This is one of my writing samples that is published on Unigo.com, a multimedia college platform. I am answering the question, what is your overall opinion of this school (University of Washington)?
The best thing about the University of Washington is the smaller community within the larger campus. People become connected through different events and similar passions which often lead to sustaining friendships. Red Square, the center of campus, booms throughout the day with tents promoting clubs and other fun activities. Not to mention, the campus could not be more gorgeous with its Harry Potteresque buildings dripping with vines, blossoming cherry trees, and the fountain decorated with swimming ducks. Oh, but the education. That's pretty important right? Well, UW definitely knows how to teach and does it well. My teachers display an enthusiasm about teaching I never received in high school. My freshman year, my hands clasped my school map tightly as I sat down at my lecture boasting hundreds of students. And there stood my teacher, smiling. For the next few weeks, she begged us to come to office hours to speak with her, because she sought to know her students on a more personal level. This kindness did not fail my following quarters at UW and still can currently be seen. One of my professors memorized over 200 of our names in order to make us feel more comfortable and some required us to come to office hours, because they truly wanted to know about our backgrounds and personalities first hand. Of course there are some lectures that are boring, but there are always others that leave you on the edge of your seat waiting to hear more. It really depends on who is teaching. But either way, my educational experience has been undeniably the best I could have asked for or ever dreamed I could obtain.
Although all the great qualities that drew me into UW's atmosphere fulfilled my expectations, I will admit I did feel isolated when I first came here. I found it hard to make new friends in my classes where everyone seemed they had a full quota and were not looking to meet anyone knew. Therefore the one thing I would change about UW is the way they handle assimilating freshmen into what at first seems like a giant campus and school population. Now that I have been here for two years, I have found my groove. My shyness slowly melted away and I have been able to meet new people in my classes, dorm, and on campus job I had as a freshmen.
Husky pride in Seattle, oh...it's real wild. During football season last year, my ears perked up before I looked out my dorm room window. I smiled as I saw the entire school marching band wrapped in Christmas lights, hands clutching their instruments in the cool November air. It was the night before a football game. And everyone knew. The day of a game is also an exciting event here. Faces caked in purple and yellow paint jumping on two feet in the Dawg Pack, the student section at the games, is simply a necessity. The rain beats down on the relentless fans as their purple and gold beads dance up and down around their necks. This incredible enthusiasm doesn’t just end at the edge of campus either. Husky pride radiates all over Seattle despite the nonexistent sunshine. Every time I tell someone I go to UW people seem to pop out from everywhere to shout "ME TOO!" When I applied for my debit card at Bank of America, at least four different people working at the West Seattle bank all told me they were alumni. For this reason, I have always felt as if I was connected to something bigger. An entire community within my hometown all felt and went through the same experience as me. Trying to sleep in loud dorm rooms. Walking with rain soaked umbrellas through the red brick path on the quad. Giggling with my new friends. Discussing social issues that affect our community. They were who I have become, a college student at a highly acclaimed university. And boy, are they jealous they can't go back! Because my experience at UW is in fact priceless (despite the thousands in housing & tuition, but hey you can't be a college student without SOME debt right?). Another common reaction I get after speaking the name of my school is, "how did you get in there?" Curious eyes often beat down on me as if I just told them I had been chillin' inside Bill Gate's mansion this weekend. But I try to suppress my proud smile and simply tell them the tricks that every prospective student should know; I worked hard in high school. I earned my spot at UW by volunteering, getting good grades, and writing strong college essays. As a first generation college student, I knew and still understand the value of my education. Being accepted into UW, especially as an in-state resident, is not easy and is something to be envied. But you do not want to feel the people who get in to your desired school were accepted solely on the fact that it was easy, do you? I always wanted to go to a school that people took seriously, because to me, education is serious. Not to say that you can't have any fun, but it's important to crack down on the studying and homework more often than not. Because it is time to be someone and do something with your life, and after all, UW is an award winning school scattered with opportunities. So what are you doing? Apply and take one.