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help me shorten this please to appr 150 words. "After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans suffered great tolls. This I knew from the news channels. So, during the summer before junior year high school, my youth group and I went New Orleans to help with the relief. But, since it was already two years after the actual incident, none of us actually was committed to working. Rather, we expected to see the festive streets of New Orleans and busy lights in their football stadium. We thought there would be many tourists and that the city would be smoothly running like it was before the Hurricane.
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Help me shorten this please to APPR 150 words. "After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans suffered great tolls. This I knew from the news channels. So, during the summer before junior year high school, my youth group and I went New Orleans to help with the relief. But, since it was already two years after the actual incident, none of us actually was committed to working. Rather, we expected to see the festive streets of New Orleans and busy lights in their football stadium. We thought there would be many tourists and that the city would be smoothly running like it was before the Hurricane.
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Participating in Cross Country track has been a very challenging, yet rewarding experience. What attracted me to track is that it uniquely addresses both mental health and physical fitness. It also offers me the best of both worlds since track is an individual sport as well as a team sport. At first, the long hours and personal sacrifice seemed like a high price to pay. Being flat-footed certainly didn't help matters either. Conditioning, practicing and racing represented a full time commitment throughout the year. Not being able to begin studying until late in the evening presented some time management issues as well. Furthermore, most of my classes were either Honor or AP courses which meant that I couldn't "cut any corners" when it came to my academics. Starting out, I was one of the slowest runners on the team. Poor performances offered very little encouragement. Even though I had a few setbacks, I refused to let that discourage me. The coaches supported my effort and applauded the fact that I wouldn't give up. They had soon convinced me that I was really competing against myself and that I was my biggest adversary. That's when it all clicked! With their understanding and guidance, I was able to make the Varsity team in just three years. Track taught me how to focus on my goals. I've also learned how to pace and push myself, even while in pain, and thereby allowed me to carry these same skills over to my school work as well. Cross Country has taught me the meaning of commitment, dedication and perseverance. As a result of this experience, I can now apply these same qualities towards everything I do, especially during difficult situations. Cross Country has helped me forge important friendships, demonstrate leadership and become a better individual.
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Participating in Cross Country track has been a very challenging, yet rewarding experience. What attracted me to track is that it uniquely addresses both mental health and physical fitness. It also offers me the best of both worlds since track is an individual sport and a team sport. At first, the long hours and personal sacrifice seemed like a high price to pay. Being flat-footed certainly didn't help matters either. Conditioning, practicing and racing represented a full time commitment throughout the year. Not being able to begin studying until late in the evening presented some time management issues as well. Furthermore, most of my classes were either Honor or AP courses which meant that I couldn't "cut any corners" when it came to my academics. Starting out, I was one of the slowest runners on the team. Poor performances offered very little encouragement. Even though I had a few setbacks, I refused to let that discourage me. The coaches supported my effort and applauded the fact that I wouldn't give up. They had soon convinced me that I was really competing against myself and that I was my biggest adversary. That's when it all clicked! With their understanding and guidance, I was able to make the Varsity team in just three years. Track taught me how to focus on my goals. I've also learned how to pace and push myself, even while in pain, and thereby allowed me to carry these same skills over to my school work as well. Cross Country has taught me the meaning of commitment, dedication and perseverance. As a result of this experience, I can now apply these same qualities towards everything I do, especially during difficult situations. Cross Country has helped me forge important friendships, demonstrate leadership and become a better individual.
