As a young child, I knew I was very different from other boys my age. I collected Barbie dolls, drank strawberry flavored milk, and listened to Britney Spears’ songs while other boys would play with their toy cars, kick soccer balls in the field, and watch World Wrestling Entertainment. Although I was teased a lot, the names and jokes my classmates said did not affect me as much as my parents’ words did. Most people would say their parents are...

As a senior, I feel like I have a lot to give back to my high school, so I decided to become a Link Crew leader. When I was a freshman, I looked up to my Link Crew leaders as my role models. They were so cool and knew everything about high school. That is why I believe Link Crew leaders are vital to a high school because they help assist the incoming freshmen and educate them to become better...

Film editing has been my escape from reality since I could remember. When I edit a video, I feel like there is a special connection between the computer screen and me. It is electrifying, and the creative juices from my brain just start pouring out. I cannot help but just forget about everything else around me and focus on finishing the video. I view the videos I have done as my precious babies. Each and every one of them has...

There is a saying that when one door closes, another opens, but for me, every door I went to was shut in front of me. It was an endless cycle of doors slammed in my face. My biggest nightmare of becoming a filmmaker has turned into reality. After coming out of college with a degree in film production, I was ready to start my life as a filmmaker. So many scenarios appeared in my head: how I was going to...

Growing up, I was always afraid to express my opinions. Coming from an Asian background, my parents used to tell me to keep my thoughts to myself and think carefully before I speak up. It was not until entering high school that the idea of sharing my ideas and collaborating with others became an everyday routine to me. Being thrown in a diverse crowd of individuals opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of working in a group. Furthermore, being...

My friend once told me, "You have changed my views on watching videos." She did not realize it then, but those nine words have inspired me immensely and motivated me to follow my dreams of becoming a filmmaker. Her reaction is what I find most rewarding about a career in filmmaking. Not only do I get to articulate my point of view, I also get to inspire people and maybe change their lives. We are human beings who are dependent on each other, and it makes me feel worthy if I can affect peoples' lives positively through my art. I...

Diverse Liberal...

Dear Appeals Committee, I learned on March 20, 2015 that I was denied freshman admission to the University of California, Los Angeles for Fall 2015. When I received my rejection letter from UCLA, I regretted for not bringing my intention of changing major to the admission office in time. After taking a semester course of AP Macroeconomics my senior year, I have learnt that I could use my skills in mathematics and abstract reasoning to tackle on the growth and application of logistics in the world economy. Therefore, I respectfully request the Freshman Appeals Committee to reevaluate my application under the major of...

Personal Essay “Knock Knock.” “Who’s there?” “Tan.” “Tan who?” “Tan the Gaylord!” *cues laughter* For most of my life, I was afraid to express my opinion. Since I was a child, I was teased a lot by my classmates. It did not help that my parents also caused me to feel more insecure and ashamed of myself. I remember their constant words, “You are so feminine,” attacking me. Those words were like monsters imprinted in my head, telling me who I am is wrong. For the longest time, I felt like an alien suffocating in my dirty little bubble. ...

When I was in third grade, my teacher asked the class, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” After a minute of intense pondering, I wrote down, “Become a fly attendant.” Why? Because they get to travel around the world. Growing up, I was exposed to many cultures. When I was at the age of one, I moved from Vietnam to the United States and had to adapt to the new and intimidating American culture. With barely any money at that time, my family of six had to rent a run-down two bedroom apartment in a predominantly...