My name is Demarco Shields, and I am currently a senior at Lockport Township High School. My dream/ goal is to study criminal justice and eventually become a criminal defense lawyer. I have applied to Florida State University, the University Of Alabama, Carthage College, and the University Of Georgia. I currently have been accepted into The University of Alabama and Carthage and will be attending the university of Alabama in the fall to further my education with a major in criminal justice. Over my four years attending Lockport township highschool I took three AP classes my junior year I took AP Pre calc AB and AP U.S. history and my senior year I am only taking AP Psychology but are taking various honors classes and a college level course to also better prepare me for college. My favorite AP class I have taken would be AP Psychology with Mrs. Doornkaat although the class is very note heavy it seems to me to be the most beneficial to my goal later in life and throughout college. However non AP class that would be my favorite is a college class taken through joliet junior college to earn dual credit would be criminal justice at the wilco area career center in joliet, Illinos. Taking challenging courses Impacted in various ways. First taking multiple challenging classes has impacted me is balancing my life in school and outside of school teaching me how to be more organized and prepared for school and work to make sure i do not fall behind in the class. Next, experiencing challenging classes impacted me to better overall in school to turn in better work and also improve overall in all subjects to adjust to more challenging classes. Finally to maintain this level if rigor in college I have taken a difficult and long path to meet my goal of becoming a criminal defense lawyer so nothing would be easy so I will have to maintain a balanced life and also constantly improving to be better than what I previously was. As I look forward in going to the university of Alabama I am most excited to be given the opportunity to be attending such a beautiful campus and a amazing school with a huge community. I am also excited to improve academically and personally while I am there and create strong relationships and connections with people from all over. Thank you for taking your time to read my essay I appreciate it and thank you.