<p>Can anyone tell me how good/bad this essay is and what kind of improvements it needs? I will submit it to Pepperdine some time this week but I want someone to butcher it and tell me exactly what needs fixing. Thank you guys SO much for your time! (Yes, this is all a true story and no, I did not receive any help writing it)</p>
<p>Its impossible to contribute something one does not have; in my case, until three years ago, it was faith. Faith in God is something most Christians are spoon-fed from an early age, but I wasnt introduced to it until my friend took me to church camp in sophomore year. Before then, I was only vaguely familiar with religion, but not with the effect of a relationship with Jesus.
After being baptized at church camp, my newfound Father became an anchor to stability in my otherwise spiritually nomadic lifestyle; He inspired me so much that Ive shared His light, and the associated hope and optimism, ever since. It took a while to define my stance on religion, since Id been raised Hindu and was used to different morals, but my unorthodox journey to Christ gave me an equally unique perspective that will be the most valuable resource I bring to Pepperdine. For example, my outlook on faith is uninhibited by denominations (which are usually the synecdoche of religion in Tennessee). If denominations are magnets and devotees magnetic poles, then denominations only connect people so long as the magnetic poles dont flip to match societys whims and thus render the denominations barriers. I also have an unusual view on the Christian checklist of churchgoing, Bible-toting, and daily prayer; to me, it means nothing if I dont back it up with faith, which is what I always strive to do.
In fact, faith has played a huge role in converting my perspective on a key aspect of my life: volunteering. Im never happier than when Im helping other people; its the living proof of my relationship with the Lord and the kindness He makes me capable of. Ive also learned that kindness and blindness are not synonymous. Its not enough to overlook someones personal problems and help them platonically; a Christians duty is to help people overcome their inner demons. After finding God, Ive recognized why philanthropy feels so rewarding its a fulfillment of the appetitive gratification that humans naturally seek and its when I best realize what it means to be Christian. Christian isnt a classification like brunette or even a lifestyle choice like vegetarian, but instead a multifaceted moniker describing someone whose sacrifices are either rewards in themselves or become rewards when tempered with faith. For these reasons, I want to continue serving God while at Pepperdine, with spiritual and humanitarian motivation.
As for learning, I align myself with Pepperdine: Truth has nothing to fear from investigation. I think its important to explore ones passions, and I hope to apply this belief to my coursework so I can be a better medium with which to improve the field of psychopharmacology I plan to study. I can also attest to learning from everyones perspectives. Everyone Ive known has affected my outlook on life, and I cant wait to join a community in which I am reminded constantly that everything I do is contributing towards a greater good instead of an ephemeral cause.</p>