When I first tackled the why major essay, I had this perfect image in my head—like, I should write about my lifelong love for engineering. The thing is, that wasn’t true at all. My real story? It started with this awful experience in my high school robotics club. I thought I had everything figured out before our big competition, and then it all fell apart.
After that disaster, I realized I needed to truly understand the mechanics behind what we were building. I started diving into resources, talking to mentors, and even taking extra classes. My passion didn’t spark from a textbook; it was born from failure.
So when I rewrote my essay, I shared that messy, imperfect journey. I explained how it taught me resilience and patience. It felt more genuine, and it made a much bigger impact than my first draft, where I acted like I was some prodigy from day one.
If you’re struggling with your own why major essay, don’t shy away from sharing the bumps on your journey! It’s those moments that make you relatable and real.