I’m planing to transfer to Southern Methodist University to get my Bachelor Degree in Computer Science.
They require a statement of purpose for scholarships. Can you all give some feedbacks about my essay?
The statement of purpose will provide an opportunity to explain any extenuating circumstances that you feel could add value to your application. You may also want to explain unique aspects of your academic background or valued experiences you may have had that relate to your academic discipline. The statement of purpose is not meant to be a listing of accomplishments in high school or a record of your participation in school-related activities. Rather, this is your opportunity to address the admissions committee directly and to let us know more about you as an individual, in a manner that your transcripts and other application information cannot convey.
“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer,” a quote from my favorite scientist of all time, Albert Einstein, really inspires me what to expect from a successful person. Indeed, giving up even before facing problems just makes us stamp at the same place while others who are confronting the problems will grab a chance to move forward. In my opinion, intelligence does not define how far I can go, but my persistence of solving problems will bring me valuable experiences that can never be learned unless I try to work on them. Even though there may not be any solutions, I believe that what I earn from the progress of working continuously can bring me what cannot be earned just by thinking with no actions. I have been carrying out this quality as my life’s lodestar that helps me develop as a full academic achiever.
Indeed, I am able to survive through many hard subjects because of the spirit of “never give up.” My classmates from my mathematics, physics, and chemistry class asked me how I could be so good in those subjects and often praised me of being smart. Maho who is the specialist from TRIO, where I am working as a math tutor, said that I was “exceptional in math.” They thought that it was rare for a girl to perform well in math and science. I calmly said that in my case, it was more about practicing problems and working nonstop than being smart. I believe that the more I practice, the deeper the problems carve in my head since rote memorization will not work. I can spend three or four hours working on one problem until I can solve it or find the shortest way to do it. Professor Lott, my math instructor, once admitted that my way was more creative and well developed than other ways. His encouragement is the proof of the effectiveness of my hard working and persistence. Others told me that I was spending too much time for one problem. However, because I am obsessed with math, I feel like enjoying doing it. I can never forget the feeling of achievement and thrill when I successfully solve a problem after three hours struggling. To me, math is about patience and discover; when we seize the meaning of these two elements, we can do very in math.
Moreover, in Fall 2014, I volunteered as an interviewer at Network of Community Ministries, a non-profit organization that provides the needy with food, clothes, and financial assistance. During the first four weeks, they only let me observe the interviews. It was so boring because they showed me what I already gained in the first two weeks. Even though I did not have a chance to contact directly to clients, I did not give up because I knew that giving up meant losing everything I had been built. After finishing about twenty hours, my coordinator, Mrs. Betsy, asked if I wanted to continue volunteering there, my answer was an absolute yes. I realized that they thought I was not serious with this volunteering because a lot of previous volunteers from many colleges had been playing on their phones all the time or stopped volunteering after having enough required hours. When my persistence proved my earnest, she seriously trained me and let me interview clients. This experience completely consolidates my belief in perseverance. If I had quit before my coordinator actually gave me a chance, I would have lost a meaningful place to volunteer. If I had quit, I would not be a part of a wonderful interviewing team. If I quit, I had lost to Mrs. Betsy’s test. If I quit, I have lost to myself.
Being a mentor for Academic and Civic Engagement (ACE) program really is a test of my persistence. All ACE members are divided into groups of ten with mentors guiding and organizing meetings. My responsibilities are to set up events that help students be engaged in college and to make sure the meetings go smooth. Unfortunately, some members in my group were high school students who seemed to be out of topic many times and appeared to be less serious than others. No matter what I tried to say, they still secretly did their own works. There were many times I quit trying to convince them and let them do what they want. However, if I did not talk to them, the situation might be worse when they did not respect me anymore. I was thinking of how to make them pay attention and find interest in our activities. The next meeting, I told them that I had to film the whole meeting and submitted it to the coordinator so that he would know about groups’ situation. If there were anyone who showed to be unserious, he would gladly kick them out. The kids received the alert and proved to be an active member in front of the camera since the ACE certificate will help them a lot in their scholarship’s applications. I let them think like that for the next two meetings, and then I stopped filming. The situation did change since they were more open with each other. I believe that using this way can create connection between members, and they would find the effectiveness of group discussions and all the activities that I set up. I later also reminded them that as a mentor, I had the right to influence their staying or leaving, but I did not want that to happen. If I just plainly told them my power being a mentor, they would only get scared but find no interest in interacting with each other. Even though they were being forced to know each other, they got closer in many ways. And I saw that in the next meeting, they were more comfortable in chatting with each other about their classes, their professors, or their lives. I was so thrilled that my little evil plan worked in a good way. I could not imagine that if I lost my patience and did not interfere to solve the problem, my group would turn out to be really bad.