Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Major Essay - Personal Statement
Throughout my secondary school career, I have really dedicated much of my time to furthering my knowledge of science and conducting research. I have been involved in several different research endeavors over the last few years and have won numerous distinctions. Over the last three years, through my extensive involvement in environmental preservation, I came to realize that there are many severe problems that urban lakes are facing in our modern era. I chose to examine the effects of eutrophication (the process by which a body of water becomes rich in phosphate compounds and becomes shallow with marked deficiencies in dissolved oxygen) in local bodies of water in the Los Angeles Area, namely Madrona Marsh (City of Torrance) and Harbor Lake Machado (Harbor City), and found that phosphate pollution was extremely severe in these areas. After extensive research, I found that phosphate binders, common substances used to treat medical patients with phosphate retention, could be used in this situation, and I devised a filtration system to remove phosphate and ammonia through ion-exchange and accelerated denitrification. I was extremely excited to find that these filters were extremely successful, and currently, the City of Torrance is in the process of funding construction of these filters at Madrona Marsh. For this research, I was awarded best of category and first place at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Environmental Science in May 2002. In addition, I have won third place at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in 2001, as well as first place at the California State Science Fair and Los Angeles County Science Fair. I am in the process of patenting this filtration system and am submitting my paper for publication to several national journals. I am also participating in the Intel Science Talent Search and the Siemens Westinghouse Science Competition, in which I currently hold semi-finalist status, with this work. I hope that this research will eventually lead to the betterment of lake ecosystems throughout the world. In addition to this research, I have also worked under Dr. Vito M. Campese, M.D., chief of the Division of Nephrology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, for the past three years conducting research on neurogenic hypertension. I have worked extensively in this lab utilizing several techniques, including nephrectomy, femoral artery catheterization, DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, reverse transcription, and western blotting. This research has produced two papers for publication, entitled 'Renal Injury Caused by Intrarenal Injection of Phenol Increases Afferent and Efferent Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity' (American Journal of Hypertension 2002; 15(8):717-724) and 'Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Stimulate Central and Peripheral Sympathetic Nervous System Activity' (In Approval Stages), in both of which I am a co-author. I have spent over 1000 hours during the past three years conducting research at the University of Southern California, and this type of research particularly interests me. My ultimate dream is to pursue an academic research career. Research has truly been a rewarding experience in my life. I have worked more than 2000 hours during my years as a secondary school student, and I know that my future will be in scientific research and investigation. Through my counselors, previous university alumni from my school, and my own research, I have found that this would be a perfect fit for me in every way. The extensive research conducted there, specifically in natural sciences, and the caliber of the professors with whom I would be working would truly allow me to grow and mature as a scientist, which is my ultimate lifetime goal. I think that my intellectual curiosity, dedication towards research, and extensive experience will contribute greatly to the university community.
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Essay Question:
Major Essay - Describe the most important activity in high school?
My Efforts in Preserving the Environment Of all the activities in which I have been involved, I have been most passionate and committed to environmental preservation and restoration. I have dedicated much of my time outside my rigorous academic schedule to environmental service and have served and continue to serve on the executive boards of several organizations that are committed to this very goal. Since seventh grade, I have spent many hours doing conservation work and I realized the only way to further this goal is to be active politically and by drawing commitment from other people. With this in mind, in ninth grade, I founded the Environmental Sciences Club at my school and became its president. In my three years at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, I have encouraged more than 200 students to commit more than 3000 hours in conservation efforts to make my school one of the most active groups in the area. That year, I was invited by the president of our local chapter of the National Audubon Society to speak at the national conference in Asilomar, California, about the significance of youth in environmental service and I was conferred the Audubon Youth Environmental Service (YES!) Award for my work. I subsequently received an invitation to join the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Board of Directors as a student representative. In tenth grade, I spearheaded an effort to create the Audubon YES! Council to help coordinate youth environmental activities throughout the South Bay. This council, of which I am currently vice president, now comprises representatives from over twenty high schools acting diligently to increase awareness and promote student involvement. In recognition of my efforts, I was awarded the first Audubon YES! Council award by the Palos Verdes South Bay Audubon Society in 2002, and I was made a student YES! Council representative of their board of directors. In 2000, I created a school-wide recycling program for cans, bottles, and aluminum. After many frustrated attempts, I was finally able to get approval for the program and locate private sources willing to donate all necessary equipment to the school. Since its inception, the Environmental Sciences Club has very successfully headed this program. Concurrently, I conducted in-depth research to reduce water pollution, and served as a consultant to the Friends of Madrona Marsh Board of Directors and the Harbor Park Advisory Council on water quality issues. In recognition of these various efforts, I was conferred the 2002 Palos Verdes South Bay Audubon Society Youth Conservation Award, given annually to the student who best exemplifies conservation efforts in the local and regional communities. I also received the 2002 Palos Verdes Peninsula Coordinating Council and County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Teen Service Awards. During secondary school, I have dedicated over 1400 hours to these efforts, and this impacted my life in many positive ways. I have learned the value of community work where results can only be achieved with the collaboration of many people, organizations, and elected representatives working together in conjunction towards a cleaner, healthier, and balanced world. The protection of our environment is an unending task. It is hard, unpredictable work but vital to our survival and to the quality of our lives on this planet. I am very proud to be a part of it, but at the same time humbled by the immensity of the task ahead of us.
