I already have the grades and ACT scores to get in, so I'm just wondering if you guys think this could land me a scholarship or if it's just too immature or cliche.
I live in the essence of suburbia: family friendly subdivisions filled with cookie cutter Mcmansions stretched out over a flat expanse that is nearly indistinguishable from the surrounding sprawl. There are SUVs in every driveway, and generic strip malls at every intersection. My surroundings serve as a reminder that most people would describe Macomb Township as unassuming at best. Nevertheless, if someone was to take a closer look at my home environment, he or she would discover that being exposed to cultural diversity while living in the midst of conformity can result in an open-minded teenager whose teenage self-consciousness masks a deep rooted desire to stand out.
As a result of my mom's Filipino heritage, I've been exposed to many aspects of the Filipino way of life such as unique food, customs, and ideas. However, I'll admit that I was not always as tolerant as I am today. When I was younger, I would have liked nothing more than to be like everyone else. It was "weird" when my mom spoke Tagalog, and I wondered why no one else had to deal with this kind of embarrassment. Over time though, I realized that my background is something unique that I can call my own, and I began to see it as less of a burden and more of an identity. After all, it is nice to be able to have tortas with rice once in a while as an alternative to pizza. I began to like the idea of having a genuinely unique identity. My upbringing has turned me into a more understanding person, and it has allowed me to realize that there isn't only one correct way of life.
This open-mindedness in combination with a pretty cushy life in Metro Detroit motivates me to seek out knowledge of the unknown. I constantly try to expand my knowledge of worldly issues. I sometimes find myself reading National Geographic magazines or watching the travel channel because a culture that I lack any understanding of has captured my interest.
Due to my open-minded curiosity of what life is like outside the bubble of Macomb Township, my plans for the future are not limited to living life from a narrow perspective among SUVs and strip malls. Through knowledge and experience, I hope to expand my view of the world.
I live in the essence of suburbia: family friendly subdivisions filled with cookie cutter Mcmansions stretched out over a flat expanse that is nearly indistinguishable from the surrounding sprawl. There are SUVs in every driveway, and generic strip malls at every intersection. My surroundings serve as a reminder that most people would describe Macomb Township as unassuming at best. Nevertheless, if someone was to take a closer look at my home environment, he or she would discover that being exposed to cultural diversity while living in the midst of conformity can result in an open-minded teenager whose teenage self-consciousness masks a deep rooted desire to stand out.
As a result of my mom's Filipino heritage, I've been exposed to many aspects of the Filipino way of life such as unique food, customs, and ideas. However, I'll admit that I was not always as tolerant as I am today. When I was younger, I would have liked nothing more than to be like everyone else. It was "weird" when my mom spoke Tagalog, and I wondered why no one else had to deal with this kind of embarrassment. Over time though, I realized that my background is something unique that I can call my own, and I began to see it as less of a burden and more of an identity. After all, it is nice to be able to have tortas with rice once in a while as an alternative to pizza. I began to like the idea of having a genuinely unique identity. My upbringing has turned me into a more understanding person, and it has allowed me to realize that there isn't only one correct way of life.
This open-mindedness in combination with a pretty cushy life in Metro Detroit motivates me to seek out knowledge of the unknown. I constantly try to expand my knowledge of worldly issues. I sometimes find myself reading National Geographic magazines or watching the travel channel because a culture that I lack any understanding of has captured my interest.
Due to my open-minded curiosity of what life is like outside the bubble of Macomb Township, my plans for the future are not limited to living life from a narrow perspective among SUVs and strip malls. Through knowledge and experience, I hope to expand my view of the world.