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After testing and retesting my views on these topics, I came with a multitude of answers and found multiple mistakes in foreign policy and planning. I prize my fortitude in patience and planning and could not believe the United States government could act so impulsively and blindly. Little or no planning had been done into the locations of these various terrorists groups and the reports of weapons of mass destruction were unsupportable and unreliable which I felt was surprising. Before 8th grade, I felt the government is right and made the best decisions for the country. However after learning about political parties and self interest, I realized that there was much more to this plan of action than just taking out terrorist groups. America was confronted with an unexpected strategy by Muslim extremists incorporating extreme religious views to strengthen their ranks and create a reason to attack people relentlessly. However, American leaders were unprepared for guerrilla attacks, hostage killings and beheadings, remote detonated bombs and suicide bombings. The conventional battle techniques up to the Vietnam War proved ineffective in fighting insurgencies in the Middle East and the military was forced to change their tactics, after heavy casualties were inflicted on American troops. A question was repeatedly asked in my mind. How can the professional and highly trained American military be unable to capture a nation of farmers? At the outbreak of war, the war was projected to last a couple months or a year at the most. Shortly after the Taliban was "brought to its knees", the American government rashly declared war on Iraq to take down the Saddam Hussein's regime. As we all know, again the weapons of mass destruction were used to fool the American public into supporting such a lackluster campaign. Billions and billions of dollars have been spent by the American government to bolster the forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and I realized how the government and me as a person could have done to prevent such outright sapping of the United States treasury. Needless to say, that gas prices inflated almost a dollar at the outbreak of hostilities and people were losing their jobs left and right. Companies gradually began to move their headquarters out of the US permitting these companies to fire the American workers that originally worked in these factories. A more important question resonates in my mind. How long we can sustain such an expensive war effort with a depleting treasury and at the same time implement the promised tax breaks to average Americans? Needless to say, it only took a couple years before the government started to slip into financial obscurity. The Wall Street stocks fluctuated wildly during those 8 years of war causing many large companies to file bankruptcy and lay off employees. In addition, Congress passed bills to provide additional billions of dollars to help save these important businesses and stimulate the economy. Does my working class family really get some kind of advantage from these hefty donations? A most firm, no. Almost none of this money will reach the working and the poor. Besides raising oil prices and angering foreign nations what has really been done during these years? The positive effects of military action in Iraq and Afghanistan included better security for the United States, a more politically conscientious society, and the longing for those years of peace that I take for granted. As a result, sacrificing some of my rights to make my country safer is ok with me as long as the government does not abuse. Numerous suicide attacks were foiled, terrorist group sympathasizers and supporters were prosecuted, and my overall feeling of safety felt higher than it's ever been. The most significant result of the Iraq invasion was the Iraqi people's freedom from Saddam Hussein . these people were ruled by a brutal leader who felt no pain in gassing his own people and squandering his people to benefit himself. During Saddam Hussein's reign, the loyalists to Saddam received the highest quality of life leaving most of the common people starving, poor, and technologically handicapped and outdated. These major events made me proud and privileged to live in a free country and taught me to value the peace that was before. The invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan was the single most influential event that contributed to the eventual failure of Bush's economic policy and a crashing Stock Market.
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After testing and retesting my views on these topics, I came with a multitude of answers and found multiple mistakes in foreign policy and planning. I prize my fortitude in patience and planning and could not believe the United States government could act so impulsively and blindly. Little or no planning had been done into the locations of these various terrorists groups and the reports of weapons of mass destruction were unsupportable and unreliable which I felt was surprising. Before 8th grade, I felt the government is right and made the best decisions for the country. However, after learning about political parties and self-interest, I realized that there was much more to this plan of action than just taking out terrorist groups. America was confronted with an unexpected strategy by Muslim extremists incorporating extreme religious views to strengthen their ranks and create a reason to attack people relentlessly. However, American leaders were unprepared for guerrilla attacks, hostage killings and beheading, remote detonated bombs and suicide bombings. The conventional battle techniques up to the Vietnam War proved ineffective in fighting insurgencies in the Middle East and the military was forced to change their tactics, after heavy casualties were inflicted on American troops. A question was repeatedly asked in my mind. How can the professional and highly