How to Write the Umich Ross Portfolio Essay

“Forward progress stymied by entrenched traditionalist values!” could have read the local news headlines. Equally, had events transpired to the contrary they rather could proclaim, “Mixed-use development destroys town landmark!” Fortunately, neither of these polarizing headlines graced the 2008 papers in West Hartford, Connecticut, a quintessential New England town incorporated in 1854. It was in that year a controversial opportunity came calling for the consideration of town residents. It was conceived by “outside” real estate developers and to be known as “Blue Back Square”, a proposed mixed-use development that would sit aside the venerable Town Center. How did I come to learn all this? My Dad took me to the many neighborhood hearings where local residents would gather, developers would dazzle and town managers would entertain the opinions of many. It was important I listen and develop my own view, he would say. After all, we were members of this community and have a responsibility to care for and shape it. During these sessions, I witnessed intelligent people present equally compelling points of view, passionately arguing in seemingly complete opposition to each other. Ultimately, after all views and options were openly expressed and heard, concessions were made by all parties, and Blue Back Square opened with the headline “Blue Back delivers on promise.” The experience exposed for me the delicate, intertwined interests of people, town, progress, heritage … and oh, revenue and taxes. Which brings me forward to 2016. Blue Back Square is still open, and good it is because a recent newspaper article reported it as the highest property tax revenue source in town. Still, the article continued, West Hartford faces challenges to balance its annual budget. What should be done? The town is considering many straight-forward choices like prioritizing discretionary spends and cuts, raising taxes on property owners, etc. But I have another idea. One that harkens back to my long hours in the chairs at council hearings for Blue Back Square. We need fresh thinking and investment. We need to break free of our seeming constraints, and invite others from outside West Hartford to discover our wonderful town and be part of its future. Specifically, I’d like to see alternative revenue sources created instead of raising taxes to further burden the community, and I definitely don’t want to see town funded programs and services cut because we need to live up to Kiplinger's ranking West Hartford in its "10 Best Cities for the Next Decade". I propose we chart a path to become a technology hub, situated between Boston and New York City. We have teaching universities in the immediate area to fuel innovative thinking and create a talent pool; we have above average income and education levels, and we have a lovely town set in a beautiful natural landscape with parcels of land available to develop. We now need to find a private sector partner looking to avoid the high cost of big surrounding cities, and rekindle the days of Blue Back, all toward a better headline, “Tech trumps tax.”

/r/ApplyingToCollege Thread Parent