In an essay of 300 words or less, tell us something about yourself that isn't covered elsewhere in this application, some interest or experience of yours that you think the University of Illinois should know about as part of the admissions review.
I didn't really know what to write for this essay, so one can tell that my thoughts are all over the place from reading it. The conclusion isn't strong either. Please give me feedback and help me out. Thanks
A year ago, my school friends and I visited a motherless Babies home called "Lions village motherless babies home" owned by the government.
Honestly, I was a little bit reluctant to go because in Nigeria where I live, most orphanages owned by the government are not well kept, the children are not well fed, and the environment in which they live in is not conducive at all. The only reason I ended up going was because my mother said to me "Sade, just go. After all, all your friends are going. All those children want is to be loved. I don't see why the state of the orphanage should stop you from showing love to those kids". After listening to what my mum said, I decided to visit the orphanage with my friends.
When my school bus arrived at Lions Village, the environment was as bad as I expected but nevertheless, it didn't bother me much. We were then led into the small bungalow to say hello to the orphans. There was one infant in particular who I seemed to take interest in. Her name was Funmi. Funmi was abandoned by her mum by the roadside after she was born because her mother didn't want her anymore. When I looked into Funmi's pearly eyes, I was filled with compassion, and I got a sudden shiver all over my body. I then began thinking to myself "how could someone be so cruel enough to abandon a child so delicate, and so divine next to a gutter? Why?". Looking into the eyes of this baby alone warmed my heart to the point of tearing up. This child was a gift, and Funmi or any of those children in there did not deserve to be where they were. They each had stories which gripped my heart and made me think deeply. Being there alone for these kids and just holding their hands meant everything to them.
This experience was an eye-opener because it made me grateful for the amazing parents I have, and made me realise how blessed and privileged I truly am because, It's funny how, as I got involved in knowing these children, the unconducive environment they were in, or the state of the orphanage did not even come across my mind, neither did it bother me. It wasn't even my main focus anymore.
I didn't really know what to write for this essay, so one can tell that my thoughts are all over the place from reading it. The conclusion isn't strong either. Please give me feedback and help me out. Thanks
A year ago, my school friends and I visited a motherless Babies home called "Lions village motherless babies home" owned by the government.
Honestly, I was a little bit reluctant to go because in Nigeria where I live, most orphanages owned by the government are not well kept, the children are not well fed, and the environment in which they live in is not conducive at all. The only reason I ended up going was because my mother said to me "Sade, just go. After all, all your friends are going. All those children want is to be loved. I don't see why the state of the orphanage should stop you from showing love to those kids". After listening to what my mum said, I decided to visit the orphanage with my friends.
When my school bus arrived at Lions Village, the environment was as bad as I expected but nevertheless, it didn't bother me much. We were then led into the small bungalow to say hello to the orphans. There was one infant in particular who I seemed to take interest in. Her name was Funmi. Funmi was abandoned by her mum by the roadside after she was born because her mother didn't want her anymore. When I looked into Funmi's pearly eyes, I was filled with compassion, and I got a sudden shiver all over my body. I then began thinking to myself "how could someone be so cruel enough to abandon a child so delicate, and so divine next to a gutter? Why?". Looking into the eyes of this baby alone warmed my heart to the point of tearing up. This child was a gift, and Funmi or any of those children in there did not deserve to be where they were. They each had stories which gripped my heart and made me think deeply. Being there alone for these kids and just holding their hands meant everything to them.
This experience was an eye-opener because it made me grateful for the amazing parents I have, and made me realise how blessed and privileged I truly am because, It's funny how, as I got involved in knowing these children, the unconducive environment they were in, or the state of the orphanage did not even come across my mind, neither did it bother me. It wasn't even my main focus anymore.