Undergraduate / [COMMON APP] HAPINESS LIES IN THE PROCESS, NOT THE DESTINATION [3]

Hello, please give me some feedbacks about this essay, thank you so much in advance!
I choose the "Share any topic you like" prompt.
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What is happiness?

Is it achieving a high score on a test or claiming victory in a prestigious competition?

As an ambitious individual, I have long believed that true happiness lies in the attainment of success. Yet, my high school journey has reshaped that belief: the greatest joy stems from exerting one's utmost effort towards a goal.

Growing up in the suburbs of a bustling city, I was in a situation where everything was possible, yet nothing was readily available. Although I was fortunate to have early exposure to computers, online education was not prevalent in Vietnam during that time. Therefore, finding quality materials, such as textbooks and online courses, was a challenging task. To test my skills, I participated in various English competitions, both school-assigned and self-registered. Sometimes I won, but usually I left these arenas empty-handed, like a lost knight with imaginary judging eyes nearby. My most unforgettable memory, however, was the high school entrance exam. Failing to get into my desired school initially wounded me deeply, but in hindsight, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. This failure motivated me to step out of my comfort zone and seek guidance from other professionals.

Instead of waiting for the surroundings to change, I believed in proactively finding a suitable environment for myself. Throughout my three years in high school, I tirelessly sought new opportunities to learn from the successful formulas of those who had navigated similar paths before me. This involved joining study abroad clubs and creating study abroad profiles for fellow candidates. As a grade 12 student, I also have many concerns about my future major.

Starting by joining some business case competitions, I discovered my passion for business and leadership. To be precise, I found myself engrossed in analyzing complex scenarios and formulating solutions. This experience was a revelation; it was far more engaging and fulfilling than my previous focus on English tests. It was during these particularly tough case competitions that I realized my true passion: I want to major in a business-related major. This decision was not made lightly. The leadership and design roles I undertook during these competitions allowed me to see the potential in myself that I had never acknowledged. I realized that I thrive in dynamic, challenging environments where I can strategize and innovate. I am excited to bring this passion and determination to my future studies. I am confident that this path will enable me to make a meaningful impact in the future.

Both my 11-year-old self and my 17-year-old self refused to settle for mediocrity. However, as time passes, I have come to appreciate the value of having companionship, mentorship, and ultimately, a progressive environment. Admittedly, I had to endure numerous struggles in the process of recovering from each failure. I have to learn to adapt and transform my mindset to become a better version before every new challenge. Yet, I believe that today's independence will lay a solid foundation for my future. I can assert that when I enter the doors of the university, I will not be overwhelmed or demoralized by failures or changes.

Three years have been sufficient for me to evolve from someone solely focused on extreme advancement to someone who values self-love and understands how to embrace her own limitations. In the end, not every story concludes with a beautiful ending, but if I don't pick up the pen, I won't even have a story.

Undergraduate / [COMMON APP] A CASUAL CONSULTING SECTION [2]

Topic: Share any topic you like!
Please help me, what do you think of this?
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As I sat across from my third customer of the day, little did I expect that this was my classmate, J. She looked at me with swollen eyes, recounting a fiery argument with her parents about eating her pet dog. Starting from a simple conversation, it gradually escalated into a larger quarrel, ending with her father's harsh words and both parties feeling helpless.

"Tra, you are so correct. Last time, you told me that I would have an argument with my parents. I thought you were kidding because I always try to avoid arguing with my parents. Yet, unexpectedly, we still argued this afternoon."

She, just like every customer of mine, never reached out to a traditional consulting agency. In a culture where others always ask to know more yet refuse to understand our stance, I've become a confidante for many of my friends. I have witnessed the vulnerability lying behind their seemingly humorous exteriors. They never want to be seen as a 'crazy' patient in a mental hospital, but the overwhelming feelings always make them feel unbearable, driving them into internal conflict.

It's really disheartening to see these souls burdened with'minor' struggles, crying out for understanding in a world that often neglects to listen. Thus, taking on the role of a tarot reader was not just a means to earn a livelihood; it became a medium through which I could provide a glimmer of hope for a better future for my customers.

For her case, advice like "initiate more communication with your parents to make them understand you better" from newspapers or training sessions at school was futile. The more she opened up to her parents, the more they argued. In Vietnamese families, parents often have authoritarian tendencies, making it challenging for the younger generation like us to share openly with them.

"Do you know? It's hard for an 18-year-old to compromise their ideals and truly empathize with their parents. But if you look at what made your parents suffer in the past-war, poverty, a society so devastated that even a pet dog died without being butchered was considered wasteful-it might help you understand their perspective and accept that you can't change him. Avoiding these arguments doesn't mean agreeing with them. You can empathize with people without agreeing with their actions. You must understand that your parents grew up in a conservative society that stigmatizes people with tattoos, but you don't have to agree with them. You certainly don't have to argue about whether having tattoos is right or wrong."

