Breathing heavily, a million things run through my mind. I’m dying. I can’t feel my feet. My lungs aren’t taking in oxygen fast enough. However, the finish line and the satisfaction of knowing that I had gotten myself through three miles loom ahead. Clenching my fists, I force myself through the indoor track at JCC. The excitement and pride that I feel when I finally achieve my goal is indescribable.

I dreamt of walking on Commonwealth Ave. I envisioned myself entering the Morse Auditorium, books in hand, eager to learn. Ever since I had visited the eclectic city of Boston in 2006, I knew it was the right fit for me. I knew that the city itself, along with the remarkable academic resources that Boston University offers would allow me to grow socially and mentally. Until this day I ask questions on end from my comrades at the BU, impatient to learn more and more about their lives on and off campus. From all the feedback I have received I have come to one conclusion: BU is the place where I will get a rich, broad background in all my studies. BU will give me the foundation and preparation I will need to enter any field of study.

Society has made it so hard for blacks to become successful, but for the great minds of the students at CAU; it’s so easy for them to succeed and not for them to fall into what society calls the “system”. This too, is a reason as why some African Americans feel like they just don’t have to try. The harder they try; they may still get nowhere being limited to so many great opportunities. Although there are no excuses to be made for the African American communities, this reasoning’s will leave some people to think they will never be good enough for society. “Eliminate what’s distracting you and keep it moving in order to succeed” are words that I will always remember Helen Smith Price saying before the closing of Founders Convocation 2017. In life not everyone will support you nor help you get to where you want to be and those are the people you leave behind in order to succeed. As a graduating senior of Clark Atlanta University I will always “Find a Way or Make

Beautiful young people are the whimsey of nature.Real beauty comes from learning ,growing ,and loving in the ways of life . That is the art of life. These programs leave a passion in me for the pure knowable world and these programs inflame me with a curiosity .Most people complain of fortune ,few of nature ; and the kinder they think the latter has been to them,the more they murmur at what they call the injustice of the former .The truth is ,that nature ,seldom profuse,has distributed her gifts more equally than she is generally supposed to have done.Education and situation make the great difference .Culture improves,and occasions elicit .I believe that enthusiasm will take me further than any amount of experience .Enthusiastic people can

These combined factors greatly undermine the social, economic, and political potential of minorities in America. I am developing myself professionally and through academic studies to develop comprehensive plans addressing school improvements, enforcing civil rights, and equitable access to resources and higher education for all people. Through HGSE I will expand my network of professionals that understand the achievement gaps and collaborate to not only ask the daring questions but be agents of change. I plan to become a leader whose future work is never displaced from the community I serve. After graduation my true desire lies to straddle both the hands-on forefront of the classroom and the transformative policy and administrative lens. My ideal position enables me to only to hear the voices and see the needs of the community I impact but also take the theories into practice to ensure that all students are prepared for a 21st century global society. Though my role is multifaceted; from a role model, artist, and educator, being a leader that demonstrates a commitment to equity and excellence comes

Living in Chicago in the 21st century is not a necessarily easy thing. Everyday, I live with the fear that a loved one of mines could be taken away from me at any moment. Or the fact that my life could be taken away just from walking out of my front door. I dream of going to college and making something of myself. Often, other students tell me I can not achieve my dreams because I am an African American student. I pushed and struggle so hard to prove these students wrong. Because I am African American, many people view me as just a number. And that number is 33.1%; which is the college graduation rate for Black males. I would like to be one of the many people that will increase this percent. Recently, I was given the opportunity to take part

I am an African-American male who grew up in a community that was not fortunate enough to have access to many luxuries, especially a computer science education. Seemingly in every aspect of my life, I have been the exception. Many times I was the only African-American student in my Advanced Placement courses in high school, in terms of sports I had always been the sole African-American and the shortest player on all my lacrosse teams, and progressing through school I often times was the only person out of my group of friends who wanted to do something more with the life I was given. People like me are not supposed to escape the cycle of poverty and inequality that plague the community I call home. I am not a product of the ‘projects’ or come

Everyone has a story of where they came from, their ancestral heritage, and the class in society in which they were raised. In our journey of self-discovery we experience different events, and encounter people from diverse backgrounds that influence who we are, and aide us in finding our true selves. The many life events and individuals that are encountered from childhood to adulthood have an influence not only on our desire to pursue higher education, but also on our political views. While some are blessed to live a privileged life, face little struggle, and have every opportunity available, others are not so fortunate. Growing up I lived an underprivileged life, where I faced a struggle not only with my socioeconomic status, but also

I am a sixteen-year-old black boy born to two uneducated disabled Haitian immigrants, living in a house of three, family of 12, well below the poverty line. I am a product of my environment. Everything that I think, see or say today has been directly proportional to the people and experiences I have had yesterday. The mentality of success or failure has been ingrained in my mind since birth and has been the primary catalyst for my hardy work ethic. I live in Orlando and attend a predominately caucasian school on a magnet program waiver. The school I am supposed to attend does not have the support necessary to make students successful; it is, unfortunately, a stereotypical impoverished school, where many students and faculty settle for the bare minimum. I am one of only thirty remaining scholars in the William R. Boone High School Law Magnet. I maintain a 5.03 weighted GPA and am in the top 1% of my class. I thank my formal education for providing me with the ability to function in modern society; it is my informal education, the product of my background, that has provided me with the form/direction in life.

I am constantly writing. I write to reduce anxiety, to plan out my day, to jot down a hilarious joke (probably made by me) that I don’t want to forget later. Slowly, I am penning my own musical and I have written several short stories as well (which will be hidden in my room until my untimely death). One may assume that due to my love of creative writing I’m a skilled essayist and all of my former English teachers adored me. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Throughout my high school career not only did my papers never did pass an AP rubric they received harsh critiques as well. This ultimately discouraged my passion for writing.

At the age of 39, I decided to return to school and finish my undergraduate degree. Being a single mother I wanted my kids to see how hard work and dedication can really pay off if you commit yourself and push through any adversities, you will win. I received my degree in Healthcare Management and I have been working in health insurance for over fifteen years. Working with people and helping others is my passion. I love to see a smiling happy face.

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

“When you grow up in a poor area you don’t get the same opportunities as other people” (Palos, "Precious knowledge"). My K-12 educational institutions all lacked something very similar, resources and supplies this was due to money. I remember going months in core classes like math and history without a teacher. Even though I did not have many opportunities I made it, I made it to a University. Now I am here in the same classes with students who came from wealthy schools that had nothing but unbelievable resources. We are now set on the same level, regardless of our past and given the same opportunities and resources. I made it to college where I am not cultured shocked by any race, where I am confident in my person; I had to go through a lot emotionally to be this open minded.

The biggest challenge in life is being yourself in a world that tries to make you like everyone else. Conquering the greatest plains on earth, and solving the devious mysteries of mankind is what I consider living life. Working a 9 to 5 like an average joe was never an option for me. My vision is what makes me different. My drive for success fuels my work ethic because I do not want my children to experience pain and suffering. I want my life to be the pinnacle of perfection for other people. In my life I’ve been through many trials and tribulations. At the age of 4, I lost my closest friend, my father. It changed my perception of the world,I noticed there were greater opportunities available in life. Things far more superior than what’s going on in my own town, state, or country. If I wanted to obtain greater opportunities in life I would have to excel at the smaller things first.