Application Essay Example: University of Wisconsin 2022

Don’t do that! Do this! You work too hard. You don’t work hard enough. As a middle schooler in a small central Wisconsin town, I was constantly being told who I should be, what I should do or wear, and who I should hang out with. Yet, doesn't everyone experience this? People are influenced by who they spend their time with, peer pressure is nothing new. Everyone seems to have an opinion on what other people should be doing. There is so much pressure to follow others in this world; it's not always easy to remain true to yourself. 

Starting in middle school and continuing through high school, very few of my peers had the same values as I did. I value kindness, compassion, hard work, accountability, and integrity. I believe everyone deserves a chance no matter their background. I believe nobody can be perfect and acknowledge that we all make mistakes. It is important to acknowledge the challenges in life, move through and learn from them. I have witnessed many classmates completely change themselves to “fit in,” while I’ve continued to follow my own path. Classmates have tried to change who I am; there have been times where I was excluded and humiliated. Others have judged the way I dress or tried to get me to cheat and take the easy way out. I believe one of the hardest parts of growing up is to figure out who you are and remain authentically you. Peers have tried to make me stray from these beliefs and values. I have persevered and managed to keep my character intact by reminding myself that it will all be worth it in the end. If I changed myself for other people, would I even be me.

Every year Mosinee High School eighth-graders write a letter to their senior self. My letter was about my struggle to remain true to myself by not compromising my values. I felt no one in my friend group truly had the same beliefs or goals as I did. I did not feel supported as a friend. Over the past couple of years, I have sought out new friends who value these same beliefs and goals. I now have a small group of kind, hardworking friends that are true to themselves and have reminded me to embrace myself. As a senior, I cannot wait to read the letter from my eighth-grade self and reflect on just how far I’ve come. While others may spread rumors and negativity, or cheat to get a grade, I continue to “do me.” I do my best to give it my all, even when no one is watching, spread kindness and positivity, and be honest with those around me. I will remember this in the years to come: being my genuine self is more important than molding to fit who someone else wants me to be in the short term. I will continue to “do me” at UW Madison and encourage others to do the same. I am proud of who I am.