Undergraduate / 'HERO, A.D.A.P.T. and the Asian Club..' - UT Austin- Important issue (diversity) [5]

Diversity. It is a seemingly simple term used quite colloquially in speech and is constantly said as we move into an era of change, progress and initiative. But this 'simple term' is much more than nine simple letters; it is a mix of a variety of thoughts, perspectives and backgrounds in order to coexist with one another. Having attended a high school of 3,000 students, I have grown accustomed to meeting people from far different backgrounds and walks of life than my own. Over the last four years, I have befriended some of these individuals, learning that it is what makes us different that brings us together. All this time, I took this observation for granted, never really giving it an inkling of thought, until some recent experiences shed some light. Since then, I have realized not to simply accept the status quo, but to assess and explore the reasoning behind a cause. As I make the transition to becoming a college student, I have a keen interest in understanding the dynamics of an issue so that I can develop into a well-rounded individual.

This last summer, I thought the cruise I was about to step onto was going to be an ordinary vacation. In retrospect, however, labeling it ordinary was an error in judgment for many reasons. Most importantly, this trip consisted of nearly fifty members of my extended family, allowing me to meet and spend time with cousins, aunts and uncles that I had not seen in years. I quickly noticed that although we all belonged to the same family, many of us were actually not as similar as I thought we would be. The most striking gap was between generations, a divide that became increasingly evident. Far too often, light chat grew into spirited debates, which saw a vociferous exchange of strong opinions. In fact, our beliefs and perspectives of right and wrong were as different as day and night. Despite this dichotomy, I was not at all disappointed or discouraged from voicing my own opinions. Instead, these conversations encouraged compromise and conciliation as we willingly embraced our differences in order to appreciate each other's viewpoints. Whether it was due to chance or by design, the opportunities to pick the brains of my elders demonstrated the importance of seeing both sides of an issue.

Through my time spent as an active member and leader of community service and volunteer organizations such as HERO, A.D.A.P.T. and the Asian Club, I have been involved in an assortment of student-led philanthropic endeavors. I have seen how these clubs and interests groups serve as a forum to bring together students for a unifying cause. For instance, within the Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Prevention Team, I have been at the forefront of organizing events that aim to spread awareness of ways to prevent the abuse of illegal substances. My participation in these extracurricular organizations underscores my ability to listen as well as learn. Anyone can take part in a fundraiser, but it takes an even stronger desire to be willing to understand a divergent perspective. Rather than shying away from those types of situations, I welcome them with open arms because I know how to foster the beneficial exchange of ideas. Four years later and I do indeed feel four years wiser as my high school experiences have enabled me to take on challenges that have demanded moving beyond my comfort zone and becoming a selfless person.

When I consider what it means to be diverse, it helps to refer to the character and actions of the mythological Greek war hero, Odysseus. The restless and noble King felt his travels impacted him in ways he could never have fathomed. Every person he met, every fight he participated in, every challenge he lost, contributed to the person he had become. It is with that backdrop in mind that leads me to believe that we are similarly constructed ï a cumulative summation of our experiences and interaction as well as our successes and failures. Yet, if we choose to remain stationary, we no longer contribute or add value to ourselves. By taking on vast journeys, Odysseus not only broke through the barriers holding him back, but he also gained invaluable insights that expanded his horizons. Likewise, the desire to be diverse emboldens us to become a part of something bigger than ourselves. Through a demanding college curriculum, full of novel experiences and rewarding challenges, the opportunity to build character and expand my outlook will exist, leading me to become a better-rounded individual.

Thanks :)

Undergraduate / 'The consequence of teamwork' - UT Austin Essay (optional) [3]

There may be personal information that you want considered as part of your admissions application. Write an essay describing that information. You might include exceptional hardships, challenges, or opportunities that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials, personal responsibilities, exceptional achievements or talents, educational goals, or ways in which you might contribute to an institution committed to creating a diverse learning environment.

At the start of my junior year, I became intimately involved with a school-sponsored program called the Fed Challenge. This inter-class competition provides an opportunity to essentially learn what it is like to be in the shoes of the Federal Open Market Committee, a subset of the Federal Reserve responsible for setting the country's monetary policies. On a periodic basis, my classmates and I would be divided into groups and tasked with the responsibility of presenting analyses on the state of the economy followed by specific monetary policy recommendations of how to improve market conditions.

I was grouped with three of my peers, none of whom I knew beyond their first names. We were all from different backgrounds, 'cliques' and towns; it was this diversity that lead us to success in our endeavor. After researching for hours and studying market trends for the past sixteen months, we were able to design a report and suggest a course of action for the Federal Market Committee. During the five weeks I collaborated with my group for this project, we all became more knowledgeable about monetary policy and the reasons for certain decisions the Fed has made.

To this end, we were expected to be well-rehearsed about current events, and if we were not, we would suffer the consequences. Nevertheless, I can recall one instance where I had to shoulder most of my group's burden. On this particular day, we encountered a situation that none of us could really solve. Yet, when time was called, we had to give some type of deliberation. As my teammates looked at me, I assumed the role of Ben Bernanke, and suddenly anxiety was replaced by confidence. Although our prescribed course of action may have not been the ideal recommendation, it was superior to all the others, thereby giving us the top spot in that day's competition. As I looked back at my fellow group members, I realized that our victory was a consequence of teamwork. For what we lacked in natural ability, we made up for in camaraderie and cooperation. Diversity was crucial in the Fed Challenge; the wide range of different views and opinions enabled us to create a completely unique and accurate course of action for the Fed Challenge.

Is there any way to say that this fueled my interest in finance?
Thanks :)