College Admissions Essay: The Value Of My Education

Ever since 8th grade, I have worked hard a lot more when I play volleyball. Right when the varsity coaches asked me to join their practice, I knew that I had to work hard and that it will pay off. Now, at every practice, I would play my heart out even if I was playing with a fractured finger or a rolled ankle.

I am fortunate enough to have parents that can afford to send me to college, and support my choice to pursue a higher education. By attending college, I will eventually graduate with a degree and later earn a high paying career. Along with this, I have found college to be a way to discovering who I am. I have been able to move out, take over my own bills, and earn responsibility by doing so. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to attend college. Financial reasons typically hold individuals back from attending universities, and that later may affect their lives. Although I attend class daily, the true effect college will have on me in the future goes unnoticed. An education is something that is highly valued, and so important. Everyone should have the chance to have an education, but unfortunately, it does not happen. College for me, is a privilege. Therefore, I will work hard to earn my degree, and later put it to

College is worth it for me, because I believe that if you come into the real world you will be 80% more successful if you have education behind you, than those who do not. I believe that out of the other 20% of people 10% of them get lucky and still get the chance to be successful, and the other 10% just are out of luck either way. I will be the first one in my family to go to a 4 year university and I am determined to do so. I would like to make a difference not only in my life but in the world by pursing my dreams of becoming a social worker and dance major. I believe that college will benefit me by learning more on things I am already interested in and it will help me become prepared to face the world in my career path, even if it is a

I am a girl who grew up with low income. Along with that my parents are both deaf alone with my big sister I watch after who has down syndrome. My father is no longer in my life so it’s my responsibility to take care of them. This isn’t a sob story about how awful my life sounds but how much I embrace it. Without my responsibilities I would have never grown to handle so many things I have accomplished. I was able to take college courses at Normandale Community College for free through Post Secondary Education Option (PSEO). I will also become my sister’s legal guardian this early summer. I work two jobs and try really hard to make sure I’m doing well in my classes along with making sure my family is okay. Why I am saying all this is because I feel like I

Throughout my entire life--or, only as much of it as I can remember--my family struggled financially, as we still do. I had become so accustomed to my family’s penny-pinching tendencies that I would constantly compare prices whenever I went to the grocery store to see if I could find a cheaper price.

We are all placed purposefully here to be the light for those around us. With the birth of our third child 7 years ago, I dedicated my time to being home to raise my family while my husband embarked on his military flying career. Our lives have been filled with frequent moves, numerous deployments, and friendships scattered around the world. As we move into the season of our life that the children grow older and my husband nears retirement, we are faced with the challenges that come with my return to the workforce. With no college education, there are more limits to my career options as stated in Your College Experience “American society values higher education” (Gardner Barefoot 7). My desires to have a fulfilling job that I can be proud

A college education will take me many places and open up many career opportunities for me. Without a college education, I would not be prepared for the cruel world. Going to college will help me develop the skills that are essential to be successful in this world. The motto that pushes me to get through my day is “you only get out what you put in”. Throughout my time in college, I have learned more about myself, and who I truly am. By keeping myself involved on campus, I have made connections and have built relationships with my peers. After my time at Kansas State University, my goal is to become a physical therapist because it will allow me to help make an impact on others. Without a college education I would be stopping myself from achieving my goals.

A college education will help me fulfill my dreams of using my knowledge for a greater purpose in the world. There are many problems in the world that I would like to at least shed light if not help resolve. For example, mental health within people of color, isn’t as vital as it should be. As a person who has suffered from depression as well as having family members that suffer from mental illnesses, I have personally seen how something so critical can be swept under the rug and that someone dealing with it not have the support they need. I am currently majoring in Psychology and my goal after medical school is to psychiatrist and create a non-profit organization, devoted to creating safe spaces regarding people of color and their mental health. My college education will help me learn the patterns of humans and their thought process consciously and subconsciously to ensure that the setting of my future organization is aiding those who

