Coming of Age Essay: Final

Happy. Lucky. Blessed.
These were the most common words I've heard when asking someone to describe me. I was "happy", "lucky", "blessed". Why? I'm not sure. I'm just normal  if you ask me.

I grew up in a family of six; my parents, my three brothers, and, of course, myself.  I had a pretty normal family; parents who were constantly smiling and laughing with each other and siblings who'd occasionally argue from time to time. Also, we were all pretty much strong Christian's since birth. We attended church every Sunday, surrounded our entire house with scriptures from the bible, did our devotions every night, and prayed together as a family before every meal. It was nothing out of the ordinary. To me.

When I grew older, I realized that most families weren't like mine. They weren't so joyous or spirited. Most families weren't even considered families anymore.  When I was in middle school, I admit, I was pretty gregarious. I met all kinds of people. And, no, I'm not talking about different races or genders or anything like that. I'm talking about people with different types of attitudes and personalities. Some were tremendously outgoing and full of spirit! Some were secretly depressed and full of anxiety. Because of this, my mind always wondered why and how. Why do these people feel the way they do? How does their mind work to make them feel this way?

By eighth grade I learned more about these people and why they felt the way they did. Most grew up in horrible environments and terrible families. Some got raped, abused, molested, or sexually harassed at one point in their lives. They all experienced many devastating, life-changing moments in their lives that caused them to act or be how they are. However, these answers weren't enough for me. I wanted more deep, intellectual answers.

I knew I was a very curious person when it came to human behavior and interactions. I never knew why, though. It wasn't until my freshman year of high school that I got introduced to psychology. Ever since, I knew that becoming a psychologist was something that I desperately wanted to become.

College Prompts

1) UCLA



1) UCLA

Freshman applicant prompt: Describe the world you come from- for example, your family, community or school- and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

Transfer applicant prompt: What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field- such as volunteer work, internships, and employment, participation in student organizations and activities- and what you have gained from your involvement.

Prompt for all applicants: Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?  

2) University of  California Berkley

(Same prompt as previous one)

Coming of Age: Poster (Draft)