Why I Want to Attend College

ESSAY “In order to succeed, your desire should be greater than your fear of failure,” Bill Cosby
My name is John DoeA and I am a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School. After high school, I wish to attend college to further my education and eventually become employed in the field of history. Post secondary education is very important because I want a better life experience than my parents. Neither of my parents are college graduates and I have seen the lifestyle they have had to endure; unemployed or employed in low paying jobs, making life changing mistakes that have negatively impacted their lives as well as mine. I want more for myself. I want a career and not a job.
I have been afforded opportunities that have made me realize that a college education is what it takes to be a success in a struggling economy. I have traveled to the Caribbean, toured Virginia and New York City with my godmother and spent a week touring Spain on an EF tour with my Spanish teacher. These experiences have allowed me to see the world and do things others dream about. A college education would make it possible for me to continue to enjoy these experiences even more. Traveling is something I love to do because it exposes me to new places, people, and cultures. I am a lover of history and traveling gives me the opportunity to study it hands on. A college education, leading to a gainfully employed career, would allow me the opportunity to travel on my own and continue to enrich my life. Because of my love of history, it is my first choice as a major in college.
I have visited several colleges in and out of state through the YMCA Achievers Program. I have been able to talk to college students and get a little experience of what it would be like on campus. I have enjoyed these experiences. The students I came in contact with were really proud to be a part of something positive and affiliated with the college or university they attended. I am desperate to experience the same feelings.
Richard Bland is the perfect option for me at this time, as it is the perfect gateway to me eventually obtaining a bachelors degree, will provide the campus atmosphere I crave, and is financially cost effective for my family. I have heard nothing but good things from others who have attended. I visited your website and was impressed by what I saw and read. I would love nothing more than to attend your college. Growing up like most young people I have made mistakes, overcome challenges, and often wanted to give up. I have had a strong support system that would not let me give up and encouraged me to do what is right. Four or five years from now I don’t want to wake up and realize that I made a huge mistake by not attending college. College is my path to a better future. I want to be prepared for being a productive and informed citizen of the country, nation, and world. I cannot afford not to attend college. I have much potential and want to be better. I hope you will give me the opportunity.