Undergraduate / uc essay prompt 1 - "Don't wait for your ship to come, swim out to it." [2]

essay prompt: Describe the world you come from - for example, your family, community or school - and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations. *

The proverb, " Don't wait for your ship to come, swim out to it.", perfectly describes how my father chased after his dreams , and is a proverb which I live by. His journey in life has taught me many lessons about life and has shaped and inspired my dreams and aspirations for my future. Imagine coming to the United States alone, with no understanding of the English language, culture, and lifestyle. That was exactly how my father's journey here in America started. He came just years after graduating high school in Japan with no college education, and with full opposition from his family members. To fulfill his dreams of becoming an aircraft mechanic, he took the college courses needed to fulfill the requirements and also took extra English classes during the weekends. In the past, in order to provided for everyone in my family, which included myself, my 3 older sisters and my mother, he worked overtime and on the weekends for many years, and was not able to spend much time with my family. After many years, my family and I are now financially stable while living in the affluent city of Huntington Beach. Although we are in no means considered rich, we don't live in poverty and have more than enough to provide for us the basic necessities. My dream in the future is to live in a similar community and area like Orange County where I have been raised since birth. From my father's experiences I know that to be able to live in an area similar to Orange County, I need to work hard, get a good education, and have a career which I would love. Like my father, I will go after my dreams and not wait for them to come to me. This area has provided me a great education, and a safe environment to live in, that in the future, like my father, I would like to start a family here . For me, my father has been the perfect example of what it takes to be successful: hard work, dedication, and a strong will to succeed. He has raised me to go after my dreams, and has never been doubtful or has tried to steer me away from my future goals, no matter how outrageous or hard they may had seem. He has always believed in my abilities to succeed, and has made me into a person I am today. His influence in my life has made me dream further and has broadened my horizons and possibilities for my future.

can you also help me make the last sentence of my essay sound better?it sounds a bit odd to me. thank you!

Undergraduate / In Japanese, my name literally means straight arrow; COMMON APP [3]

In Japanese, my name literally means straight arrow. My parents gave me this name in hopes that I will live a life where I would keep moving forwards despite the various challenges and difficulties that come with life. I believe I have lived up to my name and it's meaning and have grown to become an individual who faces life head on . one aspect in my life that shows this part of my personality is in my attendance. since the fourth grade up till this day in my senior year, I have not missed a single day of class, nor have I ever been tardy or late to any of my classes. This does not imply that over the years I have been sick free or that I have always wanted to come to school, but it has made me into the person I am today. Since my days in elementary, I have gotten awards for my achievement of perfect attendance, and now consider it one of my most significant personal accomplishments in life because not many people can do so.

At a young age my parents often told me to take advantage of the education provided here in America, but I certainly didn't understand what they meant by it . The determination to obtain perfect attendance was not always my idea, but after forcing me to go to school everyday since my time in elementary, I finally understood exactly what my parents were trying to teach me. Both of my parents are from Japan and have gotten their primary education there. They had many siblings, so for them, the monthly tuition for their education was a significant amount for their families. Since I have entered high school, my parents have stopped forcing me to come to school. Now, rather than them making me come to class everyday, I make myself come.

I had come to the realization that I should take advantage of the resources presented to me in order to succeed, and have also realized what I had already accomplished and wanted to finish what I had already started. From that day on, I have made a promise and decision to myself that I would make an everyday effort to come to school, whatever the circumstance. There were countless times when I didn't want to come to school either because of a minor sickness, problems at school or in the family, or just pure laziness and the temptation to stay in bed. But because I managed to pull through and keep the promise that I made to myself, I am proud of who I am today and what I have accomplished.

By keeping my attendance , I have proved to myself that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to if I persevere through the difficulties that life throws at me and by just moving ahead. Whether it be in academics, sports, or any other significant part of my life, quitting is not acceptable for me. Although in the eyes of many, what I perceive as my accomplishment may be silly, to me it has a meaningful significance. It has taught me to become an individual who knows how to stay focused on a goal without giving up or getting sidetracked and has made me take personal responsibility for my own education and success. Although, not quitting, doesn't guarantee perfect results, it does guarantee one thing for certain: the feeling of accomplishment. So where am I going to be on the so called, "Senior Ditch Day"? I believe you already know the answer to that question.