Undergraduate / "Not Just a Job" Transition to adulthood. Entrance essay for Ohio State. [4]

Prompt: Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

In my English class freshman year, my teacher instructed us to write a letter to our future selves, a letter which we will open on graduation day. I still vaguely remember what my letter consisted of: lists of friends, hopes of being popular, and how excited I was thinking about senior year. Since writing this letter my first year of high school, my priorities have completely changed. Instead of worrying about popularity, my main focuses are now my 2 jobs, keeping my grades up, and getting into the college I want. This change in my perspective came when I received my first job at the age of 15. Prior to starting working, I focused on my social life and let my grades fall below where they should have been. After over a year and a half of this irresponsible lifestyle, I began to realize I was not going to be successful if I continued on this path. I made the decision to get a job.

I started working as a swim instructor at the YMCA. Some of my duties outside of teaching included scheduling my lessons, contacting parents, and placing students in the correct level classes. Through work, I gained a sense of responsibility, hard-work, and freedom. I understand what it is like to manage my money between what I want and what I need. I now pay for my phone bill, my gas, and any activities I want to do. Unlike when I was just a freshman, I realize the worth in a dollar.

However rewarding these traits are to me, none of the qualities the YMCA taught me compare to the compassion I have gained. Before my job, I rarely showed compassion to strangers. Unless it would benefit my life, I did not see the point in it. Yet when I realized how much of an impact I can make on someone's life just by simply taking my time to get to know them, I began to understand why compassion is so important. One member who has the biggest impact on me is an elderly man named Mac. Mac never failed to make me smile each morning he walked on the pool deck. After my shift ended, we always sat and talked for a while just to catch up. He enjoyed talking about his children, although none of them took the time to visit him anymore. Hearing this, I realized how much my talking to Mac meant to him. Even though I dread the thought of waking up at 4 in the morning before school, meeting people like him makes it all worthwhile. As a freshman, the idea of waking up before school to work and talk to older people never even crossed my mind. Yet now I understand how impactful it is to be compassionate towards others.

When I receive my letter from my former self at the end of this year, I believe it will give me insight into how much I have grown up over the course of high school. I now understand what is important in life and what will help me become successful. I will forever carry with me the traits I have acquired through working and will continue to show compassion to every person I meet. I am so grateful for the YMCA for helping me mature into the young adult I am today. The YMCA is not just a job to me, it is who I am.

Undergraduate / Syracuse University never interested me. My passion for social work and helping others changed it. [4]

250 Word Maximum

Prompt: Who or what influenced you to apply to Syracuse University?

Syracuse University never interested me much, other than the fact that my cousin attended, I paid very little attention to it. Until recently, I never even visited the schools website. However, when I discovered my passion for social work and helping others, I began researching where I could pursue what I love and make a career out of it. Since a young age, I knew I wanted to work with people when I got older, I just did not know exactly how. I considered following in my mother's footsteps and becoming a teacher, yet I realized that it was not exactly what I wanted to do. As I got older, my mom would come home telling me stories about students she had, stories which I thought only happened in movies. One of the stories I will never forget was about a young boy who was in an abusive foster home. My mom constantly fought to get him out of this home and I saw the pure desperation she felt when it seemed as if no one could help. At this moment I realized how I would help others. I decided to pursue a degree in social work so no other child will have to experience what he did. While deep in a college search for my particular major, I came across Syracuse University. I read through countless statements from students who tell profound stories of the major. After hearing of past students love for the program, I decided to apply. Syracuse University will give me the best opportunity to follow my passion by studying in a highly respected social work program, making my dreams a reality.