Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Major: Personal statement
Until a few months ago when my family moved, a yellowed picture was taped to the side of the refrigerator. There were coupons stuck over and around it but some crayon scribbles and a signature still peeked through. This picture, drawn in first grade, showed a smiling figure wearing a blue and red cape. The caption read, 'When I grow up, I want to be ________.' Filled in the blank and with backward E's, I had carefully printed 'A SUPERHERO.' Some things have changed since first grade, and some have not: I no longer write with backward E's, but I still intend to save the world. I recognize that this goal cannot be achieved only with optimism and good intentions. Achievement will require comprehensive preparation, wide exposure, well-cultivated contacts, validated moral courage and strong communication and reasoning skills. I hope to improve and develop these abilities at ______ Law. I am interested in public international law, particularly dealing with war, peace, and human rights. My ambition is to be a leader committed to peace and willing to achieve cooperative solutions in international forum. I hope to prepare myself for a career in diplomacy and policymaking, and then help educate the next generation of leaders through teaching and research. [school name] Law offers this opportunity, with great name recognition and leading authorities in the field. I have much to contribute to the ______ Law community: enthusiasm, intellectual curiosity, and a humanistic academic background developed through the Boston College Honors Program. My research skills are well practiced from my current research fellowship position, from a senior thesis on South Africa's nuclear weapons program, and from an internship with the IISS, London. At IISS I helped the Senior Fellow for European Security track the progress of the Common European Security and Defense Policy in becoming a viable instrument, able to work with NATO and promote regional confidence. This was my second summer abroad: in June and July 1999 I studied language, history, society, and politics in Paris as a Presidential Scholar and in Strasbourg at the Council of Europe. I attended the first Council of Europe Summer University, designed to raise awareness of human rights and international law as well as to foster cultural exchange among students from over twenty different nations. I intend to pursue a public service career, and I recently completed the first step - a year as an Americorps VISTA volunteer. My placement was in the U.S. Operations Division of ACCION International, a prominent non-profit microlender with Associates throughout the Americas and Africa. I was responsible for special projects under the Senior Director of Operations, including the development and implementation of a loan-application tracking system, maintenance of network policy and procedure, and ongoing support and computer systems training for the ACCION Associate programs. Through this work, I learned a great deal about development and finance and improved my management and strategic planning abilities. I was also fortunate enough to witness job creation and hard-working small business owners rising from near poverty to middle income. Achieving superhero stature is a challenge, but I have been raised to believe challenges can be overcome and goals achieved through hard work, determination, and positive thinking. My mother always said, 'You WILL succeed' and by believing this, I have. For example, when I began work at ACCION I was asked to learn Microsoft Access programming. At first the task seemed daunting, but after asking many questions of on-line workgroups, experimenting by trial-and-error, and reading help files, I built an extensive impact- and portfolio-tracking database. Another example of positive thinking paying off was my experience with the BC Varsity Fencing Team. I 'walked-on' to the (Div I) team freshman year. With hard word and perseverance I excelled, developing proficiency for independent action within team goals and a 'clutch' ability for success under pressure. In four years, I advanced from a beginner to MVP 2001 and a competitor in the 2001 NCAA National Championships. I was elected captain twice by my teammates, in recognition of my leadership, dedication and work ethic. Thank you for your consideration of my application.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Personal statement.
I was eight years old when my mother and grandfather first took me to the town
of Bruce, Florida. I remember wondering, as I peered out the backseat window,
why they had made such a big deal about this place. The town looked like any
prototypical small 'Panhandle' town, and I had seen many of those. There were
the all-purpose stores and gas stations that serviced drivers who exited the
highway, and past that, acres and acres of pine straw-covered land. The entire
town consisted of one intersection.
Bruce is home to the Muscogee Nation of Florida, descendants of the Eastern
Creek Indians who escaped the Trail of Tears by fleeing into the backwoods
enclaves of south Alabama and north Florida, and assimilating into the white
culture of the pioneering communities that accepted their presence. My mother
and
her family are Muscogee Indians, but for so many years no one ever spoke of
this, even as she grew up. Due to societal pressures of the region, where
American
Indians did not live on reservations but rather continued their assimilation in
the local communities, earlier generations had learned to deny by omission any
relation to the Muscogee.
