Business School Admissions Essay : Very Personal Questions - Continued

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Unlike most Protestants in the Republic of Ireland, who are usually from the professional classes and live far from Northern Ireland, my family had neither the shield of social class nor distance from the border to protect us from Ireland's ancient quarrels. As a result, we were sometimes the victims of harassment from the local Catholic majority. To walk the streets of the nearest town in the uniform of my Protestant high school was to invite taunts and occasionally physical violence. Sporadically, even terrorism affected our lives. In 1978, my mother's cousin was killed in a bomb explosion, and earlier that decade my uncle barely survived an assassination attempt.

In 1990, I left Donegal to attend university in Dublin. Although Dublin is far removed from the Northern Ireland conflict, my ethnic background continued to influence my life. A direct challenge to my values came during my third year in college, when I met my future fiancée. Our socio-economic backgrounds were nearly identical (we were among the few Trinity students from poor, rural families) except for one thing: she was Catholic and I was Presbyterian. As we grew closer, I was faced with the task of confronting my own deeply held prejudices as well as those of my tightly knit family. I faced this challenge directly but sensitively, helping my family to accept and cherish our relationship.

Looking back at my upbringing today, I appreciate just how fortunate I am. My family created a loving home in which I was able to develop the self-confidence that I need in order to overcome many of the challenges that I face in my career. In addition, growing up in a family of very modest means, and being conscious of my parents' sacrifices, has given me a powerful sense of drive. From my own experience, I realize that many people have not had the chances to succeed that I have been given; I am therefore determined not to squander the opportunities that I receive.

COMMENTS:

This applicant focuses on his family and the rural setting in which he grew up. Note how his descriptions of family members can be revealing because they show what the writer values and offer context for the relationships he has built with them. He also does an effective job of tying his youth to his recent past: "For example, starting at age 16, I often attended cattle sales in our rural Irish community, where I would haggle with much older and extremely shrewd farmers over the price of cows. Just ten years later, I found myself using those very same negotiating skills in the conference rooms of the U.S. Senate." The connection is intriguing but doesn't sound forced, because the writer has so effectively brought us into his world.

The applicant also does not hesitate to explore conflict and sensitive issues. Because he places such an emphasis on the positive aspects of his upbringing, he can discuss past struggles in a way that invites compassion without seeking pity. Showing how you coped with difficulties, even if they're on a smaller scale than the Ireland conflict, can be a very effective way to convey your greatest strengths.

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