Undergraduate / "most of us take what we have for granted" ; COMMON APP [6]

- Its due in no less than 16 hours so I figured I have you guys give me some input. Thank you in advance

It is fair to say that most of us take what we have for granted. I admit that I too have been guilty of the same. This is likely because it has taken time for me to acclimate and mature into the person I see in the mirror today. The origin of this maturity is the same as the drive I have come to posses, my heritage.

Several years ago, the grandparents that were responsible for my upbringing had passed away. This was a devastating loss I feel to this days. At the time, I have not seen my grandparents in quite some time and did not speak to them as much as I would have liked to. I felt that I was falling and there was no one to catch me. I was unable to deal with their passing for an extended period of time until I came to an understanding of what was to be done..

Realizing my family has overcome hardship and adversity since the early 1900s was the key to what had to be done. My grandfather shared on pair of shoes with 12 of his siblings as they were growing up in freezing winters of what used to be known as The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. He did not let this stop him from became an engineer who is single handedly responsible for some of the largest developments in Moscow, Russia. My father came to the United States with a small sum of money and endured homelessness so he could someday bring me to the country of endless opportunity in hopes that I would be able to utilize the liberties and freedoms to prosper .

I have never forgotten this and have worked hard to repay the debt to my family. Holding a job since the age of sixteen and obtaining a full-time position immediately after my high school graduation. I was driven by the sacrifices my parents and grandparents have made.. But, as I became acclimated to the inner workings of the country I can now call home, it was more and more operant that a lack of education was a likely dead end.

I enrolled in Orange Coast College and struggled to find time and energy between a full time job and my newly acquired endevour. My grades were mediocre and the progress was slow. It was at a dead end; on one hand I had a duty to support my parents start a new life and on the other I needed to continue my education without which I would likely find myself to be average at best.

Fueled by the determination, I sought an employment opportunity that would allow me to provide the same support as before in conjunction with consideration for me as a student. After a prolonged search, a perfect job opportunity opened allowing me concentrate on my education With the new position, the opportunity to become a full-time student was no longer a dream and the grades drastically increased, eventhough, I continued to work in excess of 40 hours a week.

I spent the first half of my life in a country which is commonly known to be responsibility for the Cold War, vodka and caviar. Growing up, I spent several nights falling asleep to the tune machine gun fire and the bedtime story of a tank shelling a building only a few blocks away. My family has overcome adversity and so far has not been stopped. I can only say that I will not be one to give up and ever take anything I have granted.

Word Count: 600 ( It just came out that way)

Undergraduate / BUSINESS/ STOCK BROKER, BANKER, LAW FIRM ; UC - Intended major? experience? [2]

Haha better late then never, a couple words too long but I hope 212 is acceptable.

Topic: What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the field developed and describe any experience you have had in the field - such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities - and what you have gained from your involvement. *

Only a select few students are lucky enough to have an instilled passion and desire for a certain field of study. The rest settle for what is available, or learn to be passionate about something they do not enjoy. After much consideration, I am certain that business is what lights my fire. In today's interactive economy, the most powerful tool is knowledge and the ability to obtain it, harness it, apply it, and in turn reap all of the extraordinary benefits. With every business class I take, my thirst for more knowledge grows. Finance, accounting, business law, economics, communications, ethics all interest me. I have been employed by a stock brokerage, an international bank, several small businesses and a law firm. Gaining invaluable experience and knowledge, I have used every job as a tool to prepare myself for the future. Proactive networking has opened promising doors, which I would never have dreamt accessible at such an early age. I have learned countless lessons about today's business environment but can confidently say that I have only scratched the surface. The most valuable lesson I have learned is that opportunity is endless and the only limitation to what you can accomplish in the business environment today is the inner desire you possess.

Undergraduate / Topic # 1 What you will bring to the University of California - review [4]

Tell us about a talent, experience, contribution or personal quality you will bring to the University of California.

After several visits to various University of California campuses, I was able to conclude that every campus strives to create a unique and diversified learning environment. I met individuals from every corner of the earth and every walk of life and quickly realized that I, as a first generation immigrant would not be alone. Regrettably, I met people who did not share the same insatiable appetite for success I did. After some inquiry, it occurred to me that they did no understand what gift they posses and how many people would kill to be in their shoes. My background has allowed me to have the ability to look at the bigger picture and appreciate the opportunities I have been presented with. With the confidence and unbreakable determination I have developed overcoming all of my adversities I will undoubtedly will allow me to succeed in any facet of life. Furthermore, my multi-lingual and multi-national background, as well as, my natural leadership ability can unite those striving to reach a common goal and enlighten those who do not see what treasure is at their finger tips.

dont hate me