POL
This year for POLs we had to answer four of the UC Personal Essay Prompts. Below our my answers:
6.) Describe your favorite academic subject and explain how it has influenced you.
Math in my mind is beautiful, elegant, and incredibly rewarding. In math, as in life, there are many paths you can take to arrive at one answer.
Some people are afraid of math because they aren’t taught that beauty or as my teacher calls it “the love of math.” They let their own mindset dictate whether they are “good” or “bad” at math. At a very young age I learned about growth mindset and assumed all students learn about it. My older sister once told me to learn for fun and keep a happy mind because then it’s fun to live in your own brain.
I have kept this thought in my mind so when I see students I tutor so afraid of approaching math, it’s bothersome. I was always taught that you get good at something if you work on it and practice it. Just like in sports or art, if you practice everyday, you will improve.
Math, contrary to common belief, is a very artistic subject and should be taught in such a way. In art their is no wrong answer or constraints holding back your expression. If you mess up on your original idea, you make it into something else that's even more beautiful.
In math students should be taught that messing up on a problem is just a learning opportunity and increases the beauty of what they are working on. Students should be expressive and be able to try different ways of answering problems without being scared of not doing well and failing.
At a young age I was never told that I was a genius. Nobody forced unrealistic standards on me.
Today when people call me a genius I respond by saying, “ I am not a genius, I work hard for what I get.” The word genius is a senseless term because it undermines the work people put into their craft and instead insists that their talents are inherent abilities. By projecting the idea that being gifted only comes if you pick up what you are learning on the first try is only hurting society.
What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
My mom is the type of person that gets the job done. When I work events for her entertainment company she won’t eat all day but will just continue to work until the event is over, when her feet hurt and she’s burnt out. Similarly, I drive myself crazy doing everything to keep myself afloat: getting into college, doing well in class, ect. Nothing is enough, the more that I push myself the more that I think I can do. I do it because I am interested in what I am learning or working on but sometimes I forget why I work so hard. People have asked me how I stay motivated to do my work and I never have a good answer for them. I usually say I enjoy what I do, and this is definitely true, but everyone has those days where they don’t want to do anything or they just want to sleep. So I started thinking what gets me up at 3:30 a.m. to study? Why do I care so much if I get a 100% verses a 95% in a class? Why am I so freaked out about applying for college? I’ve watched my mom since I was a little girl with big brown eyes and rosy cheeks in her paint splotched clothes and big curly hair bouncing as she runs here and there. I remember running up and down home depot aisles with her trying to find supplies for her creative entertainment company. My mom has taught me that in order to complete a goal you need a role model, purpose, and empathy towards what you are doing. I was taught the tools of reflection at a young age, and as a result I have always understood the importance of taking value in my work and constantly reflect on why it’s important to me. This is my greatest and most practiced skill. I have demonstrated this skill through all the activities and assignments that I put my mind to. Sometimes I forget why I work so hard and understanding my values lets me remember why I make certain sacrifices.
What have you done to make your school or your community a better place.
I was in the 6th grade when I first learned about engineering. Our class did a project on civil engineering and it was like a light bulb clicked on in my head. I knew engineering was what I wanted to do with my life because engineers solve problems.
In the 7th grade our class had to research careers and I focused on the different areas of engineering.
Engineering is debatably the most empathetic career. Engineers have to be able to put themselves in others shoes so that they can devour the problems that face our society. I want to be an engineer because I want to make a difference in people’s life
This year I have been working on making a prosthetic hand for a seven year old girl, named Joci, which has helped me realize the depth of engineering. In helping her I have come to see that engineering is not just about problem solving it’s about creatively designing products that impact humanity and inspire others.
I also interned at the Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab, which is a space dedicated to teaching middle school students about Qualcomm, coding, and robotics. When I first started working I was disappointed that I wasn’t getting as much hands on work with the type of engineering that I imagined in my head. Where employees sit and code or have conferences but I soon realized that I was doing a more important job: inspiring kids.
I could see myself in a lot of the kids, especially the girls. They were so curious and motivated to take on the world. There eyes were amazed at simple things like getting a LED to blink.
I was those little girls and still am. Everytime I learn or see something new I am amazed at what this world has to offer and that is exactly what I see in these girl’s wide beaming eyes. Being a young women interested in a “man’s” career makes me want to inspire Joci and these middle school girls, just like what was done for me in 6th grade.
Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
Tears accumulate in my eyes and roll down my face, as if to magnify and scream to everyone that I am a privileged girl. I know I have more opportunities and am more fortunate than other races which is disturbing and bothersome. “It shouldn’t be this way.” My head throbs with ideas of equality and a more understanding society. For the most part my entire heritage has been just white and sometimes it is hard for me to cope with the fact that my accomplishments are partially because of my race. The fact that everyone in my family line before me has gotten special privileges implies that maybe I have gotten certain privileges today because of the build-up of all the opportunities given before me. Why should the color of someone's skin be such a big factor in what preconceived judgements that are forced onto that person? Why should the color of someone’s skin makes it harder for them to achieve their dreams and hopes? I have never had anyone call me a name or say I can’t do something, when practically everyone in the entire world has a story to share about a time when they felt discriminated. I know it probably seems stupid to feel this way but it is a real thing that I think people need to talk about white guilt when discussing racism. Racism is a central component of our society and affects everyone. It wasn’t until this year that I realized that I, and everyone around me, play a role in institutionalized racism. Even if we want to deny it our society is so governed on the foundations of stereotypes. In learning about this through my US History class, I have been aware of the way I think about our society and the people in power. I have educated others, including the people that I hold close to my heart as well as total strangers. Learning about racism hasn’t negatively affected my academics, but only made me more grateful for the achievements I have accomplished and made me a more empathetic person.