Essay Category:
Essay Question:
General personal/candidate statement. Also, an essay describing a triumph. I used it for both questions.
Every young person has had some struggle, some grand accomplishment suitable for the college application essay--some intense effort wrought with pain and the eventual thrill of triumph. With this in mind, it seems apropos to recount a trying time in my life that is one of most defining first experiences. 'I'm not going to do it," I protested though I knew it would do no good. And so began my tale of woe: My first pull-up! Not a matter of life or death, I know, but a struggle nonetheless, and these things always seem worse during the anticipation. I already looked foolish enough, wearing the most athletic-looking thing in my closet that somehow never looked quite right on me. So why not complete the humiliation by failing miserably in front of the entire team? "I'm just a coxswain," I sighed as I grabbed hold of a metal bar that had proven to be the bane of my existence. Staring up at this, I thought about how utterly unnecessary the process was. I could be doing anything else! But I knew from the expression on my coach's face that I was doing nothing else until I got my chin over that bar. Tired and frustrated, I decided to give it a try. And so I tried, not just tried, but tried hard. Apparently, something inside me wanted to do this. I was not going to let an inanimate metal rod beat me. I was better than that. It wasn't just competitiveness that got me up there, though, and as much as drive to succeed motivates, it wasn't that either. I think it was looking down at my bow seat's hands, blistered and battered from weeks upon weeks of driving an oar through the water. She was cheering for me. The whole team was, and so I did it. And when I came down, I was barely aware of the minor physical accomplishment. Instead, I focused on the realization of what it meant to really be part of a team. The support, the camaraderie, and the understanding were all manifested in this one small act. This was what I truly saw as an accomplishment at that moment. In retrospect, I have realized that this event has served as a metaphor for how I deal with challenge in general. I believe that when faced with adversity, it is of paramount importance to stand firm and grab hold of the bar. That is why this event stands out in my mind, turning the simple narrative of a coxswain's first pull-up into a struggle worth mentioning.
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Essay Question:
Major Essay: What drives you? What are you passionate about?
Early in the summer, my Naniji (meaning 'maternal grandmother') was teaching me about Indian culture, particularly cooking and reading Hindi. Today, in her feisty style, she was showing me how to make paneer, an Indian delicacy. Not letting me touch the pot she was stirring, she impatiently explained the process: 'the milk has to be heated to exactly the right temperature or else the paneer will be loose. After it has heated, add lime juice to the milk.' Paneer is a soft, cheese-like white substance so laborious to make that it is only served on certain Indian holidays or for special company. When Naniji at last consented, I excitedly added a drop of juice to the nascent paneer, carefully observing the tiny havoc it caused. A small, yellowish drop of lime juice tumbled into the milk, causing the milk to part around the juice and become strangely stringy. The word for this process -- coagulation - popped into my mind. I liked the funny-sounding word in chemistry class, and felt a linguistic familiarity with it because I could discern its etymology: 'cogo', from Latin, meaning 'to do or to drive'. 'That makes sense,' I thought, 'because coagulation could be the process of driving solute together.' As I added more juice, I looked carefully at the developing paneer and began to wonder what was driving the milk together. Thinking back to biology and chemistry, I quickly figured it out: protein from the milk emulsion was clumping together because it had been denatured! The lime juice had a low pH, which denatured, or reshaped, the proteins by altering charges on the polypeptide chain, causing the proteins to stick together! That's why I can make paneer! In a flash, I had figured it all out. Why the process worked, where its name came from, and how things would look at the molecular level. I also realized something else entirely: how much I love science, especially when applied. I felt such an inner satisfaction that moment I figured out why my drops of lime juice could so dramatically transform the milk into paneer. I wanted to feel the same thrill again and test whether I really was passionate about science. I enrolled in multiple higher-level classes, and since then, I have felt the same enthusiasm discovering why only half of medicine synthesized is useful, identifying unknown mixtures in lab, and proving Newton's laws of motion. Much of my zeal for science stems from its human aspect, whether that is coagulation from pH change in the context of Indian cooking and culture, or global-level problem solving, like dealing with an epidemic. Science not only excites and satisfies the inquisitive child in me, but it also connects me to environmental problems, people, and even my heritage. Feeling all of my yearnings - curiosity leading to understanding, cultures and people, and the possibility for a positive contribution - is why I see my future in search of the truth that only science provides me.
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Essay Question:
What interests you about Brown?
I want my college experience to be about self-discovery, both inside and outside the classroom. I am starting to know myself; I have learned what open-mindedness is, what it is not, and how much I value it. I've searched for a compromise in many situations: how tolerant is one to be of intolerance? I confronted this question when helping a student understand his Asian identity and cope with parental disapproval of his sexuality. I was confused about how much parental intolerance to challenge because of the respect he held for his parents. Would I be challenging that respect as well? As a Multicultural Peer Counselor I have not only had to think abstractly about these questions, but give answers and see consequences. Though in the process I have gained some wisdom, it seems insignificant compared to all of the progress that I must make. The placement of an MPC and WPC on each freshman hall demonstrates the communal respect for issues of personal and group identity and difficulties people face because of them. As all of us uncover who we are, this acceptance is crucial. My determination, curiosity, and intensity would cause me to fit well with the 'similarly passionate, motivated, and accepting' student body as described to me by one Brown student. Brown is my ideal environment because it demands learning with wonder, confronting questions, exploring fundamentals, challenging beliefs, and true tolerance.
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Essay Question:
We recognize that all good writers seek feedback, advice, or editing before sending off an essay. When you have completed your essay, please tell us whose advice you sought for help, the advice he/she provided, and whether you incorporated his/her suggestions.
The final authority for my writing is an experienced teacher whom students fondly refer to as 'our resident essay expert'. Before, however, using the time of such a sought-after and presumably busy man, I asked my college-going peers to edit my work. Some of my peers gave me purely grammar and syntactical corrections, which I executed before delving further. Others gave me suggestions for voice and sentence structure. Teachers were final judges of my essays, because they focused on them from a holistic point of view. I sat across from Dr. Miller, an almost elderly gentleman, as he perused my essay. I nervously awaited feedback. Older friends had told me, 'he tore apart my essays, but in the end they turned out well. So it was worth it.' Although my essays had been reviewed by parents, peers, and another teacher, I still waited for my essay to be torn apart. When he finished, he looked up and began to speak: 'Reading this essay, I get the impression that you are a meticulous, observant, formal, driven and philosophical person. Is this true?' Other feedback that I remember included 'in the 7,428 college essays I have read during my career, this is perhaps the most impersonal one I have ever read. Tell me, do you have a sense of humor? Perhaps you should insert a humorous comment here. It is awfully nerdy that you explain a chemical process in your college essay.' Allowing this advice to percolate for some time, I edited the essay. And edited. And edited. I edited it so much that the essay was left pathetically shorn of its former passion and enthusiasm! I showed the over-edited version to peers and it turned out that my fear had come true: I edited the essay to the point of blandness. My once vivacious essay was now, many hours later, a boring, textbook description of protein behavior. In despair, I went for a walk, contemplating other ideas - I waited a week, reread a preliminary draft of the essay, put it away, and then quickly rewrote the essay, trying to sincerely feel the essence of the experience, not grammar. I made minor revisions to this draft, and then e-mailed the essay back to parents and Dr. Miller. After incorporating their suggestions a second time, that is the essay I present.
