Personal statement on academic and career goals in computer science

¶ … admission to XXX University. I am applying to your school for a number of compelling reasons. First, I have a record of high academic and personal achievement, and I feel I would be an asset to your school. In addition, I know XXX University's own tradition of academic excellence would help me in my career goals and objectives. I hope to major in Computer Science and your school's reputation in this area is impeccable.

Raised in a military family, I understand the difficulties of making friends, then moving just when you have put down some roots. After finally settling in New Jersey, I attended Arts High School, a school designed for students with above average talent in the arts, where I concentrated on music. I was a member of Tri-Honor Music Society (1992 through 1994) for music and academic excellence. When I graduated, I was awarded a 4-year scholarship from Saint Augustine's College in Raleigh, NC. After attending Saint Augustine's for a year, I auditioned and was accepted into the highly selective and competitive Manhattan School of Music. However, tuition became a major problem for me, and I began attending Montclair State University were I changed my major from music performance to computer science in an effort to be more competitive in my career goals. I later joined the U.S. Army to take advantage of their training and benefits. I served for 2-1/2 years, and during my service I received an Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and was promoted from Private First Class to Specialist. I am currently a student at Cochise College in Sierra Vista, Arizona, where my major is Computer Science with a 4.0 GPA and 17 credits completed.