Kalsiam
Feb 8, 2022
Undergraduate / "Humility is the best teacher" - University of Washington Personal Statement [2]
I'm trying to apply for Fall 2023 and just wanted to start my essay as early as possible so that I have time to make it the best it can be. Lots of critiques is encouraged and much appreciated. Thanks everyone!
Prompt:
Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.
Essay:
What hubris to believe that I was above the world.
It was senior year. Everyone was stressing over college applications, but not me. I did not even have a specific college in mind. I just kicked up my legs and ignored it all. You see, I wholeheartedly believed that I was good enough to be able to get into any college with ease. After all, I had never failed at anything at that point in my life. I had good grades, passed all my exams without studying, and even got my crush to accept my confession. I genuinely believed that I was better than I really am. How wrong and arrogant I was.
Out of all the subjects, I liked Japanese the most. So I ended up deciding to study abroad in Japan. I applied for the MEXT scholarship given by the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco. I remember walking into the building with my chin held high and a smirk on my smug face.
"This'll be easy as hell," I thought to myself.
I completely bombed the exam. I could not answer a single question on that exam. But the worst part was the interview. I was a nervous wreck, stumbled all over my words, and could not say what I wanted to say. Overall, I gave a terrible first impression. The final nail in the coffin was the rejection letter.
My world collapsed. I thought I knew everything there is to know about Japanese. For the first time in my life, I knew failure. I had been put in my place. It was painful, frustrating, humiliating, but most of all, it was eye-opening. I was taught humility, and it's a lesson that will stick with me for the rest of my life. I now realize how small and insufficient I really am. There is so much that I must learn and do not know.
Looking back, I would have strangled that cheeky brat. Humility has forced me to mature. Now I make sure to shut my mouth and listen when someone is talking. It is only when you do not speak, that you are forced to listen. Because I listened, I learned how to do tasks effectively and efficiently. I learned how to conduct myself appropriately. I learned how to be respectful of others and not inconvenience them. Most importantly, I learned how to put others before me. I now genuinely believe, and it may not even be by that much, that I am better than who I used to be.
I'm trying to apply for Fall 2023 and just wanted to start my essay as early as possible so that I have time to make it the best it can be. Lots of critiques is encouraged and much appreciated. Thanks everyone!
story from your life
Prompt:
Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.
Essay:
What hubris to believe that I was above the world.
It was senior year. Everyone was stressing over college applications, but not me. I did not even have a specific college in mind. I just kicked up my legs and ignored it all. You see, I wholeheartedly believed that I was good enough to be able to get into any college with ease. After all, I had never failed at anything at that point in my life. I had good grades, passed all my exams without studying, and even got my crush to accept my confession. I genuinely believed that I was better than I really am. How wrong and arrogant I was.
Out of all the subjects, I liked Japanese the most. So I ended up deciding to study abroad in Japan. I applied for the MEXT scholarship given by the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco. I remember walking into the building with my chin held high and a smirk on my smug face.
"This'll be easy as hell," I thought to myself.
I completely bombed the exam. I could not answer a single question on that exam. But the worst part was the interview. I was a nervous wreck, stumbled all over my words, and could not say what I wanted to say. Overall, I gave a terrible first impression. The final nail in the coffin was the rejection letter.
My world collapsed. I thought I knew everything there is to know about Japanese. For the first time in my life, I knew failure. I had been put in my place. It was painful, frustrating, humiliating, but most of all, it was eye-opening. I was taught humility, and it's a lesson that will stick with me for the rest of my life. I now realize how small and insufficient I really am. There is so much that I must learn and do not know.
Looking back, I would have strangled that cheeky brat. Humility has forced me to mature. Now I make sure to shut my mouth and listen when someone is talking. It is only when you do not speak, that you are forced to listen. Because I listened, I learned how to do tasks effectively and efficiently. I learned how to conduct myself appropriately. I learned how to be respectful of others and not inconvenience them. Most importantly, I learned how to put others before me. I now genuinely believe, and it may not even be by that much, that I am better than who I used to be.
