Undergraduate / UC Prompt #1 essay: My intentioned major [7]

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Growing up, I harbored no passion for politics. I knew who the president was, but beyond that the thought of spending my entire life doing nothing but talking for hours wasn't quite the life dream I had in mind. That all changed in eighth grade during the 2004 elections. My social studies, Mrs. Hagen, was was very politically active in the community, and tried to instill us with the same. She made me see all that politics encompassed, and the impact it had on our lives. The way she taught motivated me to do something with my life. From her, I developed ambitious goals to become active in politics and shape the future of my generation.

As a high school freshman, I joined Model United Nations. At the time, I was an extremely insecure 15-year-old with no real vocational skills. The truth was, I had always dreamed of making big changes, but I had never taken any steps towards my dreams. In MUN, I was forced to speak in front of audiences, negotiate with other "delegates", and come up with pragmatic solutions. The hard work paid off, though, as I was elected Vice-President during my junior year. It was intimidating to try and manage a club with almost 100 members, but it forced me to improve as a leader, and I emerged with valuable diplomacy skills.

During my first year at UCSD, I entered student government. Though I could hardly say I was experienced, being in that environment helped me develop as a public speaker and negotiator. It was a new feeling, knowing that the decision I made could potentially affect thousands of students. Yet the feeling of accomplishment that I got from passing an important resolution, or successfully hosting an important event, made me proud to be involved. More importantly, the experience taught me the importance of getting involved with my surroundings, and I hope to carry this trait with me wherever I go.

My various experiences have taught me that political science will provide me with the motivation and communication skills I need to meet my goals. I am currently studying abroad in Germany and my experiences here have only re-affirmed my passion for the subject. Here I am able to view the same issues from a completely different mindset, and can compare the fundamental differences in the two cultures. Political Science has a great impact on our lives, though we may not realize it, and I feel that it is path where I can make the biggest difference in the world today.

Undergraduate / UC Prompt #2: "struggled with obesity" [4]

My most memorable accomplishment did not come in the shape of a trophy or a certificate. In fact, one should not call it an accomplishment, for it can never truly be completed.

Growing up, I struggled extensively with obesity. Throughout high school, it seemed my weight was a consistent roadblock to my ambitions. Whether it was asking a girl out on a date, trying to get more playing time on the basketball team, or running for student government, my figure always stood between me and success. Each rejection helped reinforce a domino effect, resulting in my sitting at home binging on comfort food. The verbal abuses stung, and I concluded that the world hated me. As a result I became increasingly depressed, and hid my insecurities by putting on an air of arrogance in front of my classmates.

I might have continued in this fashion, had it not been for my grandfather. He was diagnosed with diabetes, and the doctors warned him that his blood-sugar levels had become life-threatening. He and my father had also struggled with their weight, and both had let it affect their careers and personal lives. Looking at his physical condition was like looking at a window to my future, and I realized I needed to make changes or risk going down the same path. A strenuous diet and exercise regimen was certainly intimidating, but the consequences of failing would be far worse. I began slowly by jogging regularly and cutting out the junk food that had sustained me for so long. It was definitely an uphill battle, forcing myself to run when I was exhausted, or declining my mother's dessert even when it made my mouth water. I had always assumed that my greatest challenges would come from the academic world, but restraining myself pushed me to my physical and emotional limits.

As I began losing weight, I started noticing other changes. The emotional roller coaster I had been on came to a stop, and I was able to control myself in stressful situations. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, I acknowledged the true culprit: my own laziness. I had spent too much time feeling sorry for myself, assuming that things would get better magically. I had not been willing to go out and make the changes for myself, and I suffered for it. I started to feel better about the world around me and developed a stronger work ethic. It became clear that what I had lacked before was not a fit body, but rather the belief in myself. From a whopping 225 pounds I entered college at much-healthier 175 and, more importantly, with a drastically different outlook on life.

I choose not to call my lifestyle change an accomplishment, for doing so would imply that it is no longer a part of my present being. I am aware of how easily I could slip back into my old habits, but the discipline and dedication skills I have learned from the journey reflect my potential as an individual. The lessons gained from this undertaking can be applied to any aspect of my life, be it sports or school. The self-confidence lacking earlier now projects itself with conviction. I apply to the schools I have always dreamed of attending with the same hope of being accepted, but now without the same fear of rejection. The commitment I made to myself taught me that I have the skills to succeed no matter where life takes me, and made me believe in myself both as a student and as a human being.