Abdulfataidosumu
Mar 22, 2026
Scholarship / Becoming a Music Director - The Bridge Program Fellowship - CROSSROAD Essay 1 [3]
Describe a time when you faced a difficult decision, explain the options and risks, how you chose, and what you learned from the experience (150 words max.)
For the first short essay (Crossroads):
What was the situation?
What made the decision difficult or non-obvious?
What options were you considering?
What factors influenced your thinking? (values, trade-offs, risks, constraints)
What decision did you make, and why?
What was the outcome, and how do you reflect on it now?
My Essay:
After secondary school, I faced a decision that quickly became more complex than it seemed. My parents had already paid ₦10,000 for a tailoring apprenticeship, but my mind was set on electronics and music. The pressure was intense; I feared disappointing them and doubted if my interests were "practical" enough for our environment.
I realized tailoring didn't match my long-standing interest in mathematics and problem-solving. I weighed the immediate comfort of following their plan against the necessity of building technical skills. I chose the latter, teaching myself multiple programming languages and eventually co-engineering a smart-home water pump system. Simultaneously, I applied that same discipline to music, becoming a Music Director and mentor.
This experience taught me to weigh external pressure against my long-term direction. I now prioritize decisions that offer growth and impact over simply taking the easiest route.
Describe a time when you faced a difficult decision, explain the options and risks, how you chose, and what you learned from the experience (150 words max.)
For the first short essay (Crossroads):
What was the situation?
What made the decision difficult or non-obvious?
What options were you considering?
What factors influenced your thinking? (values, trade-offs, risks, constraints)
What decision did you make, and why?
What was the outcome, and how do you reflect on it now?
My Essay:
After secondary school, I faced a decision that quickly became more complex than it seemed. My parents had already paid ₦10,000 for a tailoring apprenticeship, but my mind was set on electronics and music. The pressure was intense; I feared disappointing them and doubted if my interests were "practical" enough for our environment.
I realized tailoring didn't match my long-standing interest in mathematics and problem-solving. I weighed the immediate comfort of following their plan against the necessity of building technical skills. I chose the latter, teaching myself multiple programming languages and eventually co-engineering a smart-home water pump system. Simultaneously, I applied that same discipline to music, becoming a Music Director and mentor.
This experience taught me to weigh external pressure against my long-term direction. I now prioritize decisions that offer growth and impact over simply taking the easiest route.
