Stanford: What matters to you, and why? (2000 characters)

1932-character version: Stanford
...To those to whom much is given, much is expected. These words by Bill Gates are etched in my mind as a constant reminder of my ultimate goal in life... But ironically, for years I neglected the people around me whom I could easily help and self-justified my actions as investments that would pay off in the form of my future success... The closer I thought I approached my objective, the further I was slipping away from it...