Nomination Essays

[justin_112]

Hello,

I am applying for a congressional nomination, and they ask me for an essay of 300 words on a challenge I have faced. I was wondering just how current the challenge needs to be. The biggest thing that happened to me was when I was in 2nd grade. For the short story, my parents had me attend a new school in a different country that I did not speak the language of. I had to learn the language from zero and still develop, and keep my grades up. It was surely a defining moment for me, but I fear it may be too long ago, or that it is not really pertinent to what they are looking for as it was about 10 years ago. Please let me know what you think about this!!!

Justin

 

[NavyHopefulMom2027]

I would say for most things that would be too long ago, but in your situation, I think that moving countries and overcoming language barriers is a significant enough event at any age to be the appropriate response. Whether or not you still live in the foreign country, you can tie it into how that experience shaped who you are now.

 

[ARandomMid]

Hello,

I am applying for a congressional nomination, and they ask me for an essay of 300 words on a challenge I have faced. I was wondering just how current the challenge needs to be. The biggest thing that happened to me was when I was in 2nd grade. For the short story, my parents had me attend a new school in a different country that I did not speak the language of. I had to learn the language from zero and still develop, and keep my grades up. It was surely a defining moment for me, but I fear it may be too long ago, or that it is not really pertinent to what they are looking for as it was about 10 years ago. Please let me know what you think about this!!!

Justin

I think that that is a great subject to write about. You have a lot of opportunity to expand on how you integrated into the new country and what obstacles you faced.

 

[Capt MJ]

If you want something more current that shows your more mature thinking as a young adult, have you ever:
- In a group, listened to inappropriate jokes or remarks being made, and addressed it - overcoming peer pressure and risking blowback?
- Stood up for someone being bullied?
- Refused to go along with something you knew was wrong?
- Watched bad stuff happen on social media to a peer and took steps to object?
- Made a mistake with regard to character or integrity, realized your error, put it right, learned from it?


These may seem like small things, but it is a story only you can tell, which shines a light on who you are and your moral compass.