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How to talk about growth without making former self sound

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 4:39 pm
by AlexandraHope
ignorant, naive, other unnecessary negative conclusions?

Re: How to talk about growth without making former self sound

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 4:50 pm
by TasmanianToucan
As in, "this is the story of how I went from great to awesome?"

Re: How to talk about growth without making former self sound

Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 11:34 am
by AlexandraHope
TasmanianToucan wrote:As in, "this is the story of how I went from great to awesome?"
I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not...

Re: How to talk about growth without making former self sound

Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 8:57 am
by TasmanianToucan
AlexandraHope wrote:
TasmanianToucan wrote:As in, "this is the story of how I went from great to awesome?"
I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not...
Well, maybe a little. A growth story will reflect the fact that you've changed into something your proud of, and the obvious implication is that what you were before looks lousy in hindsight. The "great to awesome" type of story always sounds insincere to me, so I wouldn't be too worried about making your former self sound naive or ignorant. Clearly you don't want to paint yourself as a recovering psycho, but I don't think that's what you're talking about.

Keep in mind I am no expert, but if you want an extra pair of eyes on your draft I'd be happy to help.

Re: How to talk about growth without making former self sound

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 2:38 am
by AlexandraHope
TasmanianToucan wrote:
AlexandraHope wrote:
TasmanianToucan wrote:As in, "this is the story of how I went from great to awesome?"
I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not...
Well, maybe a little. A growth story will reflect the fact that you've changed into something your proud of, and the obvious implication is that what you were before looks lousy in hindsight. The "great to awesome" type of story always sounds insincere to me, so I wouldn't be too worried about making your former self sound naive or ignorant. Clearly you don't want to paint yourself as a recovering psycho, but I don't think that's what you're talking about.

Keep in mind I am no expert, but if you want an extra pair of eyes on your draft I'd be happy to help.
Thanks! I am currently in the process of what I'm writing my personal statement on. I will have to you as soon as I'm finished. Shooting for early August.

Re: How to talk about growth without making former self sound

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 8:39 am
by smaug
Those must have all been important to me once. What I am now grew from that. A former self is a fool, an insufferable ass, but he's still human, you'd no more turn him out than you'd turn out any kind of cripple, would you?

Re: How to talk about growth without making former self sound

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 9:05 am
by TasmanianToucan
Jason Taverner wrote:
Those must have all been important to me once. What I am now grew from that. A former self is a fool, an insufferable ass, but he's still human, you'd no more turn him out than you'd turn out any kind of cripple, would you?
Pynchon, right? I read Inherent Vice and was underwhelmed. What did you think of that one?^^^

Re: How to talk about growth without making former self sound

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 9:19 am
by collegebum1989
Describe the delta between previous self and current self in relation to: professional goals, academic goals, and personal interests.

Usually, using a "transformative experience" that provided you with "perspective" to improve is a good way to approach this.

Re: How to talk about growth without making former self sound

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 9:35 am
by smaug
TasmanianToucan wrote:
Jason Taverner wrote:
Those must have all been important to me once. What I am now grew from that. A former self is a fool, an insufferable ass, but he's still human, you'd no more turn him out than you'd turn out any kind of cripple, would you?
Pynchon, right? I read Inherent Vice and was underwhelmed. What did you think of that one?^^^
it's great

it's been a while but I think it's Enzian to Blicero in Gravity's Rainbow

or Enzian about Blicero

I haven't read Inherent Vice yet, but I adore V. and Gravity's Rainbow

Re: How to talk about growth without making former self sound

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 9:45 am
by TasmanianToucan
collegebum1989 wrote:Describe the delta between previous self and current self in relation to: professional goals, academic goals, and personal interests.

Usually, using a "transformative experience" that provided you with "perspective" to improve is a good way to approach this.
Heh for most people the "transformative experience" could just be called "growing the f*** up."

Re: How to talk about growth without making former self sound

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 9:49 am
by TasmanianToucan
Jason Taverner wrote:
TasmanianToucan wrote:
Jason Taverner wrote:
Those must have all been important to me once. What I am now grew from that. A former self is a fool, an insufferable ass, but he's still human, you'd no more turn him out than you'd turn out any kind of cripple, would you?
Pynchon, right? I read Inherent Vice and was underwhelmed. What did you think of that one?^^^
it's great

it's been a while but I think it's Enzian to Blicero in Gravity's Rainbow

or Enzian about Blicero

I haven't read Inherent Vice yet, but I adore V. and Gravity's Rainbow
Gravity's Rainbow is on my list but I never seem to get to it. So many good books so little time.

Re: How to talk about growth without making former self sound

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 10:07 am
by AreJay711
It's not that hard. Talk about momentum toward better and brighter things.

Re: How to talk about growth without making former self sound

Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 9:40 pm
by TheSS
null

Re: How to talk about growth without making former self sound

Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 9:46 pm
by smaug
except the brits don't use 'inferiour' either