Describe extracurricular activities, including leadership positions, in which you have participated.
I am the type of person who is never content sitting still for long. I thrive when surrounded by like-minded people, involved in activities that I enjoy and feel have a good impact on myself as well as my community. During high school I have participated in several extracurricular activities, both scholastic and athletic, that have given me the opportunity to play a leadership role.

I have been on my high school’s cheerleading squad for the past four years. I started on the freshman team and through hard work and dedication, made it to the varsity squad. I enjoy cheerleading for many reasons. One, it is a great physical workout; and while I get to challenge myself on the field I also get to enjoy watching my favorite sport – football. Cheerleading also allows me to play a leadership role in my community and school. I know that as a cheerleader I am a role model for my peers and younger girls. Knowing this, I do my best to be a positive role model – by making good grades, being kind and respectful to others, and being active in campus organization.

Academic scholarship is a very important part of my life. I have been a member of the National Beta Club and the National Society of High School Scholars. In college, I plan to study nursing. Being a member of the medical profession, as a trained RN, has been a long term goal of mine for quite some time. In preparation for this goal, I have been a member of HOSA-Health Occupation and participated in the Medical Explorers Bootcamp. Membership in these varied organizations has given me the opportunity to pursue my academic and career interests and prepare for college at the same time.

Explain why you believe you will be successful at Auburn University.

Auburn University has been a part of my life for as long as I remember. My father graduated from Auburn in 1997 and has been a lifelong Tigers fan. Some of the best memories of my childhood include tailgating at a Tigers game. I have always known that I would someday follow in my family’s footsteps and return to Auburn University for my own higher education
I understand that being successful at college requires good study habits and time management skills. I have excellent study habits, a skill which I have diligently worked on to develop over the past four years. Knowing how to manage my time has been essential in balancing my social life – including cheerleading and other extracurricular activities – with my academic life. I have a calendar that I use to track my goals; I know when tests are coming up and make sure to study for them long before the test date arrives. I do not overcommit myself to other activities when I have papers due or tests coming up; making good grades is always my top priority.

Becoming a nurse is not an easy task; I know that there will be challenging courses ahead of me and that I will have to be dedicated to my studies. However, I am dedicated to my future and know that by working hard now I will be rewarded by a career in nursing. Being successful at anything – whether it be school, cheerleading, or work – takes not only skill, but dedication. I am dedicated to achieving a successful college career, not only for myself, but for my family. There is no doubt in my mind that I will be able to achieve my dreams.

Describe a significant experience, achievement or failure in your life, and its effect on you.

My life has been full of wonderful experiences, achievements, and, of course, failures. (However, as a generally positive person, I do not like to reflect on failures or give them too much energy). The experience I want to talk about is not a single event but a single person. My best friend, who came into my life at a young age and inspired me to be the person I am today.

When I was ten years old, Ms. Karen McRae moved next door to me. She taught English at the middle school that I would eventually go to. Meeting her was a source of inspiration to me. Like most pre-teens, I was excited about the future – in this case, going from elementary to middle school – but also apprehensive. It was a big challenge for me. I wanted to fit in, to get approval from my peers. Of course, along with that comes pressure, sometimes to do things you know are not right.

Ms. McRae was a constant source of support for me through those middle school years and on through my high school years. From the time I entered middle school to when I finally got my drivers license and my own car, she drove me to and from school. During those drives, we would talk – about life, school, careers, and the future. She became a constant source of light in my life, positively effecting me in so many ways. I feel honored and blessed to have her in my life to this day.