The Opportunity of a Lifetime by Vince

The Opportunity of a Lifetime by Vince - April 2020 Scholarship Essay

Did I live? Did I love? Did I matter?
At the end of our lives, these three questions, as posed by Brendon Burchard, a NY Times best-selling author, will be all that we have to reflect on. At their core, the questions reflect on life fulfillment, passion, and purpose. College is the path to all three of these things; that is why it’s so important.
At 18, 17, or even 16 years old, high school graduates are thrust into a world in which many, understandably, have not found their life’s purpose. This is when college is necessary. Students have the chance to spend time to actually explore fields of study outside of the conventional high school curriculum, in areas that they actually find interesting — such as engineering, theatre, or art. A common rebuttal is that people do not need school for this, or that they can get real-world experience instead. The reality, however, is that by attending a college, students will be taught by professors who actually work and have experience in the relevant fields, under a structured and thought-out curriculum that pertains to each industry. Those attending college will not only have access to campus resources, such as job fairs, professors, and T.A.’s, but will be surrounded by peers that will undoubtedly encourage them and help them in their pursuit of knowledge. If someone without a degree were to try and enter into job markets in which a college education is common, they’d find themselves severely disadvantaged; not only from lacking a structured foundational skillset and professional connections, but no campus job fairs, recruitment opportunities, or internship experience. On a career and professional basis alone, this is why attending college is so important.
Adding onto the professional opportunities, many colleges offer co-op programs that run semesters long, chances to connect with paid-internships, and have alumni connections at major companies across the country. These factors, in addition to resources such as large amounts of capital to fund student-led ventures in the spirit of entrepreneurialism, allow students to gain that “real-world” experience that is so valuable. Not only is the opportunity there, but students are highly encouraged to pursue them—and have the help of faculty, grad. mentors, and successful alumni to help them along their journey.
Whether it’s a “strip mod”, sunburst chairs on union terrace, running around a bonfire a hundred times, or a first-year formal, the hundreds of college traditions that take place all over the country are yet another reason to attend. Although not the primary factor, experiences like cramming before finals and then going to a diner, tailgating, or eating ice cream after, are some things that will define our college experience. These are the memories that will be looked back on decades later with your fellow college grads, reminiscing on the pure joy and excitement that college opportunities offered. Getting a well-rounded yet high-quality education is important, but having the chance to cultivate meaningful, personal relationships with those around you is just as necessary to realize true personal growth.
For four years, someone has the chance to exponentially improve their career opportunities and earnings potential by learning vital skills and developing meaningful professional connections. In the same four years, they will develop memories, experiences, and friends that will last a lifetime. For me personally, these are the opportunities of a lifetime offered by Northwestern that make it not only important but impossible to pass up.