Prompt: "Pitzer's educational objectives (intercultural understanding, social responsibility, interdisciplinary emphasis and student autonomy regarding breadth of knowledge courses) create a distinctive educational experience and community of learners. Please tell us why these objectives are a good match for you"
When I was a child, I used to stop by my aunt's bakery on my way home from school for pastries, snacks, and such. As I grew older, I began to treat the bakery like a Starbucks, a haven where I could study and do homework quietly without distractions. Usually I finished homework early and because I had to wait for my dad to pick me up, I often helped out at the bakery by packaging goods and carrying ingredients. Working at the bakery, I met the entire staff of workers and got to know each one personally.
The workers that my aunt hired were always interesting because my aunt hired workers based on their needs rather than their resumes. Every worker I met had his own interesting story to tell for why he was in America working at the bakery. The store was filled with unique backgrounds, including those of a Venezuelan teacher, a Cambodian doctor, a Mexican songwriter, and a Korean attorney. Every worker at the bakery told me about his profession and as a curious and open child, I could not help but to want a slice of every cake. Each different cake recipe inspired me and affected the way I would tread through high school. These workers gave me a thirst for knowledge in every aspect because each worker explained his background and profession so vividly. I carried this invoked intellectual curiosity with me through high school with the intent of opening a variety of career paths. I was further affected from these humble workers from the bakery because I saw the gratefulness each one had for my aunt. Because they could not practice their profession in the United States, where their licenses were not valid, they each held a large amount of respect for my aunt who would easily take a stranger in. Witnessing my aunt's generosity and the worker's gratefulness, I actively participated in my school's community service club, Interact Rotary Service Club. I would always volunteer to give rides to other club members, and fulfill every request that my superiors made for me such as calling a certain organization for community service opportunities because I knew of the impact that a simple act of generosity could create.
Based on my experiences, I know that Pitzer would match me very well. By going to Pitzer, I would be able to interact with the diverse population and choose from the wide array of 150 special interest clubs and organizations that exist across the Claremont Colleges. However, one notable extracurricular activity I wish to partake at Pitzer is the Center for California Cultural Social Issues. Because of the similar way CCCSI operates and the opportunities it offers, I know that I can carry what I have accomplished in and learned from Interact Rotary Service Club to help me give back to the society and help others like my aunt had by hiring her workers. Furthermore, whether I want to become a teacher, a doctor, a songwriter, or an attorney, I know that Pitzer's prestigious liberal arts program would create the perfect foundation for whichever career path I choose. If I decided to switch from a major to another, I know that I would have numerous options to choose from because of the academic flexibility Pitzer offers. Although I am currently applying for the 7-year Joint Medical Program at Pitzer, I am certain that I would be able to take advantage of Pitzer's emphasis on undergraduate studies so that I am able to take a slice from every cake that I want to taste.
Robin Ji
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