She nodded and said tearfully, "But I don't understand, Tra. Why do everyone else's parents always understand their children, and mine always impose like this? I spent my entire childhood fearing his violent tendencies. How can I free myself from this?"

"This is the same question I have." I looked at her tear-stained face and thought about my own family, as well as countless other families in Vietnam. "But J, there is a saying that 'Tolerance is better practiced at a distance.' If reconciliation is impossible, keep a healthy distance and seek out those who agree with your words. Separate conflicts with parents into two categories: "worth arguing" and "not worth arguing." Aside from crucial issues related to your future career, you can stop following these impractical articles on how to communicate with parents. Those books are not written in Vietnam or by Vietnamese children. You can come to me or those you trust; I believe there will always be someone willing to listen to you."

In my journey as a tarot reader, I've encountered numerous issues where most of my customers are aware of both current and future events, yet they often opt to evade the harsh realities. Ultimately, what they truly seek is not just foresight but a compassionate listener and someone who aligns with their perspectives.

Undergraduate / [COMMON APP] COUNTDOWN TO A NEW CHAPTER [2]

I have written a new essay, please give feedback on this one!!! (The reason I write a new essay is because I think I should make an essay that linked to my major: business adminstration) Sorry for annoying everyone 😢😢

Topic: Share any topics you choose.
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12 hours left.

As I sat in the first meeting, the weight of responsibility settled heavily on my shoulders. This wasn't just my first experience in a business competition; it was also my first time leading a team without a mentor's safety net. The anxiety was palpable, especially with a team of randomly matched, inexperienced members.

I studied at a local school where extracurricular activities are sparse. Until my high school years, my world revolved around books and exams. However, a pivotal failure in my favorite competition during my first high school year shattered my complacency. Suddenly, I was ignited to explore beyond the confines of my comfort zone.

Joining the VAC, a free mentoring agency for students aspiring to study abroad, exposed me to a world of diversity and dynamism. I am responsible for designing portfolios for fellow students. It truly opened my eyes to a version of myself I aspired to become-a multifaceted individual engaged in a variety of activities. Leveraging my network, I sought advice from business students. They all advise me to try myself in some non-academic competition.

10 hours left.

After knowing my team's strengths and weaknesses, I initiated a knowledge-sharing session. The test will last for 1 hour and 30 minutes, featuring 15 questions. The initial 11 questions will focus on basic knowledge, followed by two short-answer questions. The final involves solving a big case. I read the hint from the organizer and strategically divided my teammate to find information on different topics: marketing models, business models, and design thinking. Since I have rudimentary knowledge about marketing, I will be responsible for the final big case. I let them prepare their sections independently, and afterward, we held a short meeting to share knowledge, answer questions, and learn from each other. Though it was my first attempt at this approach, it proved to be quite effective.

5 hours left.

I wrapped up our second meeting with a carefully crafted plan detailing who would handle each task. Although we felt confident in our knowledge, a new challenge arose. The competition coincided with our final exams, leaving us without a team member for the first 30 minutes. Engrossed in the final case, I couldn't spare time to manage this situation. Fortunately, a teammate stepped up to the task. On that day, someone like me, accustomed to working solo, finally grasped the significance of having a supportive teammate.

Question released. 1 hour, 30 minutes left.

My adrenaline soared as I read my case. It was unexpectedly challenging and quite different from what I had anticipated. The other girls faced similar difficulties and couldn't assist me with brainstorming. Yet, I understood the importance of excelling in this task, as it accounted for 50% of the score. Failing meant all the effort from me and my teammates would be in vain. Fortunately, a spark of inspiration hit me. Although I couldn't recall it, I took a moment to calm down and remember what I had prepared about recent trends in user experience, case flow, and potential solutions. That's it! I started jotting down my thoughts quickly. Simultaneously, the other girls came up with suitable answers; our work smoothly came together on time.

1 minute after the results are out.

The sight before me is surreal; we made it to the top 30 nationally. The experience, laden with firsts, taught me the true value of leadership and teamwork. Another revelation dawned as the adrenaline subsided-a newfound love for analyzing complex business scenarios and formulating solutions. I realized that I thrive in dynamic, challenging environments where I can strategize and innovate. The ongoing journey may or may not lead to a championship, but this transformative experience revealed a potential within me that had long gone unnoticed. In the end, not every story concludes with a beautiful ending, but if I don't pick up the pen, I won't even have a story.