Darby's College Essay

Darby Elizabeth Hickman

Personal Statement

Darby's Applition to Appalachian State University

Appalachian College has been a part of my educational focus for two years since my older brother, Daniel Hickman joined the community as a freshman. I got to know the campus while visiting him there during his freshman and sophomore years. His successes, both academically (3.7 GPA) and socially (club ultimate frisbee , intramural soccer, basketball) have motivated me to create my own world at App.

I was born and raised in the small North Carolina mountain of Cashiers and feel very much at home with the landscape of Boone. I am interested in the variety of academic programs that Appalachian State offers and I want to stay open to any possibility. I attended a small high school that had limited options and am excited by the chance to explore so many options. Additionally, I have taken courses in school that I thought would be boring but have many times been surprised by their content. So I want to keep my options open at college. I want to be prepared to be surprised. However, I am particularly excited to explore your Ecology, Evolution and Environmental biology coursework.

There were many benefits growing up in a small town where the parents of my friends hung out at the one coffee shop while we all played on the Village Green. There is a real sense of safety and belonging in a smaller community. But one disadvantage I had was an educational limitation to explore my interest in science. This interest was originally sparked in fifth grade at Summit Charter School. Our class was small enough to allow weekly explorations, especially in Panthertown Valley Wilderness. I was fascinated by the trails, streams, and plant and animal life scattered along our Thursday hikes and even remember some of the Latin names to this day.

Appalachian State has such a broad range of classes and options that I feel certain to find a good fit for my interests and curiosity. I think that I will make a fine botanist or educator one day, being able to both spend my time outside while passing along the my knowledge to young students much like my grade school teachers had done for me. North Carolina’s mountains open up abundant opportunities for me to work in the outdoors using my science and biology education in a meaningful way.

I have always been interested in hiking and plan to hike the Appalachian Trail (AT) before arriving to my freshman dorm room. I took an accelerated credit program through high school which allows me to graduate a semester early and will use this semester to hike the AT. I have studied and planned this hike for some time now, even attending some local classes to help prepare myself for this journey. This will be a significant coming of age for me, and I will be ready to hit the ground running once I get to App.

I know my love of the outdoors and hiking will suit me socially once I arrive on campus. Your Environmental Sciences Club looks promising but I am most excited about joining the First Ascent club.

I will be happy to join my fellow students on weekend away hiking excursions. I like the idea of collaborating on hiking adventures, especially after finishing my solo journey off the Appalachian Trail. I hope to organize a few trips and put to use the information I will be learning in my classes. Currently, I have to rely on books from the library to add to my knowledge of the environment so it will be a welcome change to join a community of learners and educators who can teach me in a more hands on way.

In seventh grade, I became a New Century Scholar. I am very proud of this achievement which earned me a full scholarship (tuition) to Western Carolina University for my Junior and Senior years. Only 2 students from my school were selected with the main requirement for this

award were grades, aptitude, and service and volunteerism. I was able to log in many hours volunteering in my community fundraising events like Ducks on the Tuck and at the local animal shelter rehabilitating injured cats and dogs. These experiences helped me realize how small, quiet acts of service can impact a community in larger ways. For example, I would often volunteer at the local Humane Society. While doing the physical work was tiring, it was fascinating to see a relationship form with the animals that I would care for. I was surprised by how much the director of the Humane Society appreciated my work. This experience taught me both to be a good worker bee and a leader. I believe both skills are required to live a meaningful life.

I am honored to apply to Appalachian State and believe that my interests in science and ecology match the climate and purpose of the school. It’s a good fit. I know that my love of hiking and the outdoors will help me forge many lasting friendships and memories around and in the mountains of Boone. My small town experience has helped me learn the importance of service. I want to keep it in the family and the success my brother Daniel has had there has made App that much more enticing for me. I am ready for the challenge!