The Power Of PR Admission Essay Examples

PR (public relations) changed my life. My road to the United States was neither simple nor easy. In the past I have been deported, arrested, lost a high paying job in journalism, and eventually had to escape to the US – all due to the power of PR. Those experiences have brought the realization that a deeper appreciation of the power of PR would have saved that life I lost. I believe now that the way for me to regain that life is to become an expert in what destroyed it. After nine years in journalism I discovered that PR is the master and journalism its slave. I see your program as the first and best step to achieve my goals.
Born and raised in Syria, I faced government PR propaganda on a daily basis. Believing that journalism would permit me to write the truth, I chose to obtain a BA in journalism. I was mistaken. The harsh reality was that government PR controlled the people and every word printed in the press. After I graduated I relocated to Qatar where I could enjoy freedom of the press. Hired by the al Watan newspaper, I worked for nine years as a journalist. Then three years after being promoted to head of the tourism and varieties departments, my career at this newspaper came to an abrupt end when I was deported to Syria for permitting publication of a news item about a strange creature seen by a woman on Doha’s shore (a popular tourist location). National Security accused me of trying to destabilize the country by intimidating people. It was then that I realized the power of PR in a country which markets itself as a safe destination. Through my work as part-time PR officer for the Qatar Authority for Charitable Activities (QACA ) – a government institution – I had learned how to steer the media the way we wanted, although fully realizing that everything we had written could be changed by a decision of a public relations officer.
On arrival in Syria I was arrested on government orders because of what I had written against them whilst in Qatar. I fled to the United States, where I applied for political asylum. Having received my Green Card, I am now free to pursue my dream by attending NYUSCPS.
My possibly unique path to the United States has been shaped through a great number of life and professional experiences, obstacles and setbacks, culminating in finally reaching the US to study public relations in a prestigious university like NYU. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to apply to study for the Master’s in Public Relations. I have always believed that continuing to learn and furthering one’s education is critical to understanding life and all its various aspects. Advances in science and technology have made that even more important. A graduate degree, along with my enthusiasm for learning, my past experience and my self-discipline would give me the opportunity to pursue my professional dreams in the US.
Once I arrived in this country, I knew that my English skills would be important to attend graduate school. To that end, I have worked hard to strengthen my English by watching news programs, reading local daily papers, having conversations with as many people as possible, and reading books. I also knew that it would be important to find a graduate program that would be a great fit for me. To do this, I spent countless hours researching and learning about programs in New York City, including the NYUSCPS Public Relations program. In addition to speaking with students involved in the program, I noted that PR Week magazine gave this program its inaugural PR Education Program of the Year award in 2010 for the second year in a row.
With my past experience in journalism, my unique background, and a Master’s Degree in Public Relations from NYUSCPS, I know that one day I will be able to play a lead role in helping companies through improving communications within the community, and building strong relationships between companies and the media. I know from my research that this particular program features an innovative curriculum which focuses on several core subjects and features selected concentrations, which is just about ideal for my career objectives, as indeed is the location of the school itself.
I am now – in my third year in the US – more eager than ever to make the greatest possible effort to succeed, especially since I have now tasted freedom here. Importantly, I ask the esteemed admissions committee to take into account that I continue to strengthen my English, and that I will not stop improving myself and my English.