College. I have dreamed about it since the fifth grade,
and once I began high school, I learned so much about it. I went from
thinking that I would get a 30+ on the ACT and that I would get
accepted to Northwestern, to overhauling my entire college list once
reality struck (which was my 25 on the ACT and Northwestern's price
tag). Now that I know what I want, I am looking for a school that is
close to home while being far enough to establish independence, and
one that is sized between a large, public university and a small
private college. Illinois State University seems to be the perfect fit
for me. I will admit, however, that I have not yet been to campus due
to financial restraints and I hope to visit sometime soon. However,
numerous pictures and online videos have assured me of the campus
beauty.


Since I have been going on about why I am interested in attending
ISU, allow me to tell you more about me. I love journalism. And if you
had told me freshmen year that I would be a writer, I would have
laughed. My English teacher told me to try my hand at the school
newspaper and I figured, why not? In the last three years, I've worked
my way up from reporter, to Managing Editor. I also found employment
last year at a teen newspaper, The Mash, published by the Chicago
Tribune. Having the opportunity to interview people like a financial
expert and the Director of the Chicago Film Office, have only
confirmed that I want to do this as a career. I have also won awards
through my experience as a journalist, such as an honorable mention in
Feature Writing through the 2012 NISPA awards, as well as winning
third place and making it to state in Headline Writing in the 2012
IHSA Journalism sectionals and I hope to qualify again this year, but
in the Copy Editing category, which has been elusive these past two
years. So, can you guess what I want to major in? Yes, it's
journalism, and I have heard that Illinois State has a great
communications program.


I love to learn. I always have. I would say I have had great academic
success in high school, but yes, there are certain academic areas that
I don't perform well in such as science and honors classes, but I
embrace new challenges. I am taking some difficult classes this year,
including my first AP class. I love English, grammar especially, which
can be seen through my love of Copy Editing. I just hope there are not
any errors in this essay!


I believe that Illinois State University will provide me with an
excellent education, many opportunities to have a great college
experience, and the challenges I need to have a successful future. I
hope that you were able to see who I am in this essay and why I would
love to be a Redbird.