“Just one more mile”. These words resonated throughout the confines of my mind, antagonistic to a conscience that only screamed for me to stop. Despite the cold winter air that promised only a world of agony in continuing my endeavor, my conviction to improve my physical endurance for the upcoming wrestling season far outweighed my fear of physical pain. With this conviction, I ran the dreaded sixth mile of my daily workout regimen. Although the strength training derived only from lifting weights at a gym would be ideal in conditioning my body for the wrestling season, gym membership was not so readily available for an individual like me, who came from a modest family of humble socioeconomic background that could not afford such a luxury. In spite

In the beginning years of my life, I never truly understood what it meant to go to college, so naturally I underestimated its importance. Now, as a high school senior, I believe that college marks the beginning of a new life, one which is full of curiosity and boundless aspirations for the future. Growing up, I believed that college is a continuation of high school, almost like a sequel to a life momentarily unfulfilled. However, to me, higher education shares few similarities with a high school, a place where the individual can never reach his or her fullest potential. In that way, colleges and universities are different from the rigid structure of the typical secondary school. College is a time to explore all opportunities bestowed upon oneself and to lay the foundation to a successful and fulfilling future.

To bottle the essence in this premier moment- the liquid of success and pride, the raw emotion in that moment that has propelled my character to it's actualized state of being- would have been a fantasy amongst reality. I open my tear dotted eyes as my ears resonate the echoes of confetti cannons and cheers from the arena. My muscles ache with joy, and my mind is chasing the realization that is at hand. I have just won a midwestern color guard championship. The golden haze of chaos that ensues is one that has forever imprinted on my mind, a haze that lingers in my peripheral vision, in constant search of a worthy emotion to compare to. The prime success in this moment alone- has been the sole fuel in the flame of my determination and strive for achieved ambitions.

Across the generations of my family, I see a trend towards both a higher education and a higher salary as generations are born. The oldest generation I was able to find information on was just two poor uneducated farmers. The next generation was a majority of farmers and other low salary jobs. They also had a majority of grade school educations. But on my Mother’s side some of my relatives began to get high school educations. With this education they became a store owner, tool and die maker, and a railroad engineer. All representing that a higher education can lead to a more successful life. The third generation of my family tree was a majority of average working class individuals who the majority of had a high school education at best. The

The purpose of education to me is freedom and have a happy, comfortable life. I was told by whole family that with education can help you to be anyone and go anywhere. It was also support by one of the most influential chiefs of the Navajo people, Chief Manuelito who said, “Grandchildren education is the ladder.” Every time I hear that quote, I understood that education is a tool to get you a good life or to go somewhere. My family wasn’t wealthy and struggle with the bills and my parent told me if they completed or went to college they will be living a more comfortable life. In my opinion, they taught me to be grateful of the things they gave me and to understand that I can’t have everything I wanted. With their support, my sister and I was determined to get good grades and work hard with our school work. Even in college I will keep that determination that I had in high school. So, I can get that diploma and start living a comfortable life or still pursue a higher degree.

Education is central to my identity. My parents moved from Nigeria when I was 3 and my father knew that the only way he could get a better job was if he went back to college and get a degree in the United States. I saw how hard my parents juggled college life and work life to support us and themselves. While I have always loved learning, I have not always unable to learn as much as I wanted. In middle school, despite being a straight A student, I failed my 7th grade statewide math exam. This made me realize that I needed to extend my studies beyond the classroom, and work hard to find work that was challenging enough to allow me to grow intellectually.

Five decades ago, college was assumed mostly for the wealthy, not for the majority of the American population. Ten years ago, people assumed that all high school graduates will go to college, but yet today, far more number of people do not attend college than it was anticipated a decade ago. Why? Our society is mostly governed by a small number of people who occupy power. Those with power create a system that’s favorable to themselves and others in power. This directly and indirectly affects populations in the middle class and the lower class, especially when it comes to education. Over the years, the value of a college degree has increased in all terms, whether economically or socially. The knowledge gained from college is a great