Describe a setback or ethical dilemma that you have faced. How did you resolve it? How did the outcome affect you? Most importantly, what did you learn about yourself and how would you handle a similar situation in the future? (400 to 500 words, 3000 characters max)
When I was in middle school, I did not know who I was or who I wanted to be. This caused a great deal of trouble in my life. I started to hang around the kids that I thought were "cool". In other words, I begun to associate with the troublemakers due to my necessity to conform and become a part of something. Unfortunately, I chose the wrong group. I remember one day a friend of mine at the time brought alcohol to school and told me about how cool it was and that it was what all the high school kids were doing. I went against my gut at the time and of course agreed with him. All night I remember thinking to myself, "what am I doing, I am going down the wrong path, I need to do something." The following week, I sat in one of my morning classes and was called down to the counseling office. My counselor sat me down and was very honest with me, "Jared, I need you to tell me what your friend brought to school yesterday, and what you know about it." I sat there for 30 minutes denying it all, telling my counselor that I knew nothing. He then left the room and left me to sit there for around 10 minutes. I sat in the room alone with my thoughts. All I remember was the knot in my stomach growing stronger and my subconscious telling me this was wrong. My counselor then came back in the room with a piece of paper and pen and asked me to write down what I had said earlier for school record. It was at that moment that I decided to do the right thing. I told him about the alcohol and how he had brought it again today. I knew this was not only for my benefit but also for my fellow classmates and even my friend himself. I was tested that day, and I feel as though I passed. I learned that day to trust my gut and morals regardless of the circumstances. I learned that I am an honest person, someone who has no hidden agendas. This lesson frequents my mind today. Every few days or so I ponder what would've happened had I continued on the path I was on. Although I was just a young boy, I learned a lesson that is timeless. Always, and I mean always do the right thing. This lesson will stick with me until the end of my life. It applies to every decision I make.
When I was in middle school, I did not know who I was or who I wanted to be. This caused a great deal of trouble in my life. I started to hang around the kids that I thought were "cool". In other words, I begun to associate with the troublemakers due to my necessity to conform and become a part of something. Unfortunately, I chose the wrong group. I remember one day a friend of mine at the time brought alcohol to school and told me about how cool it was and that it was what all the high school kids were doing. I went against my gut at the time and of course agreed with him. All night I remember thinking to myself, "what am I doing, I am going down the wrong path, I need to do something." The following week, I sat in one of my morning classes and was called down to the counseling office. My counselor sat me down and was very honest with me, "Jared, I need you to tell me what your friend brought to school yesterday, and what you know about it." I sat there for 30 minutes denying it all, telling my counselor that I knew nothing. He then left the room and left me to sit there for around 10 minutes. I sat in the room alone with my thoughts. All I remember was the knot in my stomach growing stronger and my subconscious telling me this was wrong. My counselor then came back in the room with a piece of paper and pen and asked me to write down what I had said earlier for school record. It was at that moment that I decided to do the right thing. I told him about the alcohol and how he had brought it again today. I knew this was not only for my benefit but also for my fellow classmates and even my friend himself. I was tested that day, and I feel as though I passed. I learned that day to trust my gut and morals regardless of the circumstances. I learned that I am an honest person, someone who has no hidden agendas. This lesson frequents my mind today. Every few days or so I ponder what would've happened had I continued on the path I was on. Although I was just a young boy, I learned a lesson that is timeless. Always, and I mean always do the right thing. This lesson will stick with me until the end of my life. It applies to every decision I make.
