Undergraduate / 'desire and passion to learn about diverse cultures' Cornell intellectual interests [3]

... Ok so im new at this, I dont know anyone that is applying to these schools so its hard for me to ask around for the best ways to reply... Am going the right way with this essay or am i completely off ?

College of Arts and Sciences:
Describe your intellectual interests, their evolution, and what makes them exciting to you. Tell us how you will utilize the academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences to further explore your interests, intended major, or field of study.

I grew up in a small rural community, my mother and I against the world, literally sleeping under a kitchen table with another family of seven, working the endless rows of pistachio trees. My mother has always been my biggest hero, a young single mother in a foreign country. From kindergarten, I would often go home sick simply in order to be with her. I was the quiet child in the back of the classroom knowing nothing of rules, and was a hopeless cause for the teachers whom I could not understand. It took me three years to be able to read a book in English. Yet it is she that revolutionized my passion for foreign relations.

Coming from a strong and traditional Mexican background, where school was not considered important, it was natural for me to find no use for education. Yet it took until the November of 2001 for me to realize the impact that I could have in my mother's life through education. That day my brother became very ill and we could not take him to the doctor because we did not have a car. I remember my mom desperately trying to get a hold of someone who could help her in Spanish. I took the phone from her hands and found myself translating step by step the procedures for my mother. I was only seven years old.

Ten years later. I still find myself helping my family and others integrate into this country I have grown to love. Whether it is translating or simply explaining the American ways of life. It is crucial for me not only to maintain and embrace my own culture and heritage, but also appreciate what the United States has provided for my family and me.

It is through these experiences that my desire and passion to learn about diverse cultures has derived. Seeing a need in the community for people that are open to help and understand others such as my mother is what has influenced me to pursue a career in foreign relations. I am certain that through the programs offered in the College of Arts and Sciences I will be enabled me to fulfill my dream to continue to help those who are integrating into different countries and of expanding my knowledge of the people and their cultures in the world around us.

Undergraduate / 'raised in a Christian family' - Pepperdine Prompt [2]

Pepperdine University is a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. How are you prepared to contribute to Pepperdine's mission and community of faith, learning, and service?

I have been raised in a Christian family throughout my life. My relationship with God for many years seemed to have been played out for me therefore according to my life style serving was simply a way to please my family and not God or my community. As I grew older this part of my life irritated me, I was unhappy and through this I not only affected myself but hurt my mother as well as my education. It was as if I failing everything in life. I began to go to a therapist and my mother arranged for me to meet with my youth pastor as well. Soon my teachers were also involved and together all of these people came together for me. It was then that I realized that no depression or situation was stronger than the God who I had heard of throughout my life yet I was blind to his love and compassion.

I believe that God used this negative part of my life and turned it into something beautiful. The next school year I went from being a mediocre student and became one of the top students in my class. My relationship with my mother has since then been a wonderful adventure. Most importantly my relationship with God has continued to grow every day. It was through this experience that i was able to apprehend how my community came together to help me and ultimately make me a better person than who I once was. Today I strive to be able to serve my community as they once did for me. I am involved with multiple volunteer groups and especially enjoy working at my communities library where I am able to help people of all ages.

Through the years I have also learned about the importance of leadership and initiative. I have acquired knowledge and practice through programs such as the Ivy League Project, summer internships at campuses such as UCLA and continue to learn and practice leadership roles within my community. I enjoy speaking at Migrant Program conferences abut the importance of higher education for students of all ages. I aspire to expand my leadership roles though Pepperdine University where my goal is to become involved with multicultural programs and bring together diversity within communities in order to form a larger well informed commonality.

-Am I answering the question ? ... Also i would like some suggestions on how to end the essay im not sure if i did a good job of that ? Thank you (: