Not sure if I should this theme for an essay? Forum

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 3:53 pm

Hi there,

I had planned to write about my leadership in an orchestra for my PS, but I had another theme that I have been thinking about for some time. I have the following questions about it, and I list the situation below.

1. Should I use this theme at all?
2. Is it bad that it has only shaped my perspective and fueled my internal drive to support things I do (e.g. girl scouts) rather than any further action to reduce this in classes? - in other words, did I not do enough concrete action after the fact to demonstrate that I learned from it?
3. What type of essay could this be used for? Main PS, a shorter adversity topic, ???
4. All other comments accepted!

Situation/general idea for the essay:

I took a class about legislating my senior year as a Pass/Fail class at my state school (top public). The class had a small amount of students in it, and it was set up in a seminar-type fashion. The class was led by a "high-up" member in the state senate who was also a lawyer and he really only taught this one class and another at the law school. Coming in, he talked down to us, in a typical proud, politician-manner. I had other instructors like this, so even though I didn't really enjoy the self-important way he talked to us and taught, I would deal with. However, what I immediately came to resent was the underlying sexism in this class. The first day, we went around the room and introduced ourselves. After that class, I never heard the names of the girls in that class again. The professor had instead put nicknames on the girls: "smiles" for the girl who had a nice smile, "alpha-beta" for the girl who wore a sorority t-shirt on the first day (he called her by the real sorority name, not alpha beta), etc. The girls NEVER contributed to the class, they never said anything, no one participated once. Here is where it get me angry: we had a large assignment where we were assigned to either defend or go against the governor's recent scandal. The point of this topic was to show that we would have to be able to think and argue logically and emotionally-attached about certain things that we might not personally agree with. I was assigned on the team to defend the governor's quite questionable actions. I had prepared a pretty reasonable argument, I stood at the podium confidently, didn't miss a beat, and stuck too it. After you presented, the other side would ask you questions and try to argue against you. I stood my ground, not backing down to the comments and continued the debate. My professor was asking me questions (i don't remember exactly what at this time) but then he said something like, "you really think this, you really think that's what he tried to do?" As I said yes and confidently defended my argument, he smiles and goes, "Oh you're cute. Thank you." He dismissed the entirety of what I had researched and argued, and I was livid! He didn't say that you anyone else! He didn't question my male teammates as they attempted to defend the governor's actions, as we were assigned to do! The other girl on my team laughed a lot in her argument and let their questions influence her and let her falter. Later, on the class evaluation forms I wrote that I would not recommended this class, and I told my other seminar professor in the same department what had happened, which he called deplorable. I didn't really do much action after that though...

Anyway, long description aside, this opened my eyes. It was the first time I had ever felt like I was being treated differently solely based on the fact that I was a female...and by a lawyer in a debate-type setting no doubt! I had talked to my friend who had taken his class earlier and had later interned under him, and she said "he gives better grades to the girls" and that working for him he was a little sexist but it helped if you went along with it to get an internship with him. This action made me reflect a lot on the activities that I was apart of. I was a leader of my orchestra, and a leader at a girl scout camp that was run only by women...I know law schools don't see being a female as any diverse characteristic, but it is true that a lot of classes have a lot more males. Do you think this topic if I can draw it into my own motivations about being a female in law and leadership, etc. would be acceptable for use in an essay, and what kind? I can provide more details if needed. thanks!!!

benwyatt · Post by **benwyatt** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 7:24 pm

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Generally · Post by **Generally** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 11:02 pm

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benwyatt · Post by **benwyatt** » Sun Oct 11, 2015 2:45 am

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Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Sun Oct 11, 2015 7:40 pm

Thanks - I definitely would take out a lot of detail about the particulars...maybe not even mention that the professor said it and leave that general, to focus on the fact that it was said? I would then tie it in to the leadership experience that I have been heavily involved in, and to help promote community and future girls become leaders, and how leadership and community is important in an attorney, etc. etc., with the point of the topic is overcoming any obstacles and promoting equality and leadership capabilities for all, what do you think? thanks for the feedback so far!

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Mon Oct 12, 2015 11:06 pm

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Mon Oct 12, 2015 11:06 pm