College Entrance Essay

Listening to a few country songs can give anyone a good idea of where I came from, miles of tiny roads connecting little towns together, corn fields and a substantial amount of cows are the norm for my part of the country, also known as Paola, Kansas. The town population is just over 5,500 people and the high school population being right around 570 kids. Of those 570 I can say I was close with three. Three of the best people I have ever known in my life.
Anna has been my best friend since we were both five. Myself, being the new kid on the block wasn’t accustomed to anyone my own age being around to play with, let alone willing to jump in the creek at the end of Brookside Drive with me. For ten years of our lives, we spent the days outdoors, trying to find new species of insects and fish. She taught me how to laugh at myself, climb the biggest tree in her yard and most importantly, she is the reason I want to protect our playground, the forests and rivers.
I remember vividly how I met Andrew. Being the awkward, 5’7 seventh grader I was, and not being used to my feet, tripping was not an uncommon occurrence for me. I was lucky he was in the hallway when I fell, because from one klutzy moment, we have been close ever since. In many ways, he is a typical version of a high school guy. He jokes about everything, never does his homework and tries desperately to make eye contact with the pretty girls at school. His actions towards everyone, whether they were considered ‘better or worse’ than he was, is really what showed me who he really was. Over the past four years, he has taught me to respect everyone, because who are we to judge what they have been through?
Nikki is my sister, four years older than me and in my mind she has always been considered the spotlight child. Not in a bad way, though. Honestly she is my hero. Nikki was the one to explain to me just about everything I know now, from what words mean to why our parents didn’t love each other anymore. She has played the role of doctor, teacher, life saver, mentor and supporter through all my life. Because of her, I’m not afraid to try to accomplish anything. She is the founder of my self confidence.
Aside from making me the person I am today, the people I am closest to have made me aware of my potential and absolutely sure that I can attain my goals in life. They have shown me how to be a better person and how to tie my love of the outside world and a career together.
--I know it still needs some work, let me know what can be changed :) THANK YOU