<p>I applied very early (I’m the class of 2014, I applied to University of Pittsburgh Main 3 weeks ago to up my chances.)
I’m a volunteer, and I volunteer as a tutor for kids k-2nd (for 3 years now) and at a hospital on Pitt’s campus for my 4th year now.
My parents are both Syrian immigrants, and a few years ago, we went to Syria and we were going to the pool. I was getting ready and wore a shirt with the American flag on it. My grandfather begged me to change into something else, because there ‘are crazy people out there who don’t care if you’re a child’ and that hate Americans. I started crying, not purely because I’m patriotic and love my country, but because I couldn’t believe how evil and cold people could be,and how they could potentially harm me for being American.
I talked about how Syria was likea paradise for me. It was beautiful and so unlike America in every possible way, and I loved the people and culture. Then all of a sudden, Syria turned into a hell.
I use to play with my cousin out in the streets, he was my age. He passed away 2 years ago. My mom checks the news everyday, and says no news is good news. My family goes without running water and electricty for days, fearing to leave their home.
My mom has become a pessimist because of this. How could she not? However, I realized through this year alone, how there IS good in the world. My physics teacher caught me crying one day after I had hit rock bottom in her class, when I finished the first semester with a D and told me ‘You BELONG in this class, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise." She helped me and helped me till I earned that A. Or how my AP US History teacher gave me extra recscources so I had extra insight to what we were learning after I asked him what I could do to succeed.
I saw that good people exist. I talk about how thats’ the reason I volunteer. Even if it’s just giving lunches to chemo patients or helping a 2nd grader earn an A on a test, I want to be the good in the world,</p>
<p>It was the subject I was most passionate about, and I am Syrian at heart, and could not go without mentioning Syria in my essay. Is it a strong topic?? Thanks!</p>
<p>My Personal view</p>
<p>An essay topic is strong if it says something about you that would not come through elsewhere in the application and the schools are not seeing the same essay 50 times in the same day.</p>
<p>Based in this standard, I see several strong essay topics in what you’ve written.</p>
<p>If being Syrian is a fundamental part of who you are, by all means write about it. In today’s world, unfortunately, and unfairly, it’s possible that this would be a negative at some school, but would you really be comfortable at such a school?</p>
<p>I agree. I wouldn’t want any association with a school that didn’t accept diversity. Luckily, the University of Pittsburgh commends diversity and wants it on their campus! Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>Holy guacamole… It seems like you are my long lost twin haha o.O
Both of my parents were from Syria. They both attended the University of Damascus. My father was actually in the same graduating class as the current “president.” That is exactly how my mother is like too. We used to visit every summer but stopped after the war broke out. My uncle was shot (as a civilian) trying to get into his car. It really devastated me. We skype my grandparents every day and they are so optimistic despite their lack of electricity and water. Do you speak Arabic? It’s nice to know that there are other Syrian-Americans in the same boat with you, not that i would wish this kind of thing on anybody… One question I was always confused about, on the race question, are we supposed to put White or asian or what? Sorry i didn’t really answer your question. I was just so astounded to hearing about personal experiences so like my own.</p>
<p>Holy guacamole… It seems like you are my long lost twin haha o.O
Both of my parents were from Syria. They both attended the University of Damascus. My father was actually in the same graduating class as the current “president.” That is exactly how my mother is like too. We used to visit every summer but stopped after the war broke out. My uncle was shot (as a civilian) trying to get into his car. It really devastated me. We skype my grandparents every day and they are so optimistic despite their lack of electricity and water. Do you speak Arabic? It’s nice to know that there are other Syrian-Americans in the same boat with you, not that i would wish this kind of thing on anybody… One question I was always confused about, on the race question, are we supposed to put White or asian or what? Sorry i didn’t really answer your question. I was just so astounded to hearing about personal experiences so like my own.</p>
<p>Hi, SmartMcSmart! </p>
<p>Yeah, I do speak Arabic! And I always put white…mostly because I look more European than I do Arab! haha I hope I quoted you correctly in my reply, if not, I apologize. </p>
<p>My mother has had more trauma than my father, who is from a town near Sofita (near Tartus). She’s had a cousin kidnapped, one shot and killed, and my uncle’s apartment building was bombed (thank God him and his family weren’t there.)
It’s really an odd expirience, being here and so safe, mean while, your entire family is in a war zone.</p>