Admission Essay Sample: Marietta College

Pioneers are people who are brave, innovative, and trailblazers. I would consider myself a self-made pioneer from an early age. I live in a rural town in North Eastern Ohio with and population of around 11,500 people. I have built my life around improving my knowledge and my communities on social injustice and inclusion through multiple programs and clubs that I have been involved. During my seventh grade year, I started in a program called Ohio Modeled United Nations (OMUN). This program opened my eyes and was very much a culture shock to see how passionate these fellow students were about global issues and resolutions that may help the countries solve issues such as clean water, safe living, obtaining female products, sustainable power to name a few. OMUN increased my awareness of the needs outside of my small hometown. My freshman year I went onto being Council President of Junior OMUN and attended Teen Leadership Camp at the Ohio Dominican  College to increase public speaking, resume writing, and debating over controversial topics to assist me with being unbias to issues and leadership. . I  led debates regarding multiple countries issues and the resolutions that were suggested. In 2021 I was elected Counsel Vice President for Senior OMUN. I attended Teen Leadership Conference. In 2019 I accumulated 75 hours of community service by assisting the Junior High advisor with OMUN by assisting the class with their talents such as a play, dance, or song to incorporate the cultural traditions from their chosen country. In 2021 I was chosen to speak to each of my enrichment classes to increase their knowledge of OMUN and promote the class.  My participation has led me and my school to increase awareness that outside of Coshocton there are many issues that we do not face but that 3rd world countries deal with each day. 

In 2017 my sister started a club at our high school called the Nike Club, and it was the 2nd club in OH. The club is modeled around Business Professional Women’s Foundation (BPW). Nike Club is an all-girls club that focuses on issues that girls deal with such as networking, public speaking, resume writing, confidence, mental health,  and supporting each other. We also have a yearly fundraiser to donate funds to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and seek help from all the students, teachers, and staff at the high school through selling donuts. This annual fundraiser helps to bring my community together and make a difference for women fighting breast cancer. This year we raised $326 and have earned over $1000 in three years. I am also an active guest at BPW for the last 5 years. BPW is involved in the state and national level of fighting for the equal rights amendment, pay equity and help on a local level assist with scholarships for females that have returned to school to better themselves. They have guest speakers monthly to increase knowledge of issues locally and state-wide. My role during these meetings as Vice President of Nike Club is to give updates on our club and it is always helpful to gain the members’ perspectives and have such a support system behind Nike Club. 

During my Junior year, I was chosen as a Buckeye Girls State Delegate and a $1000 scholarship to attend the week-long conference at Mount Union University in Alliance OH by the OH BPW. Buckeye Girls State taught me that representation promotes power. That being said it is important to see that people of your gender, sexuality, race, and religion can be in office and make decisions and be supported. During the conference, a fellow student from Ethiopia had moved to the US at age 7 and during this conference, she held the highest position in the mock government. The student at the end of the week explained how she realized that the color of her skin and the country she had been born to could never hold her back from her dreams. This was so empowering to me and has led me to encourage others in my community how important representation is to all.

Also, during my Junior year of high school, I took a Public Speaking course at Central Ohio Technical College and wrote a speech on Black Lives Matter following a peaceful protest in my county. I marched with my community to promote the Black Lives Matter movement. During this protest, one of the speakers discussed how she was an African American Transgender and had to fight two inequalities. This speaker applauded that following African Americans having the right to vote assisted the LGBT community to gain additional rights and how important it is to support one another. I am thankful to have been involved in this march and raise my awareness as well as my communities on such struggles that African Americans face each day. 

I have been a member of the Gay-Straight -Alliance (GSA) at my high school since it was established 3 years ago. The GSA allows for the LGBTQ students to have a safe place to speak and support from fellow students. I have assisted with the social media for the club to promote it throughout my school as well as the community. This year the focus was a clothing drive for those less fortunate and in need. The remainder of the clothing was donated to the Out of Closet Thrift Store. This store donates 96 cents out of every dollar to HIV care and services from clothing sold. The club has increased awareness of the LGBTQ needs, support, and has helped to give aid to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. 

In conclusion, I have spent my last 6 years increasing my knowledge of social injustice and inclusion in a variety of groups. I believe in my beliefs and hope to increase the awareness in my community and lead to the support of all that we may improve the lives of every person. I am hopeful that I can take the next steps as a trailblazer with the Marietta Pioneers.