I need to hit harder. Move faster. Kick higher. Be greater; Common App

please, be brutal. I need this to be as close to perfection as humanly possible.

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At my petite height of four feet and eleven inches, I know I am not the first person you would expect to train in takedowns and sparring methods, but I do it. Since starting karate, I push myself out of my comfort zone and past my limits. I need to hit harder. Move faster. Kick higher. Be greater. Although martial arts it not a team sport, my karate friends and I treat each other as a family. The dojo is my home.

Yet, when my instructor suggested that I teach children's classes, I shied from the concept. Working as a teenage girl without a black belt, persuading children to perceive me as an authority figure proved to be quite challenging. With every class, however, my confidence increased as I realized that my school's principles validated that I deserve respect. Now, I teach entire classes by myself.

Overall, karate has showed me that I have value. I have no need to play a passive role in my life and simply allow things to happen to me. Instead, I fight back.

Good start .... interesting : )


Awesome !


Although martial arts is not a team sport, I found my second family at the dojo and it is such an amazing experience of brotherhood.


I shuddered at the thought.

I'm sorry, but what is a dojo?
Would the admins know what it is...?

I thought it was common knowledge that "dojo" is a karate school...BUT, if not, I'll change it so it will be clearer. Thanks so much, both of you!

Well.... dojo is in usage and I knew about it. and ivyleague gives the correct definition for "dojo" ....However, I guess your admission committee too would know : )

And also I believe it is better to keep the word in your answer rather than removing it.


Why do you mention "school's principles" as the validation?
Isn't it your hard work and commitment deserve the respect you earned?