Here is my application essay to CU Boulder. Please feel free to leave any suggestions/ideas/edits/etc.
Prompt:
The University of Colorado Boulder's Flagship 2030 strategic plan promotes exceptional teaching,
research, scholarship, creative works, and service distinguishing us as a premier university. We strive to
foster a diverse and inclusive community for all that engages each member in opportunities for academic
excellence, leadership, and a deeper understanding of the world in which we live.
Given the statement above, how do you think you could enrich our diverse and inclusive community, and
what are your hopes for your college experience?
Diversity is universal; it has no guidelines, no specifics, no wrong answer. Diversity seeks variety as one seeks to be unique and original. Diversity comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors. While a group itself may fit into these categories, the foundation of singularity comes from pieces of the puzzle making the whole.
It would be safe to say that I am not exactly the definition of diverse. Although I may be a Pole living in America, I am a typical, middle-class, heterosexual Pole living in America. I don't have experiences to share about traveling to a third-world country, or making a dramatic move from one school to another. However, I am diverse in the simple act of being me. It has been hammered into my head by teachers, parents, and even students that "everyone is unique". Despite being the antithesis of what one might picture as "diverse", there are no two uniformed individuals that are identical to each other. If a puzzle only had corner pieces, it would be but a border filled with no creativity or original ideas.
I grew up a Catholic, that followed all the morals and rules associated with the religion. At a younger age, I never questioned whether the ideals were right or wrong, I merely accepted them for what they were. I disregarded any other opinions that contrasted with Christianity, until recently when a debate on gay rights caught my attention, and I learned that I was on the other end of the spectrum compared to where my church was. I came to realize that I did not share the same values as many members of my church did. I have set my own religious standards that I live by, and by doing so, I have encouraged many of my family members to think for themselves, not by rebelling against the church, but by being open-minded to different views and sentiments.
I pride myself in being who I am, an original standing out in a room full of copies. I feel as though I have more to offer than just my ethnicity and social being; I have a personality that no one can duplicate, and an identity that can walk alone. I can't think of a better place to pursue a major in psychology than CU. I hope to not only enrich myself with the courses and clubs I will be a part of, but also by meeting new people with dreams as big as mine. Not only will I learn more about other, but about myself as well. I hope to help the diverse community of CU grow, and be a missing piece of a puzzle that completes the whole picture.
Diversity is universal; it has no guidelines, no specifics, no wrong answer. Diversity seeks variety as one seeks to be unique and original. Diversity comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors. While a group itself may fit into these categories, the foundation of singularity comes from pieces of the puzzle making the whole.
This is all very beautiful and so true. But I think these are known facts and the admission panel may be more interested in knowing about your contribution to enrich their diverse community. Therefore I feel it is good to shorten this part and quickly start introducing yourself. I don't suggest you to remove it completely as it has a relevance to the rest of the response. I enjoyed your response, it is written very well :)