trained American military be unable to capture a nation of farmers? At the outbreak of war, the war was projected to last a couple of months or a year at the most. Shortly after the Taliban was "brought to its knees", the American government rashly declared war on Iraq to take down the Saddam Hussein's regime. As we all know, again the weapons of mass destruction were used to fool the American public into supporting such a lackluster campaign. Billions and billions of dollars have been spent by the American government to bolster the forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and I realized how the government and me as a person could have done to prevent such outright sapping of the United States treasury. Needless to say, that gas prices inflated almost a dollar at the outbreak of hostilities and people were losing their jobs left and right. Companies gradually began to move their headquarters out of the US permitting these companies to fire the American workers that originally worked in these factories. A more important question resonates in my mind. How long we can sustain such an expensive war effort with a depleting treasury and at the same time implement the promised tax breaks to average Americans? Needless to say, it only took a couple of years before the government started to slip into financial obscurity. The Wall Street stocks fluctuated wildly during those 8 years of war causing many large companies to file bankruptcy and lay off employees. In addition, Congress passed bills to provide additional billions of dollars to help save these important businesses and stimulate the economy. Does my working class family really get some kind of advantage from these hefty donations? A most firm, no. Almost none of this money will reach the working and the poor. Besides raising oil prices and angering foreign nations what has really been done during these years? The positive effects of military action in Iraq and Afghanistan included better security for the United States, a more politically conscientious society, and the longing for those years of peace that I take for granted. As a result, sacrificing some of my rights to make my country safer is ok with me as long as the government does not abuse. Numerous suicide attacks were foiled, terrorist group sympathizers and supporters were prosecuted, and my overall feeling of safety felt higher than it's ever been. The most significant result of the Iraq invasion was the Iraqi people's freedom from Saddam Hussein. These people were ruled by a brutal leader who felt no pain in gassing his own people and squandering his people to benefit himself. During Saddam Hussein's reign, the loyalists to Saddam received the highest quality of life leaving most of the common people starving, poor, and technologically handicapped and outdated. These major events made me proud and privileged to live in a free country and taught me to value the peace that was before. The invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan was the single most influential event that contributed to the eventual failure of Bush's economic policy and a crashing Stock Market.
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The momentary confinement from the world provided by the final lap of my eight hundred meter journey around the track puts me at a cross-road of two interesting disparities. While I am able to lay my full concentration upon that which precedes me, it is at the same time, dispersed by the disagreeably burning sensation that is dispersing through my lower extremities. With adrenaline as my sole companion, I must hurdle over the mental wall of indolence in order to even come close to the finish line. Despite that the effort failed to garner any notable acclaim, one significant benefit that I have developed from track and field running is an ability to persevere and continue striving for a goal. My acquired perseverance has allowed me to persist in some of the more mundane aspects of both academic and casual life and work towards a goal that requires more than just ordinary insistence. If you could help me on it, that'd be great!
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The momentary confinement from the world provided by the final lap of my eight hundred-meter journey around the track puts me at a cross-road of two interesting disparities. While I am able to lay my full concentration upon that which precedes me, it is at the same time, dispersed by the disagreeably burning sensation that is dispersing through my lower extremities. With adrenaline as my sole companion, I must hurdle over the mental wall of indolence in order to even come close to the finish line. Despite that the effort failed to garner any notable acclaim, one significant benefit that I have developed from track and field running is an ability to persevere and continue striving for a goal. My acquired perseverance has allowed me to persist in some of the more mundane aspects of both academic and casual life and work towards a goal that requires more than just ordinary insistence. If you could help me on it, that'd be great!
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I have some family obligations that limited my ability to participate in some extra curricular activities. For example. my brother has some difficulties learning and I helped him overcome this setback. Almost everyday we study together and I help him with his homework. Ever since I started tutoring him, he's been getting better grades and making more friends at school. I also take care of the big family yard and the pool. This past summer, for example, a tropical storm blew one of our palm trees in the pool. I had to call a troop of landscapes who, with my help, managed to get the tree out of the pool and back in the soil. These are simple tasks in my everyday life that I have to take care of, and although I might have missed out on some extra curricular activities, I am glad I was able to help out my brother and my family.
