Community by Evelyn

Community by Evelyn - August 2020 Scholarship Essay

Finding a college that is absolutely perfect for me has proven to be a difficult task. I want to go to a college in a small city with not much traffic. I want to go to a college with a pristine direct-entry nursing program. I want to go to a college that isn’t too large and overwhelming. I want to go far away to college, but still stay within driving distance from my family. I want to go to a college that I can afford without having years of student loans. Surprisingly, I have found some colleges that fit pretty close to my desires, but I haven’t found any that match precisely. Even so, these are only college traits that I want. Although I don’t prefer it, I am still able to go to a college that is in a city with a lot of traffic or that requires me to take out a lot of loans. However, there is one thing I definitely need in a college: a strong community.

The Merriam-Webster definition of community is “a unified body of individuals,” but I like to think of it as more than that. In college I don’t want to just experience any community, but a supportive, kind, caring, and welcoming community. When I think of the community I want to experience, I envision students cheering each other on in sports games. I envision people coming together as one to fight for their peers and friends. I envision people selflessly putting others in front of themselves. I envision a group of students working together to help each other out in challenging times.

After high school I plan to go to a college to study nursing, preferably through a direct entry-program. These programs are rigorous curriculums in which I can earn my bachelors of science in nursing in just four years. However, I understand that as a freshman in college there will be a lot of scary and new experiences, especially with this fast-moving course. Also, as I move away from my friends and family, I hope to encounter a supportive and welcoming community of peers who will help me complete my education with joy and success.

As a shy introvert, it is often difficult for me to make new friends. This is the only part of college that doesn’t excite me. That is why my dream college has a community of students who are supportive, friendly, and kind. My goal isn’t to go to a competitive, high-end college. Some people work well in that competing environment, but I don’t. I need to attend a university that has a welcoming community, not students battling to get the best grades or elite internships. I need to find a college with kind-hearted, considerate peers. When I leave my homey nest and go someplace new and unfamiliar, I need to feel accepted. A group of peers that would make me feel small or insecure would only lower my self-esteem and bring me into a toxic mindset with myself. I need to be welcomed by my fellow students. Location, majors, size, distance, and cost are all important aspects to look into when searching for the right college for you, but the facet that I absolutely need in a college is a kind and supportive community. In my opinion, that is all it takes to make it dream college.