American Indian ancestry would have meant social
isolation in the small town where they lived. Andrew Jackson had made it
illegal
for Native Americans to reside in Florida, and though this law was no longer
applied, a deep-rooted bias remained. The family's origins became a taboo
subject, known but seldom mentioned, particularly outside the family. Only when
my mother was an adult did the social response to American Indians change enough
for her to feel comfortable with the subject, the secret that was obvious to
everyone.
At this time, I was young and, quite honestly, not particularly interested in
the issue. I had shaped my life without an identification with my ethnicity,
but
now that has changed. I credit my grandfather with opening my eyes to my
culture. He has dedicated the past twenty years to research aimed at recovering
the lost stories and denied histories of our Muscogee relatives. The purpose of
this trip to Bruce was to study old records and to introduce me to our familys
tribal culture firsthand. Over the years there would be more trips, more
exploration of the tribal archives, and more family trees. As an adolescent I
began to see that I was ignoring a rich family heritage. The stories began to
fascinate me, and I began to feel a desire to become actively involved with the
tribe.
I began helping with the seemingly endless searches through old county records,
pulling marriage licenses and other documents, and comparing the birthdates that
separated one John Ward from another. My work began to focus primarily on the
life of Diamond Joe Ward, an ancestor who had served as the tribe's local leader
in the early twentieth century, and his wife who, having been adopted by a
whitecustoms and practices
Indian trader, had committed herself to keeping tribal
alive. Learning my family's role in the history of the region has given me an
increased personal connection to the stories that once seemed dry and detached,
and has given me a pride I had not realized.
With this greater sense of my self, I now recognize that my personal heritage is
infinitely more complex than I first understood. To me, my heritage is more
than
a label or an identification. It is the realization that my own family, and
every other family, has within it an important history that should be recovered
and maintained. The past is woven into the future of families and of
individuals, and I have been fortunate enough to find my own.
Through this investigation, I have learned as much about myself as I have
learned about my past. What I have learned while researching has raised issues
of self-definition. As I learn more, I become aware of how influences have
shaped me. I learned why my family settled where it did, and I learned the
source for their close connection to the woods, rivers, and bayous of the
region.
The terms I had used to describe myself were simultaneously explained and
expanded. It became a true process of discovery for me.
At the same time that I have become more self-aware, I began to question the
very notion of identity. How much of our identity is created by our experience,
and how much is given to us, handed down from generations before? How can
forces
so profoundly influence us before we understand them fully? What is the true
value of learning about them? I do not yet have answers to these questions.
The
more I grapple with them, the more uncertainty arises.
Now, when we drive to Bruce, I do not sit in the backseat staring blankly at the
yellow lines passing on the highway. Instead, I watch eagerly for the familiar
indications that we are getting closer, and I am excited about what lies ahead.
I did not start this project with the goal of learning so much about myself; I
thought it would be an exercise in learning about my history, but on the long
drives to the council house these days, I have time to reflect on the essential
understandings about myself that this journey has given me.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Why Northwestern?
