How can I do this essay without arrogance?

1MX
Tue, 31 Jul 2007 23:29:41 +0000

I’ve sent off just about all my common apps and am planning an auxiliary essay for some of the schools that I am applying to.
This is the essay that I’m doing…
Although I have high test scores (ACT 35 and 5 SAT IIs 750+) I really don’t consider myself to be as smart as many kids I know. It all comes down to work ethic. So here is my idea…
My relative Harlow Curtice (GM CEO during the 50’s named TIME man of the year for increasing GM’s profits 10x during his leadership, controlled the first company to reach 1 billion in sales, and regarded by many as the true reason that USA catapulated from the Great Depression) Although I’m sure you have never even heard his name. MOST IMPORTANTLY, he credited his success to his reputation as the hardest working man in America.

My grandpa always told me since I was young that I had a little harlow in me; I want to use this idea, tell of my business with 125-150k in sales, my success in athletics, and my success academically and accredit to my work ethic rather than reliance on natural ability as well as my desire to bring the automotive industry back to the D (yes, the automotive industry is now basically in China.)

I am afraid this sounds too arrogant, which is far from my intention. How should I go about this?