University of California-Berkeley Top Questions

Most college graduates would say that the most important experiences they took away from college are the knowledge, the memories, or the lifelong friends. These are all true for me, but the most valuable lesson I have taken away is learning how to get along with different personalities. It is important that young adults learn to understand others' cultures, customs, and characters. Last year as a freshman, I had the privilege of dorming. I am grateful that I got placed into a triple room, because it was the challenge of living with two other roommates in a small cramped room that made me learn how to better communicate and cooperate with others. I do admit that I am by no means perfect, for at times I still struggle to understand other cultures or communicate with my roommate. Nonetheless, I do believe the multiculutral community Berkeley fosters has allowed me to grow tremendously from the two years I have been here. I hope that all college students challenge themselves with living with strangers and interacting with different cultures, so that the young people in this world grow to learn to love and respect one another, making the world a friendlier place.

The college experience has definitely brought out who I really am. In high school I was still stuck as a shy, young asian boy who did not voice out or stand up for anything. But as the years in college progressed, I slowly learned to become heard. Being afraid of rejection and put downs was no longer a concern, no longer a threat that prevented me from doing what I really wanted to do. Also the club involvements I've had helped me mature as a person. Being in clubs in college actually encourage a lot of leadership and communication actions. Having to step out of my comfort zone in order satisfy those requirements, I become matured. In terms of academics, I feel I will have more than enough knowledge to excel in the field that I am interested in--finance. The classes here has taught me to think critically and outside the box, and they have taught me to see things in ways that most people without an education would otherwise not have seen.

So far, my college experience has been great. I love the school I go to--my classes have been both interesting and rewarding and I have learned so much from them. Taking different courses has allowed me to explore what major I want to pursue as well as helped me to discover both my strengths and what I need to work on. The sheer number of groups and organizations on campus that you can join is great as well. I have found several clubs that could potentially be the "perfect fit" for me, and will make my big campus seem a lot smaller. It's truly worthwhile to attend such a school, for as much competition and stress I experience in my classes, I also enjoy every moment that I am here.

Cal has been valuable to attend because it has given me a sense of independence and self confidence. Cal offers so many opportunities to become involved, both inside and outside of class. Nobody at Cal is going to baby you or take care of all your problems, but it has taught me to be self sufficient and self motivated. While nobody will baby you, people are encouraging and willing to help if you are willing to actively pursue them.

My college education has equipped me with the experience and skills I need to pursue my dream: a career in pediatrics. Attending UC Berkeley has given me the invaluable opportunity to complete a summer internhsip at a successful biotechnology company, where I assisted in the development of vaccines for the Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and H1N1 influenza virus. Cal has also given me a chance to serve the community: I participated in a week-long service-learning trip to the Kumeyaay Native American reservation, where I explored the socioeconomic, historical, and ecological contributors to disparities in healthcare in this underserved population. I also volunteered at the Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic, a non-profit organization that provides free alternative medicine treatments to low-income women with cancer. My experiences at CMCC and the Kumeyaay reservation showed me the importance of accessible healthcare in achieving a basic quality of life and strengthened my determination to help make high quality health care accessible to everyone. My resolve to address the health needs of underserved communities has become a motivating factor in my pursuit of a career in medicine and the education I received at Cal has prepared me to succeed in medical school.

The most important thing that my college experience has taught me is independence. In many ways I have learned to be less dependent on others to do work for myself and instead, to be more accountable for all the actions I make. I have learned to be more organized with both my academic work, volunteer work, and administarative work in the clubs I participate in, which is key in being successful at this school and what I believe to be key in life. I think that Berkeley's environment has successfully helped me accomplish this independence because of it's environment. Professors, supervisors, and employers are there to support you when needed, but they also don't hold your hand the whole way through every process, but rather they help you start and let you learn your way through. By allowing us to figure thing sout on our own, we mut really think critically about situations and learn that the decisions we make do have astounding affects, whether they are good or bad. I think this independence will allow me to succeed when I graduate in finding a job and being able to live or survive on my own.

MasterCard might like to argue that life’s greatest lessons are priceless. My parents would disagree. However, one semester at college, thousands of dollars, multiple sleepless nights, and ten pounds later, I can say the following with confidence: I am not who I thought I was, and that's not a bad thing. As a kid, I knew my ideals were not necessarily the accepted norm, but having to defend my position as a college student caused me to rethink how I formed those opinions to begin with. I met people that have questioned my personality, my intelligence, my career choice and my religion and left me feeling doubtful. Yet with that doubt comes a motivation to learn, experiment, and form my own informed opinions without hesitation or fear of being unaccepted. People often say that you find yourself at college but they forget to mention one key idea. You have to lose yourself before you can discover who you truly are. A building with new paint is not really a new building. In order to make it stronger, one has to destroy it and rebuild it from the foundations. The first cracks have been made, let the construction begin.

My school has changed me. My professors have motivated me to seek righteousness for those uncared for, to be the change I want to see, to make artwork unseen, and to just keep fighting through. I now aim to promote action from my work. My family and my life struggles have given me a unique identity enabling me to be no longer ashamed of my status, but instead, to desire to promote it because without self-expression and awareness, society is hindered from forward motion and my school has helped me see that lower-middle class minorities can do something, can make a difference, and can impact communities.

Attending the University of California Berkeley helped me realize that living in a city like Pacoima (my hometown) exposes its residents to fight for environmental justice. While being a co-instructor at Pacoima Beautiful, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the creation of a healthy and sustainable community, I had the opportunity to expose students to the environmental injustices in Pacoima. While working in the Office of Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes, I realized the lack of community involvement and awareness. My ultimate goal is to major in political science and go on to law school. Whether I become a politician or a lawyer, I want to bring change to my community. Limiting the negative advertisements, educating our community and encouraging individuals to pursue a postsecondary education, are just a few of the elements in my plan to change Pacoima’s negative stereo-type. One of the most successful steps towards creating change is education. I have observed how my peers underestimate their ability to succeed. Ultimately, I want to make sure individuals feel safe where they live, work and play. I know for a fact that with a thoughtful and committed group of people, change will come to Pacoima.

I learned how to navigate the world and find my own answers. Berkeley has given me a mental compass that will serve me for the rest of my life.