1) Please describe how you have prepared for your intended major, including your readiness to succeed in your upper-division courses once you enroll at the university.
My journey to my intended major of Psychology did not follow the ordinary route. I began my college courses at Glendale Community College with my mindset on majoring in Business with the hopes of expanding my small family business into a successful corporation. As time progressed, I was faced with a life-changing health issue; I suffered from a severe lumbar protrusion in my lower back. Aside from the obvious physical pain I endured, I also experienced a series of psychological aftermaths, such as anxiety and panic attacks. Suffering from these attacks daily sparked my curiosity as to how the mind and body are intertwined. As a result, I decided to change my major to Psychology. This switch in my major allowed me to pursue Psychology with an incentive, as I was dealing with mental health issues that I had no idea how to resolve. By embarking on a journey down a new road, I discovered many ways to find solutions to problems that I otherwise thought were unsolvable. The most imperative step to prepare myself for my chosen major was to prioritize my mental health. I did this by attending therapy and developing ways to address my psychological well being. I began to incorporate daily workout sessions into my lifestyle in order to alleviate my mental stress which was a direct result of the physical pain I was experiencing. The ability to truly understand the mind over matter principle was the ultimate life goal that ensured my academic success. I met with my counselor to restructure my academic pathway and entered each semester and each class with an immense passion for what I was learning. I also began to volunteer at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in order to expose myself to youth and adolescents who may share similar struggles. I believe the obstacles I have faced invoked a greater passion towards pursuing my chosen career. I am excited to incorporate my passion with knowledge and perform at a higher level.
2) Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
A vivid memory in which my leadership skills were put to the test was at the age of sixteen when I began coaching kids in the sport of gymnastics. As an older brother, I understood the basic practice of teaching skills and leading by example; however, my new position proved to be one that will have a tremendous impact on the children I was responsible for. This realization taught me the importance of being an inclusive and fair leader. I recall a time where a new student was assigned to my group and experienced difficulties fitting in. I observed bullying amongst the group. As a teen myself, I was unsure of how best to diffuse this conflict without making the child feel self-conscious and targeted. After careful consideration I organized team building exercises which created a safe space for the students to get to know one another. These exercises consisted of teams where each student was encouraged to express their thoughts and ideas. As the leader, I initiated thoughtful conversation points with the sole purpose of my students feeling safe enough to share theirs. After practice hours, I made certain that our team building continued. One particular exercise the students enjoyed was a team seminar where every individual was allowed to incorporate any ideas they might have had for a better flowing class to avoid conflicts. Being the figure they look up to, I found it essential that my students were not only exceptional teammates to one another but even better friends. I have taken these skills with me throughout my personal and academic life and have applied it wherever a dispute amongst groups occurred. Our youth is filled with future leaders and influencers, it is absolutely vital that from a young age they feel their voices are valued. The opportunities the UC system provides will enhance my leadership skills and enable me to learn from like-minded individuals.
3) 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?
The most significant academic challenge I have faced was enduring a life changing event which caused me near paralysis; this event was a traumatic car accident. This unfortunate accident caused severe damage in my lumbar four and five extending down to my sacral base one and two. This incident took place in January of 2019; thus forth every day has been a struggle. As this problem consists to this day, when the pain gets to an excruciating level, I am incapable of physically walking and standing. Forcefully, I am admitted to a hospital each time where I am administered a series of painkillers and steroids to alleviate the pain. As the years of schooling have gone by, this has taken an unfortunate toll on my academia; the severe and constant pain has resulted in me missing school for weeks on end. In fall of 2019 I failed my mathematics class due to an unwilling amount of absences as a majority of the time I was incapable of driving myself to school. This misfortune caused me to fall behind on credits which resulted in me retaking the class I had failed. Although I struggled with the pain, I retook the class and passed later with an A. As a result of the pain I suffered from temporary astasis, I became motivated to do anything necessary to achieve physical stability. Losing motor control of my lower body made me realize the importance of life and all the minute things we as humans take for granted. After achieving this psychological breakthrough, I began a series of daily stretches and exercises for my psychological and holistic healing. I am currently still going through treacherous pain and struggles but I no longer let it discourage me from my daily tasks. The constant practice of stretches and exercises enable me to divert my focus from pain to academic tasks. This incredible transition has allowed me to gracefully improve my grades and quality of life.
4) Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?
I am a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California because I have high emotional intelligence. The Oxford dictionary defines emotional intelligence as the ability to understand your emotions and those of other people, and to behave appropriately in different situations. Although I have experienced hardships throughout my life, I have always been extremely fortunate to have parents who have taught me to be kind, considerate, and to treat everyone I encounter with respect and compassion. My personal experiences have made me realize how much our upbringing contributes to our psychological development and how receptive we are to mental health treatment. As a result, I am able to identify and understand how to manage emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, and empathize with others. During these unprecedented times, I have become aware of how our communities of young adults are in need of support and human connection. These circumstances have amplified my passion to help others. The opportunity to study within the UC system would provide me the roadmap to pursuing a career in which I am able to give back to the community that supported me. My passion and love for the human mind motivates me to break the stigma surrounding mental health treatment and provide others who have experienced adversities in life the opportunity to heal and have a good quality of life. These are key characteristics that a UC student should embody, especially one pursuing a career in psychology.