UIUC Social Work Application Essay

Abstract

This is the application essay I submitted to the University of Illinois to study social work. I used my own perception of the world via synesthesia to explain how I have been influenced to go into the social work field. Psychology Today states, “Synesthesia is a neurological condition in which when one sense is activated, another unrelated sense is activated at the same time. This may, for instance, take the form of hearing music and simultaneously sensing the sound as swirls or patterns of color” (2023).

I offer the reader an inside look into how my experiences show up for me in different colors and shades. Therapy and counseling are seen in a beautiful black color that offers hope like stars in a night sky rather than the darkness of the human condition. Learning to be compassionate to the world manifests itself in varying shades of blue. My desire to study social work – ocean blue. Aiding those in need- cerulean. Inequalities in the world- dark blue. Finally, applying the skills learned from the classroom – sapphire. My unique lens of the human condition will aid my work as a counselor in deepening my understanding on different and insightful ways.