University of Florida Top Questions

My college experience so far has drastically shaped my character. Before college I was the type of person who would opt to do the minimum amount needed to get the job done in most situations. As a sophomore at the University of Florida, I have been constantly been pushed by my peers to become involved with numerous organizations. This has required me to take leaps out of my comfort zone. I have now developed a drive to paricipate in student organizations and volunteering opportunites. Attending UF has also taught me that education is my top priority and with a career orientated mindset, I can achieve my goals.

Growing up, people always told me that high school will be the best four years of my life. Since attending the University of Florida, I could not disagree more. Since starting my academic tenure at UF in 2008, I have gained more as a student and individual than I had ever imagined possible. Academically speaking, I have had the opportunity to interact and learn from professors deemed experts in their fields. They have taught me new approaches to learning, and I have learned the importance of research. The Gainesville community and the partnership of UF and Shands Hospital has opened my experiences to the field of occupational therapy, my major and chosen career. As an individual, I have met countless numbers of new and interesting people. Living on campus for two years, my appreciation for diversity has sky-rocketed. The university has something for everyone to get involved in, and I have truly found my niche on campus. UF was even able to give me the opportunity to take my experiences abroad in a summer study abroad session. The pride and tradition of the Gator Nation is outstanding. My loyalty to this university is unmatched. GO GATORS!

I have learned a lot about the real world and what kind of effort it takes to succeed in that world. It was a very good learning experience for me overall, and I believe that I am starting to understand more about life than I would have if I had attended a different school. I also got the opportunity to be around very intellectual people who are focused about making their careers and do not try and goof off; their good work ethics and values may have rubbed off on me. I would not want to go anywhere else for college if I were asked to transfer to a different school; Illinois Institute of Technology is my first, last, and only choice for a good, solid education.

I have returned to college just over a year ago and have been richly blessed in my college experience. As an educator of Prekindergarten students I have been introduced to many more teaching methods and styles. I believe education is the gateway to our future and the future of our children. I believe furthering my college education when equipt me with the tools and skills I will need to educate my current and future students. Without college I would only have a substandard education to offer my students.

College has truly been a time of my life that has molded and shaped me as an individual. I have developed academically, socially and learned about the value of appreciating the various styles and cultural contributions of so many diverse individuals. Before attending the University of Florida I was sheltered in the sense that I remained in my comfort zone by sticking to people of my same background with similiar interests. Through my enrollment, I have learned that diversity in culture and thought is something that makes you more appealing when you can identify and relate with people and things from a different spectrum. I believe that diversifying myself has made me a beautiful person because the beauty of the henna art from the Indian culture that drapes my hand, alongside the kimono-styled dress from Japan wrapped around my chest, coupled with the kinte cloth that embraces my head are the simple beauties that combined are what now makes me an anomaly. I deviate from the norm in my style as it is a representation of the many people that have culturally imprinted theirselves within me.

My interest in public service began while I was an undergraduate at the University of Florida. I stumbled upon the Counterpoise Collective, a small group of students dedicated to improving vanilla library collections through the production of a magazine that gave librarians access to lesser-known materials. It also sought to present ideas and viewpoints generally ignored by mainstream media. Counterpoise reviewed small press publications and reprinted articles about social responsibility, liberty and dissent. As a volunteer for Counterpoise, I spent at least 15 hours a week helping to select articles, editing book reviews and developing a marketing strategy. I became Managing Editor and brought the Collective to the American Library Association conferences in New Orleans and Washington DC, where we worked to increase recognition of the alternative press. Working at Counterpoise, I began to understand the role that individuals could play in progressing society. I found a community of hard-working, trustworthy people with whom I could relate. Solidarity prevailed as we listened to each other’s stories and provided support for one another.

I have always wanted to attend college. I started out wanting to become an orthopedic surgeon, but life handed me a different plate, for myself. God blessed me with two beautiful children and so I have decided that I hate having to wonder if my child is okay every time he/she runs a tempature or coughs a certain way. I decided to change my direction and become a nurse, then if I still want to be a surgeon, I can do that later after my children are grown. Being in college, right now, has been a journey for my family and me. They have had to make sacrifices just as I have. I believe that going through college with my children has helped them see the value of a good education and proves to them, everyday, that if I can do then they can do it. I am so happy to be able to be a good role model for my children and to be able to make a good life for them as well. I am applying for this scholarship in order to provide this life for them, a life I never had.

My college experience has proved to me that you can, in fact, teach old dogs new tricks. I have made new friends, gained a new respect from my children (and for myself), and given them a terrific example to follow. I have always encouraged my kids to do well in school and go to college, and I think that me going back to school has sent a message to them that, although it is never unattainable, it is much easier to not put it off. Being in college, while working full time (seven days a week), and raising three children has given me more persistence and determination than I ever knew I had. College has broadened my horizons and given me hope for the future. I hope to serve as an example to other "old dogs" as well, that education is never out of reach.

I was accepted into every school I applied for, but it didn’t matter because I didnt have the money. I decided to attend the University of Florida because I would receive financial aid, be able to watch my sisters grow up, and skip two years due to transfer credits. I have found the love of my life and even my best man. I was given a coaching position at a high school for lacrosse. I can’t imagine anywhere else impacting me as my players have. With eachnew day I make memories that will last a lifetime. After this semester I will only have 9 credits till graduation. I don’t know what I want to do with my life yet, but I know whatever it is I want to be helping others. I plan on continuing my education on to a masters. My desk is covered with acceptance letters, internships, and job offers. All of these things I have acquired at the age of nineteen. Never in my wildest imagination did I ever expect UF to grace me with so much. Now I am prepared for whatever awaits me in the future and to expand the gator nation.

I have learned to become a more independent person. When I first came to college I thought that I would be able to handle all of the challenges and face the struggles that I had ahead of me, but what I realized right away is that my parents weren't going to come and save me and protect me. I feel that college has made me become the mature person that I need to be to succeed in life. I have gained friendships with people that I never would have met had I not come to UF. I am honestly able to say that living away from home has made me have a greater appreciation of my parents and the life they have provided for me. Though college is a struggle at times, I love everthing about it. The life lessons and friends that I will continue to value as I grow can not be taken away from me. I value college for giving me the freedom to figure out the person I am and want to become. Without this experience I don't know where life would have taken me or the person I would come to be.