College Application Essay
kevin_kim212
ExampleReference.docxExample:
I passionately believe in TED’s mission of bringing people together with ideas worth sharing. It should come as no surprise, then, that I seized the opportunity to help organize my school’s TEDx event.
We enthusiastically started contacting potential speakers who could talk about their interesting research, perspectives on societal issues, or personal experiences.
Five months later, covered in fine sheets of sweat, heads bowed to the audience, we stood victorious. Five whole months of hard work, of arguments, of frenzied emails and phone calls had culminated in this event. We had rehearsed—rehearsed until every attendee was furiously clapping.
With less than two months before the event, a sense of urgency set in. I decided to take a little initiative and help push the group forward, to ensure the event was the grand success I envisioned. I needed to unite my team, to help them realize why we were organizing a TED event.
I started to establish a culture—one that didn’t just focus on teamwork and active listening, but one that was lighthearted and wholesome. Shared injokes and laconic humor brought the team together—we began to listen to and support each other. I strove to display confidence and authority without stifling the group’s opinions. Argument by argument, responsibility by responsibility, we grew as a team. I spent many long nights working with co-organizers, helping them with their responsibilities or discussing Dr. Hayes’ work on psychological flexibility. Leadership, I realized, wasn’t just about having a title—it was about bringing a team together to transform a vision into reality, to tap into the innately human desire to be part of something greater. I learned to work with people as equals, to unleash their energy and empower them to do their best. I hope to inspire people in the same way in college.
