The minute I came across the announcement for the NSF REU site on Facebook, I knew immediately that I had chosen the correct major at Florida State University. Like many transfer students, and a distance one at that, I was limited by my selection during the transfer process and decided on Interdisciplinary Social Science with concentrations in Sociology and Geography. The description of the research project on the Citizen Science GIS website put my decision to study ISS into clear perspective when I had the lightbulb moment of why; because I am passionate about people, places, and stories, and that the research tracks are something that would be just as useful in the coastal community of Sarasota where I live. Truth be told, I was not always this passionate about the coast. I grew up in a bedroom community outside of New York City and was sheltered from what was happening on the New Jersey …show more content…
Unfortunately, my lackluster performance my first-year results in Florida State University’s adjusted overall GPA of 2.883, just shy of your desired 3.0. I expect that 2.883 will be bumped yet higher after I complete my inaugural semester at FSU; at midterms I currently have 4 A’s and 2 B’s. This semester I have focused on taking many Sociology courses and an Environmental Science Lab which provide much insight into society and engaging with people on local levels and how to complete a line transect (even if it is virtual), skills that are crucial to success of the projects at the NSF REU site. Next semester I am taking a heavy course load in Geography including GEO 4210 (Landforms and Landscapes), GEO 4300 (Biogeography), GIS 2040 (Essentials of GIS), and SYA 4300 (Methods of Sociological Research), with the experience at the NSF REU site as a