"We know that diversity makes us a better university -- better for learning, for teaching, and for conducting research."
(U-M President Mary Sue Coleman)
Share an experience through which you have gained respect for intellectual, social, or cultural differences. Comment on how your personal experiences and achievements would contribute to the diversity of the University of Michigan. (world limit = 250 words...currently at 300)
Hypomelanosis of Ito sounds like a complex thing to a child, but to me, it has always just been the disease that my cousin has. Growing up, I noticed no differences between the two of us. We were inseparable, always playing together and always interested in the same boy bands and Barbie dolls. It wasn't till I was older that I realized the complexities of her disease, as well as how much more serious it could have been. Hypomelanosis of Ito causes unusual patterns of de-pigmented skin and one side of the body to be smaller than the other; severe cases can cause mental retardation and seizures. I knew that Sarah had to buy different size shoes and that her face was shaped slightly different than most, but still, it didn't seem to affect her much. She is an excellent ballet dancer, receives good grades, and has plenty of friends.
As I've gotten older, I know that Sarah's condition has caused her many hardships. Other people don't see her like I do; other people notice instantly that she is different. She has had to have jaw surgery; all of her teeth removed and replaced with dental implants; and facial construction surgery, which included adding cheekbone and chin implants. Despite all this, Sarah can do just as much as the next person. Just because someone may be different and have some ailments or disadvantages doesn't mean they don't have the same capabilities as an average person. People are not defined by their misfortunes.
Most often, people associate diversity with ethnic background or socioeconomic status, but diversity isn't contained to these definitions. Diversity can include things like an illness, in my cousin's case, but it provides the same example as the more common ideas of diversity, like race or class. I have learned to be accepting of others because I know someone personally that is seen as different and has some shortcomings. Every person is different from the next, but how different are we when it comes to potential? As different as people may be, we are all capable of the same things.
PLEASE HELP me edit this...any suggestions for improvement?? This is a very rough draft and I know that it doesn't completely answer some aspects of the prompt. My main dilemma was not being able to think of an actual experience - I haven't been exposed to much diversity directly (even though I want to be because I think it's so important - one of the reasons I'm attracted to U of M). I didn't actually interact with any of the people in Chicago directly...I just enjoy observing different people. I don't really include how I will be able to CONTRIBUTE to the diversity of U of M because I don't know how! I'm also very crunched for time. Thank you!
(U-M President Mary Sue Coleman)
Share an experience through which you have gained respect for intellectual, social, or cultural differences. Comment on how your personal experiences and achievements would contribute to the diversity of the University of Michigan. (world limit = 250 words...currently at 300)
Hypomelanosis of Ito sounds like a complex thing to a child, but to me, it has always just been the disease that my cousin has. Growing up, I noticed no differences between the two of us. We were inseparable, always playing together and always interested in the same boy bands and Barbie dolls. It wasn't till I was older that I realized the complexities of her disease, as well as how much more serious it could have been. Hypomelanosis of Ito causes unusual patterns of de-pigmented skin and one side of the body to be smaller than the other; severe cases can cause mental retardation and seizures. I knew that Sarah had to buy different size shoes and that her face was shaped slightly different than most, but still, it didn't seem to affect her much. She is an excellent ballet dancer, receives good grades, and has plenty of friends.
As I've gotten older, I know that Sarah's condition has caused her many hardships. Other people don't see her like I do; other people notice instantly that she is different. She has had to have jaw surgery; all of her teeth removed and replaced with dental implants; and facial construction surgery, which included adding cheekbone and chin implants. Despite all this, Sarah can do just as much as the next person. Just because someone may be different and have some ailments or disadvantages doesn't mean they don't have the same capabilities as an average person. People are not defined by their misfortunes.
Most often, people associate diversity with ethnic background or socioeconomic status, but diversity isn't contained to these definitions. Diversity can include things like an illness, in my cousin's case, but it provides the same example as the more common ideas of diversity, like race or class. I have learned to be accepting of others because I know someone personally that is seen as different and has some shortcomings. Every person is different from the next, but how different are we when it comes to potential? As different as people may be, we are all capable of the same things.
PLEASE HELP me edit this...any suggestions for improvement?? This is a very rough draft and I know that it doesn't completely answer some aspects of the prompt. My main dilemma was not being able to think of an actual experience - I haven't been exposed to much diversity directly (even though I want to be because I think it's so important - one of the reasons I'm attracted to U of M). I didn't actually interact with any of the people in Chicago directly...I just enjoy observing different people. I don't really include how I will be able to CONTRIBUTE to the diversity of U of M because I don't know how! I'm also very crunched for time. Thank you!