m924
Sep 17, 2014
Undergraduate / Two short personal statements: one based on diversity, the other based on growth. Which is better? [7]
PROMPT 1: A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your background, please describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
"What did you say?" I inquired.
I tilted my head and stared at my "best friend" in disbelief--neither recognizing her nor believing what she'd grumbled.
"I'm sorry, I don't know how to help you; I don't have time; I barely understand this section myself," her tight voice babbled with excuses.
I stopped listening and walked off, still trying to understand what had happened. My "best friend", who had three tutors, diligently took notes in class, and never received anything below an A-, brutally rejected to help me, a C-average student. Had I wronged her? No. Have I ever refused to help her? Certainly, not. Then, what did I do wrong? 7 years later, I finally found my answer: I was a "potential competitor."
PROMPT 2:
Option 1: Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
"No, no, no, Chris, that's wrong again!"
As those careless words rushed out of my mouth, Chris's eyes glistened and filled with tears. His pale cheeks quickly turned deep red, and he turned his head to hide his embarrassment. An absolutely dreadful guilt took a hold of me. I felt ashamed of myself. "You've done it again," I told myself, "you lost your patience."
Reaching over to Chris's arm, I apologetically whispered, "Hey, I'm sorry. How about we try this again? C'mon, it'll work out this time." His eyes momentarily stared at me, and he brushed off my arm and shook his head. There was nothing I could now so I left the room, stood along the doorframe, and listened to his held-back sniffles.
"You can't do this, Michelle," I thought to myself, "you don't know how to tutor, what are you even doing?"
[...]
PROMPT 1: A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your background, please describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
"What did you say?" I inquired.
I tilted my head and stared at my "best friend" in disbelief--neither recognizing her nor believing what she'd grumbled.
"I'm sorry, I don't know how to help you; I don't have time; I barely understand this section myself," her tight voice babbled with excuses.
I stopped listening and walked off, still trying to understand what had happened. My "best friend", who had three tutors, diligently took notes in class, and never received anything below an A-, brutally rejected to help me, a C-average student. Had I wronged her? No. Have I ever refused to help her? Certainly, not. Then, what did I do wrong? 7 years later, I finally found my answer: I was a "potential competitor."
PROMPT 2:
Option 1: Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
"No, no, no, Chris, that's wrong again!"
As those careless words rushed out of my mouth, Chris's eyes glistened and filled with tears. His pale cheeks quickly turned deep red, and he turned his head to hide his embarrassment. An absolutely dreadful guilt took a hold of me. I felt ashamed of myself. "You've done it again," I told myself, "you lost your patience."
Reaching over to Chris's arm, I apologetically whispered, "Hey, I'm sorry. How about we try this again? C'mon, it'll work out this time." His eyes momentarily stared at me, and he brushed off my arm and shook his head. There was nothing I could now so I left the room, stood along the doorframe, and listened to his held-back sniffles.
"You can't do this, Michelle," I thought to myself, "you don't know how to tutor, what are you even doing?"
[...]
