Reflecting into My Life - Admission/Application Essay Example

Thinking about my life, I have realized that I am not just a reflection of the people and places I grew up with. This is the lesson I have learned after three years of study and graduation with my first degree then waiting on others to make things happen for me. After many unexpected challenges and already understanding the value of an excellent education and making good personal choices, I have decided to continue striving to achieve that which I have laid out for myself. The year was 1998. I recall it was my senior year as well as my last day in high school. The class was told to write a letter to ourselves visualizing where we would expect to be in the next ten years. The instructor told us that he was going to locate and mail those letters to us at end of the ten years. Previously, my goals were centered on my marital status and my career. I had hoped to advance academically by completing medical school, be a homeowner, a wife and a mother, and also be able to live at a certain standard in society. Instead, it has been ten years filled with unplanned events, some of which have been quite challenging. I now know that regardless of how much we plan, no one can be sure what or where he or she will be at any given time. Nevertheless, planning and setting short term as well as long term goals helps us to remain conscious of the fact that we cannot give up on ourselves. It may be necessary to make certain adjustments, yet the goals are established still to be achieved. As a result, success or failure is a choice. Regardless of the disappointments, visualizing along with hard work and tenacity makes the possibility of a better quality of life achievable. It is also important to have input in your choice of carrier goal rather than allow others to dominate or dictate what they want for you rather than what you want for yourself. Parents, family and friends are some of the major individuals who contribute to this type of dominating influence. After my high school gradation, I went to the University of Houston. The college classroom was an entirely different realm for me and an eye opener to other possibilities, but I wanted to please my parents. Beginning in high school, I had developed a love for science; therefore, in my early years as a college student, I declared myself as a biology major. At that time I never thought about what I really wanted for myself beyond going to college and choosing my major. Growing up in my family, being a doctor was all my parents wanted for me. I imagine that my love of science, especially biology, fitted in well with their idea of what they envisioned for me. Everyone had high hopes for me and expected me to succeed in that field. What I was doing was great for them. Over the years, though, it built up a great deal of pressure within me to fulfill their expectations. Because I was trying to please others, I was completely distraught. Their desire was so strong I felt emotionally abused; this was the last thing I needed, more pressure. I remembered my mother repeatedly stating that she always wanted to be a doctor and if she could do it all over again, medical school, no doubt, would have been her choice to fulfill her desire. My father also loved the idea of me becoming a doctor because for them, like most families, it seemed so prestigious. They wanted for me to be a doctor so much that they were already telling their friends that I was going to be a doctor. All through my grade school years, becoming a doctor seemed like the only thing that I could do and I just gave in to them. Many times, I wished I had a mentor to talk to me about other areas in life. I truly believe that because the career choice was made for me, college was particularly difficult. That did not deter me, though. I still maintained biology as my major. After all, I could not disappoint those who were expecting me to become what they wanted. I was barely half way through with my core courses when, to my surprise, I traveled home to Nigeria to discover that my parents had told everyone – friends, colleagues, and families – that I was a doctor. Imagine the shame I felt when people came to me for treatments. I remember one young girl with a tumor growing form her chin, she came to me and said, “your father told me to come and see you, that you will give me a medication.” I was shocked and felt disappointed for the child and at the same time, a feeling of remorse came over me. I wished I could’ve helped her or able to tell her what to do but all I could do was to look at my mother in disgust. I asked her what should I do, but there was no answer. After that experience, I still did not question whether I was doing this for the parents or for myself? As I returned to the states, I continued with my studies in biology, completing the work on my core curriculum. Two years into my studies, I transferred to University of Texas at San Antonio. Ordinarily, it wasnt a transfer I would have made, but I was at a breaking point. My decision to attend UTSA was heavily influenced by my need for change. I was experiencing an emotional roller coaster. I was becoming angry and somewhat frustrated with the demands placed on me. I was frightened. Houston was the only place I knew and my very identity was tied to it. I thought if I left, who would be there for me, who would give me the support I needed to continue in this arena of study? I was somewhat comfortable in my surroundings in Houston, it was my comfort zone, at least it gave me the ability of staying focused on my studies, those which my parents wanted for me rather than what I wanted for myself. But I had to do something, I had to go. As a result, I could hardly see the possibilities for the future that awaited me at UTSA. Upon my arrival in San Antonio, I declared social work as my new major. I chose social work because I love to interact with people. I love helping people in any way I can, giving counsel, if appropriate. I have always been the kind of person that loves to listen to others more than telling them what to do and I know that social work ties together all that I love. Unfortunately UTSA did not have a program in social work, the closest that they had was sociology. I was disappointed. I told my parents and they suggested nursing so I switched form biology to nursing (big difference -ah!). I took a year of prerequisite courses for nursing before I realized again I was doing it for my parents. I was so hurt, heartbroken; but more than that, I was confused, it seemed my life was messed up. I know for sure I didnt want to be a nurse, but what then? I decided to continue with my initial degree in biology. I finished all my core courses and went on to do my major courses. These major courses were somewhat challenging and I needed the support of family but I also realized that leaving Houston was the best thing that happened to me. If there is one common occurrence, which takes place for every person in the diverse student body at UTSA, it was that we all grew up much faster having to live away from home. I cannot say whether this speeding up of the maturing process might have benefited all, but definitely it had benefited me. Those whom I met along the way told me they admired me for the questions I often asked, the maturity and insight about life that I have. I love asking questions – how else would one learn? I was sure spending the next four years at UTSA would help me to distinguish myself as an individual. Though I wasnt interested in going to medical school, I was ready to graduate with a biology degree. My biggest fear was failing a class. I had to face my fear my senior year when I failed biochemistry. Though I walked with my class, I learned my degree was withheld. I felt disappointed that at the end of my educational journey, again here was another unscheduled bump in the road. I re-took the course during the summer and I failed again. I did not give up. I took a year off, worked to support myself and took the class again. It paid-off. In August of 2006 I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree from UTSA. With a degree in hand, I returned to Houston to work at odds jobs just to make ends meet. I continued to lend a helping hand whenever I could, most times without being paid. Over the course of time I have had various people confide in me and I graciously thank them for trusting me enough to do so. Hearing other people’s problems and viewing my own I have finally come to the realization that rather than clinging to regrets of academic choices, I need to take a chance on the future that includes a career path that it is rewarding to me. The previous ten years may not have turned out the way I planned; however, I am certain the next ten years will be much better. I am mentally and spiritually stronger as I am more mature in my thinking and better equipped to make decisions for myself. I have worked through obstacles and challenges in my personal and educational life and I know that there is nothing too impossible to obtain. Trials may come but there are always the right solutions that are available for every situation. Thus, with a restless spirit and a fierce eagerness to learn, I believe I would be a great asset to the social work program at UH which is what I want to accomplish. If accepted, I plan to pursue my education with a new kind of passion, one that becomes stronger for me every day – the passion for independence and stability in life and a never say die attitude. My passion will enable me to truly help others in a more meaningful way as a professional with personal experience in that field of studies. We can win at life’s unpredictable challenges and I am determined to prove it. Read More