I figured some of the uncool kids (http://www.x86labs.org:81/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=21) are doing it, so I thought "a cool kid (http://www.x86labs.org:81/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=12) should do it too," so I'm posting this one up for you guys. It's almost three pages double-spaced, with one-inch margins, and very much targetted to the Washington College of Law at American University in D.C. This is the first draft - I'm submitting it to four of my former professors and two high school teachers/friends to look over too. It's my "Personal Statement" for my application there.
For those who are interested, the program I'm applying to is a joint program at American University (http://www.american.edu) with the Washington College of Law (http://www.wcl.american.edu) and the School of International Service (http://www.american.edu/sis/) called for pursuing a Juris Doctor and Master of Arts in International Affairs (http://www.wcl.american.edu/admiss/jdma/) (I feel like a blogger). I can also choose a specialization, which will most likely be intellectual property law (http://www.wcl.american.edu/admiss/advanced.cfm#property3). :)
To whom it may concern:
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss my qualifications with you for my application to American University's Washington College of Law. Since I first read about the details of the program, it has been my singular goal to study there, in not only the heart of our government, but also a program with unique opportunities for someone with my passions.
When I first learned about the program to study concurrently for a degree in international affairs, I was already excited – my heart was sold on the international political arena several years ago. But when I read that students could also designate an area of specialization – knowing that the Washington College of Law has faculty who specialize in intellectual property law – I could hardly contain myself. I could see myself attending other institutions, but without a doubt, this is the one that I must attend.
My focus and interest in international affairs is likely very clear, given my background; much of my political science interest was rooted in the international relations subfield, and in fact my honors thesis analyzed the effects of regime change on regional stability. My emphasis in psychology was social psychology, one of the major fields that contributes to the political psychology work in international relations as well. However, it might be less clear why I am fascinated by the intellectual property area of law.
I first became aware of this area of law when I was much younger – in high school. A software publisher pressed a lawsuit against some programmers under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, alleging that the programmers designed a product by which to circumvent a digital security subsystem. This case – Blizzard vs. Bnetd – has become a major cornerstone in the legal debate over the DMCA, and will set a major precedent for how businesses may restrict rights of their customers under such things as clickwrap licenses and end-user license agreements. As I have aged and found that I have a hobbyist's interest in software engineering, I have found that these kinds of laws can have profound impacts on the digital world. Organizations such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation have done fantastic work in the defense of user's rights, and I hope to work for one of them some day.
Having mentioned the EFF, I would like to take the time to tell you about some of the public service opportunities of which I have taken advantage. In south Phoenix, my church sponsors the Rio Vista Center, a place people can come to for help in all sorts of areas of their life; although the primary draw for the local population is that we give away donated food and clothing, we offer a place to shower, get help with dealing with addictions, and try to do our best in getting people a fresh look on life. In my work at the Center, I have performed a variety of jobs, including cleaning, sorting and packing food in our storage area, and interviewing people who are looking for our services in English and Spanish – and, we are now launching a series of twelve-step programs. In addition to my work at the Center, I have been working in various capacities in the office, as a mediator, and as a trainer for Solve-It, the local community organization involved with neighborhood dispute resolution. Solve-It is seeing some exciting times as we move into training peer mediators at high schools, and are currently funded by five local cities. My work with them has been some of the most rewarding experiences in my life. I also recently worked as the webmaster for a political campaign against the incumbent state senator from my legislative district, which gave me the opportunity to meet many of the local politicians and see how things work behind the scenes.
However, what I consider to be my greatest accomplishment from school was that I completed school while working, with a double-major, with honors, within four years on a scholarship. It taught me diligence, the value of time, and how to prioritize, not to mention the value of attending activities such as career fairs. Disappointingly, some of these lessons came too late for me to have put them to good use, as I have had some trouble finding a job, despite my typically-strong interviewing skills. And, while I am proud to have worked throughout my time in school, it comes as a double-edged sword; because my job required I work during the week, I often did not have time to participate in many of the extracurricular activities that I wanted to. My grades also slipped during my senior year, when I was asked to work a split shift and pick up time after a full-time employee was released. Still, I cannot say that I would have not worked – as I said, it taught me an extremely valuable lesson – that of prioritization.
