"It seems to me incumbent upon this and other schools' graduates to recognize their responsibility to the public interest... unless the graduates of this college... are willing to put back into our society those talents, the broad sympathy, the understanding, the compassion... then obviously the presuppositions upon which our democracy are based are bound to be fallible."
John F. Kennedy, at the ground breaking for the Amherst College Frost Library, October 26, 1963
The weight of societal responsibility has been driven into each of our individual characters; whether we like it or not, it's a responsibility that we will all eventually have to answer to. However, there's a keen difference between merely recognizing the truth in Kennedy's words and being able to actually put his ideas into motion; as eager as I am to start doing good for this world, I have to admit that, at this stage of my life, I simply don't have what it takes - maturity, experience and education included - to substantially better my society.
What I do have, in great abundance no less, is a vision of what I want to make of my abilities and interests. For these past four years, almost every single endeavor I've undertaken has been in an attempt to further my understanding of public policy, law, political science and government. My participation in organizations like Model United Nations and Policy Debate has rewarded me with insight into the mechanics of international affairs and domestic political reform; through Mock Trial and Moot Court, I am capable of perceiving the inherent worth of jurisprudence and legal forensics. All of these extracurricular achievements are rounded-out by the knowledge I've accumulated in my Government and History classes, along with my self-studying of economics.
I've long-since realized that law and politics is the environment most conducive to my talents, and that I may one day channel these talents into resolving societal issues. Nevertheless, I also understand that being purpose-driven does not equate to readiness in pursuing such grandiose aspirations; I look to Amherst because I see that an education here will create the foundation I need to enter into politics and law, the areas that I have the greatest capacity in giving back to our world.
Urgent help needed.
John F. Kennedy, at the ground breaking for the Amherst College Frost Library, October 26, 1963
The weight of societal responsibility has been driven into each of our individual characters; whether we like it or not, it's a responsibility that we will all eventually have to answer to. However, there's a keen difference between merely recognizing the truth in Kennedy's words and being able to actually put his ideas into motion; as eager as I am to start doing good for this world, I have to admit that, at this stage of my life, I simply don't have what it takes - maturity, experience and education included - to substantially better my society.
What I do have, in great abundance no less, is a vision of what I want to make of my abilities and interests. For these past four years, almost every single endeavor I've undertaken has been in an attempt to further my understanding of public policy, law, political science and government. My participation in organizations like Model United Nations and Policy Debate has rewarded me with insight into the mechanics of international affairs and domestic political reform; through Mock Trial and Moot Court, I am capable of perceiving the inherent worth of jurisprudence and legal forensics. All of these extracurricular achievements are rounded-out by the knowledge I've accumulated in my Government and History classes, along with my self-studying of economics.
I've long-since realized that law and politics is the environment most conducive to my talents, and that I may one day channel these talents into resolving societal issues. Nevertheless, I also understand that being purpose-driven does not equate to readiness in pursuing such grandiose aspirations; I look to Amherst because I see that an education here will create the foundation I need to enter into politics and law, the areas that I have the greatest capacity in giving back to our world.
Urgent help needed.
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