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Essay Question:
Minor: If you are applying to Trinity College, please discuss why you consider Duke a good match for you. Is there something in particular at Duke that attracts you? If you are applying to the Pratt School of Engineering, please discuss why you want to study engineering.
As a college student, I want to take challenging classes from interesting professors, and work hard, learning as much as I possibly can. But, there are many things I anticipate doing in addition to classes. I want to attend lectures on interesting topics by notable speakers, participate in scientific research as an undergraduate, and be involved in orchestrating large student-run events. In college, I am searching for self-discovery, learning, and balance among academic, social and extracurricular spheres of interest. Attending Duke would make all of these things possible. As a student at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, I have attended several lectures at Duke. One of my favorites was listening to Dr. Craig Venter, founder of the Institute for Genomic Research, speak on the recent advances in the Human Genome project. Currently, I am involved in a program through the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics which pairs chosen students with a mentor in their chosen field of interest. At Duke's Gross Chemistry Laboratory, I work with Dr. Stephen Craig each Tuesday afternoon, conducting research on protein dimerization involving a chemical ligand. Until this point, I have created mathematical models of the proteins predicted behavior and am beginning a simulation involving DNA fragments. Attending Duke would allow me to continue working with Dr. Craig, as well as gaining towards a major in biochemistry. My experiences with Duke University have been positive thus far, and I believe that as a student, I would enjoy attending Duke University while taking advantage of all it has to offer.
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Essay Question:
We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about an activity you pursued for the pleasure of it.
Before me were five wise men. They were leaders and professors representing the five major world religions: an energetic pastor who loved to tell stories, a Jewish professor who used humor to convey ideas; a patient 'I am a layman' practitioner of Buddhism; a wildly gesticulating Hindu professor; and finally, a calm Muslim Imam who raised his hand when the pastor asked 'who of you were raised in Christian households?' These men comprised a panel of speakers for the 'World Religions Conference,' an event organized by the Multicultural Peer Counselors, (ten students, of which I am one) as an opportunity for students and staff to learn and inquire. As an organizer, I nervously awaited a dispute or insensitive comment, but instead I saw careful listening, respect and acceptance. Before me was something much greater than five men: open-mindedness with living hope for religious harmony. To share this feeling of oneness with the rest of my community is the reason I pursued becoming a Multicultural Peer Counselor.
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Essay Question:
What personal characteristics do you most value in yourself? What characteristics do others most value in you?
To myself, I'm a strong-willed person who thinks she can achieve anything with discipline and hard work. Otherwise, I'm pretty zany. I'm the girl who replaced lemons in water with cucumber slices, patiently arranged sand making a mandala, and created parrots from Styrofoam. My creativity can be artistic, but also handy for problem solving. Creativity gives me direction. When I asked friends what they most value in me, they replied: 'compassion towards friends, your morals, your humor and occasional bouts of silliness!' though they sometimes wonder how I can enjoy science even as I surrender my sanity to classes. Maybe my humor and silliness are why I can survive sometimes energy-sapping Physics and Chemistry.
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Essay Question:
Tell us something about yourself...
From across the biology room, a small but confident voice asked Mr. Jordan whether certain genes were hereditary. The inquisitive student was a junior named Shayma and I noticed that she had a trace of a strange accent in her voice. After chatting with her, she told me that she moved to Boise from Egypt last year. She didn't seem to know many other students, so I introduced her to some of my friends. Although initially intimidated with hanging around a bunch of seniors, pretty soon she was packed in the Pontiac with us on the way to lunch. I asked her about the many differences she had observed while living in the United States. We connected because I, too, am originally from a different country: Panama. Because I have more international experience than other American teenagers from my class, I felt like I could appreciate her unique situation. I laughed with her about certain situations that we both could understand. For example, we giggled at the similar memories of our moms getting frustrated trying to order a Happy Meal. It was an almost impossible task at a drive-through intercom because their strong accents prevented any communication. There was one point, especially, on which my new friend and I strongly related. That common principle was that we knew our families are always number one. If my four-year-old sister is sad because another girl in her preschool class has the same t-shirt, my dad will be at Kmart the next day. When my ten-year-old sister wants to learn to dance, my mom and I blast Ricky Martin. My dad suffers countless hours trying to produce a single assignment, such as a 'Difference in Learning Styles' paper, for his MBA classes. My mom and I chuckle to ourselves as we edit one of his masterpieces. Even though my older sister, Lourdes, is living in Phoenix now, she does not escape from the warm grasp of the family. Lourdes haplessly bought an ill-fated piece of junk for her first car and my dad was the one to come to the rescue. After a few costly repairs, he now drives the wretched car and she drives his. From their actions, my family has demonstrated to me the value of supporting each other. Encouraged by our shared experiences, Shayma and I became closer friends. We discussed the many benefits of sharing two cultures, including the option of celebrating numerous holidays. During the early years of my family's life in the United States, we celebrated all the Panamanian holidays. We celebrated Children's Day on November 1st, the Day of the Dead on November 2nd, Panama Independence Day on November 3rd, Mother's Day on December 8th, and the customary Christmas and Easter. When Lourdes and I entered grade school, however, we started bringing home gooey painted pasta for Mother's Day gifts in May and dressed up like goblins for trick-or-treating in October. So, eventually, as a family we decided which holidays were most meaningful to us. I won't forget, however, the gratifying transitional period when every couple of weeks was a fiesta in the Arjona household. Shayma let me enjoy the similar memories of her family, though they were more recent since she had only been in the states only a few years. Shayma misses her previous home in Egypt, but we agree that there are numerous opportunities in the United States that are not found elsewhere. Being a foreign-born American has helped me to appreciate those distinct opportunities. My family never talks about it, but we moved to this country to establish a more secure life. At the same time, we strive to keep our culture. I discuss with my family my future career plans to become a bioengineer. The enthusiasm of our conversation is proof enough of the contentment and balance we have created in our life in Boise, Idaho. In college next year, I will meet amazing people from a variety of different backgrounds. Because of my own Panamanian and American background, I feel easily connect with persons of many cultures and want to appreciate them. I hope to continue to share that spirit of amiability and provide leadership through example towards my roommates, class peers, and swim team members in college next year.
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Essay Question:
Describe one person who has influenced your life and how.
When I walked into Honors U.S. History at the beginning of my junior year, I didn't know what to expect. I hadn't heard much about the class or the teacher. But what I learned from that year will affect me for the rest of my life, because of an incredible History teacher named Mr. Brewer. Mr. Brewer is not a conventional teacher. He has been at Harrison High School for many years, and all the while he has been teaching some of the brightest minds ever to go through the school. Because of this, he has had ample time to adjust his teaching style, and the results are phenomenal. His lectures are so captivating that I could hardly wait to go to class everyday. Another thing about Mr. Brewer that makes him very unique is the simulations that he mediates. While in U.S. History, I participated in the Continental Congress, a game in which students were assigned different personas that paralleled the founding fathers and their beliefs, and the Oil Game, in which cutthroat competition between buyers and sellers often culminated to yelling matches and bitter rivalries, while still teaching us about capitalism. Mr. Brewer is incredible in the ways that he finds to weave past accounts into present-day ideas by illustrating the cyclic nature of human culture, and showing how we can learn from those Americans before us. Not only does Mr. Brewer teach History, but he does so neutrally. His classroom is a haven for new ideas and radical beliefs. We are encouraged to speak our mind, formulate and opinion, and then support it. I have developed all of my political beliefs based on that class. The best thing is, I came to the conclusions on my own, without my parents help, and without another person telling me what to think. As good as all of these previous stories seem, the best thing that Mr. Brewer has done is to bring out qualities in me that a good person should have. Characteristics like integrity, honesty, patriotism, and leadership are things that come to mind when I think of Mr. Brewer. Although Mr. Brewer does a good job of staying neutral in his beliefs, one thing that is obviously important to him is integrity, and as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. says, 'Judge not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.' Because of my incredible respect for Mr. Brewer, integrity will always be a quality that I hold myself to. Mr. Brewer is an incredible educator. I have learned more life lessons from him than from all the other teachers I've had put together. He is an amazing instructor and person, and I know that the values he has instilled in me I will carry forever.
