<p>The University of Kentucky is my dream school. I am obsessed with this school, its location, its traditions, just everything about it! However, I don't want to get my hopes up if I don't actually stand a chance. For this reason, I was wondering if you could chance me for the University of Kentucky? Thank you!</p>
<p>My Stats:</p>
<p>I am a white male whose family's income is below $120,000. However, I do have one hook. I am a first generation college student.</p>
<p>Unweighted GPA: 3.91
Weighted GPA: 4.33
ACT Score: 28</p>
<p>Schedule:
Eighth Grade (High School Credit):
- Algebra I Honors
- History and Appreciation for the Arts and Humanities</p>
<p>Freshman Year:
- Geometry Honors
- English I Honors
- Biology
- Spanish I
- World Geography and US Government
- PE/ Health</p>
<p>Sophomore Year:
- Algebra II Honors
- English II Honors
- Introduction to the Sciences
- Spanish II
- World History
- Art</p>
<p>Junior Year (All Taken at Western Kentucky University):
- Math 117 (Trigonometry)
- CS 180 (Honors Introduction to Java programming)
- Bio 120 (Biology Concepts: Cell Metabolism and Genetics)
- Bio 275
- Math 136 (Honors Calculus I)
- Eng 100 (Introduction to College Writing)
- Bio 312 (Bioinformatics)
- CS 371 (Honors Advanced Computational Problem Solving: Mathematica)
- Chem 116 (Introduction to College Chemistry)
- Bio 485 (Honors Costa Rican Biodiversity Studies)</p>
<p>Senior Year (All Taken at Western Kentucky University; Only registered for first semester right now):
- Chem 120 (College Chemistry)
- Chem 121 (Lab)
- Math 137 (Calculus II)
- Eng 200 (Introduction to Literature)</p>
<p>Extracurricular Activities:
- Conducted undergraduate research; discovered my own bacteriophage that I got to name and enter into an international database
- Research internship at Kentucky's only NCI designated cancer center where I was able to conduct my own research project using human tissue samples. This opportunity was supported by a grant I received.
- Conducted field research in Costa Rica; examined the relationship between the gunnera plant and cyanobacteria that lives in its roots
- Member of Beta club (3 years), Spanish club (2 years), Medical Exploration and Discovery Club (2 years and President), yearbook club (2 years), and WKU's microbiology club (2 years)
- Presented research about bacteriophages at the Louisville Regional Science and Engineering Fair (LRSEF), Kentucky Science and Engineering Fair, Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, WKU Student Research Conference, and the NCSSSMST student research conference
- Community Developer for my wing of the residence hall (Major leadership position)
- Founded a lawn care business that lasted two years</p>
<p>Awards:
- Perfect attendance freshman, sophomore, and junior year
- Highest average grade in algebra II, which was taken a year before my fellow classmates
- PGxl Laboratories Award (LRSEF)
- Sigma Xi Award (LRSEF)
- First place in microbiology category (LRSEF)
- Second place overall (LRSEF)
- Second place school (LRSEF)
- Best of session at WKU student research conference
- Research internship grant to financially support my cancer research
- Three scholarships totaling $850 to aid in paying for my study abroad trip to Costa Rica
- Dean's list first semester at WKU
- President's list second semester at WKU</p>
<p>Volunteer:
- Intensive Care Unit (4 hours a week for two months)
- Progressive Care Unit (4 hours a week for two months)
- Delivered and relocated the eggs of endangered leatherback turtles. I even released some baby sea turtles, which allowed me to save approximately fifty leatherback turtles from certain death (5 hours a night for five days)
- I tutored underprivileged juniors and seniors that were struggling with algebra II at my high school (2 hours a week for the whole school year)
- Aided in organizing a benefit dinner that raised money for a young child that was diagnosed with cancer (10+ hours)
- Served meals at the local soup kitchen (6+ hours)
- Served as a waiter for Hospice Tea (10+ hours)
- Miscellaneous volunteer hours (30+ hours)</p>
<p>Recommendations:
- Counselor will be amazing because she has truly seen me blossom both academically and just in my normal life
- Other two will come from professor and research mentor, both of which know me very personally and are very proud of me</p>