Undergraduate / My role model is my father; University of Michigan / Unique qualities [4]

Father Role Model

My role model and father, is a mathematically inclined accountant who has inspired me for years. I followed his footsteps, in hopes of becoming like him, by making Mathematics a primary subject as I went through primary school. When I was mature enough to think without ice-cream crossing my mind, I realized my hard work was not enough to reach the heights I had set for myself; to be greater than Einstein in Mathematics. A dream like this may seem unrealistic but climbing the Academic ladder in two different countries opened my eyes to see that anything is possible.

The vision I had to attend the University of Michigan became clearer when I moved to Michigan. The college of Literature, Science and Arts to me is like the "Golden Gate" to pursue Actuarial and Financial Mathematics to become the person I set out to be the minute I was brought into this world. I have waited so long for an opportunity to explore a variety of courses that will equip me for the future ahead of me, the college of Literature, Science and Arts sets this on a silver platter for me.

To be honest, I do not only desire to go to the University of Michigan to get a degree in Actuarial and Financial Mathematics, I also take it as an opportunity to make acquaintances with people from different rocks of life. My grandmother always said; "Hands go, Hands come, meaning; at some point in time, we will need someone and someone will need us. I always take this as a reason to be make good friendships as I never know when I might be in need. The University of Michigan, as a school with a diverse community attracts me even more as it serves a ground for me to start life all over and transit completely into college life.

The college of Literature, Science and Arts with its numerous courses will also train me indirectly to become more responsible and shun procrastination. As a senior in high school, and a brother to two very energetic sisters, I see myself as a light to shine in their path. I know that it is my duty to set a good example for them. How better can I do this if not to attend one of the best universities in the world and actually set out in the path I told them I would?

When I am accepted into the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor to pursue Actuarial and Financial Mathematics in the college of Literature, Science and Arts, my life will be positively changed forever. I will make sure not only to make a change in my life mathematically-wise, but also in the lives of the staff and students and to be an active member in the wolverine family.

Undergraduate / Indigenous Ghanaian people; University of Michigan Sup/ Community? [3]

Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (Approximately 250 words)

I come from a community unlike the one I have found myself in. The people I know and love, the indigenous Ghanaian people, have beliefs that could, if never, take a very long and hard argument to change. In the community I'm from, parents have very high expectations for their children. Parents never expect a "B" in tests; it's an A or nothing. I have lived through this for years, and as such it has become a part of me. It is for this very purpose; to succeed, that I have resigned to sought entry into one of the best universities in the world, University of Michigan.

In my community, parents take education to be a number one priority in their lives. They believe that in order for an African to succeed, he has to work twice as hard as a European or American would. This may or may not be true, but through colonialism, this ideology has come to stay.

I follow the footsteps of the great men from my land, Dr. Nkrumah being one of them, to find my own greatness. I apply to the University of Michigan in hopes of fulfilling this. The community I am from has trained me to be an ambitious person and reach the greatest heights possible in education.

Ghana is a developing country, and one that aspires for greatness. I am a product of such a country. Instilled in me are doctrines and the discipline that is to take me to the stars and back. I do not stand alone, but with the others, we stand with a common goal: to achieve greatness.