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Essay Question:
Major Essay - describe a unique experience in high school.
It is a sad fact that many species on this planet are endangered or have become extinct due to human activities, especially in recent decades. I have always had a strong desire to be part of efforts to stem or reverse this trend. Due to my many environmental efforts and research that I conducted to reduce water pollution, I was afforded the unique opportunity to visit the Amazon Rainforest in August 2002 to study two species of endangered turtles in the Araguaia National Park (Ilha do Bananal), Brazil. Because of my first place finish in the environmental sciences division at the Los Angeles County Science Fair in 2002, I was also awarded a Helen and Peter Bing Earthwatch Fellowship for the expedition, which included a full share of cost payment and a travel stipend. This project was co-sponsored by the Earthwatch Institute, the Tocantins State University, and Instituto Ecolsgica of Brazil. I had the pleasure of working with a diverse international team of volunteers and researchers for two weeks in a remote region of the Amazon. Our goal was to locate and preserve hundreds of turtle nests from predation by transferring the eggs to safer locations. We also used granulometrics and thermographs to show the correlation between temperature, humidity, and grain sizes to incubation period and sex determination. The two species of turtles involved were the Tracaja (Podocnemis unifilis) and the Amazonian (Podocnemis expansa); these are endangered for many reasons: illegal poaching, deforestation, water pollution, and climate change. The work that was done in the two weeks of the project will hopefully save thousands of turtles and help in the long run to increase the turtle populations back to self-sustaining levels. Overall, the project was extremely successful, and hopefully will make a difference in the protection of these extremely important and beautiful animals. The epitome of the trip was by far the day sighting of a female Tracaja laying eggs. Such a sight is so rare in these early night-laying turtles that the principal investigator, Dr. Adriana Malvasio, had only seen it twice in the many years that she has worked with the animals. Even more amazing, the second group had also found a turtle on another beach. It was almost as though fate had determined for us to find these turtles that morning commemorating our two weeks of work in helping these turtles. A coincidence or an act of fate - something we will never know; but it certainly brought to a grand finale the trip of a lifetime. This was truly an exciting experience, and I hope that I will someday get the opportunity to visit the Amazon once again. I would have to say that the Amazon Turtles expedition was definitely one of the best experiences of my life thus far, if not the best -- it is certainly something that will stay with me for rest of my life. The friendly people, the unique surroundings, and the invaluable environmental work really came together to make this a truly memorable trip.
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Essay Question:
Major Essay - Describe your interests in medicine. (Used for the University Scholars Program in Medicine)
Ever since I was a small child I have always been interested in medicine. With my parents and grandparents being physicians, I was exposed to the field at a very young age and have continued to be captivated by it. I lived with my grandparents until the age of 5 in India and watching them lit a spark in me which has persisted and grown stronger with each passing year. Over time, I have discovered myself to be a good leader, with empathy and understanding towards others, and I have developed sensitivity and insight into the suffering of other people through my first hand experiences. All of these will make me an excellent physician to whom people can truly relate. My enthusiasm and compassion have been vividly demonstrated by my active role in environmental preservation and restoration where I was not only able to motivate many people to come together for the first time for this cause but was also instrumental in creating an Environmental Science Club at school and have not only received numerous community service awards but also have been personally gratified at the extent I have been able to give some of myself back to the community. I have been involved in several research endeavors that have served to deepen my enthusiasm, and I have also received several distinctions along the way. I have worked under Dr. Vito M. Campese, M.D., Chief of Nephrology, University of Southern California School of Medicine, for three years conducting research on neurogenic hypertension. I have worked extensively in this lab utilizing several techniques, including nephrectomy, femoral artery catheterization, DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, reverse transcription, and western blotting. This research has produced two papers for publication, entitled 'Renal Injury Caused by Intrarenal Injection of Phenol Increases Afferent and Efferent Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity' (American Journal of Hypertension 2002; 15(8):717-724) and 'Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Stimulate Central and Peripheral Sympathetic Nervous System Activity' (In Approval Stages), for both of which I am a co-author. This type of research particularly interests me, and my ultimate dream is to pursue a research career at Washington University because of the great opportunities present there. In addition to this research, during the last three years, through my extensive involvement in environmental preservation, I have come to realize that there are numerous severe problems that urban lakes are facing in our modern era. I chose to examine the effects of eutrophication in local bodies of water in the Los Angeles Area, namely Madrona Marsh (City of Torrance) and Harbor Lake Machado (Harbor City), and found that phosphate pollution was extremely acute in these areas. After extensive research, I found that phosphate binders, common substances used to treat medical patients with phosphate retention, could be used in this situation. I subsequently devised a filtration system to remove phosphate and ammonia through ion-exchange and