<p>Hey everyone, I am writing a personal statement for UCs. I know i need a lot of help, so please critique my Personal Statement. Thank you</p>
<p>Prompt 1
The Vietnam war was an era of struggle for Vietnamese people. My mother and father were in Vietnam at the time of the war. It caused the last resort for villagers an immigration across the pacific to the United States. My mother and father survived the miserable journey and landed on the west coast of America. They had little amounts of money in their pockets and were not able to go to college in America. Even so, they did find stable jobs. My mother works for a nail salon, and my father sells furniture. The occupations were low income jobs, averaging about $25,000 a year combined. Living in a family of six lead to a poor economic life for my family. It came apparent when I felt the effects of my parents not paying the bills. I remember days when our electricity would shut off and our water would not turn on. We were not able to use light bulbs, nor were we able to take showers. Going to school with the clothes I wore days prior made me feel like I was destitute. The life as a low class American citizen was horrible. It made me want to become successful for my future, but most importantly, my family. Luckily, my teachers would not make my economic status a barrier between me and education. I did not ask for any help, but a supportive teacher is what I appreciate the most. I became disorganized as the years passed, but gained knowledge rapidly. Teachers said I was a treat to have, while the kids thought I was kind. As I changed, the world changed. Believe it or not, computers and video games influenced me dramatically. The games I played taught valuable life lessons such as treating people right, doing good in life, and believing ones self. Ironically, I gained a pessimistic outlook on life instead of an optimistic outlook. I was an academically gifted student, but an anti-social person. I was the most generous person in school. It gave me a reputation. I did not believe that being kind was important in life. But, it became a tool for me. I was able to have an insight in the people around me. As a result, I had a strive to meet new people and to do as much as I can in life. I was not a popular student, but I made friends that I would remember for as long as possible. Coincidently I was too caught up in social activities. It caused my academic decline during sophomore year. Being an average student was not what I wanted to be, nor was it what my parents wanted me to be. Sophomore year is a crucial factor in ones high school career, so I intended to redeem myself. The knowledge of teachers made me appreciate education again. My European History teacher taught me how to critically think. I felt like I began to see the world in a more educated way. He always told us, you need to consider the source before you say anything. This led me to read several articles on the internet about any subject I found interesting. I stumbled across philosophy. Studying topics online began to be one of my hobbies. I questioned everything I could think about. My studies in these arts caused my mind to become morally neutral, since I was never one to pick sides. I appreciated all point of views on all topics. Studying philosophy lead me to a passion I deeply enjoy, psychology. I signed up for AP Psychology once I had the option my junior year. The course gave me insight on the internal aspects of ones thinking process. It felt as if I understood the world and the people around me a little more each day. My junior year was an improvement from last year. Even if my grades were not top 10% of the senior class, I still wanted to best myself in anyway possible. They say the power of knowledge is one to be feared upon. The world was mine, and I intend to understand it. It is my motivation to continue my education. It is my passion as a human to understand the world around me. The past full of despair and struggles will never measure up to the limitless possibilities I have inside my mind. It will not ruin my world.</p>
<p>Prompt 2
Have you wondered if the face you have right now, is not your true face? In Jungian psychology, having multiple faces, or facades, is a term for the word persona. A persona is a psychological mask people wear to adapt to a given situation. Being able to call upon your arsenal of inner personae at any given moment is critical. A devils advocate is a person who takes a position of an argument that he or she does not necessarily believe in. The devils advocate was my persona ever since I began my studies in philosophy. The ability to take any side of an argument is something I find mentally stimulating. It makes me an excellent debater in an argument. It allowed me to accomplish disputes within my life. It gave me the power to see the world as equal and just. It also caused me to appear as a hypocrite in class discussions. I always treat my friends equally. In fact, they agree I am the most mature, fair, and moral person they ever met. My mindset was full of confidence. The power of neutrality is the power to adapt to either order, or chaos. The neutrality of my devils advocate persona is a quality I take the utmost pride in. It is what makes me who I am today. I may have dreams of being the one who understands all things in life. I may become the next enlightened one, but what I do know for a fact is that I am using my power, my special quality, to succeed.
Word Count: 996</p>