Thank you so much for taking the time to review my application packet, and if there are any further questions, I would be more than happy to discuss my experience with you. I cannot describe my excitement at your program, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully,
(--Me)
I don't think you should sign it "(--Me)"
Very unprofessional.
...I think signing it would be fine, you always sign letters
...................wait, shit, you meant literally (--me)
lol
Quote from: unTactical on September 20, 2006, 12:50:48 PM
I don't think you should sign it "(--Me)"
Very unprofessional.
Dork.
Actually I did sign it using the pen on my tablet PC. <3 the tablet PC. :)
"singular goal"
"hardly contain myself"
...is that supposed to make me chuckle? cause I chuckled.
Sounds a little over done...maybe thats what they want, what do I know
Quote from: CrAz3D on September 20, 2006, 01:08:38 PM
"singular goal"
"hardly contain myself"
...is that supposed to make me chuckle? cause I chuckled.
Sounds a little over done...maybe thats what they want, what do I know
Well, I'm the kind of guy who likes to make others laugh. You know... I follow the rule from Ocean's Eleven. "Be funny, but not overly so." Chuckling, in my mind, is a good sign; when you have that response, it's typically enough to have kicked in some endorphins to make you feel good about my writing, but you're not thinking I'm just a funny guy, and you're still taking me seriously.
In all honesty though, the remarks you pulled out were accurate. Like I said, I could see myself going elsewhere, but I really do not want to: AU's program is what I want.
cool then, I chuckled....it was awesome.!
You should indent.
/sarcasm
Looks good.
Add a fight club reference and it will improve! :)
Do not go to American University.
Quote from: Nate on September 20, 2006, 05:02:01 PM
Do not go to American University.
Any particular reason? They have a program that I'm really into...
Horrible.
F
Quote from: Warriorx86] link=topic=7401.msg92267#msg92267 date=1158789676]
Horrible.
F
LOL
Quote from: Warriorx86] link=topic=7401.msg92267#msg92267 date=1158789676]
Horrible.
F
If only I wanted the opinion of a guy who gets less women than Newby.
No, that's Joe.
Quote from: MyndFyrex86] link=topic=7401.msg92275#msg92275 date=1158794995]
Quote from: Warriorx86] link=topic=7401.msg92267#msg92267 date=1158789676]
Horrible.
F
If only I wanted the opinion of a guy who gets less women than Newby.
No that's Joe.
I've seen at least one woman that Joe's brought to the forum. I don't recall War bringing any.
Quote from: MyndFyrex86] link=topic=7401.msg92279#msg92279 date=1158795481]
I've seen at least one woman that Joe's brought to the forum. I don't recall War bringing any.
I've had two girlfriends since I've been on x86 (Well two steady ones which lasted more than 1 week) but you're right, I don't like to mix internet/real life too much.
Quote from: MyndFyrex86] link=topic=7401.msg92279#msg92279 date=1158795481]
I've seen at least one woman that Joe's brought to the forum. I don't recall War bringing any.
It was a monetary relationship. Joe simply ran out of money after the first week, hence the breakup.
I have been to American University. It was my first choice until I actually went there. It sucks so hard its like unbelievable.
Quote from: Ender on September 20, 2006, 07:41:01 PM
Quote from: MyndFyrex86] link=topic=7401.msg92279#msg92279 date=1158795481]
I've seen at least one woman that Joe's brought to the forum. I don't recall War bringing any.
It was a monetary relationship. Joe simply ran out of money after the first week, hence the breakup.
Lies. It had to do with her parents being divorced (and her dad being a jackass, leading to us not talking on the off-weeks), and us not living in the same town. I've met her in real life, but I didn't see her on a regular basis. As far as I remember, neither one of us really broke up with the other one, but it was more of a "hey, this isn't working" -- "yeah, I agree".