<p>When applying to college, I was assured that I would be admitted to certain school. I have recently discovered that in college admissions, there is no certainty as I was denied from USC and wait-listed by Vanderbilt. My scores and grades are well within the range of scores seen in students that attend these schools and my extracurriculars, particularly senior year, have been decent. So the reality that I was not accepted to these school caught me off-guard and has me worried about the upcoming decisions from the ivies. The only thing I can account for the decision I received would be my essay, and my mediocre summers (I never went on a mission to Africa, built a school, etc.). So as a means of providing some sort of explanation, I would greatly appreciate your opinions on one of my essays.</p>
<p>SAT Scores:
Reading: 710
Math: 780
Writing: 750</p>
<p>Chemistry: 750
Math II: 720</p>
<p>ACT Scores:
Math: 36
Science: 35
Reading: 32
English: 32</p>
<p>I played baseball freshman and sophomore year (had to discontinue participation due to a blood disorder), announced for the baseball team junior and senior year, participated in HOSA Medical Competitions all 4 yrs (1st place at regionals, 2nd at states, competed at nationals), NHS member junior year, president senior year, SGA VP senior year, Kuda Krew (school-spirit/pep rally) president senior year to list a few.</p>
<p>Here is my essay, again, thank you in advanced for reading through it for me. I am extremely appreciative of your opinion.</p>
<p>Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.</p>
<p>I was a child blinded by egocentrism. Existence was a product of my perception, where issues were only real if they directly affected me. My self-absorption obscured my ability to see and identify with reality. This inability was apparent in my interpretation of Bimini, a Bahamian island that my family and I visit often. My appreciation of Bimini was cursory; I defined the island by its pristine beaches and euphoric weather.</p>
<p>Each time we entered the marina basin we were greeted with warmth and affection by the affable Bahamians who became an inextricable part of my family. Before each trip, we would inquire about the needs of the locals. We typically arrived with fresh fruit, vegetables, and other necessities, but last summer, a boat maker expressed his need for a hospital bed to comfort his ailing wife.</p>
<pre><code>Without delay, my family and I packaged my grandfathers old hospital bed and shipped it to the island. On our next visit, the boat maker evinced his gratitude by offering to take my three brothers and me on a tour of the island. I approached the excursion with apprehension, feeling as though the guide would be unable to reveal anything novel about the small, seven-mile island. But I set aside my doubts and reservations and accepted his invitation.
</code></pre>
<p>As the tour began, we skimmed through several inches of water and entered a refuge isolated from the reach of humanity, a place of natural purity. The guide weaved through gaps between mangroves that left virtually no room for even the slightest deviation from impeccable navigation, and his adroitness as a captain was inspirational in itself. </p>
<p>As we tied to the mangroves of South Bimini, the captain abruptly began to speak with ardor; his tone was no different than that of a priest. My brothers and I were perplexed, but the captain soon revealed that 60 years prior, on the same vessel we were on, among the same untainted natural landscape that surrounded us, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sat by the captains side as he wrote the words we now heard. These same words would coalesce into his Nobel Prize acceptance speech, the very last speech he would deliver.</p>
<p>The captain proceeded to draw our attention to the wildlife that surrounded us, and began to preach that one could not deny the existence of God. I was offended. I initially felt that he was attempting to indoctrinate my brothers and me. Nonetheless, I listened, prepared to offer an all but genuine expression of gratitude for this inspirational sermon. As I indifferently took in his speech, my skepticism began to fade, and the words he spoke began prompting me to question preconceived notions about the world I live in.</p>
<p>His words reverberated throughout the environment around us and echoed off the dense wall of mangroves and I felt as though I was in the presence of Dr. King himself. When he referred to stars as holes in the floor of heaven shining down on us, my obdurate perception of the world began to undergo a metamorphosis. I began to reflect on this passage, as well as several others recited by the boat builder and realized the magnitude of that moment in time. My clouded view of life began to come into focus and on that day, my self-absorption and immaturity were relinquished to the waters of Bimini.</p>
<p>When the sermon concluded, I offered my appreciation with utmost sincerity, though even the simple thank you was unnecessary as gratitude was apparent from the look on my face. For the first time, I realized that I had been focusing on the superficial aspects of Bimini while neglecting its historical value. I was astonished to discover that such a monumental individual, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., could have found similar inspiration as I did in such a lowly setting. I came to the realization that I had been overlooking many remarkable aspects of life.</p>
<p>I was beginning to notice a world beyond my own. The boat maker showed me Bimini in an entirely new light. It was no longer just a refuge from everyday life, but an island with a resonant history. As the summer showers intensified on the horizon, our tour came to an end. The sky behind us was consumed in darkness and I felt as though I was leaving my own dark past behind. </p>
<p>I returned to Miami with my perception of the world challenged. I was no longer bound by my egotistical view of life and began to seek involvement in society for the good of mankind rather than for my own well-being. I immediately discovered an underprivileged school in my community and ran several drives and beautification projects to improve the lives of the student body. I became more aware of global concerns such as the struggles of Haitians following the catastrophic earthquake and participated in projects to support them as well. </p>
<p>I now realize that there exists a world that extends beyond the one I am familiar with, a world filled not only with beauty, but adversities as well. I am now equipped to recognize the problems and needs of others in and outside of my community and aspire to continue contributing much of my time to others rather than just myself.</p>