Disadvantage/Economic Hardship Addendum - Admission/Application Essay Example

 Everyone has a dream. Some people strive hard to make them come true, while others lose hope and settle with whatever they have. Being a part of the UCLA Law program has been my ultimate dream. And I want to share with you the struggle and hardships I have experienced in order to get close to this dream. Getting into the UCLA Law program is not just a goal that I want to achieve, but it is also the honor I want to acknowledge after being accepted into such a prestigious law school. Over the years, I have seen my friends, colleagues and cousins, being admitted to the UCLA Law program, and walking out as excellent lawyers, and being offered jobs at notable firms. Considering this, I have always been drawn towards the UCLA Law program. But passing the UCLA Law library, a countless times, and always imagining myself as that law student leaving the library, tired and distressed over his upcoming finals; I knew that there was more to it. Even applying for the law program became a challenging task, as I was confronted from all sides. People around me claimed that I would not get accepted, as I would never qualify. Clearly, they could not understand my passion. To them I was just another law student trying his luck over a highly-esteemed law school. They proved to be a significant hindrance in my path; but getting discouraged by them meant giving up my dream and letting them get the best of me. This was something I just could not afford. And as Winston Churchill also states, ‘A man does what he must - in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures - and that is the basis of all human morality.’ I had tried hard throughout my life, and I could not give in to these obstacles. Thus, I became determined to perform well in school and on my LSAT, and dismiss all the skepticism, my friends held against me. It was then I thought of a superb idea: I would spend the next six months studying on the UCLA campus, specifically the law school. Every day I would pick up my bags and leave the valley and drive all the way to Westwood to study in the beautiful UCLA Law School courtyard. I believed that my surroundings would be a continuous source of inspiration, and help me to focus more on my objective. Studying at the UCLA library was one of the best choices I have made. The continuous sight of students, working hard for their own exams, motivated me and I pushed myself harder than ever. My daily study hours increased from three or four to almost seven. And I could tell that I was working extremely hard, as my LSAT score kept on rising every week. Although I had still not reached the UCLA Admission median, I was certain that my struggle would pay off eventually. Being both, a disadvantaged student and one whose mother tongue is not English, I was working diligently, and taking all the encouragement I could get. Isaac Radnia, one of my friends and mentors, has been an immense source of inspiration. He works at the esteemed Law firm, Burg and Brock, and he gave me an opportunity to visit his office and examine his lifestyle and work. I also found out that a couple of years back, he was in the same position as mine, and he advised me to ignore the discouragement of people, and only concentrate on my goal. Although bringing a suitable LSAT score was my primary objective, there were other important obligations I had to attend. Being the eldest child brought many responsibilities. I had to assist my parents and siblings in all kind of chores. From paying phone bills to attending my sibling’s parent-teacher conference, I had to do it all. As my father is busy at work all day, it naturally becomes my job to accompany my mother to the parent-teacher meetings, and urge my siblings to do well at school. Keeping check on their work and emailing their teachers to learn about their performance is a part of my duties, as my father has no time to focus on such things. Above all, my father’s heart condition is a constant source of anxiety for the whole family. His recent heart attack came as an emotional blow, and I am still trying to recover from it. It affected my studies and was not able to concentrate for a while. I am also required to help with the rent and attend to my father’s medical insurance paper work for his heart’s condition. Nevertheless, I have tried to remain tough and help my family get through this challenging period, while studying for the LSAT at the same time. Unfortunately, due to the weakened financial situation, I was unable to afford a LSAT tutor or take a LSAT course. My father contributed two hundred dollars for my LSAT tuition, but that was not enough. Together with the money I made on my own, by homeschooling a mentally unstable child and teaching basketball as a high school basketball coach, I bought the basic materials I needed to teach myself the LSAT. I consider this as a great achievement that I was able to learn the LSAT on my own, without making use of the conveniences available to other students. I have always dreamt of wearing a UCLA Law T-shirt. Whenever I spot someone wearing this T-shirt, nothing else seems so desirable than being accepted at the UCLA Law program, and buying one of those shirts. I do realize that my LSAT score doesn’t meet the program’s requirement, but I think my excellent grades and abilities cover up for it. The fact that I have become independent since the age of twelve, and have developed the strength to face difficulties at a daily basis, makes me stand out of the crowd. Not many students can carry out parental responsibilities and face a different complication every day, and still end up with a 4.0 GPA. I have worked extremely hard to get where I am today, and I hope a low LSAT score does not shatter my dream of becoming a part of the prestigious UCLA Law program. Other than the LSAT score, I meet all the necessary requirements and perhaps even more. I bring a sense of leadership and obligation both at home and in my community. Taking care of four siblings and helping my parents out with almost all their problems, has given me ample confidence which will allow me to perform well at law school and beyond. Living a life full of economic hardships and having educational success hand in hand, is not what many students offer. Furthermore, my stunning resume speaks for itself. While achieving 1 of 4 spots in a marketing internship for a company that boasts to have revenue of twenty million dollars in 2012, I coached physical education at a high school and home schooled a student at the same time. During the summer, I worked as a Legal assistant, experiencing the work of a lawyer and the hardships he faces every day. I consider myself to be a person that can bring a new way of thinking in class. A way of thinking that only a person from my position can offer. And ultimately these obstacles and experiences that I overcame as a student can act as an example to my future clients who need that sense of belonging, to know that someone understands their problem. This unique, out of the box thinking can be a huge asset to a law school and its students, who have not been yet exposed to the adversities of life. Through my hard work, motivation and devotion, I have shown my commitment to this law program. According to Walt Disney, ‘All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.’ Getting into the UCLA Law program is my dream and I have overcome every hurdle life has thrown at me, and have struggled extremely hard to get where I am today. Now the decision lies in your hands. I hope that I have proved myself capable enough of attending the UCLA Law program. Some students strive to be somewhere and others settle. UCLA is not a school to settle on but a school to be honored to attend. Please give me that honor. Read More