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I have some family obligations that limited my ability to participate in some extracurricular activities. For example. My brother has some difficulties learning, and I helped him overcome this setback. Almost everyday we study together, and I help him with his homework. Ever since I started tutoring him, he's been getting better grades and making more friends at school. I also take care of the big family yard and the pool. This past summer, for example, a tropical storm blew one of our palm trees in the pool. I had to call a troop of landscapes who, with my help, managed to get the tree out of the pool and back in the soil. These are simple tasks in my everyday life that I have to take care of, and although I might have missed out on some extracurricular activities, I am glad I was able to help out my brother and my family.
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I just wanted to know if you could give me guidelines for what i need to include in the "please elaborate on one of your activities (extracurricular, personal activities, or work experience)(150 words or fewer)" short answer that is part of the writing section on the common app? Should it be merely descriptive? I would appreciate a guideline for what i need to include, and what kind of activity should i elaborate on - volunteer or an activity that demonstrates my entrepreneurship? Thank you
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I just wanted to know if you could give me guidelines for what I need to include in the "please elaborate on one of your activities (extracurricular, personal activities, or work experience)(150 words or fewer)" short answer that is part of the writing section on the common app? Should it be merely descriptive? I would appreciate a guideline for what I need to include, and what kind of activity should I elaborate on - volunteer or an activity that demonstrates my entrepreneurship? Thank you
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I was sitting at the lunch table eating lunch with my best friend when our teacher approached us with a new and interesting project. She had told us that we had been selected to participate in a new program to promote peace in our school; it was called "The peer mediators." We were both very startled at first, given we were not the most outspoken or the people loving kind. I for one was very afraid of even thinking of talking to strangers and was opting for refusing her invitation. After a couple of chats with my teacher she managed to convince me and my friend to give it a shot with the promise we could leave at any time we felt uncomfortable. The training consisted on conferences about relationships, conflicts and psychology. I was very intrigued in the content of the conferences and their diplomatic approach, but the real learning experience began when the training came to an end and my partner and I had to actually start on the practice with real people on real conflicts. I discovered people's attitudes are the hardest to understand and analyze specially when trying to find a solution were feelings and interests are involved. In our first cases we were not successful at all, many students even decided to leave us for our lack of involvement and overwhelming shyness. Just when I was about to give up a girl came to me seeking peer mediation, I honestly told her I was not very good and that she could find someone else. With her insistence I decided to actually listen. After hearing her out for a while this upset looking girl transformed right before my eyes into an almost real human being which I actually enjoyed talking to, she was real and to the point and I felt the greatest desire to help her. After a couple of talks we almost even became friends. I discovered that for the job it wasn't required for you to be a physiologist but just a good and active listener, something like a friend. It was with this approach that this program awarded me with a recognition diploma in the end. This experience was of significant importance to me for it opened up my interest in conflicts, their resolutions and people. Most of all it helped me to overcome my shyness and made me discover what would later become the major I want to pursue in college. The program might have been intended to impact others lives, but I guess the most impacted was me.
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I was sitting at the lunch table eating lunch with my best friend when our teacher approached us with a new and interesting project. She had told us that we had been selected to participate in a new program to promote peace in our school; it was called "The peer mediators." We were both very startled at first, given we were not the most outspoken or the people loving kind. I, for one, was very afraid of even thinking of talking to strangers and was opting for refusing her invitation. After a couple of chats with my teacher she managed to convince me and my friend to give it a shot with the promise we could leave at any time we felt uncomfortable. The training consisted on conferences about relationships, conflicts and psychology. I was very intrigued in the content of the conferences and their diplomatic approach, but the real learning experience began when the training came to an end and my partner and I had to actually start on the practice with real people on real conflicts. I discovered people's attitudes are the hardest to understand and analyze specially when trying to find a solution were feelings and interests are involved. In our first cases we were not successful at all, many students even decided to leave us for our lack of involvement and overwhelming shyness. Just when I was about to give up a girl came to me seeking peer mediation, I honestly told her I was not very good and that she could find someone else. With her insistence I decided to actually listen. After hearing her out for a while this upset looking girl transformed right before my eyes into an almost real human being which I actually enjoyed talking to, she was real and to the point and I felt the greatest desire to help her. After a couple of talks we almost even became friends. I discovered that for the job it wasn't required for you to be a physiologist but just a good and active listener, something like a friend. It was with this approach that this program awarded me with a recognition diploma in the end. This experience was of significant importance to me for it opened up my interest in conflicts, their resolutions and people. Most of all it helped me to overcome my shyness and made me discover what would later become the major I want to pursue in college. The program might have been intended to impact others lives, but I guess the most impacted was me.
