Short College Essay :)

In 250 words or less, please tell us about your chosen field of study for college/university. Why have you chosen this field? If you are undecided, please discuss a few of the fields of study are you are considering and why.

          As a child, I was very indecisive concerning what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I considered a myriad of careers, from being a teacher to entering the fashion industry.  Of the many professions that I had contemplated, I knew that I did not want to go into the medical field.  A girl who spent most of her childhood playing dress up and fantasizing about becoming a Disney princess, I knew that I wanted my future occupation to be something glamorous.  Nonetheless, this all changed on September 14, 2005, when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease.  Forced to spend the majority of my seventh grade year in the hospital, my life was anything but enchanting.  Despite cancer being the most challenging thing I’ve ever dealt with, much good came out of my struggle with it.  I learned to take any negative situation that I am placed in and make it into something positive.  I therefore discovered that just as my doctor had helped me to be cured of cancer, I want to spend my life helping others.  I am now positive that I want to study medicine and become a neonatologist in the future.  The main reason that I had once considered becoming a teacher was that I love children.  As a neonatologist, I will be able to care for young lives.  I can give them a second chance at life, just as I received.

~Kellie

UC Application :D

This is my UC essay for the second prompt. I was procrastinating till the last day to write it, so it probably doesn't sound great, but hope you guys enjoy it!

             Crying is an embarrassment, and it is worse when it happens in public. As a teenager with the habit of tearing up in difficult situations, I hated challenging myself or facing anything that people would consider abnormal. One of the problems was my English accent, which was a natural result of being an immigrant. Even though it was nothing to be ashamed of, it made me very self-conscious. As a result, my greatest fear became public speaking.

             Throughout four years of high school, I attempted to overcome this fear. Joining a Speech-and-Debate team was one of the choices, but the motivation eventually wore away and brought me back to the usual routine, avoiding challenges and ignoring chances of self-improvement. However, last summer, I impulsively chose to attend Mastering Leadership program sponsored by National Student Leadership Conference. Main reason, unfortunately, was because it was a one-week program; I did not expect more than tedious lectures and activities that would somehow make me feel accomplished.

                           Such assumption proved to be false, for it was far more demanding. Out of all the activities, self-assessment called “FEAR” made me feel uneasy the most. It was a time for attendees to share their fears within assigned groups. Clearly, the first word came into my mind was public speaking. The group advisor asked me to stand in front of the group members to demonstrate that it is really irrational to be afraid of talking in front of a crowd. Even though his idea was logical, I could not stand the pressure and broke into tears.

                           The experience was horrifying. It was extremely embarrassing to cry in front of people, especially when they were almost strangers. Even the advisor was confused and apologized for pushing me too hard; but I knew it was me who was too weak to bear the challenge. On the last day of the conference, the guest speaker Mr. Martin told us to discuss the changes brought upon us as a result of attending this event. People stood up and talked about themselves, sometimes crying, as well as the fears they have overcame. I was one of them, casually presenting myself to 83 conference attendees.

             After the program, I was not fearful of people anymore. I promised myself that I will not forget the challenges that I faced during the leadership camp, and that I will always attempt to stride out of the comfort zone. The program taught me that I could become a powerful leader as long as I remember how to welcome and face obstacles. Today, I still struggle, but I can proudly announce myself as an ambitious, but prudent, risk-taker.

-Chloe