Undergraduate /
"The whole is greater than the sum of it"; 263 word -myself and diversity! [8]
"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." ‐ Aristotle
Diversity is one of our core values at the University of Maryland. In order to provide a stellar
education and foster outstanding research, we embrace the intellectual, social and cultural
differences that are integral to the fabric of our community. The strength of the university
is realized through the contributions of every member of our campus. Describe the parts that
add up to the sum of you.
"Describe yourself, Ms. Adhikari", my interviewer at St. Joseph Medical Center asked me.
This was it. The most dreaded question has been asked. I can feel my heart thumping in a dramatic beating inside my neatly ironed dress. I can feel the droplets of sweats forming around my nostrils.
I wrack my brain for a perfect answer. What does she want to hear? Should I tell her that I am punctual? Hardworking? Should I be modest and say that I am just an average teenager?
Except that I am more than average.
I am diverse. My family moved in to America from Nepal when I was thirteen, and with that I brought in many values. I have the courage, enthusiasm, and pride of a Nepali. Whenever I face an arduous situation, instead of shying away, I tackle them relentlessly, like a brave Nepali soldier.
I am passionate. Ever since holding my mother's stethoscope in my tiny hand when I was seven, I have become strangely fascinated with medicine. I borrow and steal and snatch every opportunity to learn more about this incredible subject - even if it it is in the form of reading my mother's alarmingly thick anatomy books.
And I am sure I have a lot of qualities still waiting to be discovered. I just need a nudge in the right direction.
But for now, I smile. I take a deep breath and begin, my voice exhibiting a strong pitch and my sound getting stronger as I speak, "I am diverse..."
This is for UMD, and I NEED to get into that school! Please be brutally honest and tell me what you don't like and make suggestions. I will appreciate it very much.