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Prompt: Describe a meaningful event, experience or accomplishment in your life and how it will affect your college experience or your contribution to the UF campus community. You may want to reflect on your family, your school or community activities, or your involvement in areas outside of school. Unlike most children, I have always idolized my grandmother. Even though she always misplaces her gold citizen watch, and was always a day or two late when it came to giving me my phone messages, she was always the ideal example of an accomplished person in my eyes. According to her friends, she is the chef in the neighborhood they all got advice from, but to me she is simply the woman who got up in the middle of night to assuage my fright from nightmares and the women who made sure I had a snack ready when I came home from school. The surfeit amount of constructive energy she possessed along with her benevolence made her a person that couldn't help but be inspiring. She never failed to help. When I turned 12, I realized it was my turn to help her. My grandmother was anything but ordinary, she was strong at heart, and I always assumed that I would help her eventually, when she got much older. The moment that really changed my view on life was the day she attempted to commit suicide. She took an overdose of sleeping tablets, and was unconscious for two very long days. At the time I couldn't do anything but pray for her. I was very young, and not matured; I really thought she was just taking a rest from all the work she did. My parents didn't help much either when I bombarded them with questions. Overtime I found out she was suffering from a bipolar disorder, and her action seemed to actually ameliorate her progress. It saddens me daily to see her optimism turn to pessimism. She has numerous medications, none of which has really helped, and to this day she struggles with this condition. As I got older I became more aware of my grandmother's condition, and started doing active research on it. Looking for different treatment plans; ones that actually worked were either hard to find or too expensive. The truth is that she is suffering just as much as I am. This constant experience bestowed on me the responsibility to find a treatment and get back the grandmother I once had. Going to Unversity of Florida would fit well for my plan.The very plan I made to "help" my grandmother. Not only will I be close to home, but I'll being going to a school praised for its Academics. Business my forteit and UF's as well is what made me choose this school from all others on the list. I plan to attend this school with intentions of getting a great job at the end of it. I strongly believe that the experience and knowledge this school has to offer will do just that; mold me into a person capable of being successful emotionally and financially. When this does happen, I will get my grandmother the treatment she, needless to say, deserves. My strive and dedication to see this goal be conquered is what makes me an excellent contribution to the campus community.
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Prompt: Describe a meaningful event, experience or accomplishment in your life and how it will affect your college experience or your contribution to the OF campus community. You may want to reflect on your family, your school or community activities, or your involvement in areas outside of school. Unlike most children, I have always idolized my grandmother. Even though she always misplaces her gold citizen watch, and was always a day or two late when it came to giving me my phone messages, she was always the ideal example of an accomplished person in my eyes. According to her friends, she is the chef in the neighborhood they all got advice from, but to me, she is simply the woman who got up in the middle of night to assuage my fright from nightmares and the women who made sure I had a snack ready when I came home from school. The surfeit amount of constructive energy she possessed along with her benevolence made her a person that couldn't help but be inspiring. She never failed to help. When I turned 12, I realized it was my turn to help her. My grandmother was anything but ordinary, she was strong at heart, and I always assumed that I would help her eventually, when she got much older. The moment that really changed my view on life was the day she attempted to commit suicide. She took an overdose of sleeping tablets, and was unconscious for two very long days. At the time I couldn't do anything but pray for her. I was very young, and not matured; I really thought she was just taking a rest from all the work she did. My parents didn't help much either when I bombarded them with questions. Overtime I found out she was suffering from a bipolar disorder, and her action seemed to actually ameliorate her progress. It saddens me daily to see her optimism turn to pessimism. She has numerous medications, none of which has really helped, and to this day she struggles with this condition. As I got older I became more aware of my grandmother's condition, and started doing active research on it. Looking for different treatment plans; ones that actually worked were either hard to find or too expensive. The truth is that she is suffering just as much as I am. This constant experience bestowed on me the responsibility to find a treatment and get back the grandmother I once had. Going to University of Florida would fit well for my plan. The very plan I made to "help" my grandmother. Not only will I be close to home, but I'll being going to a school praised for its Academics. Business my format and OF's as well is what made me choose this school from all others on the list. I plan to attend this school with intentions of getting a great job at the end of it. I strongly believe that the experience and knowledge this school has to offer will do just that; mold me into a person capable of being successful emotionally and financially. When this does happen, I will get my grandmother the treatment she, needless to say, deserves. My strive and dedication to see this goal be conquered is what makes me an excellent contribution to the campus community.
