Personal statement for college admission

¶ … Academic Preparation

I intend to major in biochemistry. In my native country, Japan, my father founded and still runs a health food company. During my childhood and adolescence, I became very interested in the subject of biochemistry, especially as it relates to the health of the human body and the harm that can be caused to it by various chemical ingredients and compounds in certain unhealthy foods. Before coming to the United States in 2001 to pursue my higher education, I also worked for six years in the sales department of a pharmaceutical company. That experience, especially my interactions with physicians, pharmacists, chemists, biologists, and others in various medical and scientific fields, further increased my interest in studying biochemistry as a future academic subject and career area. I also feel that knowledge of biochemistry could benefit humanity, for example, as my father has done in founding his health food company. After I complete my higher education, I would like either to follow in my father's footsteps, by founding and running a similar business; take over, expand and improve his company, or work on my own as a biochemist for a pharmaceutical or other scientifically or medically-related company.

Question Two:

Focus: Potential to Contribute

One talent or experience I have that I would be able to contribute to the University of California community is my leadership experience, combined with resiliency, based on having become a professional soccer player in Japan, having been injured, and then needing to end my professional soccer career and begin a whole new career and way of life. I believe this to have been the most difficult experience of my life, but also my greatest period of personal growth. That particular experience made me stronger; more mature; more sympathetic to others, and overall a better person. My passion for soccer developed early on, and from elementary school through high school I played soccer competitively, and was usually captain of my team. After my high school graduation, I quickly turned professional and played for a Japanese soccer team called the Yokohaha Flugels from 1988 until 1994, when an injury unfortunately ended my career. That is when I learned about resiliency and how to absorb a major disappointment and move on. I believe that experience taught me about leadership; patience; sympathy, and teamwork, all qualities that would enable me to contribute positively to the vitality of the University.

Question Three

Focus: Open-ended

I would like to describe the experiences and the personal growth I have had these past two years in the United States, as an international student from Japan, especially while attending Grossmont College in El Cajon, California. I will describe my increased English language ability, my new friendships, and my ambition to succeed. First, I have gained self-confidence, strength, and insight into American life and culture during my two years at Grossmont College. During this time, I adjusted to living in a new country, reached out to others, and made many friends, while maintaining a 3.85 overall G.P.A. I accomplished this by staying focused, positive, and determined to reach my goal of obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry while learning all I could about the United States. I also sought out fellow students and other individuals of all backgrounds and nationalities. This was not just to gain a better understanding of English, but also to learn more about their cultures, beliefs, and lives. As a result, in addition to earning high grades, I increased my circle of American and other friends, and my skill in English. I now consider myself proficient and comfortable in English. From Japan, I brought my determination to succeed in my chosen field of biochemistry and later, as a professional. Once here in America, however, I also needed to learn about the ways and standards of a new country. Moreover, as a former soccer professional in Japan, I had gotten used, at a rather early age, to a comfortable, rather privileged life that challenged me physically and mentally, but not so much in terms of testing my underlying strength or resolve in new or unfamiliar surroundings. Coming to the United States to live and study has been a truly invaluable, character-building, often humbling experience that has made me deeper, more open to others, and more broad-minded. I am more determined than ever to use my strengths, skills, and knowledge to serve and hopefully help humanity in my field of biochemistry. I would be very grateful for the opportunity to transfer to the University of California. My first choice is the San Diego campus. My second is the Los Angeles campus. I very much hope to and look forward to continuing to study in the United States, ideally at the University of California, toward a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry.