shaq896
Nov 28, 2009
Undergraduate / UC Prompt #1 essay: My intentioned major [7]
Political Science Major essay
Political Science is often associated with global powers and important leaders. In reality however, it is simply the study of how decisions are made within a group, regardless of the context.
A few friends and I started a project working with homeless children who lacked basic social and academic skills. Many had witnessed traumatic events at young ages, and cut themselves off from the outside world. Though I was designated as program coordinator, in reality I was an insecure fourteen-year-old with few vocational or leadership skills. The shelter too was worried that we would further damage the children's psyche, and warned us to proceed with caution. Several of my fellow volunteer questioned my competency, and there was clearly a lack of cohesion within the group.
Faced with these challenges, I decided to take a new route. I diluted the authority of our program, so that more volunteers would have roles. Though it meant giving up some power, I found that people were more willing to compromise if they each had a direct responsibility to the children. We also began to include the shelter in our planning, in order to create an agenda that would be beneficial to all. I was amazed at how things had turned around: suddenly interacting with one another became easier. Making decisions was no longer the daunting task it once was, and I became fascinated at how the smallest of changes could turn conflict into cooperation. This interest helped me realize the power of effective communication, as we created an effective program through a communal effort.
Political Science is described as "who gets what, when and how." Through our program, we were able to give the children a chance at a better life by teaching them vital skills for their futures. As the program began to progress, I too found myself slowly becoming more confident in my actions. In a strange turn of events, I was developing the self-belief originally meant only for the children.
I intend to graduate with a B.A. in Political Science, for it is where I can best impact the future of my generation. Since entering UCSD, I have taken several Honors seminars to deepen my knowledge of the subject, and have even studied abroad to see how politics operate in regions with different values than our own. Through my various experiences I have come to realize that Political Science is everywhere in our lives and it, through proper application, has the power to enact positive change at every level of society.
Political Science Major essay
Political Science is often associated with global powers and important leaders. In reality however, it is simply the study of how decisions are made within a group, regardless of the context.
A few friends and I started a project working with homeless children who lacked basic social and academic skills. Many had witnessed traumatic events at young ages, and cut themselves off from the outside world. Though I was designated as program coordinator, in reality I was an insecure fourteen-year-old with few vocational or leadership skills. The shelter too was worried that we would further damage the children's psyche, and warned us to proceed with caution. Several of my fellow volunteer questioned my competency, and there was clearly a lack of cohesion within the group.
Faced with these challenges, I decided to take a new route. I diluted the authority of our program, so that more volunteers would have roles. Though it meant giving up some power, I found that people were more willing to compromise if they each had a direct responsibility to the children. We also began to include the shelter in our planning, in order to create an agenda that would be beneficial to all. I was amazed at how things had turned around: suddenly interacting with one another became easier. Making decisions was no longer the daunting task it once was, and I became fascinated at how the smallest of changes could turn conflict into cooperation. This interest helped me realize the power of effective communication, as we created an effective program through a communal effort.
Political Science is described as "who gets what, when and how." Through our program, we were able to give the children a chance at a better life by teaching them vital skills for their futures. As the program began to progress, I too found myself slowly becoming more confident in my actions. In a strange turn of events, I was developing the self-belief originally meant only for the children.
I intend to graduate with a B.A. in Political Science, for it is where I can best impact the future of my generation. Since entering UCSD, I have taken several Honors seminars to deepen my knowledge of the subject, and have even studied abroad to see how politics operate in regions with different values than our own. Through my various experiences I have come to realize that Political Science is everywhere in our lives and it, through proper application, has the power to enact positive change at every level of society.
