Undergraduate / GAMING & ECONOMICS / USC - Describe your academic interests [3]

Describe your academic interests and how you plan to pursue them at USC. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections.
How should I conclude this?

I've been playing some online games that have an online economy in them. As dumb as it sounds, games sparked my interest in the economy. For example, there's an currency exchange in one game, and as a result I've manipulated it to make money. I find it extremely interesting on top of rewarding, and it's kind of funny as well. There's also supply and demand of goods in the game; real world insight applies to the game and vice versa. In addition, we all hear everyday of economic issues and the politics involved'. It's 24/7 non stop worrying about where the economy is going and what our leaders are doing. As an American, I feel inclined to have some insight into what's happening. Therefore, senior year I am taking a government class and an economics class. They've been very enjoyable courses and affirmed my interest. I would certainly like to major in economics. Although, I do have a single particular interest, a general education does have its appeal. USC Dornsife provides a spectacular program that I would have no problem joining in.

Undergraduate / "If I were a rich man" ; UC - world you come from [3]

Describe the world you come from - for example, your family, community or school - and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

A few years after I moved my parents divorced. It was then the four of us living in a 5 bedroom house,because my father's side of the family had to leave. There was so much space, but so little room. Everyday when I got on the bus after school, I was one of the last stops. Therefore, I watched as the bus took me around in a neighborhood of million dollar homes. It was a showcase for real estate, but when you're young you have no notion of wealth. Soon the house was sold. We drove for about 20 minutes. What difference could 20 minutes possibly make? It was six and two threes to me. A million dollar home will buy a million dollar house. I thought I was an absolute genius.Then I woke up in a quarter of my old room, went to the narrow and dank bathroom, and saw the reflection of a spoiled kid. As a result of my misfortunes, I understood what fortune meant. Its a big world outside of the bubble. A firsthand experience in a secondhand house.Although on Friday afternoons, I would get to leave for my dad's house.There, weekends became escapes; summers I lived in a fantasy. One summer I was on a European cruise coasting across Italy; one winter I was without heat during school nights. Nevertheless, all good things have to come to an end and two months before school finished the landlord kicked us out. As a result, I came home off the bus with another kid. He got in the house; I went to the driveway. My mother took me to where her boss lived. He gave us two rooms.

I guess we all try to live how we don't want to live. My upbringing brought me to despise the life that I can sympathize with. So far enough won't be far enough, but far out will be just too distant. Chances are I will fall, therefore, the Moon and Antarctica won't be graced with my presence. "If I were a rich man" just does not resound with me, because it is simply sounder to avoid risks. Thus, fear of failing supersedes dreams of success. Consequently, I aspire for absolute modesty locked in the center of the social strata, never to leave, as the outskirts scare me. I pray my mentality will change over time, but the damage is done. I look for the remedy in higher education, and with any luck, I won't have to lie back to chance. An easy life is not my style either, since smooth seas don't make skillful sailors.Correspondingly, I wish to be duly prepared in contrast to how I was years ago.