<p>sorry I forgot to mention I am specifically talking about UCSD</p>
<p>Look at post#2278 of this thread for UCSD.</p>
<h1>2235 and 2237 for UCSB.</h1>
<p>Is anyone else besides me waiting until next year if Cal and UCLA don’t work out?</p>
<p>i hope not. :(</p>
<p>i thought about waiting until next year until i realized i am old … then i got sad, and then i felt like a looser, and then … ohh wait its now</p>
<p>i know this thread isnt for this, but since its so long that it doesnt really matter what i put in here, do you guys think i have a chance at Cal with this essay</p>
<p>my gpa is only 3.48, major is ECON no Ecs at all, just work. </p>
<p>this is my essay, and in theory i hope i get in because of it even though i belive it sucks big hairy balls, but some people tell me its good. </p>
<p>i just want to know if u guys think i should even consider CAL. </p>
<p>Question 1: What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the field developed and describe any experience you have had in the field - such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities - and what you have gained from your involvement
I never favored art or the written word; I have always enjoyed what I understood: mathematics. As my education progressed, the level of difficulty in my math courses increased, thus creating math that was more scientific in nature rather than simply computational. Economics was the first college course I found enjoyable. The subjects ability to blend mathematics and a social science sparked an illuminating light within me. I felt this subject was created specifically for me; it involved advanced mathematics and in the same breath explained monetary relations, job markets, and other financial phenomena which I yearned to understand.
At eighteen I joined a fortune 500 company. Though my position was medial to begin with, I was able to utilize my math skills to catapult myself into a better position in six months. Working in insurance allowed for many opportunities to create and analyze various mathematical data. As time progressed I realized that though I had an interest in the business aspect of the company, I was more intrigued by why a business ran a certain way and how the world and national economy dictated a companys movement. Through my work and classroom experience I was able to realize my interest in economics. </p>
<p>Question 2: Tell us about a talent, experience, contribution or personal
quality you will bring to the University of California.
I remember the bright lights of the New York City as my mom carried me
across the John F. Kennedy terminal. I was only 6 when my life changed
forever by our immigration to the USA. The sixteen hour flight from Russia
was easy to survive for a six year old who slept most of the way. When we
finally arrived in San Diego, and were finished with the immigration
process, our aunt took us to a local grocery store. The memories of this
simple shop etched into my mind forever. Everything in there seemed bigger,
brighter and more beautiful than I have ever imagined. My grandfather cried
when we entered the store as he has never seen so much food readily
available to the public. I felt the changes taking place when I received my
first quarter to place in the gumball machines by the supermarket entrance.
This was definitely a different type of life to which I grew accustomed. I
embraced America openly, even though at home my family struggled with this
new life. Being of a young age I had many advantages as I was at the same
educational level as my peers. English came naturally to me and enabled me
to assimilate myself with the culture quickly. My mother promoted my Russian
heritage at home with extensive studies in the language, which proved useful
as I got older. I grew up attempting to embrace my Russian heritage while
accepting true American ways. Nearly a decade after living the American life
I came to terms with the fact that I will always be more American than
Russian. As our family finances improved, my mom managed to talk me into
taking a trip back to Russia with her. I was hesitant at first as I felt I
had no reason to go there, but out of respect for my mother I found myself
again on a sixteen hour flight that would change my life.
Even though we are from Moscow my mother opted to show me St. Petersburg due to its rich heritage and history. St. Petersburgs natural beauty
was simple, unchanged and embraced by even the most cynical visitor like
myself. Each building was filled with history. Each cathedral made a
believer out of anyone who was lucky enough to see its beauty. St.
Petersburg was unlike any city I saw in America; the people diversified the
lush architectural landscape. I welcomed the change this city brought within
me. Embracing St. Petersburg as openly as I embraced America when I was six,
I became in touch with my family’s past. I finally understood the struggles
my mother faced and respected her for them. I met old family acquaintances
that showed me the true Russia that was unaffected by the western culture
allowing me to have a more objective opinion. Much of the visit was a simple
glimpse in time long gone as I learned about Russias past and my families
endurances.
As I was flying over Russia on my way home, I reflected on what I have
seen, becoming more aware of myself as neither Russian nor truly American.
