¶ … matriculated at ____ College/University without a very clear idea of my academic goals. I felt young and a bit naive when I entered university, but through experience and hard work I have matured and gained focus. Like many first and second year students, I took the required courses without a clear idea of what my major would eventually be. However, knowing that I wanted to solidify my career goals, I decided that I would find my niche. With the future as a blank slate, I pursued various majors until I found that I was drawn to the sports industry. My grades, which had suffered a bit due to my having to work full time while in college, improved immediately after I realized how clear my path had become. I trail blazed, determined to complete my degree on a high note. I became more interested in internships with professional organizations that matched my career goals. This hands-on experience promoted even more enthusiasm in me for the sports industry, and I channeled this positive energy into the classroom. Refreshed and revitalized by my newfound clarity, I began to gain...

Before I felt so focused, the pressures of coursework daunted me. I underachieved because I never found what I was looking for. With the zeal I now have for academia and specifically for my chosen field, I look forward to staying on this path and working toward a Master's degree.
A complete my undergraduate studies on a high note, and I know I have the confidence with which to achieve my dreams. My professional ambitions require that I do not let up on my academics and continue to tread the path I have chosen. I feel like I am on a roll, and the next logical step in my life would be to continue my studies seamlessly by enrolling in a Master's degree program. My energy will carry forth into graduate school, as I can't imagine my eagerness to succeed waning.

My research and investigation of graduate programs in the U.S. led me to Columbia. The ____ program caught my eye as…