My University of Oregon Essay

Hey all,

Like I mentioned in my other post, I applied to University of Oregon. During the application process, I had to write a essay no more than 500 words. I thought I share it with you

Prompt: Tell us something that you did in the past two years that made you feel good about yourself

Essay:

People have always encouraged me to go for what I want. Some think otherwise but this one time, I proved someone wrong.

 Two years ago, I transferred back to El Camino College from Barstow College. I played my freshmen year of baseball at Barstow and it wasn’t quite the experience I was expecting. After I transferred, I tried out for the baseball team. He told me anyone has a chance to make the team but you have to stand out. That summer of 2009, I worked harder than I can imagine. I would go get extra work in off the field and ended up making the team.

As the fall of 2009 came along, I was again working harder than ever to remain with the team. I know I didn't have the talent that other guys have on the team so I would go to the field early and be the first one there to go hit and take ground balls after class and be the last one off the field doing field jobs after practice.

After the long 4 weeks of practicing with the team, judgment day came for me whether I would make the team or not. I went into the coach’s office and as he talked to me, he gave me two options: 1. Stay with the team and not get playing time or 2. Quit. In my mind, I never thought of quitting but not getting playing time was a big issue to me but I know I would regret giving up baseball so I decided to stay with the team.

As a long fall semester of practicing, spring came along, which meant baseball season was under its ways. At this time, I have decided to redshirt but by watching this team, I learned so much about everything.

One day, one of our captains came up to me and talked about his leadership and how he can improve on it. Then one of our assistant coaches walked up to us and started talking about leadership. One of the things he mentioned was even though I was a redshirt sitting on the bench, I was a leader because of how hard I worked. When the coach gave me two choices, he was originally going to cut me but our assistant coach told him I was something special.

            At the end of the year meeting with the coach, he just talked about me. He told me that, “Look, I know you didn't get to play this year, but you made a big impact on the team and I think you were one of the reasons why we were the team we were.”

            After that day, I never took anything for granted and worked hard for everything. Even until this day, the people that I thought that inspired me would call me to thank me for the hard work I put in and they learn a life lesson from me that they would never forget, working hard.