Undergraduate / Appeal for admission to SMU as a polytechnic student [5]

To Whom It May Concern:

I wish to thank you for taking the time to assess my preparedness for success at your fine institution. I recently applied for admission to SMU as a polytechnic student. My intended major is Accounting. Sadly, I received a notification declining my admission to the school.

Professor Pang Yang Hoong said "The accountants of the future need to know much more than accounting; they can no longer be content to be mere providers of financial providers, important as it may be." Her words struck a chord with me, i feel that this is especially true in modern day.I wish to seek higher learning at SMU because I want to take advantage of my potential to have an enriching education, enhance my awareness and leadership of the world and community, challenge myself to the vast opportunities that SMU offer and receive the opportunity to be under the guidance of the many knowledgeable and inspirational professors that SMU houses.

My secondary school life started off with poor grades and procrastination, and i have learned from my mistakes. I was overwhelmed by the workload and i did not had the courage to clarify with my teachers, this gradually took toll on my grades. It was during a parent-student conference that changed the attitude in me, seeing my mom's disappointed face, i truly felt regretful for the first time in my life. I told myself that if i do not speak up now, then it will be even harder for me to do so later on in life.The most important thing I have learned is to ask for help when I need it. These small steps that i took certainly helped me improve my grades tremendously and also led me to become a more confident person.

My work related experience started in the year 2007 when I had a chance to work in my father's renovation company called Unique Home Design as a holiday job. It is moderate in size with a substantial number of clients that could keep all employees in on their toes. During my employment, I was given numbers a number of responsibilities such as calculating the employee's payroll, profit/cost of each house. It was very interesting and occasionally, some minor negotiations were involved. I had worked there every holiday as well as in my free time until now. It was also through this experience that I began to see where my passion lies.

I listed down my goals in 2008 and decided that it would be in my best interest to pursue a higher education for accounting 2 years later, when I would be more financially independent and mature as an adult.I worked with PD Design Studios for these 2 years, and it certainly have not been a waste. The myriad of challenges at work has certainly improved my soft skills and allow me to contribute to SMU in a different perspective. I have also included testimonial from my current employer , PD Design Studios.

Nelson Mandela said "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. "

I have a very keen interest in experiencing life at this university. The charismatic professors and vibrant student life will certainly enrich my life. That is why I want to continue to work hard and attend your university. I would like nothing better than to seize the opportunity to contribute positively towards campus life in various ways, and take advantage of the wealth that a SMU education has to offer.

Thank you very much for your time. I look forward to your judgment on my application.

Thank you very much for your time. I look forward to your judgment on my application.

Thanks alot, please help me regarding my appeal essay. I hope i get in
*cross fingers*

Undergraduate / Education: Essay regarding "Issue of personal importance to you" [2]

Please help me take a look at how i could improve.
Thanks for all the help rendered in advance!
Cheers

When i was young, i was terrified of going to school, i would plead and beg and parents to not send me to school. I could not keep up with the syllabus, and i was afraid of asking question for it might make me look stupid infront of my friends. My fear of studies grew with each passing day, i distinctly remember the day when i eventually broke down emotionally infront of the school gates. Amusing stares and jeering remarks only made the situation worse, i wanted to ran away and i did.

Soon after, my mother caught up with me, she said nothing and brought me home. She sat me down at the kitchen table and talked to me, her calm demeanor was in stark contrast of her fiery nature. It was also the first time that we really had a talk as mother & son, she thought that it was important for me to keep up with the Singapore education.

So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday. Even though she was poorly educated, she would try to make an effort the learn the subjects beforehand and then teaching it to me. During that fateful week, i was awoken by the lights coming from the study room, i went across to take a sneak peak and saw her reading my text books and making notes. A mixed bag of feelings overwhelmed me, i wanted to tell her that i would study hard; i wanted to tell her i am really sorry; i wanted to tell her to rest. That night, i cried myself to sleep and this moment changed my life forever. I tried to become more proactive during classes, asking more questions and requesting help from my teachers, coupled with my mother's lessons, my grades improved.

I grew not to be afraid to ask questions and will ask for help whenever i need it. I would tell myself that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength, because it shows you have the courage to admit when you don't know something and that, then, allows you to learn something new.

The importance of education is often neglected in times of turmoil, particularly war, my parents were born shortly after Post-war Singapore. The educational system was destroyed in Singapore. At that time my parents were only able to attend primary school as the country was still under reconstruction. Due to the circumstances, my parents had to work to support their families instead of going to school. It was unfortunate that they did not have a proper education.She would often say "I did not have the opportunity to go to school because i have to work to support my family, but you have all the time in the world to learn so i hope you will treasure the chance."

My generation was fortunate to have a more organized and qualified educational structure then previous generations. My parents had emphasized the importance of having a good education because they know that their lives would be very much better if they are given the same opportunities as i am. Having the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, the best schools in the world, and none of it will make a difference unless we fulfill our own responsibilities , showing up in schools;paying attention to teachers;listening to our parents and putting in the hard work necessary to succeed.

We can be everything we want to be, a scientist, maybe good enough to create the cure for Cancer. A writer, maybe good enough to write articles or essays in the worldwide publications. An innovator; maybe good enough to create the next iPhone. But all this might not have happened if we did not partake in the science project or the English composition that the teacher had asked us to do.

Education is really of importance to me as it not only entails my own life and my future. What our generation could make of our education will decide nothing less than the future of this country.

regards,
weekee