- Posts: 2
- Joined: Jan 03, 2016
- Sun Jan 03, 2016 4:13 pm
#21429
I saw your twitter post suggesting posting personal statements here for some basic feedback and I thought I'd take you up on it!
I hate personal statements. I don't feel like I've overcome any major obstacles or have any captivating personal stories, so I tried to talk about my passion instead. I don't really like the statement very much but not sure where to take it.
I've removed any personal identifiable information and would greatly appreciate any helpful criticism.
Thanks!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
What is “just”? It was not until the last few months of my final year at University that I began to struggle with that question. Despite competing in debate throughout high school and college, I knew only enough to win a debate. I had my own personal ideas and beliefs and that was sufficient at the time. But as a Religious Studies student, my last semester primarily focused on the religious and political atmosphere of the 1960s. This curriculum introduced me to Dr. James Cone and “liberation theology.” The idea that “God”, or more simply put, “Justice”, was, and should always be, on the side of the oppressed is a powerful one. Even more than that, however, was the idea that no overarching idea of justice could truly be universal. That every decision made and idea formulated would tie into specific historical and cultural contexts was a revelation to me. This idea of context and nuance has stuck with me my entire adult life. That, coupled with the push for open discourse and dialogue promoted by Dr. Sandel in “Justice” has forever changed me. A passion was ignited in me that I never felt before and I fell in love with learning and reading again, something that alluded me for most of my college experience.
I have seen my mother battle my entire life against employers and insurance companies on account of her Multiple Sclerosis. I have seen my father almost lose his entire savings because of a brain tumor. I have seen family and friends lose careers and opportunities because of their race, ethnicity, and other intangible facets of their identities. Though I have been fortunate, I have seen firsthand what happens when society and the legal system is abused by those seeking power or profits. I fervently believe, however, that the legal system is the best defense against those injustices.
I have my own biases and beliefs in politics.Despite that, when I indulge in political discussions with friends or strangers I try not to promote my particular beliefs. Instead, I ask questions and push for context and nuance because I fervently belief that generalizations and sweeping decrees about a topic are unhealthy at best and dangerous at worst. I have been wanting to take this passion of mine and forge a career out of it for years, but instead I found a thriving career at <redacted> and made due with volunteering on my personal time. I chose to not pursue graduate or law school out of fear: fear of debt and of failure.
I now stand at a crossroads. I could remain at my current job and live a quite comfortable life, or I can follow my dream of pursuing the study of law. For me, the law is not merely a set of documents by which we live and work. It is a direct reflection of the values we hold most dear. That everyone has the right to speak their mind regardless of the popularity of their message. That everyone is afforded due process. That the will of the majority can never come before the rights of the minority. I no longer am willing to remain a spectator. I wish to become a participant in the discussion and debate over what is “just”.
I hate personal statements. I don't feel like I've overcome any major obstacles or have any captivating personal stories, so I tried to talk about my passion instead. I don't really like the statement very much but not sure where to take it.
I've removed any personal identifiable information and would greatly appreciate any helpful criticism.
Thanks!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
What is “just”? It was not until the last few months of my final year at University that I began to struggle with that question. Despite competing in debate throughout high school and college, I knew only enough to win a debate. I had my own personal ideas and beliefs and that was sufficient at the time. But as a Religious Studies student, my last semester primarily focused on the religious and political atmosphere of the 1960s. This curriculum introduced me to Dr. James Cone and “liberation theology.” The idea that “God”, or more simply put, “Justice”, was, and should always be, on the side of the oppressed is a powerful one. Even more than that, however, was the idea that no overarching idea of justice could truly be universal. That every decision made and idea formulated would tie into specific historical and cultural contexts was a revelation to me. This idea of context and nuance has stuck with me my entire adult life. That, coupled with the push for open discourse and dialogue promoted by Dr. Sandel in “Justice” has forever changed me. A passion was ignited in me that I never felt before and I fell in love with learning and reading again, something that alluded me for most of my college experience.
I have seen my mother battle my entire life against employers and insurance companies on account of her Multiple Sclerosis. I have seen my father almost lose his entire savings because of a brain tumor. I have seen family and friends lose careers and opportunities because of their race, ethnicity, and other intangible facets of their identities. Though I have been fortunate, I have seen firsthand what happens when society and the legal system is abused by those seeking power or profits. I fervently believe, however, that the legal system is the best defense against those injustices.
I have my own biases and beliefs in politics.Despite that, when I indulge in political discussions with friends or strangers I try not to promote my particular beliefs. Instead, I ask questions and push for context and nuance because I fervently belief that generalizations and sweeping decrees about a topic are unhealthy at best and dangerous at worst. I have been wanting to take this passion of mine and forge a career out of it for years, but instead I found a thriving career at <redacted> and made due with volunteering on my personal time. I chose to not pursue graduate or law school out of fear: fear of debt and of failure.
I now stand at a crossroads. I could remain at my current job and live a quite comfortable life, or I can follow my dream of pursuing the study of law. For me, the law is not merely a set of documents by which we live and work. It is a direct reflection of the values we hold most dear. That everyone has the right to speak their mind regardless of the popularity of their message. That everyone is afforded due process. That the will of the majority can never come before the rights of the minority. I no longer am willing to remain a spectator. I wish to become a participant in the discussion and debate over what is “just”.
