Undergraduate / "Service Above Self" - UC Prompt #2 [3]

Prompt #2: Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

Ever since I was a child, my teachers, friends, parents, and family have always been praised for my kindheartedness, determination, and of course my leadership. I have never been one to judge others, I always work hard in everything I do, and always take initiative.

My morals were built by people that surround me, specifically family. My parents have always taught me that everyone is the same and not one person is better than the next. This is something that has followed me throughout my life and is still one of my main principles. I take great pride in being open-minded and kindhearted, because I believe that most of the problems we have today is because of one group of people feeling more superior to another, and people's lack of initiative to do good for others with no benefit for themselves.

Another problem that is present is people are not determined to fix the problems that our society has and instead work around them. Albert Einstein once said, "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." This quote means a lot to me because I strongly believe this philosophy. I am not one to walk around or run away from a problem, but rather I am determined to work hard and "Think outside the box" to not only rid of the problem but take initiative to make sure it does not happen again. I believe that if everyone lived with this philosophy, the world would become a better place by the minute. Unfortunately, the opposite is occurring at the moment and new problems emerge as time goes by.

I am very proud of being a leader rather than a follower for many reasons. One, it gives me the opportunity to express my views, beliefs, morals, and concerns. Two, I continually try to make a difference in society for a greater good, and lastly, it gives me individuality in a uniform society. This uniform society is a major factor in many of today's problems. People tend to do what other people do, even if it is against their personal views. This leads to many problems because leaders with the wrong intentions can easily be followed by those who are afraid of individuality and leadership.

I am proud to be a kindhearted - determined leader and have demonstrated it in more ways than one. During my years in high school, I have dedicated countless hours volunteering for my local church, library, youth center, and I am now currently an active member of the Rotaract Club at Glendale Community College. The club motto is, "Service Above Self," and that is demonstrated in the activities we perform. The Rotaract Club volunteers time and money to those less fortunate than us. We go to soup kitchens, Mexican orphanages, carry out toy drives for charities, and start our own. The activities the club performs not only enrich the lives of those we contribute to, but also transforms its members into future leaders.

Undergraduate / Poli Sci Major UC Transfer Personal Statement (opinions required) [7]

Prompt #1: What is you intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field - such as volunteer work, internships, and employment, participation in student organizations and activities - and what you have gained from your involvement.

After years of exploration and confusion, I have finally decided to major in Political Science. Political Science became an interest when I took my first government class in my senior year in High School. I was born in a politically corrupt, post - communist nation, called Armenia. Living conditions were horrible, and the government corrupt. Fighting would emerge in the streets where the children played, and jobs were lost day after day.

After my family was blessed with the opportunity to begin a new life in America, I finally saw what a proper government is. When my parents brought my brother and me to this nation, we did not have to worry about whether or not we were going to have electricity or running water in the house that night. We didn't have to worry about our front and back yards being unsafe to play, or whether or not either one of our parents was going to lose their job. We finally had the opportunity to be the carefree children we loved to be. However, it was not until I started high school that I realized the sole reason for the differences in living conditions between America and Armenia was America's lack of a corrupt government.

This is when my interest developed in the subject. Upon learning how our government functioned, specifically the three branches and the division of powers, I realized how complex and brilliant our democratic government really is. What fascinated me the most, however, was the fact that even though the government we have today is the same government our founding fathers had originated centuries ago, the world still houses nations with corrupt, imperialistic and dictatorial governments.

Luckily for me, as my interest began to develop in my senior year in high school, the city where I live, Glendale, California, was holding elections for city hall. I volunteered on a number of campaigns and gained firsthand experience in the topic that interested me so much. I had learned to love the opportunities our government offers its citizens and was thrilled to be a part of it by volunteering for campaigns. In addition, I have also volunteered for our presidential election. For both elections, I was responsible for answering calls, sending letters, and going door to door to promote the candidates.

Volunteering for these campaigns helped me understand the importance of living in a democratic nation. I got to experience firsthand how politicians and ordinary citizens worked hard to achieve the greatest good for the nation and our community. I began to appreciate the right to vote, and the power of the individual in our democratic society. I learned to value what I am gifted with, and that is living in a nation with a government that cares so greatly about its citizens. I was taught to never take for granted what I valued, and therefore would love to expand my knowledge on our nation's government, and ultimately graduate from a UC with a degree in Political Science.