frontline: secrets of the sat: who was good enough?: applicant 4

Public

INCOME: $50,000
FATHER'S OCCUPATION: Inspector
MOTHER'S OCCUPATION: Laborer
FATHER'S EDUCATIONAL LEVEL: High School Graduate
MOTHER'S EDUCATIONAL LEVEL: High School Graduate

US History A A

English 10 B B

Algebra II B B

Biology B B

Spanish 2 B A

Government B

English 11 B B

Trigonometry B A

Biology (AP) B A

Spanish 3 B B

Economics (Hon) B A

Comp. Prog. B A

Baseball Team 9th &10th
Link Crew (introd. freshmen to school)
Interact Club
Key Club
Honor Roll
School Recognition on GSE (geom., biology, econ.) AP exams
Most Improved Baseball Player
Scholar Athlete - recognition of outstanding scholarship
EMPLOYMENT
Made Sandwiches

Verbal 560

Math 680

Combined 1240

A significant achievement that comes to mind is my driver's license. This was a big accomplishment for myself because it gave me some independence from my parents; it also gave me some responsibility. Many of my friends had already received licenses because they were of age and I was younger than my friends were. Being younger hadn't caused me much difficulty prior to the age of sixteen, and I hadn't given getting a license much thought. But as soon as one of my friends received his license, I suddenly came to realize that it would be almost a year before I would be sixteen.

I had asked my parents for rides many times without hesitation, but as soon as my friends started driving I no longer saw being driven around by my parents as acceptable. Instead of asking my parents for a ride, I would ask any of my friends who could drive. It was a little embarrassing not having a license and having my mom or my dad drive me from place to place. This daily reminder motivated me to get my license as soon as I could.

Once the driver's education classes began sign ups, I was first in line to sign up for the class. After passing the class I then proceeded to take the course where I actually had to drive. This course was much more uncomfortable than the previous. In this course I am in a car with two other people that are trying to learn how to drive, plus there is the instructor watching my every move. I had some trouble driving at first, but with some practice I soon was driving pretty well. I drove as often as I could with my parents, I knew that I needed to practice so I could be sure that I would pass the driving test.

On the day of my test, I was very nervous and the weather didn't help my nervousness either. The clouds were gray and it appeared it would rain all day. However, it only began to rain as soon as I began my test. The test didn't go as I had hoped, the roads were slippery and there were a couple of kids playing in the road. When the test was over the man grading me looked towards me and said, "Congratulations", and handed me the grade sheet. I had passed with one hundred percent!

I was so proud of myself because I had achieved my goal. At that moment I was given the independence that I had looked forward to. I no longer had to rely on my parents to go anywhere. Getting a license was a necessary step to progress into adulthood. In the town that I live in there is little access to public transportation, so to be able to get around town I needed a license. This is the main reason why I wish to attend college, to become an independent adult.

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