OPPORTUNITY FUNDS-BULGARIA 

For High School Juniors and Seniors

Kaloyan Valchev

Doctor Petar Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna

Northwestern University, IL, USA

AY 2017-2021

 

Common Application Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.)

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. (250 - 650 words)

My tennis, my life

I was 2/5 down in the deciding third set of one of my most important tennis matches. The referee announced “time” and I told myself cheerfully: “Yeah, time for a comeback!” However, my opponent obtained a match point. During the rally he could have hit an easy volley, but he skipped the ball because it was about to fly out. Everyone thought the match was over as the ball whizzed away, but only I preserved the shimmering hope that it was not the end. Suddenly, the wind of change blew and the ball landed on the line. I yelled “Come on” victoriously. After that amazing point I won the deciding third set 7/5. It was not the wind that changed the course of the match. It was my will to win.

I proved to myself once again that I should never give up on my desires. If I believe in my abilities, a way to accomplish my goals will always be available. This statement applies not only to tennis, but also to any kind of activities outside the court.

After fourteen years of practice and competition, I realize that plenty of concepts in tennis are similar to those in life. One of the most important lessons tennis has taught me is how to set my goals, how to focus on them, and how to achieve them. In tennis, I see the ball coming, I prepare to hit, and I execute the stroke. In mathematics for example, I am given a problem, I elaborate a plan how to solve it, and I execute the required steps to find the solution.

Another rule of mine is to hit more winners and to lessen the unforced errors. Tennis matches are usually decided in favor of the player who takes advantage of his or her opportunities and makes fewer errors. In life, my strategy to success is to take advantage of my chances for development, while maintaining the least number of wrong decisions.

Tennis has taught me to focus on the process, not on the result. In the end of the day, the level of my development is more important than the number of victories. When I reach the level of the world’s top players, then I will count victories. Similarly, the test results are important, sure, but what is more important is what I have learned.

Actually, when I think of a tennis match, it resembles life. The warm-up portrays my preparation for life, including education. My opponent reproduces the obstacles I am about to face. As in a tennis match, life can go through ups and downs, so I have to be prepared to face any arising challenges, using my strengths and following my plans in order to win the points, games, sets, and matches of life.

Another tennis lesson I have learned is that I am the only person on my side of the court, so I make my own decisions and take my own risks. Fans may support me and coaches may give me advice, but after all, it depends on me whether I win or lose. In life, my family and my true friends are always by my side, but I am the person responsible for my future, drawing my own path.

Most importantly, tennis has taught me to be ambitious and persistent. Tennis and education have always gone hand in hand in my life, and I have maintained high standards in both fields thanks to those qualities. Although I am a proven competitor, it is difficult to maintain motivation all the time. Sometimes I ask myself whether it is worth it to fight for every point in life. Now I understand that every single minute of effort is worthy not because all my victories and trophies, but because of the rich person I have become: rich in interests, friends, experience, motivation, love, and dreams.

College Application Essay

Northwestern Statement

(completion strongly recommended)

Other parts of your application give us a sense for how you might contribute to Northwestern. But we also want to consider how Northwestern will contribute to your interests and goals. In 300 words or less, help us understand what aspects of Northwestern appeal most to you, and how you'll make use of specific resources and opportunities here. (300 word maximum)

I am drawn to Northwestern primarily because this university and I have a lot in common. I strive to develop just as Northwestern strives to become a leading institution for education, innovation, and research. I put massive effort while pursuing my ambitions just as Northwestern invests immense resources into the development of its programs. I desire a wider perspective to the world just as Northwestern persists to broaden its territory in order to fit the growing potential of the university. I respect diversity and global engagement just as Northwestern aims to establish deeper connections with its local, national, and global communities.

What greatly appeals to me about Northwestern is the recent outstanding growth. Especially for Economics and Mathematics, my desired fields of study, Northwestern has become one of the most prosperous and fruitful universities in the world. By benefiting from the top-level education, outstanding facilities, and innovative research programs at Northwestern, I am confident that I will rapidly develop my skills and knowledge. I believe that I can implement my education into the prosperity of economics and society, especially in my home country Bulgaria.

Another aspect of Northwestern that grabs my attention is the strong men’s tennis team. As a current ATP player and eleven-time national champion of Bulgaria, it will be great honor for me to support the Northwestern Wildcats in one of the strongest American conferences. If I join the Wildcats, Northwestern will benefit from my skills and talent, and I will be offered the training opportunities I have always dreamed of, which will drastically improve my game.

Considering my academic potential, variety of interests, desire for progress, and sportsman personality, I am convinced that Northwestern can vastly contribute to my development, just as I can contribute to the diversity, academic excellence, and athletic dominance of Northwestern.

Disclaimer

The text is published in its original and unedited version.