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Essay Question:
Personal statement
It was the pivotal third game of my sectional volleyball semi-final match against the Logansport Berries. We had beaten Logansport earlier in the season, but for some reason we were struggling today. Perhaps it was the added pressure that sectionals bring. Lose and your season is over, win and advance a step closer to the state title. We were down by three, 14-17, and the entire team was tight. Our best server sailed her attempt out of bounds, and our most steady passer had shanked several balls into the stands. The team was in a very familiar position. Just one week ago we had played Avon for the conference title, and that night we rode home from the match defeated and disappointed. A million 'what ifs&' led to one depressing conclusion; we were our own worst enemy. When we were confronted with the challenge of a big game, we didnt perform well and somehow found a way to lose. Every Raider wanted to turn this game for the better, but no one seemed able to shake off their nerves and play well. I realized that if we were going to win, somebody would need to step up. For the first time in my volleyball career, that person was me. I couldnt afford to worry about missing a block or hitting a ball into the net, I just needed to perform. Everything else fell away - the crowd, the officials, even my coach - and I was completely focused. Harrison scored the next three points, and I was responsible for the score each time. Best of all, the rest of the team settled down once I regained my composure, and they played up to their potential as well. We beat the Berries that day, and came back to defeat the McCutcheon Mavericks and the Marion Giants, securing the sectional title. Sports have been my life since I was in middle school. Something about competition has always attracted me; I find everything from the raw athleticism to the passion appealing. However, no sport has been more meaningful to me than volleyball. Disappointment had been present in my volleyball seasons throughout high school. Even in my senior year we lost the conference title in a game that was ours to win. However, instead of backing down and giving up, I responded to the loss by taking a risk when I took control of my team. It was not an easy choice. Before me I had the opportunity to be either the hero or the scapegoat. I knew that any disappointment would be twice as bad if I were the one to blame. But I put all that behind me and took the chance, and I now know that it was the right thing to do. By reacting with a positive mindset instead of giving up in the face of adversity, I was able to lead my team to a sectional victory.
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Essay Question:
Relationships play a big role in shaping a student's life. Describe one of your relationships that has influenced who you have become. Personal Statement
When my cousin and I were young, we were very close friends - so close, we seemed like brothers. Even though he was four years older than me and lived hundreds of miles away, during our visits at Grandpa's house Evan and I were inseparable. The atmosphere at Grandpa's house was always relaxing, loving, and carefree. Our favorite activity was performing puppet shows for the family to show off our crude but humorous staging and voicing skills. We prepared all afternoon for an evening show; however the fun did not so much lie in the show itself as it did in the preparations for the show. We picked out the best stuffed animals from Grandpa's vast collection and made props for them to use in the show. It was a chance for me to artistically express myself without having to worry about the quality of the final product. The time I spent with my cousin Evan was very special because he seemed like a big brother to me. He made me feel wanted, valued, and appreciated. He was a real friend, always there to play with me and enjoy carefree, happy times together. He showed me what having a fun, easy-going, and understanding big brother could be like. A few years later, when I became a big brother, I realized how difficult being a good brother can be. Initially, I was mad that I had to share my parents' and everyone else's attention with my little brother, David. However, over time, I learned how to overcome my anger at David and was eventually able to change my attitude into one that would allow David to see in me what I saw in Evan. I tried to be kind and loving, tried to help him whenever needed, teach him from my experiences, and make him feel important. Thirteen years later, I feel the relationship has been mutually beneficial, providing each of us with a close friend and family member to confide in and spend time with. David has learned a lot from me and I have learned a lot from him. My relationships with Evan and David have taught me how to be considerate, kind, caring, thoughtful, fair, and patient. These relationships have helped to shape my lifelong goal of becoming the best person I can be. I want to bring kindness into a world filled with hatred. For me, achieving this goal starts at home by being the best brother possible.
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Essay Question:
Please describe which of these activities (extracurricular and personal activities or work experience) has had the most meaning for you, and why.
Of all my activities, playing in Whitman's music ensembles and directing the technical components of Whitman's student-run television news program, Whitman Shorts, have had the most meaning for me. I have learned a tremendous amount about myself and the world from these activities. As a percussionist in the Symphonic Band, Symphonic Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble, I have traveled every spring to perform in competitive national music festivals in Chicago, Montreal, and Orlando. The hundreds of hours of practice and rehearsal necessary to prepare for these competitions taught me to be patient and to constantly look towards my goal of helping the ensemble achieve musical perfection. My most memorable festival performance was my timpani solo during the climax of Robert Jager's Third Suite in Orlando, Florida. I played it flawlessly and my conductor's face radiated pride. As a member of the Whitman Shorts staff, I regularly debate important news issues with my colleagues. This has taught me to constantly analyze and evaluate situations with an open mind. A controversial report that criticized the Whitman student government and spurred tension in the student body taught me good journalistic ethics as well as my rights as a student reporter and a U.S. citizen. The ideas that I debate with the faculty sponsor about freedom of speech, politics, and life in general will serve as a constant reminder to question myself and my world. These two activities have helped me grow and mature, giving great meaning to my life.
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Essay Question:
Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
No. You don't know him. No, you have never heard his name. No, you don't even know he exists, yet once you read this, you will want to meet him. He was born in 1923 in the midst of Nazi Germany, where he grew up facing feelings of hatred towards him, all because he was an innocent Jewish boy. With black hair and dark eyes, he was different than his siblings (for they had blonde hair and blue eyes), and thus was called a 'dirty Jew' by the other Aryan youngsters. At age twelve, his parents decided to escape Europe before falling to Hitler and his Nazism. For the first time, he left his home on a boat and headed to Cuba, where he was denied access. More feelings of hatred and prejudice was what he encountered. Then, by pure chance, he anchored in the remote port of Buenaventura, in Colombia. He had never heard the Spanish language, but due to economic necessities, he had to start working in the Spanish speaking wilderness as a golf caddie. He was only twelve, and the hope for receiving a formal education had banished. He soon moved from the coastal town to Bogota, which was still only a big town and not a city. Life was hard and money was scarce. His father was a seamstress while his mother juggled the job of raising five kids and attending a bakery. He worked hard: he was a newspaper delivery boy, a caddie, and a messenger at a factory. His twenty cents a week salary taught him the value of each cent. With all these jobs, he never again entered a classroom. Today, he is fluent in five languages, learned how to read and write, knows math, science, history, literature, and geography, just to name a few. He has his own factory where thousands of panty hose and socks are produced and sold each day. He never attended college, yet he has become a successful businessman. He has three kids, who all hold a college-degree. He has established and supported a family, all from scratch. He supports all four of his siblings, who have not been as successful as he has. Also, he now takes care of his wife, who suffers from Alzheimer's. He is always there to help his family, no matter what the problem is. He has taught me numerable lessons and values. Clearly, he is a self made man. He has taught me, and most important, has showed me that hard work and determination can take a person anywhere. One's dreams are the limit to what one can achieve. He often tells me: 'Value your education because it is the only thing that you can hold forever.' He encourages me to pursue my dreams, and pushes my intellectual abilities to the limit. He inspired me to strive to reach my goals. He epitomizes the idea of a self made, Renaissance man, for he is wise, loving, caring, and determined. I am proud to say, this man is my grandfather. I hope everyone gets to have one as great as mine, but I find it hard to believe that there are that many great people in this world.
