Discrimination??

One of the essays that on the CG app asks is.... "Describe your experiences facing or witnessing discrimination. Tell us how you responded and what you learned from those experiences and how they have prepared you to contribute to the Coast Guard Academy community"

I have been raised where discrimination is unacceptable and at my small H.S. it is the same. I guess what im saying is I have never witnessed any discrimination in my life (thankfully) other than in movies or books. With this being said How should I answer this question..... just explain that I have never be confronted with the problem??

Thanks,
Kevster

kevster said:

One of the essays that on the CG app asks is.... "Describe your experiences facing or witnessing discrimination. Tell us how you responded and what you learned from those experiences and how they have prepared you to contribute to the Coast Guard Academy community"

I have been raised where discrimination is unacceptable and at my small H.S. it is the same. I guess what im saying is I have never witnessed any discrimination in my life (thankfully) other than in movies or books. With this being said How should I answer this question..... just explain that I have never be confronted with the problem??

Thanks,
Kevster

Click to expand...

Kevster-
A little food for thought...broaden your thinking...age discrimination? gender discrimination? economic discrimination?...discrimination is not just a color/race issue, and I believe if you think long and hard about this, you may come up with an instance where someone you know (or know of) has been pre-judged based on one of the above criteria, or some other criteria. Or, you might have the makings of an interesting essay if you choose a chapter or passage in piece of literature that deals with discrimination and put your own personal spin on it. I'd likely encourage my child to really, really think about the various forms of bias in our society and try to synthesize their findings into something that directly relates to their world view though. Not easy...but give it a go!

I had a lot of problems with that essay too. I have the same...problem I guess you could call it. I go to a small Catholic school and live in a small town by the beach...not too much discrimination going on. If you have ever been told you could not do something (because of any factor. Gender, race, economic status, size even!) or you know of someone who has, write about it.
Good luck!

I know that students who earn A's are usually cut more slack for beahavior than those who struggle. To me that is discrimination. Think out of the box and I am sure you will find that you witnessed it. If not then you are a lucky indivdual. Best of everything in the application process.

I agree. What is your school's strong point (athletics, music, academics, ect.) are any of the people actively involved in those areas offered special treatment around school? Have you ever seen someone given special treatment because of their looks or who their parents were? Discrimination encompasses a VERY broad area. Take advantage of that.

Kevster,

One thing I did when my kids were applying to the academies was to not get involved in their application; other than to proof-read their essays for punctuation, I never gave them the answer. They both had to stand alone in their essays. Today, one has been picked for Battalion XO of his ROTC unit and the other is at the Merchant Marine Academy. Both having successful careers based on their merit.

However, I did provide them with some points to help them through the process. So, I'll give you the same. There isn't necessarily a right or wrong answer to the essays. The essay has to be about you; how you see the question and how you would respond to that situation in regards to discrimination.

Now you have to decide if you want to write an essay about what you know or an essay that just answers the question. Which essay would say the most about Kevster? The essay serves as a type of interview with the candidate. Instead of an oral interview, USCGA has asked you to respond to a written question. How would you have answered this question if you were face to face with an interviewer?

Go back and look at what you wrote to the group. You've already answered the first part of the question. Your upbringing and views regarding discrimination are part of your life. Are those values going with you to USCGA? Can they contribute to the Coast Guard?

Think about it. I think you know how to answer this question and how to write your essay. Let the academy see the true you.

Be aware you may be questioned about your essays so make sure they are yours and defend what you write. Having gone through the process with my son we provided proof reading and possibly a line of thinking as shown here but the work on all essays his and his alone. We witnessed many struggles but the end result was worth it. You can do it, have confidence, trust yourself and perservere.