Christopher Cumberbatch '20 Recruiting Profile

The best colleges want students that are scholars, leaders, and athletes. I fit each one of these criteria, I am an AP scholar with honors, maintaining an average score of 3.5 or higher on AP Tests, I am also writing my own novel that I have been working on for 3 years. I am 215 pages into it and hope to publish it by the end of 2019. I am a leader as the vice-president of the creative writing club, and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Pleasant Valley High School newspaper, the Spartan Shield. I am an athlete with a varsity letter in crew, finishing second-fastest in the state, and 17th at Nationals. Also, in the Public-Forum Debate Tournament, I have won 3 times and was a semifinalist at regionals last year.

I want to become a lawyer and eventually run for a political office because I want to prove to myself and others that I am a person of character. In want to attend a college that cultivates graduates that possess ingenuity, character, respect, and honor. These are traits I admire and want for myself. This is the exact kind of person I want to be, and I know that the right college will advance me on the path to get there.

This goal of mine truly started at the beginning of my high school career when the majority of the class and I were falsely accused by the teacher of plagiarizing a final essay assignment. Although I vehemently said that I did not plagiarize, I was told that I had to admit to it unless I wanted a 0 as my final grade in the class. I refused on principle and gained the trust and support of my parents. Eventually, when the essay was looked over by another council it was found that it contained no plagiarism and I was able to receive my rightful grade. Even though I was vindicated, the feeling of powerlessness and despair because my words were not believed has never left me. I had no previous instances of plagiarism in my entire high school career, nor did I have any disciplinary issues with the administration but because a teacher doubted the credibility of my work I was shunned and almost failed. I committed to myself that I would never let anyone question my integrity again.

Both of my parents are immigrants to this country, one from Trinidad and the other from Jamaica. They left to build a better life for themselves and their children and they have succeeded. I have been to both countries numerous times and although it is welcoming to see family, because of the rampant crime they have to take numerous precautions to protect themselves and their belongings every day. In contrast, an American citizen rarely has to worry if his/her house will be empty when they get home. I truly feel lucky to be a citizen and to live in this country. I feel the need to give back through a life of service to others through a career in law and politics. The education I would receive at my selected University would put me in the best position to do this and to serve my country in the most effective way possible.