Undergraduate / 'Topic done to death' - UC / personal quality [3]

Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

We had to do a group research paper. A trite and banal assignment on a topic done to death. Certainly no one would want to read it, but some distant bureaucracy deemed it necessary. Naturally, the division of work was uneven, but that was by choice. I intended to do most of it, because of my lack of respect for my colleagues and the desire to be dependable. I expected some effort on their part, but ultimately I wanted to carry the weight.The taste of responsibility and the satisfaction that it provides is appealing to me. Therefore, the majority of the task willingly fell to me.Soon, the paper was done and dusted and all we had to do was wait for the grade. When it came, I did not fare well with it, although it was probably a fair assessment. Nevertheless, my group couldn't complain as beggars can't be choosers. Moreover, pointing fingers is aimlessly pointless.Hence, in an effort to avoid becoming madder I simply prefer to take matter into my own hands.As a result, reliability is inherently a quality that I require of myself.

It is of major consequence to consent duty as one's name will never be consecrated. Accordingly, it's obligated for me by my own accord to accept and obtain responsibility. There is no greater honor than to be the pillar sitting pretty.Pride comes from being counted and relied on when others are plainly not. It is not a question of ability, but rather dependability.

Undergraduate / Punches, headlocks, and kicks were thrown in a scramble; Common app - FAILURE [3]

Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?

Punches, headlocks, and kicks were thrown in a scramble. Then I gradually and suddenly noticed my adversary's family and friends were cheering as I was hit. I countered in a tired, facile, and static manner. Punches came in with minimal response, as the desire to win quickly diminished. My protective gear and our young age prevented any legitimate danger. Numbers came into my head; one supported me; and at least a dozen for my foe. Failure was chosen without hesitation, and as a result, I made many people proud. We shook hands and one of us made the walk back into the observer's seating. I was in tears, but no one had to know.

I listened distractedly at the advice given to me. An instant sense of regret took over me as I realized the immense mistake I had committed. Not only did I fool the crowd, but I also tricked myself into believing I was working for the greater good. Sacrifice some may call it, is a heroic word, however what I did was unequivocally villainous. Whether my opponent deservedly or undeservedly won, shall never be known as a result of my actions. A noble thing it isn't to give someone a false sense of accomplishment. Disappointment crept in and took its hold firmly inside my participation medal that has since been lost. Nevertheless the lessons from the event has been engraved into memory.

Selfishness confused with selflessness led me down a self destructive path that I seldom take. Because, it easy to delve on past mistakes, failures should be accepted and forgiven. Part of learning is learning when to take a break and move on. It is then, after many years, when I fully understood the extent of my meager misstep and also came the realization that it hardly mattered anymore. The competition has been since forgotten to rot in some trophy cabinet. The regret I had eventually transformed into desire to prove myself. However, the result has always been irrelevant. Absolution will never be given, yet that is precisely why I have bettered as a human being. Every mistake no matter the severity is only a step towards self improvement. I no longer sulk and mope around all day about past failure. A simple realization of how and why any failure happened is enough to learn. Therefore, I have given up on fighting, because the only person I can beat is myself.