I honestly am quite in love with Disney cartoons so I decided to try my luck and base my admission essay about it. I'm hoping to use this for Common Apps, under Question 4 (Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work [as in art, music, science, etc.] that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence) or under Question 6 (Topic of my choice) However, I started having writer's block halfway.
Nonetheless, here are my first 2 paragraphs which I feel are quite OK by my standards.
'It started with a mouse' -- not only for Walt Disney but for me as well. I grew up in the world of Disney animated features, where I would watch Mickey and his friends grapple with quirky predicaments onscreen with accompanying catchy jingles. I gradually fell in love with the Disney world, the magical domain where I was safe in the knowledge that endings would always be happy-ever-after.
Of course, I wasn't disillusioned for long. As I grew up and became more aware of the harsh circumstances of reality, I began to realize that the magical world of Disney was an idealistic and even absurd portrayal of the world. Animals do not talk and people are unable to fly no matter the amount of pixie dust (or talcum powder, that I tried). With maturity, I learnt about poverty, hunger, disaster and corruption. The happy-ever-after that I had assumed applied to everyone did not seem so definite to me anymore.
Yet, I was far too reluctant to give up on all the hopes that Disney films had imbued in me. Perhaps wishing upon a star would not always come true, but surely 'Anything your heart desires/Will come to you' with hard work. Slowly, I realized that Disney films offered more than just misleading depictions of the world but rather, underneath the magical fantasy packaging, they were reminders of the goodness in the world. Using Dewitt Jones' maxim, Disney was 'celebrating what's right with the world'. This understanding has influenced my general mentality, not to passively bemoan the disappointing happenings in the world but to be optimistic and 'celebrate what's right with the world', moulding the cheerful disposition in me.
Eventually, I became more curious about the man who had built this empire of dreams which meant so much to me. I wanted to know more about his background, thoughts and personal beliefs. I began watching 'The-Making-Of' bonus features on my Disney DVDs and Youtube videos featuring Walt Disney. He was indeed like any ordinary man from humble origins, working on a farm and delivering newspapers. Neither was he a stranger to setbacks, with many failed studios before he finally struck success with Walt Disney Studios and Mickey Mouse. I would watch in awe at the way his colleagues would speak of him respectfully, praising his personal qualities and work ethics. I found that we shared several similarities - we were both competitive perfectionists who valued teamwork. These attributes, along with the other values that Disney characters taught me, such as perseverance, selflessness and courage to follow one's dreams, have shaped the character that I am today. From these videos, I also realized that it wasn't sufficient to sit back and appreciate the good facets of life. Like Walt Disney, I could not 'ignore' the unfortunate things in life but I had to actively create positive influences to be celebrated and to improve the world.
Walt Disney was 'realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter'. Similarly, I believe that I can reconcile my hopes with reality, not by being escapist and hiding in my own idealistic world of comfort. Instead, I hope to venture out in the world and meet different people, to learn and grow from others' experiences besides my own. Then, we can work together to make steps toward that idealistic world as best as we can. In the words of Walt Disney himself, "You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.'
Of course, I might never live to see a day in that 'perfect world', just like how Walt Disney never lived long enough to witness the opening of Disneyworld, the perfect world that he had dreamed of. But the idea of having made a significant step toward that Happy-Ever-After dream is encouraging enough. It'll be an uphill task, no doubt. However, as Walt Disney once said, 'It's kind of fun to do the impossible.'
This time, my focus is on the general flow of the essay as well as the vocabulary used. If there are better words that you think could better illustrate my ideas, please do suggest!
What do you all think? Will I appear too childish if I talk about Disney?
Nonetheless, here are my first 2 paragraphs which I feel are quite OK by my standards.
'It started with a mouse' -- not only for Walt Disney but for me as well. I grew up in the world of Disney animated features, where I would watch Mickey and his friends grapple with quirky predicaments onscreen with accompanying catchy jingles. I gradually fell in love with the Disney world, the magical domain where I was safe in the knowledge that endings would always be happy-ever-after.
Of course, I wasn't disillusioned for long. As I grew up and became more aware of the harsh circumstances of reality, I began to realize that the magical world of Disney was an idealistic and even absurd portrayal of the world. Animals do not talk and people are unable to fly no matter the amount of pixie dust (or talcum powder, that I tried). With maturity, I learnt about poverty, hunger, disaster and corruption. The happy-ever-after that I had assumed applied to everyone did not seem so definite to me anymore.
Yet, I was far too reluctant to give up on all the hopes that Disney films had imbued in me. Perhaps wishing upon a star would not always come true, but surely 'Anything your heart desires/Will come to you' with hard work. Slowly, I realized that Disney films offered more than just misleading depictions of the world but rather, underneath the magical fantasy packaging, they were reminders of the goodness in the world. Using Dewitt Jones' maxim, Disney was 'celebrating what's right with the world'. This understanding has influenced my general mentality, not to passively bemoan the disappointing happenings in the world but to be optimistic and 'celebrate what's right with the world', moulding the cheerful disposition in me.
Eventually, I became more curious about the man who had built this empire of dreams which meant so much to me. I wanted to know more about his background, thoughts and personal beliefs. I began watching 'The-Making-Of' bonus features on my Disney DVDs and Youtube videos featuring Walt Disney. He was indeed like any ordinary man from humble origins, working on a farm and delivering newspapers. Neither was he a stranger to setbacks, with many failed studios before he finally struck success with Walt Disney Studios and Mickey Mouse. I would watch in awe at the way his colleagues would speak of him respectfully, praising his personal qualities and work ethics. I found that we shared several similarities - we were both competitive perfectionists who valued teamwork. These attributes, along with the other values that Disney characters taught me, such as perseverance, selflessness and courage to follow one's dreams, have shaped the character that I am today. From these videos, I also realized that it wasn't sufficient to sit back and appreciate the good facets of life. Like Walt Disney, I could not 'ignore' the unfortunate things in life but I had to actively create positive influences to be celebrated and to improve the world.
Walt Disney was 'realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter'. Similarly, I believe that I can reconcile my hopes with reality, not by being escapist and hiding in my own idealistic world of comfort. Instead, I hope to venture out in the world and meet different people, to learn and grow from others' experiences besides my own. Then, we can work together to make steps toward that idealistic world as best as we can. In the words of Walt Disney himself, "You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.'
Of course, I might never live to see a day in that 'perfect world', just like how Walt Disney never lived long enough to witness the opening of Disneyworld, the perfect world that he had dreamed of. But the idea of having made a significant step toward that Happy-Ever-After dream is encouraging enough. It'll be an uphill task, no doubt. However, as Walt Disney once said, 'It's kind of fun to do the impossible.'
This time, my focus is on the general flow of the essay as well as the vocabulary used. If there are better words that you think could better illustrate my ideas, please do suggest!
What do you all think? Will I appear too childish if I talk about Disney?
