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For many years, I have been interested in studying international
relations. My interest in pursuing this field stems from several
factors which have affected me. First, I have been exposed
to international affairs throughout my life. With my father
and two of my brothers in the Saudi Foreign Service, I have
grown up under the shadow of inter-national affairs. Second,
I am fascinated by history, economics, and diplomacy. I believe,
through the study of international relations, I can effectively
satisfy my curiosity in these fields. A third factor which
has affected my interest in international relations is patriotism.
Through the Foreign Service, I would not only have the opportunity
to serve my country, but also have the chance to help bridge
gaps between my country and others. Finally, as a Saudi living
abroad, I have been bridging cultures throughout my life.
This experience has taught me to look for differences to compromise
and similarities to synthesize in order to balance different
cultures. In short, I believe that my experiences in life,
combined with a rigorous academic education, will enable me
to pursue a successful career in the Saudi Foreign Service.
Georgetown, Favorite Class
At St. Albans, especially in our later years, we are given
the freedom to choose from a vast array of classes. Using
this freedom, I have selected classes which have personal
significance to me, regardless of difficulty or appearance
on my transcript. However, from these classes, one holds an
extraordinary amount of value to me. This course is A.P. Omnibus
History, a combination of American and European history. There
are several reasons for my great interest in this class. First,
I am fascinated by the cyclical nature of the past. I see
these recurring political, economic, and social trends as
a means of looking forward into the future, while allowing
us to avoid the mistakes of the past. Second, history teaches
many lessons about the nature of human behavior, both past
and present, providing insight into the actions, desires,
and aspirations of those around me. Finally, it lays a solid
foundation for several disciplines, including political science,
economics, and international relations, three fields of great
interest to me.
Georgetown, Visual Arts
Another major interest of mine, which I have not had the
opportunity to express elsewhere on my application, is the
visual arts. Throughout high school, I have used a variety
of media to express myself. I began with black and white photography,
focusing on the presence of lines and balance in nature. For
my work in this medium, I received an award at the St. Albans
School Art Show. From photography, I moved on to glass etching.
Using a sandblaster to etch the glass, I again concen-trated
on lines and balance in my works. Moreover, by arranging several
glass panes into a sculpture, I moved my study into three
dimensions, winning another Art Show award. Currently, I am
working on canvas, using oil and acrylic in a Mondrian style,
which is based on lines and balance. Eventually, I hope to
explore the effects of combining these and other media, creating
my own style of artistic expression.
Georgetown, Wrestling
In the past four years of my life, no activity has affected
me more than wrestling. Four years of varsity wrestling and
the honor of being a team captain has instilled many qualities
in me. First, through years of hard work and continuous dieting,
wrestling has given me discipline. This discipline has spread
to other parts of my personality, including my moral character,
work ethic, and preserverence. Another quality wrestling has
given me is leadership. As a team captain, I have learned
to lead by example, both on and off the mat. Above all, though,
wrestling has given me a love of life. Through this sport,
I have experienced pain, sacrifice, adversity, and success.
Exposure to these feelings— which are, in my opinion, the
essence of being— has allowed me to truly appreciate life.
I hope to continue wrestling at Georgetown.
** ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE COMMENTS **
What immediately strikes the reader about this set— before
even reading it— is the balance between the essays. Each answer
contains only one paragraph, each of approximately equal length.
The solid structure of each essay and the focus of each reflects
this outward balance. Each one focuses on a completely different
area of its writer’ s life, another striking detail. The first
focuses on his career goals, the second on his interest in
history, the third on his interest in the visual arts, and
the fourth on wrestling. This is a perfect example of the
jigsaw puzzle approach. When put together, you have a well-rounded
individual with passion, depth, and involvement in many different
areas.
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