CTYhuskerSaint
Oct 20, 2015
Undergraduate / Nerd Camp Changing my Life - PSU Undergrad Application [3]
Well, here is my personal statement for Penn State. I hope to convey the message that CTY (the camp) changed me profoundly and that I hope to continue that growth at Penn State. Any suggestions welcome.
Here goes ...
People may spend their entire life, enduring many crises and trials trying to find their core. Others can say that one experience directed their future course on the right path. For me, my experiences at CTY summer programming that readied me for college-level academic material and opened my heart to love a wonderful community will serve me well to grow, learn, and serve at Penn State University.
My first CTY session was meant to be a one-time, academic enhancement session, and so I jumped into CTY summer camp. CTY is a program run by Johns Hopkins University that aims to "develop academically gifted individuals". In this, they did not fail, as I found myself working through college-level material related to Russian History, Ethics, and International Politics that required more than superficial interpretation but intensive speculation and thought. Through my three CTY sessions I enhanced my critical thinking skills in debate and improved my comprehension of advanced material such as Immanuel Kant so that I would be prepared for the future.
While academics were my initial motivation for attending, what kept my heart desiring to return to Carlisle every summer for CTY was not the academic rigor but the inclusive and close-knit community that CTY fosters. My first roommate wore a glow-in-the-dark Iron Patriot mask and was a major history buff. I immediately knew that CTY was for me. The inclusiveness of CTY was a welcomed constant in my life, and for kids like myself who are considered too "weird and different", CTY served as my constant reprieve in the summer and as steady inspiration for academic and social success throughout the school year.
This past summer, my membership to the CTY community came to a very teary and somber end as I grow my roots into a new area of my life. When I started my endeavor to find my next academic institution, the community and tradition on campuses were just as important as the academic rigor of the school. I was able to witness the magic of a group of open-hearted individuals come together to support much more than themselves. I came to realize that if people are passionate and directed correctly, people can grow uniformly as a group rather than in a disjointed fashion with little overall progress.
When I took my first tour of Penn State, my desire for a large, supportive and academic rigor was met. Walking through campus and hearing stories about Penn State's alumni network, THON, and my future as an ice cream connoisseur while thinking about the sporting lore on this campus eased the concerns about the large size of University Park. On a large campus, I can find people of like interests and plans and develop myself into the eclectic individual I would like to become. A friend from CTY stated that leaving was not difficult because CTY was a precursor to the full-time college experience, and I have come to realize that CTY has given me all that it could. At Penn State, I hope to confirm this statement as I deepen and extend my roots.
I also need to cut words, so also please tell me what is unnecessary or esoteric please. Thank you for your time and advice.
Well, here is my personal statement for Penn State. I hope to convey the message that CTY (the camp) changed me profoundly and that I hope to continue that growth at Penn State. Any suggestions welcome.
Here goes ...
People may spend their entire life, enduring many crises and trials trying to find their core. Others can say that one experience directed their future course on the right path. For me, my experiences at CTY summer programming that readied me for college-level academic material and opened my heart to love a wonderful community will serve me well to grow, learn, and serve at Penn State University.
My first CTY session was meant to be a one-time, academic enhancement session, and so I jumped into CTY summer camp. CTY is a program run by Johns Hopkins University that aims to "develop academically gifted individuals". In this, they did not fail, as I found myself working through college-level material related to Russian History, Ethics, and International Politics that required more than superficial interpretation but intensive speculation and thought. Through my three CTY sessions I enhanced my critical thinking skills in debate and improved my comprehension of advanced material such as Immanuel Kant so that I would be prepared for the future.
While academics were my initial motivation for attending, what kept my heart desiring to return to Carlisle every summer for CTY was not the academic rigor but the inclusive and close-knit community that CTY fosters. My first roommate wore a glow-in-the-dark Iron Patriot mask and was a major history buff. I immediately knew that CTY was for me. The inclusiveness of CTY was a welcomed constant in my life, and for kids like myself who are considered too "weird and different", CTY served as my constant reprieve in the summer and as steady inspiration for academic and social success throughout the school year.
This past summer, my membership to the CTY community came to a very teary and somber end as I grow my roots into a new area of my life. When I started my endeavor to find my next academic institution, the community and tradition on campuses were just as important as the academic rigor of the school. I was able to witness the magic of a group of open-hearted individuals come together to support much more than themselves. I came to realize that if people are passionate and directed correctly, people can grow uniformly as a group rather than in a disjointed fashion with little overall progress.
When I took my first tour of Penn State, my desire for a large, supportive and academic rigor was met. Walking through campus and hearing stories about Penn State's alumni network, THON, and my future as an ice cream connoisseur while thinking about the sporting lore on this campus eased the concerns about the large size of University Park. On a large campus, I can find people of like interests and plans and develop myself into the eclectic individual I would like to become. A friend from CTY stated that leaving was not difficult because CTY was a precursor to the full-time college experience, and I have come to realize that CTY has given me all that it could. At Penn State, I hope to confirm this statement as I deepen and extend my roots.
I also need to cut words, so also please tell me what is unnecessary or esoteric please. Thank you for your time and advice.
