<p>24 year old non-traditional student applying to the school of continuing studies at Northwestern. 5000 characters on a basic tell us why you want to go here… would love some editing help if anyone can spare the time… pm me or email me at <a href="mailto:p_aguet@yahoo.com">p_aguet@yahoo.com</a></p>
<p>here is a rough draft…</p>
<p>One of my fondest memories from my childhood center around my relationship with my father. In the mornings, while getting ready for school, he would call me from the station phone at the Los Angeles Police Department’s seventy-seventh division, where he worked, and tell me simply this, “study hard.” As simple as it was it stuck with me. Those two simple words were what helped me stay committed to my education. High school was a challenge for me in the sense that I was trying to attain a good academic standing while also discovering new things about myself in relation to the arts. The Orange County High School of the Arts experience took me from average football player and wrestler to actor, singer and dancer culminating in a string of performances on a few of the biggest stages on the west coast. I learned a great deal about myself and developed my confidence relating to people.
Throughout my early years of schooling, and due in large part to the support of my parents, I was able to keep myself grounded as a person by taking advantage of various volunteer opportunities in my community. As a Boy Scout I learned the importance of community service and later, as a police cadet I was able to see that service in action. I served with the Long Beach Police cadet unit for 8 years “retiring” at age twenty as a Lieutenant. Being in high school and college during this time created an environment of excellent balance. I was able to see and experience the realities of the world all the while benefiting from the guidance of professors at my schools. It was during this time that my interest in government and politics began to peak. And because of those two simple words, “study hard”, I was able to continue pursuing my educational goals despite working to help support my sisters education. It has not been easy but I have had enough experiences to know that this is my chance. The opportunities for education that await me at the School of Continuing studies will help me to achieve my goal of not only finishing my undergraduate degree but also ensuring I have the necessary tools to continue in my education far beyond my prvious expectations.</p>
<p>From the very first phone call to the admissions office at SCS I could feel the sincerity of the people who would help me throughout this process. Although inexperienced in applying for college I felt at ease and I felt that every person I talked to, from the academic counselors to the receptionists, were really there to help me. Northwestern’s reputation for being one of the top institutions in the country had a major impact on my decision to apply however the “deal breaker” came in an unexpected form. My initial interest in the program came when I visited the SCS website and began to read about the experiences of previous students. I immediately related to these stories and felt I belonged in a place that would embrace my diversity and help me use it to my advantage. The stories each student wrote about made me feel at home and it beagan to dawn on me in a way not experienced while looking at other schools. Northwestern’s SCS was where the opportunities for a student like me would be encouraged and supported. The doors of opportunity were opening in front of me and I found myself saying, “this could be me.” It had always been my dream to go to college but as time moved on i felt less and less convinced that I would ever graduate As sure as I am writing this, I know that, if given the chance, I will succeed and accomplish goals I had once thought were unattainable. But just as I know Northwestern will make a difference in my life i realize that I will also need to make a difference in return. In choosing to study Political science, I believe I will be prepared to do that. </p>
<p>The term Political Science came to me later in my life as I progressed through my schooling. But the interest in the inner workings of the political process had always fascinated me. I wanted to be able to understand the process of how decisions were made, and be confident in my position regarding why I thought the decision was right or wrong.<br>
Through studying at SCS I hope to gain the knowledge and experience to do just this. I strive not only to exist in this world, but also to affect it. I recognize the need for change and I see myself working to enact this change specifically in the areas of law and environmental policy. My educational pursuits have committed me to being a citizen of conscience. Not only in attitudes towards the environment, but in the policies that ensure environmental innovations stay around long enough to make a difference. All around this country, the greatest minds are developing the very keys to preserving our way of life. But if the public policies are not in place to support them, the dreams of a balanced and sustainable world will never be realized.</p>