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Essay Question:
Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, or risk that you have taken and its impact on you.
Bang! The gunshot exploded as I ate dinner with my parents at a local restaurant in Colombia. As we saw the gunman shoot, my family and I hid under the table while I continued to clutch the hamburger I was eating. I was only ten years old, and violence was already part of my everyday life. This was not a foreign fear but a living reality. Two days later, while in XXX school, a bomb threat reached the classrooms, causing all the students to evacuate to the dense forest surrounding the institution. Fear for my life are the only words that explain my terror. On the other hand, life in our South American nation was also the paradise anyone could dream of. Warm hospitality, strong traditions, and a nurturing community were the customs I grew up with. Weekly family gatherings to celebrate Jewish festivities and eat traditional Spanish foods composed my life. In addition, I had my entire family as well as my childhood friends, all living within close proximity. In this homogeneous society, I felt a strong sense of security in my roots, for the combination of my Jewish roots and the Colombian traditions made me feel extremely comfortable. Then one day my parents sat me down for a serious conversation. My greatest fear now became a reality: 'We are moving to Miami in six months.' I stared at my parents in disbelief. How could I leave my comfort zone? How would I establish my life in another country, with different traditions and customs? But I did not have enough time to answer these questions, for before I knew it, I was on American Airlines flight 241 to Miami. I started seventh grade in a new school where I did not find anyone like myself. The first year was a miserable and lonely one, for I had no friends to call on the weekends and no family members whom I could visit. Slowly, I started to accept the harsh reality: my life would never be like the one I had in Colombia. Family dinners with ajiaco, a traditional Colombian soup, and gefilte fish were now a thing of the past. On the other hand, I no longer had to worry about my safety: now I could wear my gold earrings to the mall, and I did not fear someone pulling them. My new worry was getting accustomed to my life in a society with different values. I also had to find happiness in this new country. Slowly but surely, I discovered the differences between the third world country and Miami and learned to make the most out of them. Instead of longing to interact with people of my culture and background, I learned to appreciate the new cultures which I encountered in my new home. I discovered that other people were interested in the diversity which I brought, for a Jewish Colombian young girl was not the typical combination found in my new environment. Perhaps the most strategic change I faced, and appreciated the most, was going to school with African American kids and those of other nationalities. I soon joined Multicultural Club, and through the organization I attended various events that celebrated cultural diversity. This exposure to other cultures helped shape my character by making me more culturally aware. After living in the United Stated for five years, I now look back on the tragic day I moved to Miami and smile about that moment. Although I took the risk of leaving my comfort zone, I know that it has planted the seeds for my intellectual growth and development. Knowing the future lies ahead I have to strive to preserve my own culture and individuality, and in doing so I contribute to the appreciation of all cultures.
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Essay Question:
Describe a moment that has had an impact on your goals.
I looked at the score board: 14-13. It was the match point of the district volleyball game, and I was at the service line with the ball in my hands. This would be the last time I would ever play for my high school team. The whistle blew. The pressure was all on me. I started to think about my life, my education, and my goals in search of inspiration. I was only nine years old when I joined XXX Clubs girls volleyball team in XXX city. I had never played the sport, and naturally, as any amateur, I was not good at it. When it was time to play, I was so nervous that I could not even bump the ball over the net. I would turn to look at my mom in the stands, clapping and giving me a sense of security, but then I would just miss the underhand serve. It was a harsh reality, but I was not good at all. My determination and my love for the game kept me from quitting, until I had to move to Miami, where there was no XXX Club volleyball team. I was fourteen years old when I decided to try out for Junior Varsity volleyball team at school. Tryouts were intimidating, for the other girls were much better than me, but the coach saw my passion for the game and decided to give me a chance. For the entire season, a warmed the bench for my teammates. Nevertheless, I was determined to improve. The following season, I migrated from the bench to the starting line up. It was a great feeling now that I could get an overhand serve over the net and in the court. Still, that season I could not spike a ball to the floor. Eleventh grade soon arrived, and I was moved to the varsity team, where I was also a starter. I worked on my weaknesses, and strived to improve. The season was great, for I learned a lot from it. The team's record was 16-3 (the best it had been in a long time). Now, as a senior, I had passed the hardest obstacle: spiking. As I thought about my life, I realized how much I had improved on the court. My passion for the game drove my determination. More important, my determination was not limited to the court, but was evident in all my activities, both extracurricular and school related. I had reached my goals in life, and was now ready to set new ones. BEEP! The whistle blew and I contacted the ball for the serve.
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Essay Question:
Why are you interested in studying engineering?
The field of engineering is appealing to me because it deals with problem solving, which offers a practical application of ones knowledge. The field allows one to use the rigorous powers of analysis, which prepares students for future careers in science, industry, research, business, law, or medicine. Engineering requires an individual to use the tools learned in mathematics and science and apply them to real problems. The field trains an individual to understand a concept thoroughly in order to make use of it in a practical manner. I find it particularly attractive that one uses advanced math to solve complex problems, for math is my strongest and favorite subject. Furthermore, engineering allows me to experience hands on learning by conducting experiments in a lab to further develop my skills. I like the fact that engineering combines math and science in a field that allows one to use analytical skills and creativity to come up with the most practical solution to dilemmas. These aspects are appealing to me because I see engineering as a practical science that helps society solve crucial problems in a mathematical and analytical way by developing new processes and methods.
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Essay Question:
Briefly describe any experiences that you have had that are related to engineering or that led you to have an interest in one or another field of engineering.
I became interested in engineering as a result of my A.P calculus and chemistry classes last year, where I saw the practical applications of the materials learned. While finding the derivative of the cost function to find its minimal cost to examining an unknown substance to discover its components, I grew interested in a field that combines both subjects. Furthermore, I attended the Introduction to Engineering Program at Notre Dame last summer, where I reconfirmed my previous interest. At the program, I explored various fields of engineering as well as the curriculum in each of these. I also learned about the work of an engineer today, which was appealing to me.
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Essay Question:
How do you think the programs in engineering offered at Princeton might suit your particular interest?
Unlike many universities, Princeton University offers a wide variety of programs from which to choose. Although I am sure that I want to pursue the field of engineering, I have not yet decided what type of engineering I want to study. Since Princeton offers various types of engineering, I have many options to choose from once I decide what field I want. In addition, I am attracted to the engineering curriculum at Princeton, for students study mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computing during the first two years in addition to seven courses in humanities and social sciences. In this manner, the University shapes its engineering students into well-rounded students that are knowledgeable in an array of areas. Furthermore, the program provides engineers with language and communication skills that are crucial for today's world, which are often areas that other engineering programs neglect. The freshmen seminars offered at Princeton include topics such as the Engineering of Ice Cream or How Cities Work, which are programs that are unique to the University. The program at Princeton is appealing because it is a flexible program where the student can choose from many courses.
