May 30th, 2025.
Practice of Admission essay
Summary on the topic
An admission essay is a personal text that students write as part of the process to enter a university, college or academic program. Its main purpose is to present the applicant beyond his qualifications, showing his personality, motivations, experiences and goals. Through this essay, the admissions committee evaluates the student's ability to reflect on their life communicate ideas clearly and demonstrate why they are a good candidate for the institution. It usually includes personal anecdotes, challenges overcome and reasons why the student wants to study at that specific institution or program.
An extra important detail about the admission essay is that many universities consider it one of the most personal and decisive elements of the selection process, especially when candidates have similar academic records. Through this essay the student has the opportunity to highlight what makes him unique such as his values, passions, achievements or how he has faced difficult situations.
What was understood from the class?
We understood that the admission essay is a personal text that allows the reader to know more deeply who writes it, beyond their qualifications or academic achievements. Its main function is to show the motivation, experiences and objectives of the applicant in an authentic and reflective way. We also understand that it is an opportunity to highlight unique qualities, tell meaningful stories and explain why you want to be part of an institution, clarity, honesty and a good organization of ideas are essential elements for this essay to be impactful and effective.
What wasn’t understood from the class?
Something that made it difficult for us about the admission essay was understanding how to balance the personal with the academic, since it is not always easy to know what kind of experiences to tell or how much emotional information to include. It was also difficult for us to identify which story or situation of our life was significant enough to stand out without seeming exaggerated. In addition, learning to write in an authentic way but taking care of the formal style of the essay was a challenge, since it is different from other more structured texts that we have worked on.
Class Activities
"Building Bridges: Why I Want to Study International Politics"
Felipe Andres Aguilar Castellanos
Adriana Beatriz Lima Ayala
Fátima Isabel Rivas Marín
English 3
Julio A. Ramirez
May 30th, 2025
Have you ever wondered how one country's decision can affect millions of lives across the world? This question made me reflect on the power of international politics and how decisions at the highest level can create real change. It sparked my curiosity to learn more about global relations and how countries interact through diplomacy. Understanding these processes has become a personal goal of mine. I believe that knowledge in this area is key to solving complex global problems. That is why I am determined to study International Politics. My passion for this field has led me to apply to Florida International University, where I know I can grow and make a difference.
My involvement in activities related to diplomacy has shown me the importance of international cooperation. I participated in several Model United Nations conferences, where I represented different countries and debated world issues with other students. These events helped me develop research, public speaking, and negotiation skills. More importantly, they taught me how difficult it is to reach agreements in the real world. I also volunteered with an NGO that supports refugees, which gave me direct contact with the consequences of failed political systems. Listening to people’s stories made me realize how essential strong global leadership is. These experiences made my interest in international politics even stronger.
Key sources of inspiration have deepened my interest in international politics and shaped my academic goals. One of the most influential books I have read is The Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria. It opened my eyes to the way global power is shifting and how the world is becoming more multipolar. I also started following global events more closely, especially the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This ongoing war showed me how crucial diplomacy and international cooperation are. Learning about these topics helped me understand not just what is happening, but why it happens. These experiences gave me a clear academic direction and a desire to be part of future solutions.
Florida International University is the ideal place for me to grow academically and personally in this field. The university offers a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, which includes courses in global governance and foreign policy analysis. These subjects match exactly what I want to study and will help me develop essential knowledge. I am also interested in FIU’s strong international focus and its multicultural environment. The university’s mission to promote global understanding and leadership aligns with my own goals. I hope to take part in internships and research that will prepare me for a career in international affairs. FIU offers the right tools and environment to help me succeed.
A degree in International Politics will allow me to become a global thinker ready to make a positive impact. I want to use my knowledge to help solve international problems and promote peace and cooperation. Studying at FIU will give me the education and experience I need to follow this path. I am excited to meet people from different backgrounds and share ideas that can change the world. I believe I can contribute to the FIU community with my passion, energy, and global mindset. This degree is not just a goal—it is the beginning of a lifelong journey. I am ready to take this important step toward becoming a future diplomat and leader.
Bibliography
Florida International University. "International Relations Degrees." Department of Politics &
International Relations. May 29, 2025. https://pir.fiu.edu/undergraduate/international-relations-degrees/.
Zakaria, Fareed. The Post-American World. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2008.
BBC News. "Russia-Ukraine War: What's Happening on the Front Line?". BBC News. May 14, 2024. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60506682.
Glossary Of Terms Learned In This Class:
Motivation: Reason why you want to enter an institution.
Reflection: Think deeply about a personal experience.
Personal narrative: Real story of the author told in the first person.
Authenticity: Be sincere and show who you really are.
New Material
Although the admission essay usually seems just a formality, in many competitive universities it can weigh more than standardized exams. Some admissions committees read thousands of essays each year so a creative text or with a unique story can stay in the reader's mind. There are even universities that prefer unconventional answers to evaluate the originality of the applicant. In addition, many successful essays do not have great achievements, but honest reflections on simple moments of life that left a teaching.
Curious points:
A common and simple essay can be more effective than one full of achievements.
Some universities have asked to respond with memes, lists or even recipes.
Readers usually remember an emotional essay better than an academic one.
Honesty impacts more than trying to impress.
A bad essay can harm even a student with excellent grades.
There are universities that reject candidates because of essays written by artificial intelligence or by other people.
In this video you can find an easy and exemplified way that can help you understand the admission essay and also understand in real life.
Pratik Vangal. “Writing College Essays Is Easy, Actually”, Video YouTube, 13:00. July 26th, 2024. https://youtu.be/aIBH0OTz38E?si=SHHeR4uKDpJucQnx
Sources
Pratik Vangal. “Writing College Essays Is Easy, Actually”, Video YouTube, 13:00. July 26th, 2024. https://youtu.be/aIBH0OTz38E?si=SHHeR4uKDpJucQnx
Harvard Summer School. “12 Strategies to Writing the Perfect College Essay.” Harvard Summer School. June 4, 2025. https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/12-strategies-to-writing-the-perfect-college-essay/.
Juliann Scholl, Ph.D. “How to Write a College Application Essay: A Complete Guide” June 03, 2025, https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/college-application-essays/