College essay final

University of Washington prompt:

1. What is the hardest part of being a teenager now? What’s the best part? What advice would you give younger siblings or friends (assuming they would listen to you)?

      2016; the year of Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.  Teenagers disappear behind the screen of a computer, and girls hide their true self behind layers of makeup; afraid of what others might think.  Growing up in this generation, teens strive to impress others. Not wearing certain name brands, or hanging out with the wrong people makes you "lame" or "uncool".  In high school, I learned there are fake friends that talk behind your back, or judge everything you do.   The hardest part about being a teenager is trying to find out who my true friends are.    

     I used to think that fitting in and being popular was everything in school.  I hung out with the cool kids and kept up with the latest trends.  All through elementary and middle school, I had a treasured "friend."  As a 6th grader, I found her obnoxious actions funny, and thought popularity meant more than true friendship.  She was constantly getting into trouble, but I remained friends with her for years.  However, as I got older I found myself getting annoyed with the constant drama she had, as well as her constant need for attention.  I drifted to a new group of friends, who cared more about grades and friendship than the need to be cool.  My old friend ended up getting into trouble with the law and eventually got suspended multiple times. When I found this out, I felt a rush of relief and sadness.  We used to be so close that I actually felt bad for her, but was thankful that I no longer was friends with her.   I realized that trying to fit in isn't important because when we graduate; popularity won't matter. It's about getting good grades to get into a good college that will get you a steady job.  Most importantly, having the right friends that will stick by your side and always be there.

    Now that I found who my true friends are, I realize that at this age we should just enjoy life.  The best part about being a teenager is being able to be carefree.  I noticed that at this age, I don't have as much responsibilities as an adult.   I am able to have fun and enjoy myself because I don't have to pay bills or work a stressful job.  Hanging out with friends and family, eating taco bell and going adventuring is the best part of being a teenager.  Those late night conversations with friends, soccer games/team bondings, and "charging large" at the beach will always be memories I'll remember.  

    If I had younger siblings, I would advise them to find good friends that will push you to become a better person.  I'd tell them that I'd recommend playing sports because that is where I met my closest friends.   I've made most of my friends playing soccer, and they make my life more enjoyable each day.  I wake up excited to go to school and practice because having amazing friends is such a joy.   When I become an adult, the hard times in high school will be nothing more than a distant afterthought.  The good times however, will be something I will always remember.  Something I'd wish to relive, a memory that would last forever.   

College essay

University of Washington prompt:

1. What is the hardest part of being a teenager now? What’s the best part? What advice would you give younger siblings or friends (assuming they would listen to you)?

     Growing up in this generation, we look and strive to please the views of others.  2016; the year of Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.  Teenagers disappear behind the screen of a computer, and girls hide their true self behind layers of makeup; afraid of what others might think.  Not wearing certain name brands, or hanging out with the wrong people makes you "lame" or "uncool".  The hardest part about being a teenager now, is trying to find my place in this world.  

     All through elementary and middle school, I had a treasured "best friend."  As a 6th grader, I found her obnoxious actions funny, and thought popularity meant more than true friendship.  She was constantly getting into trouble, but I remained friends with her for years.  However, as I got older I found myself getting annoyed with the constant drama she had, and her need for attention.  I drifted to a new group of friends, who cared more about grades and friendship than the need to be cool.  My old best friend ended up getting into trouble with the law and eventually got suspended multiple times. I realized that trying to fit in isn't important because when we graduate, popularity won't matter.  It's about getting good grades to get into a good college and having the right friends that will pick you up instead of drag you down.  

    Now that I found who my true friends are, I realize that at this age we should just enjoy life. I learned to enjoy life, because as a teenager, I don't have as much responsibility as an adult.   Hanging out with friends and family, eating at taco bell, and going adventuring without a care is the best part of being a teenager.  Those late night conversations with friends, going one on one in soccer, and "charging large" at the beach will always be memories I'll always remember.  
    Finding good friends that will push you to become a better person will make life more meaningful.  If I had younger siblings or friends, that would be the advice that I'd give them.  Growing up, people should care less about looks, and focus more on being a good person.  When I become an adult, the hard times in high school will be nothing more than a distant afterthought.  The good times however, will be something I will always remember.  Something I'd wish to relive, a memory that would last forever.   