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Essay Question:
Think about all the things you hope or expect to gain from your college experiences, and then tell us which two or three you would place at the top of your list.
College is a once in a lifetime opportunity where an individual learns and experiences new things everyday. During the next four years, I am eager to become intellectually mature not only in my field of expertise but in other areas as well. The foundations that I will build in my undergraduate years will mold me into a well-prepared woman for the career world. In addition to engineering, I want to become a well-rounded person who can hold intellectual conversations about a wide variety of topics. In addition to expanding my intellectual limits, I hope to become a mature and independent person. The college experience will be an exciting one for me because I will be living in a college dorm as opposed to my home. This encompasses various new responsibilities, for I will have to be independent. Consequently, I will have to learn to manage my life and my money in a responsible manner. Independence and maturity are crucial tools to achieving future.
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Essay Question:
Discuss something you just wish you understodd better than you now do.
Very often, bad things happen to good people. It seems indeed cruel that honest and caring people have to suffer the consequences of hardships. For this reason, I wish I understood why events such as these occur. For example, I do not understand why innocent children are born with birth defects or cancer. It is also a mystery to me why people are starving throughout the world and why women are being suppressed in Afghanistan. When someone has not done any harm to other humans, why do they have to suffer dire consequences? In instances like these, I wish I understood the role of God and religion. I may never be able to understand this concept, for it is an abstract concept that involves a thorough understanding of religion. Nevertheless, I wish I could comprehend why bad things happen to good people.
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Essay Question:
Chances are that you are going to have one or more roommates at some point in your college years. What sort of person would you consider the ideal roommate? Explain why.
The ideal roommate needs to be a person who has an array of ideas and interests, like myself. The person should want a quiet study time during the weekdays and a social time in the evenings. She should be understanding and compassionate, so that I can share my feelings with her. In addition, she should value her education as highly as I do. Just like myself, she should be a caring, friendly, energetic, and outgoing person who is always eager to explore new ideas. Furthermore, she should be an honest and open-minded person whom I can live with in a harmonious manner. From rapelling to snowboarding to art and to studying, the roommate should be a well rounder person. The ideal roommate should be a respectful person who shares some similarities with me, yet celebrates our cultural and religious differences. My ideal roommate should be an organized, clean person, but not a neat freak. The roommate should be responsible for her personal belongings and have respect for my property as well. Hopefully, my roommate likes a variety of music, ranging from Latin to pop to classical music. My roommate should be a person whom I can trust. I hope my roommate is a person whom I can grow and mature with.
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Essay Question:
What one person, class, book, or experience would you point to as having had a significant effect on the way you think about something? Explain.
My exploratory trip to Israel two summers ago clearly shaped the way I view my own heritage and ancestry. Before the trip, I valued my Jewish roots and history, but I was unaware of the struggles my people have undertaken in order to have a Jewish nation. Furthermore, I did not know the hardships of everyday life faced by Israeli people. During my summer trip, I visited the Holy Land with a group of teenagers. During the six-week trip, I toured Israel from North to South and East to West. While staying in Jerusalem, I learned about the conflicts between Muslim, Jews, and Christians over the sacred city. I also experienced the coexistence of different people within one city. In addition, I learned the history of the Jewish people in the place where it happened. I toured the museums, national cemeteries, mountains, and beaches of my native land. Furthermore, I compared the way of life in Israel with that of XXX, learning the pros and cons of each. The most impacting moment was my weeklong stay at the Israeli army base where I was a soldier. I woke up at 5:30 AM to exercise and then proceeded to courses on military tactics and skills. By shooting an M-16 rifle or having to work in the kitchen that served the five hundred soldiers, I experienced the life of every eighteen year old in the land. I learned how to be thankful for the system in the United States where enlistment is voluntary. Not only did I mature during my trip, but I also learned to appreciate my Jewish culture. By facing the barriers that are present in Israel, I further appreciate my way of life in XXX. The trip changed the way I view life and my culture.
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Essay Question:
Describe the courses of study and the unique characteristics of the University of Pennsylvania that most interest you.Why do these interests make you a good match for Penn?
We're like peas and carrots, Penn and I.1 Penn's academic programs, her people, and her city are all targets of my courtship. Penn's superb academic opportunities and vast resources truly define a great University. The seamless integration between the liberal arts and engineering sciences at Penn is the main object of my affection. Although I am a disciple of engineering, I still cringe to think about the scenario in which I must abandon study of the humanities and be completely focused into engineering, and eventually become a mad scientist versed only in the sciences and knowing less about human and society than a high school student. I see myself pondering the history of soccer as I construct a robot for the Robocup competition the next day, or calculating the force placed on the pillars of the Parthenon while sitting in Professor Brownlee's art history class. One of the biggest woes of my high school experience is not having more periods available to take more electives outside the 'solids' needed as good foundation for college. Like a knight in shining armor, the freedom at Penn to take classes and conduct research in fields completely different from my major (I'm applying to engineering but plan to do research in archeology) comes galloping to rescue the suppressed engineer, writer, archeologist, musician, singer, politician, and diplomat within me. I look to my next four years at Penn to be the best years of my life, during which I can expose myself to so many brilliant thoughts and ideas freely. Like a ship that cannot move without her sailors, Penn's essence lies also within its people - another object of my love. The people of Penn, her faculty, her students, her neighbors, all shine brightly in my dreams. The Quakers I've met all seem to carry something special inside the glitter of their eyes. Mr. Tierney, my AP Spanish teacher and a Penn alumnus, never stops amusing me with his eccentrically energetic lectures that always ends with the bell and 'oiiiiiii, I hate these short periods! (pout)' His body gestures, his countless humorous accents, and the 'impish sparkle in his eyes' (appropriately borrowed from the Penn brochure), all gave me a preview of the Penn spirit and leaves me hungry for more. When the school year began, I designed a project to help the vast population of ELD students at my school assimilate quicker and submitted it to a exclusive service club whose members wear red jackets ties one day every week. Against my usual distaste of elitism, I joined the club, in hopes of tapping into its prestige and influence on campus to execute my project. During the meetings I called during the summer to discuss my project, everyone seem to be highly supportive of it. But as soon as the year actually started, the same people who promised to help retracted at the fear of the unknown and left me wearing a red jacket that has lost its meaning. As I regroup and begin discussing my project with counselors and ELD teachers, there's sadness in me over the apathy of some people at school and a yearning in me for the energetic, helpful, and supportive youngsters of Penn. I need enthusiastic and caring people for my endeavors, and I know I will find them at Penn. Mama always said you can tell a lot about a person by the shoes they're wearin'.1 My shoes traversed the dirt paths of Beijing for 11 years, and they can't wait to stroll down Main Lane next year. Six years in Los Angeles has made me sick of having to drive to get anywhere. I dream of the day when I can stroll to a general store, feeling, for the first time in six years, the tingling feeling of snow on my face. The culture and history of America's first capital will remind me much of Beijing, another ancient capital of a great civilization, and I'm eager to experience it. So, it's a date?
