Undergraduate / "Playing with my Yoshi doll and making new friends" - UC Prompt #1 [6]

My world revolved around playing with my Yoshi doll and making new friends. I was an average carefree seven-year old living life as if every day was a never-ending recess. Unfortunately, recess eventually ends. As a kid, I became familiar with the term poverty as I sat at lunch watching other kids eat the school lunch I could not afford. Not only as the oldest, but as a stepchild, I had to work twice as hard in academics to prove my worth within my family. These hardships in my childhood allowed my dreams and aspirations to form and create the determined person I am today.

As in all families, education was valued above all. My parents would tell me if I earned a high education, I would live a better lifestyle. With only a high school diploma, my parents had to struggle from paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet. Therefore I believed that education ensured happiness, and with this mindset, I strived to be the best in school. A competitive spirit was invoked in me as each test was placed before me. However, the A's I earned did not make me happy. Although every award I brought home delighted my parents, they only brought me temporary satisfaction. Contrary to what my parents felt, the A's I received was as unsatisfactory as C's, the awards as useless as my old toys. In order to meet my parent's mantra, I had forsaken my own desires to meet theirs. I felt as though I was living life as a puppet.

It was my grandma that freed me from my strings. She helped me realize that no matter what I do in life, I should do it for myself and not for the benefit of others. I did not have to become the doctor I did not want to be, or the lawyer that makes a large amount of money. I realized the goals my parents had for me would not make me happy, and I had to decide for myself what my goals and dreams were.

I was fascinated with our first computer, an old Apple that hummed when it turned on. A stream of letters and numbers filled the screen and suddenly colors began to appear, forming little icons and pictures in the background. The colors and exciting interaction of games opposed to my dull and endless calculus homework made the computer my escape. To my family, computers and games was as boring and pointless as watching an empty channel on the television, but I thought I had come across the career I would dream of achieving: game design. I spent countless hours researching the artistic styles and unique ideas of game designers in order to expand my knowledge of game designing principles. Through independent studies in programming and experimenting with my own computer, I am able to learn more than what was taught in classrooms. I was able to build my first computer at thirteen, and joined the school's computer team at sixteen. In each of these experiences I felt a sense of achievement and satisfaction I had never felt when striving for what my parents wanted.

After excelling in my computer programming class, I realized computers were the dream I was looking for all along. I am determined to be a world famous game designer who would revolutionize the game industry. When I first introduced this idea to my parents, they gave me a skeptical look and told me I should become someone more realistic. But I was not deterred. Unlike before, I will not be easily swayed by other people's opinions. Through past experiences, I know only I can decide my future, and living a life of luxury is only secondary to living a life of my own choice. The determination and passion I have for computers will keep bringing me one step closer to my long awaited dream.

Undergraduate / "Norwalk Titans football team" - UC Prompt #2 In need of revision [5]

I joined the Norwalk Titans football team without knowing the consequences. I was involved with strenuous training where my limits would be pushed above its maximum. Compared to the other players, I was not as good enough when it came to exercising. However, the coaches did notice my versatility until the time came to try out for positions in the team. My early flag football years and independent training with my dad gave me the ability to play different positions effectively. Therefore, I was chosen to be one of the leaders for the Norwalk Titans. Whenever the stakes were high and the chances of winning were slim, I was looked upon to raise the morale. My first year in tackle football changed my personality and helped me build skills for my future life.

The perfect description for my Norwalk football team was the "One man team." Each star player held at least two positions within the team because of the small amount of players. As a first year player I did not believe I would be playing more than one position, but in the end I was trusted with three positions. They trusted me to lead the team alongside one of the regulars within the team. Through the victories and defeats, I developed strong leadership skills and strength of character within myself. I built a sense of pride with the person I was becoming, and I felt as if I could lead a nation into war.

I transitioned from someone who was perceived as a follower to the person who would lead an entire team. Each responsibility put upon me only strengthened me further. Joining the Norwalk football team helped me develop a new type of personality and opened the door to a new future. I became proud of the team I led, and the person I have become.