US Marine needs critique for college essay!!!

Hello all,

I'm in the military and trying to finish my bachelors. A University I'm trying to gain admission to asked me to write about Oprah's quote "Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity". We were instructed to give our thoughts and try giving the meaning in our own words. Our past experiences could also be written about to better our argument. Please let me know what you think!

Clint

What is luck? Luck is an outcome of something that you think benefits yourself. At least that’s what I have always been told. Honestly, I don’t believe in luck. When I first read Oprah’s quote I was standing on a fence trying to determine its meaning. I really felt like I could tip in either direction. Agree or disagree, that is the question! Taking a closer look at the wording, I don’t think she is actually giving life to “luck”, but revealing its true form. That people who abuse that word are misinterpreting the outcome of preparation meeting opportunity.

I believe Oprah is bluntly criticizing the common misconception that luck takes the glory for hard work. When you prepare for a task, you have a determination to cross paths with the opportunity eventually do you not? To stand toe to toe with any obstacle in the pursuit of success. If not, then why prepare for anything in life? Yet we still accredit luck. In my short 25 years I honestly cannot say I have never said it was luck that let me score a winning basket. That term has become habit for us to nonchalantly pass up a compliment. We take pride in what we do yet we give credit to an unknown form.

I have worked hard for many things, playing the luck card on occasion, and I know my success in anything is directly connected to the effort put forth. Over the past two years I have served this country fighting in the ranks of my fellow Marines. After enlisting, and before leaving for boot camp, I worked out religiously. I knew it would be tough and that I had to be ready to face the unknown. When the time came to leave my loved ones I was scared and alone. At MCRD San Diego, California, I was presented with an opportunity to better myself. They took my hair, my bible and later my self-possession on the sandy coast of the pacific; but don’t worry I had luck on my side. Wrong! I had my God given strength that for months prior I strived to increase. When it was over I stood at the top of The Reaper staring out over the mountains and ocean beyond. In my hand was all my hard work and preparation; the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor.

Not once during my time at MCRD did I hear a recruit mention luck, and for his sake thank goodness. We Marines have a strong reliance on our accomplishments and hold true our ethos. That a man paves his own road with the grace of God and no help from luck. I don’t mean to rant about people who thank their lucky stars, but it infuriates me to see people work hard for something and then not claim the reward.