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Essay Question:
Personal statement describing your interest in your intended course of study
A gust of cool September breeze picks up a troupe of golden leaves off the Beijing street, a Soviet-style bus pulls into station with a trail of dust; as the folded doors reluctantly creak open, a six-year-old boy hops off the bus as his mom follows. The boy will begin school in a week and is on his first school supply shopping trip. He giggles as he thinks about four aromatic pencils his grandma sharpened with an exacto knife the day before. As the boy and the mother stroll past the counters inside the general store, the mother suddenly says, 'Lele, let's get you a mechanical pencil.' I remember my fascination as the store employee placed into my hands a round plastic barrel with a pointed tip. That was the first time I saw and touched a mechanical pencil, a piece of engineering brilliance. My first pencil box contained four wooden pencils, a razor, and a strip of sandpaper used to sharpen the lead. A young witness to pre-modernization China, I had never seen a mechanical pencil until first grade. I cannot remember how I returned home from the general store, for the only thing on my mind was the egg yolk-colored barrel. As soon as I got home, I tried to open the pencil to see the magic behind a button that, when pressed at one end, advanced lead at the other end. After many lead fragments and a bent barrel, my mother ripped the magical barrel out of my destructive fingers and scolded me for not valuing goods. The Confucian respect for elders stopped me from further exploring the design of the mechanical pencil and so ended my first encounter with engineering, but my fascination with 'how does it work?' was unleashed. Between that day and my arrival in the United States in 1995 included long, I remember long, dull stares at the gears of moving bicycles while sitting on the back of my moms bicycle, adventurous peeks into the inside of my grandfather's typewriter, and temporary blindness from prolonged examinations of a burning light bulb. My curiosity was put on hold for a year after my arrival as I devoted all of my time to learn English with only knowledge of the alphabets and the lyrics to 'B-I-N-G-O.' With an urge to gain control of my life, I completed the ESL program two years ahead of schedule. My meager collection of happy meal toys grew as my family's conditions improved, and dwindled as I began prying open poor Simba to see the gears and wheels inside. A few years later, I found myself covered with black motor oil as I lay next to my father under our car, learning how to change the oil filter. As the black fluid poured beautifully out of the engine, the sparkles of the falling stream met the sparkles in my eye: I realized that I would become a disciple of engineering. As soon as the yellow pencil road led me to engineering, it split into many inviting trails: electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineering, etcetera, etcetera. Each one stared at me pleadingly with large, watery eyes, begging me to adopt and treasure it. I decided to give myself some more time to decide. Soon the calling came. As I sat in my AP Biology class squeezing my eyesight through the teacher's puffy white hair at the projector screen, a diagram comparing the electron pumps of a cell membrane to turbines in a dam came before me. Suddenly, it all connected under the glorious light of the projector and the triumphant trumpeting in my head; the gears in Simbas stomach, the burnt memory cards of my computer, and the fascinating science of biology all came into union under bioengineering. I realized that my destiny was to study a combination of all fields of engineering, computer science, and biology and contribute to the logistically growing biotech industry. Isn't it amazing what a little mechanical pencil can do?
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Essay Question:
Describe the courses of study and the unique characteristics of the University of Pennsylvania that most interest you. Why do these interests make you a good match for Penn?
My first experience in the business world came as a third-grader when my teacher had our class play the Stock Market Game. As the game progressed, I developed the daily habit of reading the Business section of the newspaper, and my fascination with the fast-paced business world began! Ever since then, I've been hooked. Now, not a day goes by where I don't read the Wall Street Journal and watch CNBC in order to keep current on all of the latest financial news. I took my interest in the financial markets to a new level when I founded the Stock Market Club at my school. Although the club participates in several stock simulation games, the club's main goal is education. I feel that the most important thing one can get out of an investment club is not money, but rather a better understanding of stocks and investing, so that ultimately one can invest on his own. Because of that philosophy, I made sure that a portion of each meeting is dedicated to learning something new. I also contacted several professionals in the financial services industry and had them come to speak to us and teach us about what they do. As a member of my high school's DECA and Academy of Finance program, I have also been able to take courses in business education that have allowed me to continue to learn more about business and finance. There are many things that the University of Pennsylvania has to offer that interest me. The Wharton School of Business will help me build a strong foundation in business by allowing me to take a challenging business curriculum, as well as giving me the opportunity to take a concentration of courses in an area of business in which I am most interested. The flexibility that Penn gives its students in shaping their own program of study is one of the aspects of the University that I like most. Although a student is enrolled in Wharton, Penn doesn't discourage their students from expanding their horizons and taking some courses in The College. The support that Penn offers to all of its students, especially its freshmen, is another characteristic that makes Penn unique. It is comforting to know that through The Wheel system, a student is able to get help in academics, technology, or research whenever he needs it. It is also comforting to know that Penn has students that are devoted to helping other students with their needs, no matter what hour of the day it is. Besides the academics, Penn has other characteristics that appeal to me. For example, Penn has a very active campus that is filled with various clubs, sports, and extracurricular activities. Those who know me well will tell you that I am a very active person who likes to be involved in numerous activities. For all these reasons, I feel that I would be an excellent match for Penn. By taking advantage of all that Penn has to offer, I know that I will not only be able to challenge myself academically, but to contribute to the life of the campus community as well.
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Essay Question:
The question was: write page 299 of your 500 page autobiography.
It has been my experience that my greatest strides in personal and academic growth have come as a result of my willingness to take a risk and accept its consequences. By way of background, from an early age, I have always been drawn to the Spanish language. I loved its sound and resonance, from the way the tongue vibrates to form its rolled Rs, to the way the mouth gracefully shapes its sounds. I was fascinated by the way in which the pronunciation of each word involved changes in pitch that contributed toward making each sentence a rhythmic melody. This love of the Spanish language motivated me to pack my bags and journey across an ocean. My expectation was that this trip would bring me both fluency in a foreign language and understanding of the Spanish culture; however, I returned from Spain with something far more important. In the summer of my junior year, I had the opportunity to attend a four-week Spanish immersion program in Madrid. For the first time, I would be on my own, isolated from friends and family, in a foreign country whose customs and culture were alien to me. The next four weeks would be spent living with a Spanish family with whom I had no prior contact. I would be relying upon my wits, together with an evolving grasp of the Spanish language, to guide me through each day. My host family taught me many valuable skills needed to assimilate and navigate the Madrid culture. Lessons ranged from trivial matters, such as the percentage generally tipped in Spanish restaurants, to far more important lessons, such as how to protect oneself from crime. To help ensure my safety, they repeatedly warned me about the gypsies. According to the Felezes, the gypsies were dogs, the scum of Spain. I came to learn that this view was held by the vast majority of the Spanish people, who never spoke to them or acknowledged their presence. I was told stories of gypsies throwing baby dolls at their prospective victims to divert attention while a fellow gypsy would rob them. These stories, which were intended to warn me about the gypsies' practices, subconsciously instilled in me a belief that the gypsies were inferior, somehow different from the rest of us. Unwittingly, I had deprived them of their humanity. It was not until I was the prospective victim in what would have been another 'gypsy story' that I saw the error of this thinking. While on my way from the bank, I had carefully positioned myself in the corner of a subway car. With only one woman across from me, six seats were available in my vicinity. At one of the stops, a group of gypsies entered the subway car. The men formed a phalanx across the car, blocking the view of the other passengers. The women sat next to us, while two young girls stood uncomfortably with babies in arm. Unfortunately, I sensed I was the mark. I slid my wallet underneath me, as my mind feverishly strategized my escape. I knew the men would not let me leave with my wallet, so with the best Castilian accent I could muster I asked, 'Ud. quiere mi asiento? Debe sentarse porque tiene un bebe. Yo puedo hallar otro asiento.' I had asked the standing girl, using the Spanish subject form of Ud, which denotes respect, to take my seat. I stated that it was wrong of me to remain seated while she stood holding a baby, and that I could find another seat. After asking the question, I didn't wait for a response. I stood and motioned for her to take my seat. All of the gypsies' eyes were upon me. As she took the seat, I timidly approached the men to attempt to leave. The men hesitated, looked at each other, and then parted to let me pass, wallet intact. I quickly went to the other side of the car and got off at the next stop. That subway ride changed my whole experience. I went to Spain attempting to learn about a different culture, but came back with a deeper understanding of what we all hold in common. Although the gypsies did not get my wallet, they got what they really wanted, what we all want. Respect.
