Admission Essay for the University of San Francisco

Whenever I think of the University of San Francisco, what impresses me the most is the organization’s proper learning environment with top-drawer resources. Besides being one of the most reputable education institutions in the precincts of California, USFCA is uniquely known for its alignment with the Jesuit Catholic Faith. As such, one would assume that the university’s culture is strictly confined to operate within this religious context. However, although it indeed strives to promote values intrinsic to the faith, the institution is committed to accommodating students from diverse backgrounds, religious or otherwise. For this reason, I consider USFCA an ideal environment for myself, a student eager to improve not just academically – but holistically – by learning more about people through cross-cultural interactions.
I have always had an interest in business, and it would be a great honor to pursue a major in accounting at the resourceful USFCA. During my orientation when I first joined the army, I appreciated the need for accounting professionals in military installations. Indeed, at one command post, I witnessed firsthand the volumes of amenities and necessities that military personnel requires on a daily basis. Appreciating the need for sound management of public resources, I pondered how I could apply my interest in business management to such situations. The orientation was an eye opener – when I got the opportunity, I enrolled for an Associate of Science degree program in Business Administration.

In line with USFCA’s value of excellence as a standard of scholarship, I am confident of attaining the level after my final semester (my GPA currently stands at 3.85). Eventually, this qualification will go a long way towards preparing me for a major in Accounting which I intend to pursue at this university.
Besides academia, I have always had a keen interest in social and religious matters. Having served in the Army for over five years, I have interacted with numerous people of varying social, cultural and religious backgrounds. In the course of this services, I have learned to appreciate the fundamental differences between cultures. Sometimes, these differences have been the motivation behind various wars, especially those rooted in religious, ideological conflicts. Being a subscriber to the Jesuit faith, I believe such wars happen because of religious fanaticism arising from views bordering on the extreme. Personally, as is even suggested by the core values of USFCA, I believe that faith or religion alone is harmful to human progress. With my experience on different cultures and having witnessed the consequences of the disharmony between faith and religion, I believe that I bring a lot of value to the university’s community.
Being a Catholic, I find it satisfactory that USFCA’s mission is to help students “acquire the knowledge, skills, values and sensitivities they need to succeed as persons, professionals, and architects of a more humane and just world.” To this end, I believe that I could help the institution achieve this mission by leading from the front line. As an ardent believer in the Catholic faith, I share the values of the Jesuit tradition and trust that I could set a good example for the university’s community by living exemplarily. Besides, it is true that actions best demonstrate the true desires of the mind. One Jesuit value is standing up to measures that decrease human dignity, attending to the needs of the whole person; unifying the mind and heart; representing the needs of the poor, underserved and disadvantaged. Therefore, I intend to show humanity by attending to the needs of the less privileged, disadvantaged members of the university’s community.
Additionally, I believe that I possess strong leadership skills which USFCA may find especially useful. At 22 years, I comprehend the challenges young Americans face. In an age where the mass media has an extensive and powerful influence on the entire American population, the youth are particularly vulnerable to immoral influences, which may affect their individual development. This problem with the younger generations persists mainly due to the corrupt personalities in the mass media. As the Squad Leader of my platoon in the army, I have been charged with the responsibility of leading and guiding my team to success. This position instilled in me a sense of responsibility towards other people, which I consider an essential personality trait for role model leaders, which USFCA envisions growing. For my efforts, I won the Soldier of the Year Competition that started with over 300. To this end, I have acquired considerable skills in people management and exemplary leadership, which am confident the institution will appreciate.
Beside leadership skills, my experiences in the army have inculcated a strong sense of morality in my person. Certainly, as a soldier having participated in several various military excursions, I perfectly understand the effects of violence on humanity. In my five years of military service, I have learned that the morality or lack thereof of human choices has adverse effects on people. Wrong choices have led to life-threatening conflicts, while decisions rooted in the best interest of men, women, and children have averted potential wars. With my understanding of how emotionally charged moments escalate the magnitudes of minor conflicts, I opine that USFCA could benefit. Apparently, despite the university’s community being a peaceful one, it would be dangerous to treat it as exempt of the occasional altercation between individuals or groups of individuals. As a member of the university, I could be relied on to proactively identify situations of conflict between persons or groups that could potentially worsen. To this effect, I could help the institution demonstrate the values of social responsibility.
Ultimately, the University of San Francisco possesses everything a premier institution of higher learning should have. It has an extraordinary history beginning with the formation of the Jesuit Church, whose values it reflects in its organizational mission. Furthermore, it has a distinguished campus in the city of San Francisco, which will prove convenient for my scholarly and personal life. Additionally, the degree programs on offer take a considerably short period not exceeding three years, which places me in a good position to pursue other interests within the schedules of a busy military life. Furthermore, the teaching and non-teaching staff are incredibly good as I have learned from alumni, which empowers me to achieve my learning objectives in a major in Accounting. Of course, it being at the crossroads of cultures, I eagerly anticipate being part of this unique learning community where learning is a more of a social rather than ambitious undertaking. Granted this kind opportunity, it would be more than an honor, and I would be sincerely obliged.