Letters / Appeal letter - Goals, Good Intentions, Seeking Reevaluation [7]

Subject: appeal to a University of California (UC)

EDIT: Just noticed that there is no private message system. so here it is

To Whom It May Concern,

Education is extremely important to me because it gives me an opportunity to
discover more about myself and to pursue a career. I seek higher learning at your university because I want to take advantage of my potential to have an intimate relationship with knowledge, challenge myself to the vast opportunities that you offer, enhance the awareness and leadership of the world and community, and receive the opportunity to be under the guidance of your knowledgeable and accomplished professors.

During the first three years of high school, I could not focus on my schoolwork very well. It hurt me to see that my family could not get along with each other. Each day, I would come home from school hearing disputes among my family members. My mother would become angered by every little thing, such as spilling water on the floor or taking a shower a bit late. She could not hold her temper and was constantly yelling. My family began to tear apart when my mom found out that my dad was cheating on her. For a long time, she could no longer trust him and even wanted a divorce. Sometimes, I could hear her crying late in the night and my heart would be absolutely broken. It was these troubles that lingered in my mind and caused great stress for me. Whenever I tried to focus on studying, stress would accumulate and I would not be able to concentrate.

In addition to the current state of the economy, my past experiences, including rejection from all the UC's I applied to, has opened my eyes and mind and matured me as a person. This has helped me to realize the importance of education as well as to imprint lifelong lessons. It was time to regain control of my focus in school by overcoming the stress in my mind to form healthy studying habits. A teacher told me "Be positive and good things will happen to you." I took that advice and conquered stress by throwing away my negative thoughts. With self-discipline and refusal to let setbacks run the course of my life, I am now able to control the troubling thoughts in my mind and study for school. Since then, my grades have tremendously improved, along with my passion for learning.

As a goal-oriented person, I can prove that I am able to handle any work necessary to attain my Bachelor's and Master's degree. I plan to achieve this goal by carefully managing my time to study and go beyond the boundary. Please give me the chance to make my education count at your institute and the opportunity to give back to your institute.