Making the Most of Opportunities
Colin Mulholland
Professor Kurt Koenigsberger
FSCC 100 Life of the Mind
5 September 2007
Making the Most of Opportunities
The reason why I am attending Case Western is probably similar to many of the other students, but how I came upon Case is completely different. Being from Florida and coming to Cleveland, OH, for college is insane, or so I have been told. Although this sacrifice of leaving my friends and family will not be easy, knowing that I have a much better chance at success in the future is comforting.
Ever since I was a young child, I had dreams of becoming a Division I athlete. When I realized I was not going to be a professional athlete, I decided to broaden my horizons and use my talents to get a respectable education. I applied for admission to Washington and Lee, but was denied. Whether this will have a positive or negative affect on my life I may never know, but I am certain that I am going to make the most of my college experience. After I was rejected, I applied to ten other Division III schools. My final decision was between Case Western Reserve University and Hampden-Sydney College. It was basically a choice between an elite institution in a cold, urban setting or becoming a southern gentleman in a warm, rural climate. My decision to attend Case was based on its’ tremendous reputation. People said that Case has the ability to maximize my potential, and I can not agree more. My professors, four of which have a PHD, are incredibly gifted and encourage me to reach past the expected and yearn for something more. Another benefit to being a Case student is the endless possibilities for research and internship options. Being interested in medicine makes the university much more appealing. Options such as the Cleveland Clinic, which is one of the elite research facilities in the country, and Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital have countless internship openings every year.
There are many reasons to attend college. Some people may attend because they are forced by their parents, while others may be the first in their family to attend. A view expressed by many is that “education increases one’s earning potential, so attending college is a ticket to a high paying job” (Standler). Although this may be a relatively accepted reason, it is not always accurate. I feel that it takes much more than a higher education to be successful. It takes desire, intelligence, and most of all luck. I do feel that a college degree enhances your ability to accomplish your goals, but it does not give you a golden ticket. Some may also say that the years in college allow for an individual to become more mature. I completely agree with this statement because I feel there is no substitute for experience. The only way to gain experience is to challenge oneself and attempt new things. Although a college degree unlocks a variety of job opportunities, there are many jobs in which a college degree is not necessary and a considerable amount of money may still be earned. It is said that “a postman who delivers letters (only a high school education) can earn more money than a school teacher with a Master’s degree” (Standler). While money is a definite asset in our country, the ability to teach and help others is much more valuable to me. Helping others gives me a feeling that money will never possibly be able to. A college degree will make an individual more confident in his or her ability to complete a task, but is not the only way to lead a successful life.
I have many big plans for my time here at Case, as well as my time afterwards. Whether these plans will be accurate or not, only time will tell. Case presents a great opportunity for me to achieve many goals and experience many new things. I have already experienced the diversity of Case, and the fifty states and sixteen countries that the student body is made up of. I have friends from Pakistan, Ghana, and Alaska. I have also met some incredibly talented individuals. Many students play a variety of instruments and have unique talents, such as speaking multiple languages and dancing. Some may say that different is not always a good thing, but I am intrigued by new ideas and activities. I’m hoping that in the future I will have countless connections with established professionals in a variety of fields and I will have Case to thank for it. Already I am learning from the elite in every one of my classes. Basketball is also going to give me another amazing experience here at Case Western. I will be able to play the game I enjoy while also traveling to major cities in the United States, such as New York, Chicago, and St. Louis. The plan is for the team to take another trip to a foreign country when we are seniors, which will be the best cultural experience of my life. If the overseas trip does not work out with basketball, I also plan to study abroad either in South America or Europe through Case programs. The cultural experiences gathered at Case will be helpful when my goal of becoming a military doctor is accomplished.
Now that I am here at Case, I am anxious to learn all the university has to offer. The knowledge and information I will acquire here at Case will be abundant, but I feel that learning different cultures and having a variety of experiences will be equally as valuable as I take my next step in life.
Works Cited
The Purdue OWL Family of Sites. 26 Aug. 2005. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue
University. 6 Sept. 2007
Why Attend College. Aug. 2004. Ronald B. Standler. 6 September 2007
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