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About this sample
About this sample
Words: 731 |
Pages: 2|
4 min read
Published: Jan 15, 2019
Words: 731|Pages: 2|4 min read
Published: Jan 15, 2019
My grandmother taught me about manners: I should always listen first and then think over something three times before saying it. That is why I kept quiet as a student, thoughtfully listening to learn more. I was a shy boy, but I was picked as class president several times. I think my classmates often chose me rather than other candidates because I spent more time paying attention to their needs. When my classmates spoke, I would focus on them and try to help them. Although I was neither a top student in academics, nor a handsome kid, nor a rich kid, I believe that listening patiently, thinking deeply, and then speaking logically and thoughtfully made me a reliable and well-liked student at school. These experiences taught me meaningful lessons on how to interact with my peers.
Through years of hard work in my junior high school and high school days, I was admitted to Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. However, my sister was in a severe car accident. This occurred shortly after my grandmother had passed, so the tragedy hit my family hard. So in addition to being emotionally drained, my family also faced financial hardship. Thus, I had to put my studies on hold, and decided to take Military duty. My time in the military served as another pivotal moment in my life.
As in my childhood, I was praised for my diligence and was awarded as an exemplary soldier during my training period in the navy. I was eventually assigned to the Jinhae Naval Command, where I would spend the remaining two-year service period. Once I arrived, I was shocked at the harsh culture of the command. On the first day, we were required to memorize the names, titles, and identification numbers of more than thirty individuals along with all the license plates of the command’s vehicles and were punished for not doing so. A typical day ended with laundry being done between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., painful punishments being administered between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., and then us rising again at 5:15 a.m. to begin our duties for the next day. For about two weeks, I talked with other members of the command about the unsustainable environment. Most of the crew members told me they thought changes should be made. Although it seemed that I had no right to request anything from command, I knew that if someone did not try to broach the subject, then my successors would also be forced to suffer in this culture.
When I tried to talk with my immediate supervising commanders about the problems, I was given even worse punishments. After that, despite it being a difficult decision, I set my mind on raising our concerns with the master chief warrant officer. And then the topic suddenly became a hot issue with command. The barracks leader was deemed to be responsible for creating such a culture and was to be sent to jail. However, I convinced the master chief warrant officer that the leader should not bear sole responsibility for this deeply ingrained culture. It would be unfair to punish him in such a way, and his time would be better spent carrying out the rest of his service in a more enlightened manner. As a result of this incident and other situations, the commanding supervisors I worked with recommended that I pursue a career in law. I began having conversations with several military judicial officers about law schools in the United States, and my interest in attending law school grew because I wanted to help those without power.
In 2009, I began my not-so-easy transition to life in the United States. I became intent on finishing up my undergraduate studies as soon as possible so that I could begin my legal studies. I was a bit overly ambitious and started studying for the LSATs while attempting to keep up my other academic work. As a result, my health and grades suffered. However, I picked myself back up and have now successfully graduated from Baruch College. My academic and professional journey thus far has been full of twists and turns, but today I know that I want to become a lawyer. I want to listen to people and use my strengths to help mediate and resolve conflicts. I am more than ready to embark on this next adventure in pursuing my career goals.
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