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Emma Aplin

Mr. Taylor

Honors English 1

19 February 2021

The University of Alabama

My dream school has always been the University of Alabama from the time I knew what

it was until now. I have grown up an Alabama football fan my whole life, and from the first time

I stepped onto their campus, I knew it was the place for me. When I was 11, I went to Coach

Dennis Pursley’s swim camp, and while there, I got the full college experience by eating in the

dining hall, sleeping in the dorms, and walking around campus. By going here, I would also get

to be closer to all of my family who is in Alabama, and I only get to see them twice a year.

Everything that the University of Alabama has to offer, including their education and

requirements, athletics, and overall campus and location, fit my needs as a person.

Education plays a major role in my life already, and I feel that furthering my education at

the University of Alabama would be a great decision. For example, “Highlights of the 2020

freshmen class include 42.3% with a 4.0 GPA in high school, 39.9% scoring 30 or higher on the

ACT, and average high school GPA of 3.83 (“Quick Facts”).” I feel that I can maintain my stats

and even go above the average statistics for the students at the University of Alabama based on

my current GPA of 4.3 and All As. The estimated cost for an undergraduate student for the

2019-2020 academic year was $51, 236 out of state (“Quick Facts”). Even though this is

expensive, I feel that I can achieve this and be able to pay for it because of the many scholarship

opportunities that I am involved in, including the Miss America Organization, swimming, and
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my education. The University of Alabama provides many educational opportunities that I am

interested in, and I feel that I meet the requirements to be able to go to school there as well.

The University of Alabama is also known for their amazing athletic programs. One of my

big goals is to get a scholarship to either be on the swimming or diving team. For example, the

women's team just won gold at the SEC Swimming and Diving Championships for the relay for

the first time since 1985 (“Swimming & Diving ''). The environment when I was there for their

swim camp was amazing, and I felt the family- like atmosphere while I was there, while there

was also a competitive spirit there. Their National Championship- winning football team has also

created such a positive drive at the University of Alabama because of all of the athletic support. I

would love to be able to be one of those students, while also being able to contribute to their

athletic programs as well.

The overall student life, greek life, and campus sticks out to me as well. “With over

10,000 students, the UA Greek community comprises 33 percent of the undergraduate student

body and is home to 66 social Greek- letter organizations.” (“Fraternity and Sorority Life”) By

being part of one of the many sororities at the University of Alabama, I feel that I can have a

major contribution to the campus community and Tuscaloosa because of the community service

that I do currently, and it will benefit my future and the future of others as well. “The 1,200-acre

campus has everything a person needs to be successful during their college experience, and they

have the opportunity to be active in one or more of the 600 student organizations.” (“Explore

UA”) After my experiences on campus, I know that I want to be a part of many organizations

there, and I can’t wait to explore the university’s campus even more.

By going to the University of Alabama, I feel that I will be well prepared for the life

ahead of me. With the diversity of the campus and programs, I would be prepared for the world
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beyond college. The many aspects of the University of Alabama including the educational

requirements, athletics, and the student and campus life all stood out to me. By being exposed to

the college at a young age, I feel that I am well prepared to go there and be an out of state student

as well. Going to the University of Alabama would be a huge honor, and it would allow me to be

well prepared for the life ahead of me.

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Fraternity and Sorority Life, 10 Feb. 2021, ofsl.sa.ua.edu/

“Swimming & Diving.” University of Alabama Athletics, 2021,

rolltide.com/sports/swimming-and-diving

“The University of Alabama.” About | The University of Alabama, 2020,

www.ua.edu/about/.

“The University of Alabama.” Quick Facts | The University of Alabama, 2020,

www.ua.edu/about/quickfacts