Recall specific instances when your values played a role in your decision

making. How did your values show up? What were you thinking?
One instance where my values played a crucial role in my decision making
process was when I was applying and choosing which college I would attend
during my senior year of high school. During this process, I reevaluated and
reaffirmed many of the values that I deemed to be indispensable for myself
and my college of choice. Therefore, I applied to four schools that I thought
would be best for my future- the University of South Carolina, the Ohio State
University, Miami University, and the University of Cincinnati.
But, in the end, I chose to attend the University of Cincinnati- my hometown
school. A core reason that I chose UC is because it is so close to my roots
and my family. Family is one of my core values and staying at UC keeps me
within twenty minutes of my parents, siblings, and new nephew. A second
value that I felt I could mature at the University of Cincinnati is the value of
integrity. UC did a great job when I was still looking at schools in showing me
how well rounded the school and its students are- whether it be in
academics, service, professionality, or even socially. I love the idea that I
can go on service trips to Appalachia, take classes in any subject imaginable,
and visit ten countries before I graduate- all of which have the ability to
greatly advance and expand my values.
Although I liked the other three schools, I deemed UC to be the most fitting
for me and my value system. My thought process at the time of choosing
Cincinnati was that I would be able to fully get involved on campus, while still
maintaining a balance with the values that I had developed prior to college.