Personal Essay: Mercyhurst University

Education is the main goal of college. I had always considered myself a person dedicated to the pursuit of more knowledge and a better education. My mother, being a teacher, had instilled these values in me. When I was in elementary, I tested into a gifted center and from there I tested into selective enrollment college prep. The obvious next step seemed to be college. Looking the scholarship given to me, it just didn’t seem to add up. I had scored a 32 on the ACT but my scholarship was barely covering half of my expenses. But I knew if a just gave up, the meant giving up on everything that I believe in. By pursing college I was able to be challenged, pursue subjects which interested me and discover new pathways that I was interested such as African American studies. Without taking that chance, I may have never received that knowledge.

For a seven-year-old child, this is a time for when they experience huge developmental changes and their learning process starts to grow intensively. This is where we will see the child in their second year of school, it is a crucial time for noticing red flags that can hint to developmental delays. A developmental change that can be seen is fine motor. Fine motor refers, “to the movements we make with small muscles of the hands” (School Aged Developmental Milestones, n.d.). When we are looking at a seven-year-old child, who is probably in second grade, they will be using these fine motor skills in tasks such as, writing inside the lines, cutting paper and staying on the

Since I was a little girl, I’ve always dreamed of attending college so I could live out my dreams of being a doctor, helping people, and making good money. With my senior year coming to a close, I am so excited to start my new chapter! Going to college is a big deal for me as I am the first in my immediate family to go to college, and one out of a handful in my whole family. Graduating from Orchard Farm then going off to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will be one of my biggest accomplishments.

I believe I am easy to work with and I work well with others. I work well under pressure too. I have a genuine, positive attitude as well. I am typically a happy person and I strive to be nice to everyone to spread positivity. Additionally, I am very committed and punctual. I strive to work hard and accomplish my tasks punctually. I am the type of person who always has a plan set up for their future, but I can also adapt and accept the changes that life brings. I have a creative side as well; I enjoy reading, writing and art. I use these subjects as inspiration to expand my ideas in and out of the classroom. Instead of always seeing black and white I like to look at different perspectives. I am a very curious person; I love to explore new places, cultures and subjects. I love to learn and I have a very positive attitude toward learning new subjects and concepts. I believe I am a fast learner too. I complete all assignments

I have lived in West Liberty all my life, with my parents Corie and Ronda Peterson and my younger sister Morgan. I love golfing especially with my friends and family as well as spending time outdoors in the summer. My mother is my biggest inspiration because while she was fighting cancer she not only stayed strong for my sister and I but also she has taught me to be strong and to believe in who I am and who I will become. I am extremely excited to be furthering my education at Mount Mercy University to become a neonatal nurse, this scholarship will help me with my financial insecurities making me more confident to pursue my dreams.

Personal Insight Question: Please describe how you have prepared for your intended major, including your readiness to succeed in your upper-division courses once you enroll at the university.

As far back as I can remember I have been interested in business, I just did not know it for a long time. I did not realize that I enjoyed business and or finances until I was I in my early twenties when I joined the Air Force and purchased my first home. However, when I initially began collegiate career I originally picked psychology. Which, I really enjoy, but after taking a few classes of my business minor it became clear that my passion is business.

I would describe myself as a very determined and highly motivated person. Although I do take everything that I do in a quite serious manner, I am also able to have fun and find joy in all that I do. Additionally, I am quite the optimist as well as a realist. When the going gets tough, I try to look at the positive of every experience and power through. I would definitely say that I am also quite outgoing, compassionate, bubbly, and loving. Above all, I would say that I am a positive and enthusiastic person.

Crown College started in 1916 as a humble educational institution that was focused on preparing spiritual students to serve and influence the country and world. Crown College is Christian-based, so the campus is alive with religious prayers, services, ministries and supportive program. Crown College maintains membership through the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), which includes more than 100 accredited educational institutions offer Christian faculty, administration and higher education programs. Around 20 percent of students are from 40 different countries. Local students who want to go abroad may participate in the Global Impact Team program that visit over 80 countries around the world.

There is not a day that passes where i don't look forward to the experiences, and opportunities that going to college will bring me. I am immensely ambitious, and driven to better myself and make a respected profession out of my passion.

I have spent a great deal of time researching the college that would fit my lifestyle and able to offer tailored programs to fit me. Finally, I decided on Empire State College (ESC), the reason being, ESC’s capability to work in the capacity that I am seeking. The fact that ESC also has a great Military/Veteran program is an enormous plus, and something that I require in a college. Another feature that drove my decision to apply is I will have the opportunity to gain credits from my life experiences. This is a remarkable feature. I have always held the belief that the experience one gains in their career is just as, and at times more, valuable as what one receives in a classroom.

To start, I have always been ambitious and strong-willed. When I have my mind set on something, I do everything in my power to make my dreams a reality.

For many, after graduating high school the next big step is college. I never asked myself why or if I even wanted to. Yet, since I was not yet ready to join the work force, and didn’t want to disappoint my parents, I simply followed the path that I was supposed to take. For a while I had no direction, but through the loss of my high school English teacher and my dream of making my family proud, I discovered that college was the place I wanted and needed to be.

With so many ways to describe who I am, I think I will start off with the basics. I am a college student that attends Drake University. I would identify myself as hard-working, responsible, and persistent. At the beginning of the term, I identified myself as how I felt in the moment with answers such as tired, hungry, and bored. Yes, those were traits I identified myself within the moment, but now I try to look far and beyond the present. I want to identify myself as someone who strives to achieve everything she ever wanted, including graduating from college, with honors and getting involved within the college community. I want to be able to identify with things that have meaning and substance that I have always strived for including being determined and self-reliant.