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There have been many influences and experiences throughout my 17 years of life that have affected the person I am today and more importantly, the person I strive to be in the future, but a most recent event involving my parents receiving Citizenship of the United States of America was particularly moving and inspirational to me. To witness my parents taking the Oath of Allegiance and being sworn in as United States ...
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There have been many influences and experiences throughout my 17 years of life that have affected the person I am today and more importantly, the person I strive to be in the future, but a most recent event involving my parents receiving Citizenship of the United States of America was particularly moving and inspirational to me. To witness my parents taking the Oath of Allegiance and being sworn in as the United States ...
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Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. The ear-piercing sound coming from the most painful invention ever created by man startled me. It was the horror of my dreaded alarm clock. Initially, the unfamiliar noise, which I hadn't heard for months, left me baffled. Lying in bed, and terrified at the prospect of beginning the day earlier then desired, I considered ignoring the obnoxious alarm and resuming my period of serenity for at least 3 more hours. Luckily, I originally planned for this very moment and made sure the alarm clock was not within arm's length. Hearing the distant cries coming from my parents' room, pleading for an end to the raucous, I surrendered to my fate of beginning my day earlier then expected. After gaining full consciousness, I recalled my logic for using the deafening machine. It was the third week of August which meant only one thing to me and the rest of my soccer team. It was the first day of doubles practice. I hopped into the shower where I would be able to contemplate the reasons for my voluntary participation in this suffering. The next two weeks would involve four grueling hours every morning of fitness, drills, fitness, ball work, and more fitness. Why would anybody allow his or her body to undergo such an excruciating process? Then I remembered a quote my 5th grade teacher would constantly stress to the class. That quote was:"Strength comes from adversity." This scintillating statement was so substantial to my teacher that he made an obligation to personally make and distribute laminated cards with this slogan to each student at graduation. Thus, it is this statement that describes the reasoning behind my participation in varsity soccer doubles practice. Like anything worth doing in life, soccer requires hard work and determination in order to score a favorable outcome. Every practice, every run, and every drill are meant to improve each member's ability and that of the team as a whole. Even though my body is aching and my lungs are gasping for air at the time, I always feel a sense of accomplishment after practice with the knowledge that I persevered even when I felt like I could not go any further. This is best represented when we step onto the pitch on game day against opposing teams who have annihilated our team in previous years. We engage in our 80 minute battle and surprise the other team when we show that we can compete. The fact that all the hours of preparation and hard work have most definitely paid off becomes very apparent to our opposition, our parents, our friends, and, most importantly, to us. Therefore, as I emerged from the shower to begin preparations to commence in two weeks of suffering, I felt an odd sense of joy inside me. I thought to myself that the experience will be very rewarding when it is completed. As I walked out the door, I felt confident knowing that whenever life calls, no matter how early it is, I will not bury my head under a pillow and ignore the alarm. I will answer the call, I will endure the obstacle, and I will achieve. THANKS FOR READING MY ESSAY :)
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Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. The ear-piercing sound coming from the most painful invention ever created by man startled me. It was the horror of my dreaded alarm clock. Initially, the unfamiliar noise, which I hadn't heard for months, left me baffled. Lying in bed, and terrified at the prospect of beginning the day earlier than desired, I considered ignoring the obnoxious alarm and resuming my period of serenity for at least 3 more hours. Luckily, I originally planned for this very moment and made sure the alarm clock was not within arm's length. Hearing the distant cries coming from my parents' room, pleading for an end to the raucous, I surrendered to my fate of beginning my day earlier than expected. After gaining full consciousness, I recalled my logic for using the deafening machine. It was the third week of August which meant only one thing to me and the rest