I view myself as American first because I grew up here and I know this
culture better. However, what compels me to succeed are the struggles my
mother overcame to provide this life for me. Ultimately she defined my
personality more than any one country can.
My diversity offers people the opportunity to not only know me but to
obtain a glimpse into a culturally rich individual with abilities to pick the
best decision out of two cultures.</p>
<p>Question 3: Is there anything you would like us to know about you or your academic record that you have not had the opportunity to describe elsewhere in this application?
My true inspiration to pursue my education came to me a few years after I went to college. Primarily bored with high school I opted to take the California High School Proficiency exam at sixteen and leave high school early. I enjoyed the freedom I received as I obtained my drivers license and went to college. Originally I planned on finishing community college quickly but I enjoyed the new found freedom available to me and pursued my job and social life more actively than my studies. As I was dabbling in schoolwork and working my family life took a new turn as my mother was diagnosed with cancer. My family priorities lead me to pursue my career more actively, thus putting school on the back burner again. As my mother battled her cancer I held a strong position in the household providing the majority of financial support. While gaining invaluable experience at work I also began to feel that having no degree created a job ceiling I was not ready to accept. With new found motivation and strength from my mother I managed both a full time job and course load until we reached a more amiable financial situation as a family, thus allowing me to change to a part time job and pursue my education.</p>
<p>I know what you mean; If I wait until next year, I 'll be 22 by the time I actually transfer. That’s pretty old. For me, at least, getting into Cal would be worth waiting another year.</p>
<p>i will be 22 this summer, plus i kind of want to get married and have kids before i am 25, (i am a female) soooooo going to CAl at like 23, is not a good idea for me</p>
<p>I know exactly what you mean. I want babies ASAP.</p>
<p>ok well, do babies and cal really go hand in hand, LOL… i can just imagine both of us dragging a tiny baby to a 7am class of like 150 people … haahahaha</p>
<p>Haha, Cal is actually very accommodating to families and parents, but I still think it’s a bad idea.</p>
<p>I would love to have kids in my mid 20s…but unfortunately it probably wouldn’t be very wise to do for med school. :-(</p>
<p>I’ve not read your essay but i really appreciate the fact that you share it with all of us… thanks, Malishka31!</p>
<p>malishka31, those are great essays. However I think Berkeley will weigh your essays lightly and count more on your grades.</p>
<p>Well… to me, UCLA and UCB are the two schools that will spend more time reading on the essays than other UCs do so in a sense, the essay is essential together with the grades.</p>
<p>kevin101, read my essay, i need to be judged by others… otherwise i go insane. pleaseplease judge me. its ok if you think it sucks, i think it sucks . </p>
<p>kevintech, thanks for saying my essay is good 
that makes me worry this __ much less lol
and since my grades suck i dont know waht to think.</p>
<p>HOw come there is no adcom that can come on here and just post with us in secret.</p>
<p>I think your essays are very good, Malishka. I’ve been too afraid to read mine since I sent them off. Mine were nothing like that; I didn’t fluff them up at all. They were pretty much just cold hard facts. It read like a lab write-up, but at least I said what I wanted to say.</p>
<p>are mine too fluffy? i mean my situation is a whole lot worse then i presented it in my essay, i didnt want them to think that i am trying to make them feel sorry for me, so that was the best i could do without like making it a weird drama type of essay.</p>
<p>I don’t think they’re too fluffy at all. They were enjoyable to read; I was just pointing out that I made no attempt to make mine enjoyable in that regard.</p>
<p>i really like ur essay malishka.</p>
<p>I am 19 yrs old and pretty depressed about where i am now. Speaking about cc. Most of my friends are at univ having the time of their lives. While I am sitting home again on saturday night. :(</p>
<p>Spent the last yr and half at cc, taking prereqs for pharm schools and got mostly B’s in them. W/ that rate getting into a pharm school seems unlikely.</p>
<p>I tried to find a way to get out of majoring in chem and bio, so i picked an “earth science”. Took one earth science class for it at cc. Even if i get into UCLA, i’ll walk in knowing nothing about major. Nor having much intrest in it.</p>
<p>Can anyone beat that kind of a situation?</p>