Learn by Example: Setback or Failure
Describe a setback, disappointment, or occasion of failure that you have experienced. How did you manage the situation, and what did you learn from it?
Life would be dull if you got everything you wanted without having to struggle a bit. This question is all about how you deal with adversity. The key here is to turn whatever setback you experienced into something positive. Do not dwell on the disappointment—although describe it vividly—but rather focus on how you solved the problem and what you learned.
The following essays are terrific examples of individuals who did just that—they demonstrated initiative, adaptability, self-awareness, and strength of character in their reactions. These are stories both big and small. In choosing your own example, do not fret about find- ing a grand tale; this essay is about perceptiveness and introspection on your part, regardless of the scale of the event. You do not have to paint yourself as a phoenix rising dramatically from the ashes.
The failure essay is not trying to pick holes in your character; on the contrary, it is trying to build it up. Simply structured, it should step through the context, the setback, the consequences, the lessons, the solution, and the future application of your key takeaways.
We all have been beaten to the canvas, we have been dumped, we have flunked a test . . . and we should be thankful for it all. To fail is to have tried. The courage is in the ability to learn from your mistakes. This essay is your opportunity to show how you stepped back in the ring, found something new within yourself, and aced the test. In the words of the great British leader, Sir Winston Churchill, “Difficulties mastered are opportunities won.” Show you believe that.
