Undergraduate /
Last minute Columbia Essay ("Everyday was the same.") [6]
Everyday was the same. Wake up at 6AM, go to school, come home, do homework, study, play around, and sleep. For the first 2 years of high school, I felt that I didn't have a purpose in life, and when I thought about my future, I felt I would be so unprepared that I'd have to rely on my parents my whole life. However, all of this changed, starting from my junior year. I felt that if I didn't change who I was, I would end up no better than a homeless person in the streets. I hated anything that required hard work. One day, my mom read me a newspaper article about a boy that barely did well in his first few years of high school, but did well in his last year and ended up as a prosecutor. I thought to myself, if I were to start doing well, and be active in my community, would I be able to become a dentist? I felt hope and decided to change my attitude towards the world. I looked forward to the first day of school, and I wanted to make more friends by participating in clubs and activities.
As school progressed, I received better grades and joined many clubs. In the end, when school was almost over, I ran for president of Student Council. Although I did not win the run, the experience was a great lesson.
By my senior year, due to the grades I received in my junior year, I was able to get into all 6 of the 6 AP courses I applied for. However, because some of the classes did not fit in with my schedule, I had to get rid of three courses, AP Chemistry, Physics, and Government and Politics. At first, I thought I was able to handle the new level of studies, but unfortunately, I found that I was not as ready as I thought. I found two of the three courses very difficult, due to the different method of teaching. Instead of posting notes on the projector, we were given lectures and notes.
Although my studies weren't going as well as I wanted, my involvement in the community and school increased dramatically. I volunteered at Cooper University Hospital as a nurse assistant and I became the Vice-President of the Science Club, the General Secretary of the Math Club, an officer of the World of Difference Club and a peer leader of the Transition Project.
Everyday, I look back at how I hated to be social, and how I always said no to things. As I changed, I started saying yes to many things, such as hanging out, volunteering, helping teachers and parents, and even teaching my best friend's little brother algebra. I thank myself for changing and I look at everyday with optimism. By working a little harder, and adjusting to the new level of studies, I believe that I will become a dentist.