Prep School Application Essay

Prep School Application Essay Rough Draft 1

As a public speaker, I recall the late nights where I recited my piece within the confines of my church's dimly lit basement. My zealous grandmother, an internet web designer, had become aware of the New Jersey Orators, a public speaking organization, by her client and quickly made up her mind that the N.J.O was precisely what an aspiring young scholar like me would need to participate successfully in academic and social activities. "Honey, imagine what becoming a powerful and sophisticated public speaker will do for you!" she exclaimed, while she continued, through phone calls, emails and personal recommendations, her search to learn more about the organization. I admit, I was enchanted by the program, even more so by my grandmother's irresistible charm and optimistism. Besides, she had always been more right than wrong in any advice she had gave me. At the time, I was only four years old and could barely grasp the implications of what it would be like to

This is no safe haven, I thought to myself; rather it’s a whirling pool of anxiety and utter insecurity. Public speaking stripped me from my comfort level and revealed the constant vulnerability I desperately tried to conceal. As a result, when my coach handed me a poem to present to the class on the first day, I cried! The poem, no matter how eloquently delivered, should have taken no more than 5 minutes. Instead, it became a very uncomfortable 15 minutes as I repeatedly halted, unsure of myself and battled my insistent inner voice screaming “get off stage!” For those few moments, I felt estranged from my voice and even more so, a punching bag to my thoughts of distraught and embarrassment. That night, I recall slamming my bedroom door shut and falling asleep in fear that I had disappointed my greatest fan, my