<p>so i recently got accepted to ucdavis, theey are giving me an $18000 scholarship. but i was also accepted to UCLA, i cant decide B/W the 2! mainly because i know ucla is 1 of the top research schools in the country and extremely hard to get into and thus extremely competitive. i know i have good grades and although not the best, i work super hard and i also wrote a pretty good statement, i assume. ok so, they accepted me. their offering me $4000 less than davis, though and since its extremely competitive and insaanely smart people go there, im scared, im intimidated and im just so overwhelmed! a lot of my professorss and counselors were super happy for me and they all say "ucla wouldnt have accepted me if they didnt think i can make it" or that "i was accepted for a reason." i mean i just wish people can just realize how much pressure im under. i know this is a huge opportunity and im excited but im also super scared. i come from lodi CA, 5 hours away! i know no one there and even though i was hoping for this, im just so extremely nervous now. and i dont know if i should take this opportunity or just go to Davis.i also doubt myself a lot and dont know if i deserve to be in UCLA..... if someone can please give me their advice or what you would do, id really appreciate it. </p>
<p>heres the statement i think got me in...if anyone cares to read it. </p>
<p>For a long time, I wondered what my purpose in life was or why I was even alive; after I was shot I had every reason not be. I have struggled to find my purpose and now I’m certain I know what it is; I will do anything to fulfill it. Currently, I’m a sociology major at San Joaquin Delta College and plan to transfer to a 4 year university to earn my Bachelor’s degree. I then plan to pursue my Master’s degree and become a licensed mental health counselor or social worker.
About a year ago, I began volunteering at the Salvation Army’s Celebrate Recovery program, a well known program devoted to helping addicts recover from addiction. I help set up and serve dinner, participate in church activities and cooperate in support group meetings. I also assist with food and donation drives during the holidays and work with kids in their youth programs year round. Someday, I hope to contribute to the community just as the Salvation Army does. I want to share what I have learned from my experience and give people the strength and courage to keep moving forward; help them find a purpose and help them find hope.
It’s scary how many people walk around thinking that they’re worthless and hold no purpose in life. It’s scary how many people give up on life and decide to end it. I’ve been down the same road and I can personally say it’s the scariest feeling I could imagine, but one thing that my experience has taught me is that no one is worthless; no one deserves to feel miserable and hopeless; and no one deserves to go through life alone. If given the chance I will do everything I can so no one has to feel this way. If given the chance I will help people find a purpose and I will help them succeed. Because even though no one’s life is perfect, everyone deserves a future.
My life has been a struggle but I’ve managed to relearn how to sit, stand and walk. I suffered from depression for 3 years and attempted suicide twice. At one point, I completely lost faith in myself but I now realize that I still have a purpose; I still have dreams and I still have hope. I will never give up on my dreams; one day I will succeed. After my injury, I attended high school and maintained a relatively high GPA; I earned a place on the Dean’s honor list and was awarded the General Mills Challenge-U scholarship. I later graduated with a 3.8 GPA and transferred to San Joaquin Delta College.
As a first generation college student, school has been tough but help from EOPS and DSPS has made it much easier for me. I managed to maintain a high GPA and my spot on the Dean’s Honor list; I was awarded five scholarships and was nominated as one of San Joaquin Delta college’s outstanding students of the year.
Despite my accomplishments I am nowhere near perfect nor will I ever be but I was put on this earth to succeed, not to fail. Someday I will be a counselor or social worker. Someday I will fulfill my destiny and someday, I will accomplish my goals.</p>
<p>this is mmy second one...</p>
<p>One thing that I’ve learned from life is that no matter what, it goes on. Life is full of surprises, full of joy and even after everything we do, the unexpected happens. Life has caught me by surprise and although it hasn’t turned out the way I intended, I’m exactly where I need to be. I wouldn’t change it for the world. As of today, I’m proud to say that I have overcome and conquered the greatest challenge life has hit me with; getting shot.
When I was thirteen, I was shot from behind with a shotgun. I was hit in the back of my head and was knocked unconscious. My blood quickly covered the pavement and I was rushed to Lodi Memorial hospital and then flown to UC Davis medical center. Everyone was sure I wouldn’t survive; my heart gave out and I was pronounced dead. My organs were about to be donated when I suddenly, began to breathe again. I was hooked up to life support, had several blood transfusions and remained in a coma for two weeks.
After waking up and realizing I couldn’t function on my own anymore, I broke down thinking my life was over. Life had failed me and I was sure I would never recover. For weeks I laid in the intensive care unit being fed through a tube and undergoing several surgeries. I hated myself and wanted nothing more but to die. But, I promised that I wouldn’t pity myself the rest of my life. I promised myself that I would find the strength to move forward and I would never take life for granted again. To this day I haven’t. I found the strength to relearn how to sit, stand and walk. I found a new perspective in life, I found a purpose and I found hope. Now I know that I have a lot to offer, a lot to learn and a lot to be thankful for.
I’m thankful that I’m alive; I’m thankful that I was given a second chance and that I still have a future. I intend to spend every moment of it helping people; sharing my experience and giving them a new perspective in life. Nothing is impossible and I will never give up on my dreams. I will never give up on hope and I will never let anyone down. I may be disabled but I am not weak nor am I a failure. Helping people is my destiny, my purpose and will someday be my future.</p>