By: Undergraduate Applicant45
Subject: Succesful Princeton Applicant3
Blazing a Trail to Glory
Propelled forward by my surging leg muscles, sweat gushing1 down my face, the harsh reality of this 3-mile cross-country race has begun to invade my body. My eyes remain intensely focused straight ahead: Grinding away at the dirt along the racecourse, I see three girls from a different team about 100 yards ahead of me. My team needs a contribution from me, I realize, and I make the decision to pass all three of them. Through a cloud of dust I can finally see the distant white line proclaiming the finish. My mind propels my legs to their maximum ability. In these last few seconds of exertion2, the months of hard work are paying off. Soaring through the finish, I have achieved flight.
Running is a pure sport, requiring only a pair of shoes and a brain ready to conquer pain. It is a sport that calls for commitment and mental toughness. Through testing myself, I increase my resilience and grow stronger. I unleash3 the power of my mind, and I run. Some people are born with great running ability, and others, like myself, are born with the desire to excel at every challenge. I ve become the best runner I can through hard work and dedication4. Challenging myself with new goals every day, I run against the forces of gravity and inertia5. I love the thrill of competetion -- the euphoric feeling I get when mind overcomes pain.
As a four-year member of my high school cross-country team, I have experienced just about every physical infirmity that comes from running. I have dealt with shin splints, runner s knee, broken toes, and pulled calf6 mussels. My orthopedic surgeon took one look at my legs and admitted that I m "not built to be a runner." Yet, I chose to continue running because of its daily challenges and rewards. I ve learned from this sport that by focusing single-mindedly on achieving a goal, I can make any obstacle trivial. I still hear my coach s voice in my head: "If you sacrifice yourself, good things will happen."
As much as a cross-country race requires individual strength physically7 and mentally, it also requires a team effort to succeed. Like sisters in a family, the girls I run with understand and respect one another. We remind each other to work harder, eat right, and to accomplish the most we can. Each girl has individual qualities that together produce one spirited body. I provide the determination and inspiration for my team. I set an example for rookie runners, showing them that success comes only from hard work and a positive attitude.
Through my dedication to running, I have become more dedicated8 in school. Many of my accomplishments9 can somehow be traced back to running: The endurance from running helped me survive my six-hour black belt test in Shaolin Kenpo Karate10. My ability to utilize11 biofeedback made it easier for me to prepare and relax for my piano recitals12. And the endorphins kicking in after my daily practice keep my spirits lifted throughout the day. My determination and commitment to achieving goals has prepared me for my next challenge: college. I intend to apply my abilities to my individual studies, as well as to the enrichment of the University community as a whole. Success in life will come from the same dedication to be the best I can be.
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Essay Number: 1106 - Posted on: Mar13 31, 1999 Expires on: May 1, 1999 CollegeGate LLC * CollegeGate LLC *
By: Undergraduate Applicant44
Subject:
One of the greatest challenge I ve had to overcome was moving from
It was late May when we went to
When we arrived in
We got on a plane and were on our way to
This is where I endured my biggest challenge, one that overshadowed all the other things I d struggled through. We moved to
I spoke19 no English and I had no friends in
This was an incredibly difficult challenge for me to be faced with as a 7 year old boy. It took perseverance21, patience, and discipline for me to accomplish my goal. I will use this as an example in my future years in college. Going to college is like moving to a new place; like my move from