The primary focus of my coursework has been international law, and this interest is what led me to decide to apply to law school. Over the years, I have investigated the political and political economic ramifications of international law, and I would like to continue this with a new, law-oriented perspective. It was this interest that led me to seek summer employment with firms that were involved in international practice. Last summer, at *** LLP, I was exposed to a new element, the connection between international law and business, which interested me and altered, slightly, the direction of my studies. Northwestern Law School's strength in the study of international law is what draws me to the program. The possibility of concentrating in international law, after gaining a strong grounding in foundational concepts, would allow me to focus on this area of interest while still taking advantage of the wide array of courses offered in other areas. I am also excited by the opportunity to complete a significant research assignment on an element of international law; I see this as the opportunity to explore a topic of interest in great depth, which would be significantly rewarding. My interest in the Northwestern program is heightened by the great range of courses offered, those that draw on elements of political science such as Foreign Policy, those that explore areas that are new to me such as International Human Rights, and those that relate more directly to my interest in the nexus between international law and business practices, notably International Securities Regulation. I am also enthusiastic about the opportunities outside the classroom, through such activities as the Journal of International Law and Business. As this directly relates to those subjects that most interest me, I would very much like to become involved with the publication, should I be selected for admission to Northwestern Law School. In addition, the study abroad programs and guest speakers would provide an opportunity for exposure to elements of international legal study that I could not gain from the classroom alone. This multi-dimensional treatment of international law, and the variety of opportunities to to broaden the exposure to legal studies appeals to me greatly, particularly as it is representative of the overall approach to legal study at Northwestern. No matter what area of study a student wishes to pursue, the school offers a broad conception of education, which includes both substantive lessons about the law (through classes and other activities), and hands-on projects that develop the skills necessary to successfully implement those lessons.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
General statement
'I think it's a good topic. You'll learn a lot.' At the sound of those words, I breathed a sigh of relief. My seminar professor was notoriously demanding, and I worried what he might say about my proposed topic: education in political structures. At the time, I had no idea how true those words would be. From this essay, I would learn much more than the conclusions that I presented; I learned important personal lessons about overcoming difficulties through hard work, critical analysis, and practice. This understanding would come to broaden my horizons and direct the course that my studies now take. Though I began this project with apprehension, in the end I enjoyed it, particularly as I began to see that the relative obscurity of the topic demanded that I reconsider my approach to the problem. Because little directly relevant literature was available, I had to look to unexpected sources for guidance. I investigated the historical development of education in democratic contexts, read education journals, and even familiarized myself with philosophical treatises on the importance of a free press. Using intellectual frameworks developed from political science, history, and philosophy, I was able to refine a set of testable hypotheses that did indeed hold up under statistical scrutiny. By prompting me to seek alternative solutions to research problems, this project enabled me to develop creativity in my problem-solving technique. The task forced me to think critically and originally, ultimately improving the way I approach problems. However, this process of re-evaluation demanded patience. At times, I was tempted to change direction, but I am glad I continued with this project. Had I abandoned this essay topic in favor of a less complex subject, I would not have had the same sense of accomplishment. Taking on a project that seemed nearly impossible at the outset and seeing it through to a successful end was extremely rewarding. Working through the difficulty showed me what can be accomplished by committing myself to finding a solution, to developing novel approaches to investigation, and to applying conventional practices in new ways. I showed myself that patience and hard work can make seemingly impossible situations possible, which has been a meaningful lesson, knowing that I will not always be able to choose the tasks I wish to take on. This understanding of how I can approach my work has influenced me greatly, both in and out of the classroom, as I have begun to work with projects that are more challenging yet are increasingly rewarding. I have been able to immerse myself in academic pursuits that continue to broaden my horizons, which has, in turn, brought me to involvement in a wider range of activities. Through this, I have been able to find the types of academic projects that I most enjoy. I have found that the most rewarding projects are those that challenge me in different ways. I enjoy being prompted to reassess my approach to my work, which forces me to draw on and synthesize various outside sources as I draft my own arguments. The process of construction is an engaging experience for me. This is partly what draws me to the study of law, as I believe it would offer me the opportunity to explore critical analysis, the intricacies of arguments, and the interweaving of materials to support and defend conclusions which I have come to enjoy as an undergraduate. This single course project, seemingly simple on its face, has shown me the value of continuing to challenging myself and has prepared me for future such projects by giving me the tools necessary to continue through difficult tasks.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Personal Statement
