Preets011
Nov 28, 2010
Undergraduate / Three Jobs and a single parent-UC college essay! [8]
So some backround im a 3.0 student with many jobs. Im tyring to expain my low gpa and potential. I have gotten 2300 sat, so im trying to explain that im not using my full potential.
"(My name Here)" - an average student by any definition, inconspicuous among the swarm of adolescents scrambling for scholarly achievement, devoid of any signs of exceptional motivation. Is this correct?" comments the austere interrogator. I ignore his blunt description of me, for how could he possibly understand who I really am? He knows not of the hardships my family has faced, the sacrifices that I have made, and the academic difficulties I encountered as a direct result of the aforementioned. No one can truly appreciate the contorted situation which I have been entangled in. No one but my mother.
My mother has raised me on her own for as long as I can remember. For over fifteen years, she has been a guardian angel to me: feeding me, clothing me, guiding me through the difficulties of life. As I entered Monta Vista High School, one of the most academically challenging institutions in California, I took on an additional burden - giving back to the mother who has supported me single-handedly for so long.
At the maturing age of 14, I began my first job at Amber, a local Indian cuisine operated by my mother - the manager. Almost immediately, I was blown away by the enormity of my responsibilities: I was expected to work four hours daily, weekends included. I felt myself losing grasp of the balance between my academic aspirations and my endeavor to support my mother. While waiting tables, schoolwork would distract me; while studying, the day's queue of customers would occupy my mind. Oftentimes, I was forced to choose between these two aspects of my life; I kept my priorities straight with schooling on top. When confronted with this dilemma, I habitually gave up my work days to study, giving up large portions of my salary. Yet, there were sacrifices involved; while I still tried to keep my test grades excellent, I found it monumental challenge to keep pace with the homework and project load of my classes.
In my already disoriented state, news of my mother's deteriorating health proved to be oil poured unto fire. My mother was suffering from numerous health problems, and would be subject to multiple surgeries throughout the next couple of years. I was sent reeling: the balance of school and work that I had previously sought was now hopelessly out of reach. At a moment's notice, I would have to take the reins from my mother and run Amber on my very own. This precise situation presented itself in my junior year first semester, one of my most dire periods of high school. I spent an entire day prioritizing my multifaceted life, and concluded that my mother comes first - no matter what. I was now responsible for the outcome of my family, and knew that I had to sacrifice something very dear to me: my schooling. I could no longer handle the combined stress of academics as well as work, and in this situation work came first. I was forced to drop my science curriculum, my AP Environmental Science class.
Now, with my mother's health restored, I am able to pursue my career by taking jobs conducive to my interests. I am now working at Cupertino Networks - a local networking company. As part of the consultant team, I help many customers configure servers and set up their routers. But the best part is that I have found balance via the ability to work from home. I can support both my family and my academic interests.
"Incorrect," I reply, "What you see is a two dimensional slice out of a three dimensional character, nothing more. I am Preet, a maturing boy from a low income household who works diligently to support his single mother. That is the real me."
So some backround im a 3.0 student with many jobs. Im tyring to expain my low gpa and potential. I have gotten 2300 sat, so im trying to explain that im not using my full potential.
"(My name Here)" - an average student by any definition, inconspicuous among the swarm of adolescents scrambling for scholarly achievement, devoid of any signs of exceptional motivation. Is this correct?" comments the austere interrogator. I ignore his blunt description of me, for how could he possibly understand who I really am? He knows not of the hardships my family has faced, the sacrifices that I have made, and the academic difficulties I encountered as a direct result of the aforementioned. No one can truly appreciate the contorted situation which I have been entangled in. No one but my mother.
My mother has raised me on her own for as long as I can remember. For over fifteen years, she has been a guardian angel to me: feeding me, clothing me, guiding me through the difficulties of life. As I entered Monta Vista High School, one of the most academically challenging institutions in California, I took on an additional burden - giving back to the mother who has supported me single-handedly for so long.
At the maturing age of 14, I began my first job at Amber, a local Indian cuisine operated by my mother - the manager. Almost immediately, I was blown away by the enormity of my responsibilities: I was expected to work four hours daily, weekends included. I felt myself losing grasp of the balance between my academic aspirations and my endeavor to support my mother. While waiting tables, schoolwork would distract me; while studying, the day's queue of customers would occupy my mind. Oftentimes, I was forced to choose between these two aspects of my life; I kept my priorities straight with schooling on top. When confronted with this dilemma, I habitually gave up my work days to study, giving up large portions of my salary. Yet, there were sacrifices involved; while I still tried to keep my test grades excellent, I found it monumental challenge to keep pace with the homework and project load of my classes.
In my already disoriented state, news of my mother's deteriorating health proved to be oil poured unto fire. My mother was suffering from numerous health problems, and would be subject to multiple surgeries throughout the next couple of years. I was sent reeling: the balance of school and work that I had previously sought was now hopelessly out of reach. At a moment's notice, I would have to take the reins from my mother and run Amber on my very own. This precise situation presented itself in my junior year first semester, one of my most dire periods of high school. I spent an entire day prioritizing my multifaceted life, and concluded that my mother comes first - no matter what. I was now responsible for the outcome of my family, and knew that I had to sacrifice something very dear to me: my schooling. I could no longer handle the combined stress of academics as well as work, and in this situation work came first. I was forced to drop my science curriculum, my AP Environmental Science class.
Now, with my mother's health restored, I am able to pursue my career by taking jobs conducive to my interests. I am now working at Cupertino Networks - a local networking company. As part of the consultant team, I help many customers configure servers and set up their routers. But the best part is that I have found balance via the ability to work from home. I can support both my family and my academic interests.
"Incorrect," I reply, "What you see is a two dimensional slice out of a three dimensional character, nothing more. I am Preet, a maturing boy from a low income household who works diligently to support his single mother. That is the real me."