tpaine02
Dec 9, 2011
Undergraduate / 'Dad as Influential Person' - Common App Essay [6]
Topic: Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
The basement door slammed and loud, clumsy footsteps ascended the stairs. I sat at the kitchen table, having just finished my homework, watching my dog hurry into her cage, ears limp, head down, tail between her legs. She knew to get out of his way...I knew he was drunk again, as he stumbled into the kitchen barking viscous remarks, most of which were directed at my mother, but often the target of ( and subject of) his scolding was undecipherable/ambiguous. He screamed, bellowed, and bickered at my mom, my siblings and I, blaming everyone but himself for his problems: it was too cold in the house; his boss treated him unfairly; no one made dinner; he ran out of cigarettes; and the list goes on. When he felt he made his point (or maybe his ramblings sobered him up to much), he wobbled back into his basement hideout for another beer. In the morning he made sure everyone was up and ready for school, playing it off as if nothing happened the night before (or maybe he didn't remember): no apologies, no recognition off the harm he had done.
A father is supposed to be a source of strength for his family. He is supposed to provide guidance and stability, so in that sense my dad has failed. Instead, he has shown cowardice and irresponsibility. Using alcohol as a crutch, he allowed it to take him over. He decided to take the easy way out, using alcohol to escape the harsh realities of the world, never realizing the debilitating effect his habit has had on our family and I. Avoiding sober confrontation and failure, he lives an aggressively passive existence, forever complaining and always giving excuses.
In my youth, just like the dog, I feared my dad. I'd run up to my room when he came home from work and I'd hide under my bed when drunken rage got the best of him. Over the years, however, fear has turned into anger and, more recently, into pity, and I have channeled that anger and pity to become a stronger individual. I stand up to him now when he threatens my mother. I let him know that his hateful ways have no place in our family. I have chosen to take the world head on, accepting responsibility for my actions. I do what my heart, mind, and gut together tell me. I realize that I can not control my environment; I can only choose how I respond to my environment. I focus on what I can control, as I am a firm believer that the you are the architect of your own future. I choose to immerse myself fully into my activities, relationships and passions, to go all out in every life endeavor, and to make the most of my talents, strengths and abilities.
Help: Is this an effective essay? Please give me any suggestions. Thanks
Topic: Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
The basement door slammed and loud, clumsy footsteps ascended the stairs. I sat at the kitchen table, having just finished my homework, watching my dog hurry into her cage, ears limp, head down, tail between her legs. She knew to get out of his way...I knew he was drunk again, as he stumbled into the kitchen barking viscous remarks, most of which were directed at my mother, but often the target of ( and subject of) his scolding was undecipherable/ambiguous. He screamed, bellowed, and bickered at my mom, my siblings and I, blaming everyone but himself for his problems: it was too cold in the house; his boss treated him unfairly; no one made dinner; he ran out of cigarettes; and the list goes on. When he felt he made his point (or maybe his ramblings sobered him up to much), he wobbled back into his basement hideout for another beer. In the morning he made sure everyone was up and ready for school, playing it off as if nothing happened the night before (or maybe he didn't remember): no apologies, no recognition off the harm he had done.
A father is supposed to be a source of strength for his family. He is supposed to provide guidance and stability, so in that sense my dad has failed. Instead, he has shown cowardice and irresponsibility. Using alcohol as a crutch, he allowed it to take him over. He decided to take the easy way out, using alcohol to escape the harsh realities of the world, never realizing the debilitating effect his habit has had on our family and I. Avoiding sober confrontation and failure, he lives an aggressively passive existence, forever complaining and always giving excuses.
In my youth, just like the dog, I feared my dad. I'd run up to my room when he came home from work and I'd hide under my bed when drunken rage got the best of him. Over the years, however, fear has turned into anger and, more recently, into pity, and I have channeled that anger and pity to become a stronger individual. I stand up to him now when he threatens my mother. I let him know that his hateful ways have no place in our family. I have chosen to take the world head on, accepting responsibility for my actions. I do what my heart, mind, and gut together tell me. I realize that I can not control my environment; I can only choose how I respond to my environment. I focus on what I can control, as I am a firm believer that the you are the architect of your own future. I choose to immerse myself fully into my activities, relationships and passions, to go all out in every life endeavor, and to make the most of my talents, strengths and abilities.
Help: Is this an effective essay? Please give me any suggestions. Thanks