advertisement
Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
scarcejoy
Member
scarcejoy has no updates.
 
Member Since: Jan 2016
Location: N/A
Posts: 60
8 yr Member
5 hugs
given
Default Jan 21, 2020 at 04:23 AM
  #1
For the past 3 weeks, I have been trying to finish my honors application. The main obstacles have the 2 entrance essays I have to complete. There are no deadlines but I have to finish soon. The prompt for the first essay was about gun violence. I finished the first one. The second essay is not as straightforward because the prompt is asking me to define academic success as a member of the program and in the university. I'm stuck on the 2nd one and I am going to the tutoring center to look for ideas. I just want to get this done soon because it is affecting my concentration in my classes.

I am taking a microeconomics class (I'm a communication major and minoring in marketing) and I am lost. I have a test next week and I feel really overwhelmed. I am frustrated because they ask for 2 essays. Then the GPA requirement for their program is 3.50 but I have a 3.67 GPA already. I should get in by GPA alone and not have to write these essays. I have been feeling lazy and tired because of all of this. The main reason why I want to join the honors program is because of the guaranteed scholarships $$$. I don't really care about doing "fulfilling" research or doing forced volunteering. I am just overwhelmed and stressed.
scarcejoy is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
bpcyclist, MrsA, WastingAsparagus, winter4me, zapatoes

advertisement
MrsA
Member
MrsA has no updates.
 
Member Since: Apr 2019
Location: Nevada
Posts: 308
3 yr Member
398 hugs
given
Default Jan 21, 2020 at 05:50 AM
  #2
I remember how stressful school was and having to worry about tuituon and fees. The mind can blank out a bit when you're under that much pressure.

In application essays, they are always looking for you to name an achievement other than financial gain or good grades. Maybe something along the lines of describing academic success as developing specific skills that would benefit society or communities. It will probably help to mention personal growth and areas you want to improve on because that sounds both humble and aspirational.

Good luck. You sound reslly stressed so maybe a little break will help you think better.
MrsA is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Thanks for this!
Sometimes psychotic
bpcyclist
Legendary
 
bpcyclist's Avatar
bpcyclist has no updates.
 
Member Since: Sep 2019
Location: Portland
Posts: 12,681 (SuperPoster!)
3 yr Member
40.2k hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Jan 21, 2020 at 02:47 PM
  #3
In my experience reading hundreds of these over the years as a faculty member, what we were usually looking for was something very personal. The applicant's personal story. Taking care of a sick relative. Climbing Mt. Everest. Riding a bicycle across Nepal. Volunteering at the puppy dog shelter. Anything personal to you that tells your true story and what matters to you, personally. And it has to be legit. Meaning, it has to be you. That's what we were looking for. It has nothing to do with grades.

__________________
When I was a kid, my parents moved a lot, but I always found them--Rodney Dangerfield
bpcyclist is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
MrsA
 
Thanks for this!
Fury, Sometimes psychotic
scarcejoy
Member
scarcejoy has no updates.
 
Member Since: Jan 2016
Location: N/A
Posts: 60
8 yr Member
5 hugs
given
Default Jan 23, 2020 at 03:02 PM
  #4
Quote:
Originally Posted by bpcyclist View Post
In my experience reading hundreds of these over the years as a faculty member, what we were usually looking for was something very personal. The applicant's personal story. Taking care of a sick relative. Climbing Mt. Everest. Riding a bicycle across Nepal. Volunteering at the puppy dog shelter. Anything personal to you that tells your true story and what matters to you, personally. And it has to be legit. Meaning, it has to be you. That's what we were looking for. It has nothing to do with grades.
So my high GPA is not an important component to judge a student on? So I basically have to come up with a sob story or a story of great adventure? That is a bs way of assessing applications. Might as well have a 2.76 GPA but talk about how I survived cancer or some other disease.
scarcejoy is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
bpcyclist
Legendary
 
bpcyclist's Avatar
bpcyclist has no updates.
 
Member Since: Sep 2019
Location: Portland
Posts: 12,681 (SuperPoster!)
3 yr Member
40.2k hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Jan 24, 2020 at 05:48 PM
  #5
I should have been more explicit. What I meant to communicate was that, once you are in the game, as you are with your 3.67, where I was (multiple big US medical schools), the grades were seldom if ever the deciding factor. People want a person in their program, not a GPA. Does that make sense?

__________________
When I was a kid, my parents moved a lot, but I always found them--Rodney Dangerfield
bpcyclist is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
MrsA
 
Thanks for this!
WastingAsparagus
WastingAsparagus
Student of Life
 
WastingAsparagus's Avatar
WastingAsparagus is trying to enjoy life.
 
Member Since: Mar 2014
Location: South America
Posts: 4,641
10 yr Member
2,909 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Jan 25, 2020 at 11:50 AM
  #6
Yeah, I'd echo what bpcyclist said.

GPA is a major factor, of course -- they want to know if you have the aptitude to do it -- that is, do you have what it takes? And it seems like you do.

However, the essays are to get to know you as a person.

You've already done all the hard work in getting a high GPA so congrats for that!

The essays are just to get to know you -- so if I were you I wouldn't stress so much about them. You don't have to be Hemingway in your essays. Just describe something that is personal to you. Or maybe you do want to be Hemingway in your essays! Whatever you think is a good way of showing who you are!

Anyway, if I were you, I would pat myself on the back for getting such high grades already, because that's a difficult thing to do and you've achieved that already.

But just sit down and write something that's personal to you, and hopefully they'll accept you! Wishing you luck.
WastingAsparagus is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
bpcyclist
Anonymous48672
Guest
Anonymous48672 has no updates. Edit
 
Posts: n/a
Default Feb 02, 2020 at 09:02 PM
  #7
@scarejoy Why not use your school's writing center? They have writing tutors who help students with these sorts of essays. They will talk through the essay question with you, help you brainstorm some ideas, then will help you create an outline that you can follow, by filling in the blanks with your own content. This will take the pressure off of you, so that you can focus on your microeconomics class. It's about balancing your school workload with help from resources available to you on campus.
  Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
bpcyclist
 
Thanks for this!
bpcyclist
Fury
Member
 
Fury's Avatar
Fury Is accepting donations towards sister's stroke recovery. Sister is $saknme
 
Member Since: Oct 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 84
10 yr Member
3 hugs
given
Default Apr 28, 2020 at 06:07 AM
  #8
Had the same questions for my honors program.

There is no such thing as academic success because success implies you are finished. Education is constant, even beyond college. Education is more than academics because it exists outside of universities also. The "success" exists in the lesson of "how to think" not "what to think" and the love of learning, not the wealth of knowledge. If they want a success story relating to their college, then says the success only begins there, that's the starting point, and you are eager to begin the adventures which come not from knowledge itself, but in the endless pursuit of it.

Colleges don't exist just to spit out successful people. You change the way a single student sees the world and that's worth more than 100 graduates who just "temporarily retained the information."

Good luck!

__________________

"I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
Fury is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:07 PM.
Powered by vBulletin® — Copyright © 2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.



 

My Support Forums

My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.

 

Helplines and Lifelines

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.

Always consult your doctor or mental health professional before trying anything you read here.