Admission Essay for Sociology Major

Several years ago, my aunt graduated with a degree in Nursing from NYACK and then went on to pursue her degree as a Nurse Practitioner, largely because of the educational opportunities NYACK had provided for her. As a single mother, I took time away from the pursuit of an advanced degree because my son’s college foundation had to be provided for him. He has since graduated college with an Accounting degree, which is difficult to bear for unexpected reasons--my son and I wagered that I would graduate from college before he did, but due to the affordability of college tuition, I lost this $25 bet to him. I would now like nothing more than to nevertheless show my son that my commitment to the completion of a college education is genuine.

As a compassionate person, I am accustomed to friends and family turning to me for guidance and direction. When my best friend recently endured a horrific divorce, she confided in me in more ways than one—in explaining that I had convinced her to cease contemplating suicide, she also explained that my gift for counseling was what helped her in this struggle. She suggested that I finish my degree in order to reap some financial benefits from my work, as opposed to always doing it free of charge. At the time, however, I was satisfied with my professional trajectory, had a great career and could not imagine changing lanes so late in the game. In other words, I knew that my friend spoke the truth, but I could not bring myself to face it yet.

Today, it has been almost a full year since I was let go by the company with which I expected to spend my entire career. I found myself spending more and more time doing volunteer work in the community, helping at the local food bank and homeless shelter. These experiences further solidified my compassionate approach to those operating under extremely challenging social conditions. I came to find that these people were not so different from me in that I too struggled to continue moving forward when a hopeful light at the end of a long dark tunnel became difficult to see. This realization has deepened my desire to make good on the terms of my bet with my son.

My goal is to graduate in two years with a B.A in Sociology, after which I intend to pursue an M.S.W and go on to clinical social work. This will be a difficult and challenging task, but I am up for the challenge and have the influences necessary in my life to fulfill my potential. With so many friends and family members supporting me in my effort to fulfill my potential for altering the lives of others for the better, I know that I cannot fail, and so I will not fail. The opportunity to fulfill my potential in this capacity is not one that I take lightly, which is why any admissions committee may rest assured that I will perform according to the highest of expectations.

It seems like so long ago when my son was born and I do remember then promising myself that I would do anything and everything in my power to ensure that his future was secure as soon as it could be made so. Having sacrificed so much of myself to this end, and having seen these sacrifices pay off so substantially, I am now prepared to give all of myself to securing my own future and, in so doing, making a meaningful and long-term contribution to not only my field of choice but also the world-at-large. If I am able to achieve these goals through graduation from _____________, I will have finally made good on that bet with my son and also done so much more to honor those who have supported me.