accelerated denitrification. I was excited to find that these filters were effective, and currently the City of Torrance is in the process of funding construction of these filters at Madrona Marsh. For this research, I was awarded Best of Category and First Place at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Environmental Science in May, 2002. In addition, I won first place at the California State Science Fair and Los Angeles County Science Fair. I am in the process of patenting this filtration system and am submitting my paper for publication to several national journals. I hope that this research will eventually lead to the betterment of lake ecosystems throughout the world. Research has truly been a rewarding experience in my life. I have worked more than 2000 hours during my years as a secondary school student, and I know that my future will be in medical research and investigation. I am committed to a career in academic medicine which I believe will combine my interest in medicine, my intellectual curiosity, my empathy towards people, my leadership skills to involve, motivate and teach others and my enthusiasm and passion to promote the health of each individual, our surroundings, and the global community as a whole. I believe I will bring unreserved energy and will do my utmost to contribute to a better future by advancing the frontiers of knowledge through my dedication to research at both fundamental and clinical levels.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Personal Statement
As I entered the nursing home, the smell of medicine and illness choked me. Just a minute ago I was outside feeling the warm sun against my skin and hearing the familiar sounds of the ocean waves. Now I found myself in a cold corridor, surrounded by white walls, and the only audible sounds were muffled conversations as I passed each room. I was warned before arriving at the nursing home that my grandfather looked different, that he had his leg amputated and that he had lost much weight. I was also warned that his Alzheimer's had gotten so bad that he was barely able to recognize the people that he saw on a daily basis. I was told not to feel hurt if he didn't remember who I was. My grandfather lay in his traditional button down shirt with his eyes tightly closed. I looked away when I noticed the tubes inserted into his arm. I was shocked to see that my grandfather's once tanned skin was now pallid and dry. My aunt who has seen him everyday in this same position gave him a little shove and told him that my mother and I were there to see him. As a child, my trips to Puerto Rico were marvelous. My grandmother had 11 children, so I found myself surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins all day. Our vacations are filled with endless days on the beach, barbecues, shopping trips and lots and lots of sightseeing. My grandfather was always forgetful, and when I was younger I really enjoyed this part about him. I would walk to the local bodega and on my way there my grandfather would ask me if I had enough money to get candy. I always responded yes, however I knew that he would give me an extra 50 cents or even a dollar to get bonus treats. On the way back he would stop me again and say he was sorry for not seeing me on the way there and would give me an extra quarter or 50 cents for my next trip. Sometimes hed even get me a small bag of candy after dinner and excuse himself for not being able to buy me sweets throughout the entire day. This continued day after day until I had accumulated massive amounts of candy in my suitcase. My grandfather had diabetes, but my grandmother had a sweet tooth and I always made sure to share these goodies with her. My candy supply became so massive that I would always have to give everything away before coming back home. When my grandfather awoke, his bright blue eyes comforted me and reminded me that he was still the same person I remembered. We spoke with him for a while about how he was feeling and the weather. He asked 'Who are you?' when he saw my mother and aunt. They reminded him but only several minutes later, he would ask the same question. He didn't seem to notice me in the room until I said 'What about me?' I didn't expect him to remember, I only wised that perhaps something would spark his mind. He looked at me with those deep eyes and said 'Nenie,' his nickname for me when I was younger. It had been years since I heard that word and it gave me great joy that he had remembered who I was. My grandfather went on to tell me how beautiful I had grown and that he had high expectations for me in the future. He reminded me that I will face tremendous challenges in my years ahead, and repeated over and over again that school was the foundation of all my successes to come. He reminded me that with determination and a good heart, anything can be achieved. This speech was no different than the ones he had always given me before; however, I had a feeling that it would be the last. As I assured him that I was doing well in school and was determined to continue studying, he seemed to get stronger. Our talk was cut short an announcement reminding us that visiting hours were coming to an end, and that we may be able to return tomorrow. As we walked out of his room, he told me that he will always watch over me and that he loved me very much. He still could not understand who these two women were next to me, and why they insisted that they knew him. My grandfather passed away only two months after this visit. I am extremely grateful that I was able to share these moments with him before he passed away. In school and at work, I am constantly reminded of him when someone performs a generous act, and I tell myself that is exactly what my grandfather would have done. I believe that he lives inside me and guides me everyday. My grandfather has always inspired me to help others. His loving nature and big heart are remembered by all who knew him. As I deliberate about my plans to study medicine and go into the field of biomedical engineering, my grandfather's words constantly run through my mind. My grandfather's moving speeches will forever be inscribed in my heart and his desire to help others is a trait that I will carry inside of me forever.
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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.
