Common App Personal Essay Review

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>I chose number 3:
Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.</p>

<p>I haven't finished editting and there is no conclusion yet but what do you guys think?</p>

<p>On December 7, 1988 at 11:41 AM, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake devastated the Spitak region of Armenia and killed more than 25,000 people. This was the day that my father lost his wife and his two young children -- one day before his birthday. I didn’t know anything about the earthquake or my father’s first family until about four years ago when my oldest sister told me everything. I was confused and didn’t know whether I should be sad or angry or some other emotion. Ultimately, I was left with a new level of respect and admiration for my father and a greater appreciation for life. It is hard to believe that a thirty-seven year old man could lose his whole family without warning and still have the courage and strength to move on with life and start over. My father was able to do that; he kept his faith in God and never gave up. A few years after the disaster, he married my mother and together they started a new family, had three children -- including myself -- and moved to the United States. My father’s story has inspired me to be thankful for everything that I have, because I now understand how fragile life is and how lucky I am to be alive. Looking at my Dad’s life, you would never guess that he went through such a tragedy. He has always been the guy who makes everyone laugh, the one with a positive attitude, a passion for life, and a loving kindness that does not go unnoticed. I have grown up under this influence and adapted many of these traits. I am known for being optimistic at times when everyone else is ready to give up. I believe that having a positive attitude is contagious and crucial for success in all parts of life. I have learned that complaining about silly inconveniences is pointless and selfish and after seeing my father’s perseverance, I know that there will never be a good reason to give up on anything.</p>