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Essay Question:
Tell us about who you are. Personal Statement
EARLY ACTION Essay One. Korean-Spanish, that was how my American friends identified me. Unlike Korean, my birth identity, or Spanish, my cultural identity, I did not know what to make of my new identification. Korean-Spanish reflected my past and it seemed that this new identification was my only possible one in America. Somehow my American friends were fascinated by a 16-year-old Korean boy who came from Spain and spoke four languages fluently. Maybe Korean-Spanish was how I really identified myself. Or maybe I had already guessed that my new friends would hyphenate my identification, just like African-American, or Japanese-American. (Pardon me if I am wrong, but to me, it seems as though most of the American identifications include hyphens.) In America, everyone seemed categorized and hyphenated. I read a number of passages in the Critical Reading sections of the SAT I that began by citing articles or books written by different hyphen-identified people. One introductory paragraph said: 'This passage is from a book written by a Chinese-American woman about Chinese-American women writers.' Another stated: 'This passage is from a book by an African-American woman who is a law professor.' I was confused: 'So, is the author of the book African or American?' Hyphenation of identities was perplexing and ambiguous to me. Why cant everyone with an American passport be just American? America has always been an eclectic society where much diversity in ethnicity and race existed. In that sense, America is more than just a country; it is a smaller representation of the world. However, Spain and Korea have always been, and still are, countries mostly populated by people of single ethnicities. Spain and Korea both want to maintain the country among their people and limit opportunities for foreigners. They have to change. I was blessed to be able to live in three different countries, on two different continents. My intercontinental life has given me the ability to perceive the world from a different point of view. Before I realized, the American culture found its place in me and naturally became part of me. I no longer am just Korean-Spanish, but Korean-Spanish-American. As I assimilated the diverse cultures each continent represented, my international experiences helped me to understand that underneath, people were very much the same regardless of their ethnic backgrounds. Maybe that was why I felt that learning many languages English, Spanish, and French was essential. I believe that foreign people and cultures can only be truly understood through their own languages. Yet, I hold onto my native language, Korean, for I know how important my roots are. Ironically, even though the world is being globalized, ethnicity, race and religion still cause friction among people. I hope, with my international experience, I can help make the world change into one in which ethnicity and race are of little consequence. I am convinced that through understanding, tolerance, and acceptance, we can make a difference in this world. It is time to begin a journey towards the shaping of a truly globalized world, where I hope to act as an unbreakable bond among different countries.
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Essay Question:
Common Application Personal Statement
(Kimchi: a representative Korean food that is made of pickled vegetables, typically with red pepper seasoning. Koreans can never live without Kimchi, let alone eat anything without it). Maybe I was Korean, but not Korean enough. After spending five of the most influential years of my childhood in Hawaii, I was back in Korea. With the characteristic 'know-it-all' attitude of a typical twelve-year-old, I thought that the Korean brotherhood would embrace me with open arms, and that I would feel blissfully content within the majesty of my ancestors. (Right.) Never had I imagined that I would feel alienated instead. In the Korean middle schools, there were tons to study, tons to memorize. 'A bye bye to all the carefree days of swimming at the beach and climbing coconut trees,' I thought. What struck me even harder was the different way of thinking. 'What makes you different is what's important,' Mrs. Sumida, my 4th grade teacher in Hawaii, used to say. 'Don't you give me a hard time by trying to stick out from the rest of the class' was what Mrs. Kim, my 7th grade teacher in Korea, used to say. It's not that I deliberately troubled Mrs. Kim by skipping classes or anything like that. What troubled her were the critical remarks I made in class, the imaginary stories I turned in for the essay assignments, and the abstract pictures I drew in the Art periods when I was told that I was free to draw anything. Mrs. Sumida said I was unique in expressing my thoughts. Mrs. Kim believed that I was being rebellious. These big differences were all too much for a kid who was having enough trouble with her 'inventive' Korean. My English wasn't fully 'English' either; with all the 'Wazzap brah?' and 'Aloha sis, so whacha doin' on Kalikimaka' talk in Hawaii, I had polished my 'kool' Hawaiianish English skills to the highest level. In Korea, I became more linguistically sophisticated by speaking 'Kornhawaiiglish' (Korean+Hawaiian+English) which no one, not even my family, really understood. I recall lecturing my dad about why we had to go back to the islands. 'I could grow into the best swimmer in Hawaii! Korea's devouring all my potential,' I would say. 'The beach is calling me. It's my mission to go back. My DESTINY!' I tried to be creative. But dad shook his head and left me with no more to say, replying with a frown that said I really, really disappointed him. I vividly remember the Saturday I changed my attitude towards Korea. Grandma had invited my family to her special meal of ginseng chicken soup, with her homemade Kimchi. I used to consider these foods 'yucky', but that day I was determined to try them. I bravely dived into the soup with my spoon, and with an awkward grip of my chopsticks, took big bites of the crunchy Kimchi. At home, with the pungent taste still lingering on my tongue, I opened up the pages of the dusty school textbooks that had been left untouched for some time. I began to study them, with my Korean-English dictionary right beside me. I noticed my dad, peeking into my room, smiling. Before I knew it, Korea began to feel like home. Not to mention that my grandma's special meals became my mana (Hawaiian word meaning 'source of energy'). Slowly and quickly, I learned to be more deeply reflective, humble, and patient, just like my grandma and many others in Korea. I still have the Hawaiian spirit in me, and I long to visit the Waikiki beach, the place I have so many memories about. But the Han River is also perfectly fine to my taste; I enjoy the cool breeze as I hear the distant cries of the Changku (Korea's traditional drum). I miss my wild adventures in the Hawaiian tropical forests, but I am content with Mt. Sorak and all the excitement hidden behind the beautifully twisted branches of the Sonamu (Korean pine tree). I can truly savor the coolness in the hot and spicy Korean foods. They reflect exactly how the Korean people are- introspective yet lively and exuberant. Now they are also a reflection of myself. I can proudly say that I am now the 'special' red Kimchi that is so very Korean yet fuses wonderfully with Hawaiian pineapples. (Well, at least to me it's a great match.) Now I seek to enrich my Kimchi flavor by adding more 'spice' in to my life. Experiencing more, and tasting more people of different flavor, I want to stick out from the other Kimchis. I want to become the global Kimchi that everybody will need on their dinner plate.
