I recently applied for transfer and am wondering what peoples opinions might be on my chances of getting in. I did absolutely terrible in high school but spent four years doing other things before enrolling in community college a year and a half ago. During that time I spent time working and traveling around Australia, was elected local precinct officer and was actually on a ballot in my home city. I have volunteered extensively with National Alliance on Mental Illnesses and also with political campaigns. I found success in community college that I didn’t have in high school. I currently have a 3.9 GPA with a wide variety of classes. I am Vice President of the Business Club, a member of student senate, honors program student, member of Phi Theta Kappa, deans list every quarter, and also hold a part time job. Im trying to get into the economics program in the college of arts and science. Im going to include an essay with a little bit about my story.
At ten years old I began to develop a love for business. A few times a month I would set up a snack stand in my mother’s company break room. My first attempt was not met with the success I had hoped for because many of the employees did not know I would be there and did not have cash on hand to make a purchase. Instead of giving up, I began to think about what I could do in order for my snack stand to be successful. I developed a plan where I would come in every other week and post the dates in advance so people would know what day to bring money in. My notifications proved to be successful on my second try because nearly every employee decided to purchase something from my stand. That snack stand was the start of my love for business and taught me a very powerful message that has got me to where I am today; never give up on something your passionate about.
High school was a very challenging time for me as a student. As someone diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, I struggled to stay organized and put school second to my social life. I often would do just enough to “get by” in classes including the ones I took at the local community college, and managed to make it to my senior year with a grade point average of below a 2.0 grade point average. Unfortunately my habit barely getting by proved to be my demise when I was told I would not be able to walk at graduation or receive my high school diploma because I failed to complete the culminating project required for graduation in the Bellingham School District. As my friends eagerly waited for the end of summer to come so they could go off to different colleges, I found myself unsure of what direction I was going to take with my life.
Knowing I was not ready to go back to school after having a hard time in high school, I began looking into other options. In October of 2010 I found myself boarding a flight to Australia with an approved work and holiday visa. The six months I spent working and traveling Australia was one of the most eye opening experiences of my life. I built life-long friendships with people from around the world, which gave me the opportunity to learn first hand about how views and cultures differ in different regions of the world. After coming home I decided to give school another shot and enrolled in our local community college in September of 2012. Unfortunately my old habits stuck and I withdrew from classes after my first quarter back in school. I decided to work at my mother’s childcare until I felt I was mature enough to enroll in school again.
In March of 2015 I came to the decision that I was ready to go back to school and enrolled in Whatcom Community College, where I am currently enrolled in classes. I started taking medication for my Attention Deficit Disorder and have learned how to manage my time more efficiently and stay organized with my schoolwork. Currently I have completed one year of school with a 3.9 cumulative GPA and am actively involved in my schools community through student senate, business club, and as a member of the honors program. Outside of school I am a regular volunteer for National Alliance on Mental Illness, and still hold a part time job at my mothers childcare center.
With a new outlook on education, I am ready to continue the dreams I started at ten years old by working towards a Masters in Business Administration. I look back on my high school years not with remorse but with joy, because my experiences since graduation created the drive I have as a student today.