April: the month both 'Alisha' and I were born. That is the only similarity our lives have ever shared. Born the fourth of six children to a mom addicted to drugs, Alisha never had the opportunity for a childhood. At age eight, she was rescued by the Dekalb County, Georgia Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS). Emotionally and sexually abused, she had lived a life nobody should ever know. Being removed from an abusive home improved her life, but her life could hardly be called normal. Over the next nine years Alisha lived in five different foster homes. She would experience but a taste of stable family life before DFCS would uproot her and force her to start over again. At age seventeen, Alisha's mother visited her, which precipitated a series of emotional problems that quickly erased any chance for another family foster placement. Once again DFCS moved her, this time to the Dekalb County Emergency Shelter. The emergency shelter, cold and unfriendly, is designed to hold children for a very short time until other foster placement becomes available. Supervision is scant, and consequently the shelter has become a haven for drug dealing and other illegal activities. Last year, a significant percentage of the deprived children housed in the shelter for more than six months were charged as delinquents for a crime committed inside the shelter. Alisha's clock was ticking. She had already lived there for three months when the Dekalb County Child Advocate Attorney's office appointed me to serve as her Special Advocate. As I do with all cases when a child is in the shelter, I started Alisha's case by looking for a new foster placement. She needed a home where she would receive the necessary support and services to help her prepare for her future. Contacting her caseworker proved to be no help; overworked and under funded she had no time to devote to a child that appeared to be safe in the shelter. Alisha's best hope rested in the judge. He could order her placement changed at her hearing in one month, but only if another placement was available. Before then I had to find someone or someplace willing to take her, a task made easier when the child is eager and determined to do well. A very quiet and shy girl, Alisha did not want to talk when we first met. I told her about myself to get the conversation started. When I mentioned that I attend Georgia Tech, a very uncommon and exciting comment came out of her mouth: she said she really wants to attend Georgia Tech after high school. I was shocked. To graduate from high school is a rare accomplishment for children in foster care, but for her to have her sights set on attending a top national school was beyond impressive. As we continued to talk, she told me she hated the shelter and would do anything to get out. I knew then she would do her part, but a stable and loving home and the support and services of DFCS were going to be essential ingredients in making her dream come true. I quickly began the uphill journey of securing the services she needed and deserved. I succeeded in convincing Deveruex, a respected group home with extensive mental health services, to accept her into its residential program. At the hearing, I advocated to the judge that Alisha needed to be referred to DFCS's Independent Living Program, where she would take classes to learn the needed skills to live on her own. In order to demonstrate to the judge the inadequacy of Alisha's care, I documented my frustrated efforts in dealing with an unresponsive DFCS. Overall, I stressed that to continue living in the emergency shelter would destroy any chance of the successful future to which Alisha aspired; it was imperative the judge move quickly to begin services to help her. Fortunately, the judge accepted my recommendations. To celebrate her new home, I took Alisha to my university's campus. It was an unbearably hot and humid day, but as we toured the campus the only thing she talked about was all the classes she wanted to take and how much fun she would have as a student. The sad reality is that it is much easier to rescue a dog than a child. Two years ago, I founded a non-profit rescue organization for dogs. I was alarmed by the high number of dogs being put to sleep in various animal shelters where we volunteered. There was a great need to rescue them and also educate the public about this unique breed. Over the next year, we established over twelve foster homes and succeeded in saving the lives of more than forty dogs. When a lack of funding forced us to combine with another rescue organization, we kept in touch with the foster families and still rescue and place dogs whenever possible. After dissolving the non-profit, I began my work with the Dekalb County Child Advocate's Office and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Through both of these child focused organizations, I have met and helped dozens of 'Alishas.' It did not take long for me to realize the importance of my work to these children, making the decision to devote my life developing and improving juvenile programs throughout the rural South a truly natural one. To receive an education that emphasizes serving the public interest, especially focused on children, is very important to me. With its strong Children and Family Justice Center and extensive range of courses offered in public interest, plus its generous Public Service Fellowship loan repayment program, [insert school name here] impresses me as such a school. Also, I believe my experiences in founding and running a non-profit organization, combined with my hands on work in juvenile justice, will allow me to contribute greatly to [school name]'s entering class. Thus, I apply to become a member of the class of 2006 at [school name].
