University of Minnesota Admission Essay

University of Minnesota Admission Essay

Importance of co-curricular activities for any student cannot be undermined. According to Elliott (2009) co-curricular activities help in the psychosocial development of an individual. Along with, helping the individual to achieve competence, become self-sufficient, and develop interpersonal skills and relationships. But most importantly, co-curricular activities help to physical, emotionally and mentally strengthen a student to achieve their goals. Furthermore, when reviewing the study by Ya-Rong & Chang (2004), which highlighted a direct relationship between better academic progress and co-curricular involvement by the students. This essay highlights my personal experiences and involvement in the co-curricular activities in and outside of my school.

When I was young, I was an extremely shy and introverted child and was very reluctant to mingle with others of my age or older. However, with extreme dedication and devotion of my parents I became more social or extrovert as I grew older. Both of my parents strongly emphasized on me to participate in all types of competitions and sporting events in and outside of schools, which I personally belief was the main reason in bringing a change within me. Before this change I possessed low self-esteem and lack of confidence, which was directly related to me being the only Asian in my class. The latter was also the reason that most of my peers picked on me and mocked me. Somehow, this form of exposure personally made me want to change something in me to the positive that would reverse such encounters in the future. Sharing my feelings and emotions with my parents from an early age has made them my strongest confidants in life. It was through their guidance, encouragement and unwavering support that I was able to come out of my shell.

After a long internal struggle with self, I eventually began focusing my energies on more productive things. I made efforts to mingle with my peers, participate more actively in classroom discussion and take small independent initiatives. I clearly recall that for eighth grade fundraising event, I self volunteered my name for my class representative for the bake sale team. This was my first role as a team leader in any extra-curricular event. Participation in this event was a challenging and a learning experience. It was challenging with respect that I did not anticipate me being accountable to and for so many tasks and people. Similarly, this experience was learning in the sense that I was able to self-evaluate my strengths and weaknesses and identify the areas that needed to be improved within me in order to become a good team player and a leader in future. Through, this event I got an opportunity to work with peers from senior and junior grades, which helped expand my social circle at school.

Studying in a multicultural environment allowed various types of student's clubs and activities at school. Some of these clubs were race specific such as the Chinese Club. To describe about it, this club was opened to all students ...