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Dec 16, 2018
Undergraduate / A seemingly impossible obstacle can become one's biggest asset; Amherst essay [2]
Prompt: Please respond to one of the following quotations in an essay of not more than 300 words. It is not necessary to research, read, or refer to the texts from which these quotations are taken; we are looking for original, personal responses to these short excerpts. Remember that your essay should be personal in nature and not simply an argumentative essay: "Difficulty need not foreshadow despair or defeat. Rather achievement can be all the more satisfying because of obstacles surmounted."
Attributed to William Hastie, Amherst Class of 1925, the first African-American to serve as a judge for the United States Court of Appeals
One of my earliest lessons in how a seemingly impossible obstacle can become one's biggest asset, came when my family shifted to Punjab in 2013. As the train crossed the border of Punjab, my excitement level shot up as I fantasized about learning my native language. But it took only a day for my bubble to burst before I realized that I would not be allowed to take it as a subject as my classmates had been studying it for six years, while I wasn't even a beginner.
Almost on the verge of shedding tears, I realized that without making an effort, I could remain pushed to the wall forever. That's when I resolved to study my native language whatsoever. What followed was a bumpy, yet rewarding road. Noticing my drive my principal even yielded, permitting me to sit for the month-away sessional exams. In pursuit, I moved to the house of my grandaunt, where she charted a rigorous writing exercise for me. I even took up studying from grade one textbooks, at the expense of being mocked by my classmates. However, when the results were declared, I cried. These were tears of joy as I had secured 90%. Those who mocked me earlier, applauded me that day, even as I gloated over my feat.
I learned an indelible lesson that day, that the glory of overcoming the obstacle was greater than the obstacle itself. The most challenging task was the resolution to act, the rest was simply tenacity. The amount of happiness extended manifold due to the intense satisfaction of achieving a task that demanded my best. Faced with adversities, I learned to value my hard earned success and strive to retain it. This experience became my touchstone for the future, paving way for many more successful endeavors ahead.
Amherst Common App Essay
Prompt: Please respond to one of the following quotations in an essay of not more than 300 words. It is not necessary to research, read, or refer to the texts from which these quotations are taken; we are looking for original, personal responses to these short excerpts. Remember that your essay should be personal in nature and not simply an argumentative essay: "Difficulty need not foreshadow despair or defeat. Rather achievement can be all the more satisfying because of obstacles surmounted."
Attributed to William Hastie, Amherst Class of 1925, the first African-American to serve as a judge for the United States Court of Appeals
One of my earliest lessons in how a seemingly impossible obstacle can become one's biggest asset, came when my family shifted to Punjab in 2013. As the train crossed the border of Punjab, my excitement level shot up as I fantasized about learning my native language. But it took only a day for my bubble to burst before I realized that I would not be allowed to take it as a subject as my classmates had been studying it for six years, while I wasn't even a beginner.
Almost on the verge of shedding tears, I realized that without making an effort, I could remain pushed to the wall forever. That's when I resolved to study my native language whatsoever. What followed was a bumpy, yet rewarding road. Noticing my drive my principal even yielded, permitting me to sit for the month-away sessional exams. In pursuit, I moved to the house of my grandaunt, where she charted a rigorous writing exercise for me. I even took up studying from grade one textbooks, at the expense of being mocked by my classmates. However, when the results were declared, I cried. These were tears of joy as I had secured 90%. Those who mocked me earlier, applauded me that day, even as I gloated over my feat.
I learned an indelible lesson that day, that the glory of overcoming the obstacle was greater than the obstacle itself. The most challenging task was the resolution to act, the rest was simply tenacity. The amount of happiness extended manifold due to the intense satisfaction of achieving a task that demanded my best. Faced with adversities, I learned to value my hard earned success and strive to retain it. This experience became my touchstone for the future, paving way for many more successful endeavors ahead.
