Making Dean's List by Kyle

Making Dean's List by Kyle - March 2014 Scholarship Essay

My greatest academic achievement to point would be making Dean’s List for my first semester in college. I had always been your average, C+ student all throughout high school and I never thought anything of it, until I began applying to colleges. I realized colleges weren’t interested in average students with mediocre grades going to their schools, but they were looking for those well rounded, above average students. I knew that I should’ve been in that category but for some reason I prefered being a slacker in high school. It was partly because of the ease and lack of stress that comes with not doing your work, but it was also because I knew the bare minimum amount of work I needed to do to get by through class. Well most universities were not impressed by this and immediately put my application in the “denied” pile. This was frustrating to me, but it was also helpful and moving in a way. The numerous denied letters I received last year helped me realize that I couldn’t just float by in life or else I would get no where. I needed to be the above average student who was also putting in that extra amount of work needed to be noticed and not just lost in the crowd. I knew what I had to do.

Out of all the denial slips, I did receive a few acceptance letters and decided I would attend the cheapest one, to save some money, for one year while I turn my grades around and prove to colleges that I was taking my education seriously. I decided on Plymouth State University, even though I desperately wanted to be living in the city for a change of pace. This was my best and cheapest option considering it was in state and cheaper out of New Hampshire colleges I had applied to. I signed up for a mixture of general education courses, as well as some art classes to help push me in the right direction to get my graphic design degree down the road. I knew this would be a gigantic change from high school and that I was going to have to put a lot more of my time towards this to not only pass, but shoot for all A’s.

Although I didn’t reach my goal of straight A’s, I was able to get mostly A’s, with a couple B’s. Even with this setback I managed to receive a 3.53 GPA and even make Dean’s List for my first semester. The GPA increase blew me away because it was a drastic increase from the 2.75 I had at the end of high school. I was so ecstatic about my grades and getting the gratification of having my hard work actually pay off. I realize my work ethic in high school was a mistake and I wish I could go back and change it. But considering we cannot change the past, I will do everything in my power to continue this habit and improve my future to help direct me in the right direction.