I'm terrible at returning messages. Advanced Placement Calculus isn't really my thing. And sometimes, when I think no one is watching, I drink straight out of the milk carton. I'm not afraid to admit my faults, so I'll be perfectly honest - the prospect of leaving my small town home to attend college in a big city scares the living daylights out of me. But at the same time, I am so incredibly excited to take advantage of all the world has to offer, and, just maybe, to take advantage of all Macalester College has to offer.
As an aspiring journalist, Mac wasn't high up on my top colleges list. It lacks a journalism major, I thought, so what good could come from going there? But my thoughts quickly changed after I accompanied a friend to Minnesota Private College Week and first set eyes on Macalester College. The campus was beautiful; there were trees and green grass and flowers, all of which took me back to my small town safe haven. I forgot I was steps away from the bustling Snelling Avenue and instead got the distinct impression that Mac was a safe place conducive to learning.
Following my spontaneous visit, I immediately got online to learn a little more about Macalester. The first thing that caught my eye was the term "multiculturalism", which sparked my interest right away. As I've said, my hometown of New Richmond, Wisconsin is populated by some 8,000 people, nearly all of which are white. Growing up, I lacked the opportunity to gain cultural understanding, and a school like Macalester offers me just that. With a student population that is twelve percent international, I would undoubtedly delight in the chance to bounce from person to person, eager to learn everything about their country, their culture, and why they chose America. Their unique perspectives and beliefs might even help me decide where to study abroad, which brings me to my next point.
The phrase "the world is your playground" has always struck a chord with me. Having traveled to Mexico, Guatemala, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland, I've acquired my own little taste of other cultures. But I am constantly hungry for more. I fully intend to study abroad, and Macalester's strong foreign program has proved to be one of its most attractive qualities. While I'd love to travel to Ireland, it's much more likely that I'll end up in a Spanish-speaking country. You see, I tend to have some pretty high aspirations, one of them being to double major in Spanish and, depending on my college decision, journalism or something of that nature. That's the beauty of Mac - I don't have to major in journalism to achieve success. I could double major in Spanish and political science, or international studies, or, if I really wanted to be boring, English. But no matter what my college major, Mac will equip me with the tools I need to go on to graduate school. And that, to me, is essential. I want my college of choice to leave me culturally enriched and prepared for further education.
So what would I offer Mac? I'll give it everything I've got. If it hasn't already been made obvious, I expect a lot of myself, and I put 110 percent into everything I do. At home I'm known as a pistol, a firecracker, the girl no one can quite keep up with. But I'm also an analytical thinker stimulated by intellectual conversation. In particular, I'd like to take advantage of Macalester's ethnic diversity and discuss the issue of prejudice with members of many races; perhaps together, we could begin to eliminate it.
I earlier promised my honesty, and I intend to be a woman of my word. While I've read and enjoyed countless classics, the Harry Potter series has always been my guilty pleasure. And so it only seems right to call upon the words of Albus Dumbledore to express my thoughts. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, he said, "Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open" (723). My heart is open, and my aim is identical to Mac's. Throughout my college career, I intend to stress the importance of diversity and use my knowledge and experience to give back to my community, whether it's through news reporting, language translating, or something entirely different. I might be scared, but I'm ready. And that's the truth.
You didn't write what was the prompt. But since I'm also applying to Mac, I assumed it was the "What factors have led you to consider Macalester College? Why do you believe it may be a good match, and what do you believe you can add to the Mac community, academically and personally?" essay.
I'm a foreigner and a beginner at writing those application essays, so I don't really have much experience in writing or giving opinions. But truth is that I found your essay to be too general. I'm still not really sure what you could offer the college. You have traveled around, you do hunger for different cultures...but who doesn't? I am brazilian, I have also traveled all around and I am willing to go to Macalester. What can YOU offer that I can't?
Maybe you should think up ONE specific story, perphaps one that happened to you while wou were traveling, that can truely convey who you are.
I would also consider leaving this out: "if I really wanted to be boring, English"
As an aspiring journalist, Mac wasn't------When you construct a sentence this way, the subject of the phrase that begins it is the one associated with the action that follows. Ha ha, I don't know how to explain what I mean, but it should be like this:
As an aspiring journalist, I did not place Mac very high on ...
It lacks a journalism major, I thought, I was under the impression that it lacked...
When you do this kind of thing, capitalize:
The phrase "The world is your playground" has ...
I expect a lot of myself, and I put 110 percent into everything I do.----this kind of claim does not help. Anyone can make a cliched claim. You should PROVE it by adding a few paragraphs to discuss your specific objectives and intentions, based on what is going on in the field of journalism, and what you intend to do with your career. Show that you are already learning about "journalistic integrity" and current events... prove that you are able to do solid work, that you are already knowledgeable about the field you are entering.
:-)