College

Seattle Pacific:
I chose SPU as one of my choices, because I really like the environment in Seattle, and it has a good division 2 soccer program.  The acceptance rate is 83% which is is a reasonable number to be able to get into this college.  I loved visiting Seattle and wouldn't mind living there.

Holy Names University:
I chose HNU, because I really like the weather in California.  It is a small college, which I like and the soccer team travels to Hawaii every year to play which is a plus.  I would go here, to play soccer because the coach is really good and they have the courses that I want to major in.  Although acceptance rate isn't the highest, at 57%, that would just push me to work harder in school and sports to get in.

Chaminade University:
Out of the colleges here at home, I think Chaminade would be a good choice for me.  With an acceptance rate at 85%, I would have a good chance of getting in and maybe even playing D2 soccer for them.  Talking to cousins and friends, they claim Chaminade was a better school in their opinion then UH.  Having an option here at home is good because I am still undecided about whether or not I would go away or not.

UH Hilo:
I put UH hilo down as one of my choices, because although its still in the state of Hawaii it would still be different than Oahu.  Looking into D2 soccer colleges, I believe that UH hilo is good because the weather is the same, yet it is still away from home.  With an acceptance rate at 71%, I could work hard and study to get in, and try to receive a scholarship of some sort.

Santa Clara University:
I visited this campus and instantly loved it because of how beautiful it was.  I looked into this school because my dad attended there and said it was the best times of his life.  Though the acceptance rate is only 47% and they are a D1 soccer school, it would push me to strive to be my best.  I think out of all my choices, this would be the toughest college to get into, which makes me want to get into it even more.

Prompts:

University of Washington:

1. Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.
2. Describe a time when you made a meaningful contribution to others in which the greater good was your focus. Discuss the challenges and rewards of making your contribution.
3. Has there been a time when you’ve had a long-cherished or accepted belief challenged? How did you respond? How did the challenge affect your beliefs?
4. What is the hardest part of being a teenager now? What’s the best part? What advice would you give younger siblings or friends (assuming they would listen to you)?
5. Submit an essay on a topic of your choice.

University of Oregon:

Any topic you choose is welcome. Some ideas you might consider include your future ambitions and goals, a special talent, extracurricular activity, or unusual interest that sets you apart from your peers, or a significant experience that influenced your life

Hawaii Pacific University:

The personal statement is your opportunity to let the admissions committee know more about yourself. You may submit writing samples, a personal essay or poetry; it is up to you on how you wish to express yourself. There is no set length required.

word choice olympics part 2

The ref raised his hand, signaling 2 more final minutes.  The championship game was coming to an end, as the crowd stood up on their feet chanting.  The next play was a corner kick.   I was right in front of the goal, and knew this was it.  This was the moment.  The whistle blew, as my teammate sent the ball in the air. I headed the ball with great force and watched it sail into the back of the net!  The crowd went wild, we had won the game. My heart was beating so fast as all of my teammates piled on top of me smiling.




The waves were huge that day,pounding anyone who stepped into the water.  Lifeguards were scattered along the beach, trying to keep people out of the water.  The sky was gray and the wind was hissing, it was not a good day.  I saw this tourist running towards the water trying to grab her hat that had flown away.  Then, she was gone.  I was towards the water, and jumped in as I saw her emerge gasping for air.  I swam towards her with full speed, as I grabbed her trying to pull her towards the shore.  By then, other lifeguards hoped in giving assistance as the girl thanked me graciously over and over.

Graphic

This picture represents my essay.  It shows that I need to work hard, and not doubt myself so that I can prove others that I can do it.