Undergraduate / highly zealous, energetic and motivated - UT Austin - Statement of Purpose [7]

My Response

I am highly zealous, energetic and motivated by a resounding urge to serve my country. I believe in hard work, patriotism, personal responsibility and traditional values. I like to believe that I am an idealist and do not believe in chasing materialistic pursuits. These are some of things that define me. Over the last few years, I have grown as an individual. I have been able to realize my true goals and have become much more focused in life. This conscious realization of true self has developed in me a keenness to excel and I have embarked on a journey that has taken me to new heights.

I have always wanted to contribute to my community and bring change. An issue that I am particularly passionate about is the improvement of governance and the establishment of a representative political system in Pakistan. Inefficiency and mismanagement of the ruling elite over the past six decades has led to the destruction of the structure of governance and public services. People are deprived of basic education, health, access to justice and civic amenities. The lack of true political representation and disconnect between public concern and public policy has lead the country to a point where it faces huge economic and security challenges. The Parliament has never asserted its true power and has failed to cater to the needs of the people. Foreign agendas have guided the domestic policy for years, at the cost of domestic stability, in the pursuit of "strategic depth". This has caused a widespread disillusionment and people who have the intellectual and material resources to change the system have come to define themselves as apolitical.

This attitude stems from the incapability of corrupt politicians and crooked bureaucracy to govern, which has forced the people to not just hate the people in power, but the democratic process itself. Politicians and top level government officials have never shown the necessary leadership, sense of duty, responsibility, passion to serve and moral uprightness. The general cynicism is visible in the hatred for the very system of governance, the lack of faith in the ability of the government and the desperation to seek a paradise home outside the country, which is alarming for a country facing major crises.

The people have never asserted their true power and as they do not believe in their ability to alter the political landscape. The masses have allowed military dictators and feudal aristocrats to come, loot the national exchequer for decades and then dance away.

Today, we stand at a point in history, "where we have the chance to realign the national landscape and create a new governing ideology". Faced with major crises, we require clearly visioned long term policies, not mere hypocritical and hyperbolic calls for democracy. To re-establish public trust in the government is a tall task indeed and it requires patience and support of the people and vision of the politicians; progressive politics that focuses on the welfare of the people and supports social justice. I believe that the solution lies in the political awakening of the people of Pakistan, especially the young generation. They need to learn the rejection of individualism, and give birth to political and collective consciousness and awareness.

Please offer your honest opinions.

Undergraduate / UIUC Essay on extra-curricular work [5]

Any input on the essay would be really helpful

In an essay of 300 words or less, choose one extracurricular activity, work experience or community service project from the list you provided on the application and explain why you initially chose it, why you continued with it, and how you benefited from it.

LUMUN is Pakistan's biggest Model UN conference. Over 3000 students gather from around the country in one of the biggest student conferences of any kind in the region. I was attracted to participating in MUNs because it is a unique form of parliamentary debating, where one learns not only to hone their public speaking skills but perfect their analytical and negotiating skills as well. The experience of multilateral diplomacy and international arbitration is unique. As a delegate, one really learns about global problems and this broadens the perspectives. The idea of collaborating to develop solutions to actual global problems that can be implemented is distinctive as well. At a student conference of this scale, meeting other people from around the country is a valuable experience as well.

Participating in my first ever MUN, I was nervous and did extensive research on the two agendas provided to be as better prepared as possible. As the committee sessions progressed, I realized that my research allowed me to be an effective diplomat and be factually and logically argumentative with other delegates. I was able to come with references to international conventions and historical events quickly to substantiate my point and rebut the opposition's arguments as well. Participating effectively and winning the title of the Best Delegate was a worthy experience for me.

When I got back to my college, I initiated the set up of the college's own MUN. The students now participate in mock sessions on a monthly basis and this practice is valuable to us when we participate in a big and auspicious conference.