Leeanne Joyce Mandac

Mrs. Angulo
Period 1
23 April 2017
Personal Insight Questions

Prompt 2: Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem
solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you
express your creative side.

Creativity means that you can express yourself in your own unique way. You are not
mocking anyone else, you are just being you and that is the best thing you could do for yourself.
Hearing the word creativity the first thing that comes to mind is art. However, whenever I hear
that word, the first thing that comes into my mind is music, specifically making music. Making
music is a great way to kill time when you are bored and is a great way to reunite with people
that you dont talk to anymore. I consider music as creativity because music is very important to
me. Music helps me make decisions, it brings me up when I am just about to give up. Because of
music, I have been able to be closer with people that I go to school with. If I ever used creativity
to solve a problem, my solution would be creative problem solving. Having this skill would
mean that someone would achieve a long lasting success. My creativity influences my decisions
inside or outside the classroom. Music influences my decisions inside the classroom. I am
currently a Junior student and I have been in Choir since this school year started. In addition,
music influences my decisions outside the classroom due to the fact that I sing at church on
Sundays with my fellow friends. I grew fond of making music when I got into high school. I
originally planned to join Choir my Freshman Year but I had to take classes that were part of the
A-G requirements. Over time, I took the courage to join Junior Year and it was the best feeling
ever. I was already into music but when I got into Choir, it made me open my eyes more. All of a
sudden, I found out new information about making music. Creativity is used to express yourself.

Prompt 5: Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken
to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
 Imagine learning a new language, a new culture, and new people to associate yourself
with. Imagine a place where you will wake up one morning and will see that the world you live
in now is much different and diverse than what you are used to. I used to imagine that back when
I was in the Philippines and when I migrated to California, those imagination became real. After
a few months of living here, I needed to enroll to a new school. I enrolled and started middle
school at Sierra Vista Junior High School. During the first day, I met someone who was nice
enough to me to be my friend even though I talked to her with an accent. Few weeks passed by,
the first semester had ended and my dad got a mail and it was my report card stating that I got a
C as my grade in my History class. This made me feel humiliated to the point where I wanted to
just cry and give up but after a few hours, I felt that I needed to take on this challenge by
learning the new language and studying the history of the United States. Soon after that, I
improved. I know this because when my dad got another mail from the school, he was happy and
told me that I had brought my grade up to a A in my History class. Earning that A was like
winning the lotto, I was really happy that I accomplished a goal even though I wasnt fluent in
the new language.

Prompt 6: Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered
this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
 When asked this question, many people would say that their favorite academic subject
would be any subject except mathematics. However, its different with me. Mathematics has
always been the academic subject that inspired me ever since I was little. I remember asking my
dad to buy me a cash register box for my 6th birthday, that was when I realized that I was really
fond of numbers, hence the cash register box. I have always enjoyed the excitement of solving a
complicated problem with variables and ending up with a number as an answer. I have furthered
this interest inside of the classroom by taking rigorous classes. I am currently taking AP Calculus
AB and I can safely say that even though it takes time and effort to do tedious and complicated
problems, they are doable. In addition, I have furthered this interest outside of the classroom by
being a Math Guru at the Math Center. I tutor students who are in need of extra help in
mathematics. Usually, students need help on different levels of math such as Integrated Math I,
Integrated Math II, Algebra 2, Precalculus, AP Calculus AB/BC, and Statistics. I have been a
Math Guru for 2 years and have been given the chance to share my knowledge with other
students. My interest in this subject has influenced me in choosing a major. I want to major in
accountancy. Accountancy is the measurement, processing, and communication of financial
information about economic entities such as businesses and corporations. Over time, I have
grown to be interested in this academic subject.

Prompt 8: What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to
the University of California?

The one thing that sets me apart from other candidates applying to the University of
California is perseverance. I migrated from the Philippines to California when I was 11 years old
hoping to be educated at a great school and eventually, find a stable job. I have encountered
many obstacles ever since I moved here, I was in 7th grade when I used to be bullied because I
didnt know how to speak English. From there on, I started to work hard and asked the schools
staff to teach me how to speak and write in English. I have to admit, it was hard learning a new
language at the age of 12, but I did it, I had to, I didnt want to be someone that was stepped on
just because I didnt know how to speak English. My intelligence was questioned because I did
not know the language that was spoken. I was at the point where I wanted to give up but I didnt.
Seeing how far I have come, it was too late to not reach for the top. I decided to disregard
peoples opinion about me, I chose to become a better version of myself. I started to do better in
school. I started to take rigorous classes that many people werent taking. I proved the people
that bullied me wrong. These facts that I have provided are evidence as to why I have
perseverance. I overcame difficult conundrums that got me to where I am now.