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Essay Question:
Prompt: Write page 217 of your 300-page autobiography. This was a major essay
removed my dusty sandals outside and washed my feet before stepping over the threshold of the temple, right foot first of course. It's funny, every time I enter a Hindu temple, my mom looks over nervously at me - just to make sure I put the right foot forward first. I know this routine - my mom fidgets, she scratches her chin, she stands behind me, and presses my left hand - it means 'Archana, watch what you do with that left hand.' She has been doing this ever since that one time at the temple when I caused a small crisis in my family and embarrassed myself. I will never forget that day or at least my mom won't let me. As a six-year-old, everything was a contest for me. Every time I was at the temple with my family, my cousin Meena and I would always compare who got the bigger prasadam (the sacred sweet offered to God) during puja (prayer service). Sitting on the floor, dressed in my red langa and bangles, I impatiently waited for every kid's favorite part of the puja - eating the prasadam! As the priest came towards me with the delectable tray full of mouth-watering sajge, with my left hand, I took the biggest sweet there was! Snickering, as I looked over at Meena, to confirm that she had the smaller sweet, I happily started eating it until I realized that I had made a mistake. My mistake was taking the sweet in my left hand! In Hinduism, when offering and accepting anything from God, or anyone else for that matter, one should always use the right hand out of respect. But as a six-year-old, I did not understand the consequences of doing what I was genetically programmed to. Even though I won the sajge competition, my glorious victory quickly turned into embarrassment. All of the aunties and uncles gasped in unison, as if I had just committed a crime. The rest of the day everyone kept staring at me as though I were some sort of freak of nature. I just wanted to stare back and shout, 'I can't help it! I'm left handed!' Even when learning how to eat and write, I would use my left hand because it was simply natural. My older relatives strongly disapproved of my parents' leniency in letting me use this hand. Whenever I used my left hand they would describe me as 'aethi andre prethi.' This idiom in my mother tongue refers to anyone who behaved defiantly or improperly. I honestly did not see the harm in eating with my deviant hand, although I later learned the rather humorous origin of the explanation from my uncle. I can still hear his voice, sounding a little like Apu from 'The Simpsons,' reprimanding me. 'Tsk, tsk&Archana! Vat is this eating with the left hand business!? The left hand should only be used to wash your bottom in the bathroom! Dont be such a dirty fellow.' Indian culture is by no means the only culture biased against lefties; I discovered this when stumbling upon a website that attracted a global community of southpaws who have felt slighted over the years. At the top of the screen, it read: 'As the right hemisphere of the brain controls the left side of the body then only left-handers are in their right minds!' It is almost as if all left-handers are automatically born into an unofficial organization. We have a tacit connection with others like us, in that we all accept that we live in the Right Handers World. We help each other to cope with annoying tasks, such as learning how to ignore the rings in a three ring binder that constantly get in the way of writing and making sure that we sit on the outside of the booth at a restaurant! As I scrolled down the page, I saw that I could purchase items that are specifically designed for people 'in their right minds.' Did you know that there are not only scissors designed especially for left-handers, but clocks with counter-clockwise hand motion, cameras, playing cards, and&boomerangs!? I, a genuine born and bred southpaw, was thrilled and tickled by this 'Left-Handers Society' website. Learning about all those nifty items that I could have bought, I thought about my elementary school days and how I wished I had had some of those lefty products. Perhaps a pair of lefty scissors would have helped me make a proper snowflake, like all my other classmates - and not the heap of tiny paper triangles I was always left with! Also, since our desks were always fit solely for right-handers, simply sitting in them was a challenge. My arm would always smack the bar on the right hand side, which not only hurt but intensified the amount of ink that rubbed off on my left pinkie. When we finally got left-handed desks, I still felt strangely isolated in my own left-handed island, as the two left handed desks were pushed near the 'timeout' corner. Now, though I do use my right hand out of reverence for offerings and prayers, I still use my left hand for everything else. I finally came to a conclusion that night as I stared at the computer screen: This whole left-handed conundrum is just one more incident that has molded my individuality. Going back to this morning at the temple, I was at ease knowing that I was wiser to the ways of temple etiquette than I was at six-years-old&until I saw the priest! It was the same priest who had witnessed my moment of humiliation 11-years ago! Before I could escape, he cornered me with a smirk on his face and said, 'Archana, hopefully today you won't be so anxious to get your prasadam with that left hand!'
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Essay Question:
Describe the courses of study and the unique characteristics of the University of Pennsylvania that most interest you. Why do these interests make you a good match for Penn?
Is it the spirit of Ben through the copper statue urging me to explore the city and delve into the extraordinary surroundings of Penn? Or is it the eagerness of passionate students cultivating their thoughts and visions while using the resources to work towards their dreams? The University of Pennsylvania has the type of atmosphere where learning comes to life. As I explored the different academic buildings, I found that Penn would be a great place to fulfill my unique career goal. I would like to integrate the two dissimilar fields of business management and nursing through the joint degree healthcare management program. No other place offers a broad liberal arts education while at the same time providing focus to pursue my interests in both nursing and business. The hands-on clinical experience at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital and the range of courses offered for nursing students constitute an extraordinary educational opportunity. With bachelor degrees in both science and business, I would feel prepared to tackle the dynamic world of healthcare management. After meeting Marianne Smith, the director of enrollment management of the nursing school, I became even more convinced that I would fit into the students' and faculty's zeal and love for self-discovery. Penn has spirit that no other school has as the students are dedicated to enriching their lives with an education reaching beyond their specialized interests. During my visit, I was impressed by the variety of the majors and unique interests each student at Penn had. Each of them made a commitment to educate everyone else. The students not only have a wide variety of interests, but Penn seems to be limitless in its classes, such as Clinical Issues in Healthcare Management, Economic Concepts in Nursing, and even Kannada, my native language! At Penn, I could explore every nook in my intellectual and professional quests. Although each student has paved a path of his or her own, there seems to be convergence where the campus speaks to everyone. Breathing in the energy of the campus, my visit helped me to realize that the University of Pennsylvania has an aura of greatness. The vivacity flowing through the campus was infectious and I found myself being drawn to the friendly and diverse environment. As I was taking the campus tour, the accessibility of the campus was noticeable and I felt like I was part of the entire university. Despite the four unique undergraduate schools, Penn seems to be one school in an ambiance of unity and balance. This type of unity furthers my wishes to explore all areas of Penn including those completely distinct from nursing and business. As the school has much to offer, so do the people. The wide variety of ethnicities, one of the main qualities essential to a dynamic college campus, also adds to this sense of balance. As a South Indian American in a predominantly white, all girls Catholic school, my high school benefited from my unique points of view. I will continue to grow as Penn has many fascinating cultures and languages. Each day I would be able to explore my diverse qualities, ethnically and intellectually, with the rest of the community. My passions for engaging in conversation and a life filled with inspiration, will flourish inside and outside of the classroom. Even the community around the campus benefits from the presence of motivated and caring Penn students. TIME Magazine published a piece on the public school system in Philadelphia and how many elementary school students needed extra help. Later I learned that a group of students were tutoring kids around the Philadelphia area. With their One Step tutoring program, they would donate a book to a child each month. I got involved with this program by contacting the coordinator of this project at Penn and donated books to their remarkable program. I feel that Penn is a great match for me because I too have the motivation and drive to continue to create this kind of difference at Penn, especially through community service. Penn offers more things to get involved in than one could even imagine. After visiting The University of Pennsylvania, I confidently perceive it as a haven for students like me who wish to grow both as an intellectual and a dynamic citizen of this world.
