Admission Essay Example: The University of Akron

I chose to enroll at the University of Akron based on the variety of academic paths that fit my interests as well as the impressive number of organizations for Student Life. Now, as I’m finishing my freshman year, I couldn’t be happier with my decision. My hometown is Toledo, Ohio, and I come from a household with just my mom, younger sister, and twin brother. Last spring, as my brother and I both ventured into our college search, the University of Akron was a shared interest point, especially after we completed a tour. The result of our visit was an enthusiastic dual enrollment, and while moving two of us to the same school was helpful, the financial hardship at home was significant. Now, with my younger sister accepting her offer to attend the University of Akron as a freshman in the fall of 2022, the financial need has only increased throughout our family, adding to an overwhelming balance of Parent Plus loans to provide financial support from home.

I am currently employed at The Student Recreation and Wellness Center, working shifts at the front desk, where I greet and verify members of the facility, check equipment in and out, and handle any telephone inquiries. This job has helped me to get started paying off unsubsidized loans to minimize the debt acquired while I complete my education. I also enjoy working at the recreation center because my major is Exercise Science, and the environment shares many aspects of what I love to do. I initially started my freshman year as a Public Relations major, which I enjoyed, but ultimately changed when I had a pivotal moment that led me down the exercise science path. I spend a lot of my free time in the gym, and I love learning about anything to do with fitness and wellness, initially to just learn new things for my fitness journey. However, early in the fall of 2021, I began training my friend who was a complete beginner in utilizing gym facilities. One day, as I was demonstrating the form for Bulgarian split squats, two other girls came up to me and also wanted help. At this moment, as I provided tips and watched their understanding click, I felt overwhelming accomplishment and happiness. In just a few minutes, I watched them exhibit major improvement, and I instantly realized that my love for fitness and helping others needed to be a big part of my career. 

I’ve always thought about the saying “Do what you love and you’ll never work another day in your life,” so finding the passion that I can follow into a career that I absolutely enjoy means a lot to me. Now, as I’ve just about completed one full semester officially pursuing a Bachelor of Exercise Science with the Applied Exercise Physiology concentration, I love my classes and what I am learning. The class that has stood out the most so far is Concepts of Health and Fitness, where we have learned material such as cardiovascular health, muscular fitness, nutrition, and body mechanics. My favorite days are those when we complete labs teaching skills like how to measure blood pressure or body composition. Also, conveniently, our final assignment is to write and execute a fitness program for any individual not in the course, applying the material we learned and then detailing the results in a paper and presentation. I’ve found all of this extremely exciting because I am literally in school doing assignments that are enjoyable and learning things I would pursue in my free time either way.

Aside from class and work, I’ve participated in the club CHAARG, where every week there is a new type of fitness activity, ranging from yoga to cycling, and even trampoline parks.

The group is full of girls who positively uplift each other, and it is a great motivator, because throughout the workouts we are all there and in it together, providing a drive to work harder and push past our limits. Next semester I plan to join Pink Gloves Boxing because it not only fulfills my goal to continually learn new skills, but it is also a fun way to stay active and feel stronger.

 Next semester, I am planning on joining Pink Gloves Boxing, which I am also super excited about. Ultimately, my choices in student organizations have not only provided me with fun outside of classes, but I foresee the experiences aiding my career in the future.

With the completion of my degree, I will have numerous career options, and many of them I am still considering. Through my upcoming classes, I am exploring different areas of specialization that will help me narrow down my choices to a concrete goal. Some job titles I have been researching include a Strength and Conditioning Coach, Personal Trainer, or Sports Medicine Physician, all with a client focus on athletes. The education I’m receiving will prepare me for a majority of those careers, without the need for graduate school. I plan on acquiring additional certificates such as the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning specialist, or the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer. Certifications create a more desirable candidate when entering the job market and will help me further achieve my plans. I find careers in exercise, health, and wellness specialization to be very important in today’s society. There is always a need for greater promotion of physical health, especially with rising obesity, heart disease, and other chronic diseases. Many common health issues in society can be significantly lowered with better nutrition and physical activity, and spreading the knowledge about these changes is essential. 

I am incredibly excited about my future, and attending the University of Akron is fueling my passions through my educational opportunities, as well as through student life and extracurricular options. I am confident that I will remain at the university for the remainder of my education, and I am doing as much as I can to minimize the impact that pursuing further education will have on my financial status when my degree is complete. Overall, earning a scholarship would significantly impact my life by easing the financial stress not only on me but on my family.