lehte9
Jul 7, 2018
Undergraduate / Debate over divison - USC supplement essay [3]
Prompt:
I feel like I am most similar to all that is different. I don't singularly identify with my one ethnicity, Persian, but embrace it alongside all the others I have become in the diversity of Houston. At USC, I would willingly accept all who deviate from the norm, primarily because it is this deviation that encourages intelligent debate, and it is that debate that advances society and policy. My belief in the importance of conflicting opinions stems from my experience in my AP History classes. As I read through the works of Russell, Du Bois, and Zinn, I realized that the varying opinions of historians and analysts help invoke new insights into the past, and can lead to a better construct of the present and future. In class debates I always played the role of the contrarian:
"Yes increased infrastructure spending can help economic growth, but is that slight advancement worth increasing our already crippling budget deficit?"
And enjoyed the arguments that ensued, whether I agreed with them or not.
Simply birthing an innovative thought in an otherwise rigid learner's mind is enough to spark a renaissance, one of the most beautiful things to experience. So I helped create Middle Ground, where questions surrounding a topic allow both sides to learn more about each other and understand why that person believes the opposite of what they believe. My goal at USC and in life is to help others cooperate and compromise so that debate wins over division and society advances.
I'm afraid I'm coming off as conceited or something
Would this essay also work for this prompt? What about your background, or what perspective, belief, or experience, will help you contribute to the education of your classmates?
Prompt:
What is something about yourself that is essential to understanding you?
I feel like I am most similar to all that is different. I don't singularly identify with my one ethnicity, Persian, but embrace it alongside all the others I have become in the diversity of Houston. At USC, I would willingly accept all who deviate from the norm, primarily because it is this deviation that encourages intelligent debate, and it is that debate that advances society and policy. My belief in the importance of conflicting opinions stems from my experience in my AP History classes. As I read through the works of Russell, Du Bois, and Zinn, I realized that the varying opinions of historians and analysts help invoke new insights into the past, and can lead to a better construct of the present and future. In class debates I always played the role of the contrarian:
"Yes increased infrastructure spending can help economic growth, but is that slight advancement worth increasing our already crippling budget deficit?"
And enjoyed the arguments that ensued, whether I agreed with them or not.
Simply birthing an innovative thought in an otherwise rigid learner's mind is enough to spark a renaissance, one of the most beautiful things to experience. So I helped create Middle Ground, where questions surrounding a topic allow both sides to learn more about each other and understand why that person believes the opposite of what they believe. My goal at USC and in life is to help others cooperate and compromise so that debate wins over division and society advances.
I'm afraid I'm coming off as conceited or something
Would this essay also work for this prompt? What about your background, or what perspective, belief, or experience, will help you contribute to the education of your classmates?