of my soccer team. It was the first day of doubles practice. I hopped into the shower where I would be able to contemplate the reasons for my voluntary participation in this suffering. The next two weeks would involve four grueling hours every morning of fitness, drills, fitness, ball work, and more fitness. Why would anybody allow his or her body to undergo such an excruciating process? Then I remembered a quote my 5th grade teacher would constantly stress to the class. That quote was:"Strength comes from adversity." This scintillating statement was so substantial to my teacher that he made an obligation to personally make and distribute laminated cards with this slogan to each student at graduation. Thus, it is this statement that describes the reasoning behind my participation in varsity soccer doubles practice. Like anything worth doing in life, soccer requires hard work and determination in order to score a favorable outcome. Every practice, every run, and every drill are meant to improve each member's ability and that of the team as a whole. Even though my body is aching, and my lungs are gasping for air at the time, I always feel a sense of accomplishment after practice with the knowledge that I persevered even when I felt like I could not go any further. This is best represented when we step onto the pitch on game day against opposing teams who have annihilated our team in previous years. We engage in our 80-minute battle and surprise the other team when we show that we can compete. The fact that all the hours of preparation and hard work have most definitely paid off becomes very apparent to our opposition, our parents, our friends, and, most importantly, to us. Therefore, as I emerged from the shower to begin preparations to commence in two weeks of suffering, I felt an odd sense of joy inside me. I thought to myself that the experience will be very rewarding when it is completed. As I walked out the door, I felt confident knowing that whenever life calls, no matter how early it is, I will not bury my head under a pillow and ignore the alarm. I will answer the call, I will endure the obstacle, and I will achieve. THANKS FOR READING MY ESSAY :)
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As a Korean descendant, I would like to witness the Korean War, which broke out in 1950. My grandfather fought in the Korean War, so I would like to gain the memories, stories, and insights that belong to my grandfather. By gaining them, I would like to make history more accurate, so that the whole world will know the truth about the Korean War. The other reason is that I would like to pass them down to my descendants and my friends. Although I could pass down the stories I have heard from my father and grandfather, as an observer, I would give new insights to these stories. This war is very important to me because it involves my country. It split the country into two different nations along the 38th parallel: north and the south. By witnessing the Korean War, I would like to contribute to the future by writing a more accurate and a less biased history by clearing up the questions and misconceptions that people may have about the Korean War. There are common misconceptions that are repeatedly voiced by the Korean War veterans. One of the common misconceptions is that "54,000 people died in Korean War." We do not know if this is actually reliable, but many tend to rely on them, which I believe is not the right way of learning history. We need evidences and information to support it. I am not saying that the misconception is correct, but I think we should a reason to everything. By clearing up these misconceptions, I wish that no one will have any misunderstandings about the Korean War. The second reason I want to observe the Korean War is to pass down the stories to my descendants and my friends. I believe that people should at least fully understand their country's history and the culture. So by passing down the stories, insights, and knowledge I have gained by observing the Korean War, I hope my descendants can fully understand the Korean history and its culture. It would also be important to share my experiences with my friends because I have witnessed the lack of coverage of this important war in my own school's history classes and as a Korean, I was disappointed. By sharing my memories, I wish my family and friends will gain a better understanding of my culture, as well as its history. My ultimate goal is to spread the insights and knowledge I have gained to entire world because many people know so little about my country's history. There are some people out there who do not even know that Korea exists because it is such a small country and it does not have a great influence, or power. I have always wanted to help spread my country's history somehow, so if I am really given this power, I will not lose my chance to help spread my country's history throughout the world. Although I cannot change the outcome of the war, I will change the knowledge of the people.
