Liberal Arts Personal Statement

To me, the term liberal arts conjures images of impressive buildings with large stained glass windows, similar to the University of Michigan Law Quad. I am very well aware that liberal arts by no means has a definition that correlates to physical appearances, but I think the images that pop in my head strikes a deeper chord. They attest to the rigor and accomplishment of studying a liberal arts education during college. My definition of a liberal arts education is the exposure and study of a variety of academic spheres. With this type of education, one’s major is not the determinant of all the classes he or she will take. A liberal arts education pushes a student to study a variety of subjects even if it does not directly relate to his or her major.
The ability to take rigorous courses surrounding different topics is what I desire at the university I attend, which is something I had the opportunity to do in high school.
Despite the fact that I have known I wanted to be a civil rights lawyer and major in political science since middle school, throughout my high school career I have taken a well-rounded and diverse course-load at a high level. I like the intellectual challenge of working through a class that might be out of my comfort zone. Exposing myself to this high level thinking in multiple areas has fostered new interests in subjects such as biology that I would not have discovered if I stuck solely on the honors path for my desired career. Although, I will not major in biology, taking the course has helped me grow as a learner, gaining new studying and analytical tactics, which has impacted me in all of my
studies.
A liberal arts education will not only help me find new areas of intellectual interest, but will also prove beneficial regarding my career. Though politics is centered on social science, having knowledge in other areas is vital in understanding legislation, current events, and addressing the needs of constituents. The information I will learn in the array of classes I will take will serve as important knowledge that can give me an edge when applying for internships and jobs.
I hope to be involved in the higher-level thinking and discussing environment that a liberal arts education fosters. This type of intellectual inquiry is especially important for a career in politics. Last year as an executive board member of Michigan High School Democrats, I helped lead a campaign against a state senate bill that aimed at lowering minimum wage for teens. The board and I had an exchange of ideas regarding why this bill should not pass. I want this same open exchange of diverse thought that a liberal arts education affords.
This type of education will aid my lifelong love of learning, while also strengthening key skills such as critical thinking and communication skills, as they are vital to success in any job. A liberal arts education improves these intangible factors, which will allow me to thrive in a myriad of environments. The problem solving skills I will refine in science based classes and the analytical thinking tactics I will gain in literature classes will all make up components of success for my career. It is difficult to utilize and ultimately build up these attributes when in an education program where one solely sticks to their courses relating to their major. The academic exploration this education affords promotes creativity skills that are useful during college years and beyond.