Northeastern public interest question Forum

[curly3426]

I literally just wrote this - very very rough draft... would love opinions

it can only be a page double spaced - questoin is: the school of law is nationally recognized in public interest law. what does public interest mean to you?




One spends most of his life exceedingly focused on himself: high school is spent trying to get into college, college is spent trying to get into grad school or finding a decent job. It seems to be the natural progression of the average American; work hard, focused on personal goals, so that one day you may own a house, with a pool, and a two car garage. Initially this process would come across in a poor light; selfishness and self-focused behavior carry a negative connotation: as if a person leads life without regard for others. Now I find, contrary to the previous suggestion, that this process is not only important but crucial for the overall public interest. It is through self-discovery, introspection, and clear and focused action that one can realize his true potential. It is at this moment that one find’s himself at a crossroads, do you use this potential to serve yourself, or to help others.
Public interest, to me, is a population who has figured themselves out and now uses their talents to serve others. Whether it is my mother, a psychologist, who tests children pro-bono, or my seven-year-old neighbor who teaches the younger kids to properly ride a bike. To me, public interest is serving yourself so that you may serve others. Whether it is a brilliant actor who teaches at an after-school program, or a lawyer who has taken an enormous pay cut to work at a non-profit, the public interest is best served if a society is filled with able and developed people.

[curly3426]

i guess my concern is I don't know what schools look for in required second essays, which are so short

[homestyle28]

I literally just wrote this - very very rough draft... would love opinions

it can only be a page double spaced - questoin is: the school of law is nationally recognized in public interest law. what does public interest mean to you?




One spends most of his life exceedingly focused on himself: high school is spent trying to get into college, college is spent trying to get into grad school or finding a decent job. It seems to be the natural progression of the average American; work hard, focused on personal goals, so that one day you may own a house, with a pool, and a two car garage. Initially this process would come across in a poor light; selfishness and self-focused behavior carry a negative connotation: as if a person leads life without regard for others. Now I find, contrary to the previous suggestion, that this process is not only important but crucial for the overall public interest. It is through self-discovery, introspection, and clear and focused action that one can realize his true potential. It is at this moment that one find’s himself at a crossroads, do you use this potential to serve yourself, or to help others.
Public interest, to me, is a population who has figured themselves out and now uses their talents to serve others. Whether it is my mother, a psychologist, who tests children pro-bono, or my seven-year-old neighbor who teaches the younger kids to properly ride a bike. To me, public interest is serving yourself so that you may serve others. Whether it is a brilliant actor who teaches at an after-school program, or a lawyer who has taken an enormous pay cut to work at a non-profit, the public interest is best served if a society is filled with able and developed people.

To be honest I don't really like it. The 2nd paragraph is better than the first. I'd start with it and continue from there. Also watch the alliteration, you have a lot of "Whethers" in there.

[curly3426]

i like that idea... start with the second

thanks, any other suggestions?

[sarahh]

You seem to interpret the question as them asking for a dictionary-like definition of public interest. I think they may be asking about yourself, i.e., What facet of public interest is important to you? The question is somewhat vague.

[curly3426]

ya i agree... this is what bothers me

[curly3426]

hey guys, what about this?


What does public interest mean to me?

The term ‘public interest’ is generally interpreted as meaning directed towards the general welfare of others, focusing on acting for the common good of others. However, in my experience, those people who seem to be serving the public interest are often some of the most evolved individuals who have figured themselves out and are now using their talents to serve others. Whether it is my mother, a psychologist who tests and treats children, or my seven-year old neighbor who teachers younger kids on the block how to ride a bike, these are folks who feel accomplished and able to help others. Public interest is developing yourself enough so that you can then serve others. Whether it is an actor who teaches in an after-school program for disadvantaged youth or a lawyer who takes a large pay-cut to work at a non-profit organization, the public interest is best accomplished if a society is filled with able and developed people who then devote part or much of their energies in helping others who are less capable of helping themselves.
I have a strong desire to go into public interest law upon graduation, but hope to spend the three years in law school discovering exactly in which field I could provide the most. For me, law has become my passion, a forum in which I can realize my full potential. The environment Northeastern Law creates. I believe, will best serve me in my quest for the appropriate field of law. I might end up in immigration law, or join a non-profit; no matter the field, Northeastern Law gives me the best opportunity to best serve the public interest through allowing me to truly ascertain my identity in the world of law.