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As a Korean descendant, I would like to witness the Korean War, which broke out in 1950. My grandfather fought in the Korean War, so I would like to gain the memories, stories, and insights that belong to my grandfather. By gaining them, I would like to make history more accurate, so that the whole world will know the truth about the Korean War. The other reason is that I would like to pass them down to my descendants and my friends. Although I could pass down the stories I have heard from my father and grandfather, as an observer, I would give new insights to these stories. This war is very important to me because it involves my country. It split the country into two different nations along the 38th parallel: north and the south. By witnessing the Korean War, I would like to contribute to the future by writing a more accurate and a less biased history by clearing up the questions and misconceptions that people may have about the Korean War. There are common misconceptions that are repeatedly voiced by the Korean War veterans. One of the common misconceptions is that "54,000 people died in Korean War." We do not know if this is actually reliable, but many tend to rely on them, which I believe is not the right way of learning history. We need evidences and information to support it. I am not saying that the misconception is correct, but I think we should a reason to everything. By clearing up these misconceptions, I wish that no one will have any misunderstandings about the Korean War. The second reason I want to observe the Korean War is to pass down the stories to my descendants and my friends. I believe that people should at least fully understand their country's history and the culture. So by passing down the stories, insights, and knowledge I have gained by observing the Korean War, I hope my descendants can fully understand the Korean history and its culture. It would also be important to share my experiences with my friends because I have witnessed the lack of coverage of this important war in my own school's history classes and as a Korean, I was disappointed. By sharing my memories, I wish my family and friends will gain a better understanding of my culture, as well as its history. My ultimate goal is to spread the insights and knowledge I have gained to entire world because many people know so little about my country's history. There are some people out there who do not even know that Korea exists because it is such a small country, and it does not have a great influence, or power. I have always wanted to help spread my country's history somehow, so if I am really given this power, I will not lose my chance to help spread my country's history throughout the world. Although I cannot change the outcome of the war, I will change the knowledge of the people.
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Needs to be a minimum of 300 words and I'm at 272. Any ideas to add or correct!*********** You never know what event in your life is going to change your life. My inspiration for a career came while both my grandparents were battling cancer. As they received their medications I began to read the Walgreen's pamphlets and help research side effects on their medications for them. I then became interested in understanding the study of a drug's nature, and its properties. At this time I realized the importance of medicine and developed an interest in pharmacology. Pharmacists give some patient consultation and develop an important relationship with their patients. I enjoy assisting others because it allows me to give back to the community. Furthermore my experience as a lifeguard has reaffirmed that my chosen career will reflect my desire to assist others. Pharmacy school is the perfect opportunity for me to pursue a career that mirrors those values. Throughout my life, I have always seen a great importance of having community leaders in the church. My involvement in church has grown, as I started out as an alter server and I am currently a youth leader in the youth ministry at St. Mark's Catholic Church. Duquesne University will allow me to extend my spiritual goals as I would like to become a Eucharistic minister, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Through the school's unique commitment to excellence in professional education, Duquesne will help me to grow further in my studies and achieve a high standard of moral values. In addition, Duquesne University can provide an exclusive insight into the world of pharmaceuticals allowing me to become a professional in the art of preparing, and dispensing drugs.
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Needs to be a minimum of 300 words, and I'm at 272. Any ideas to add or correct!*********** You never know what event in your life is going to change your life. My inspiration for a career came while both my grandparents were battling cancer. As they received their medications I began to read the Walgreen's pamphlets and help research side effects on their medications for them. I then became interested in understanding the study of a drug's nature, and its properties. At this time I realized the importance of medicine and developed an interest in pharmacology. Pharmacists give some patient consultation and develop an important relationship with their patients. I enjoy assisting others because it allows me to give back to the community. Furthermore, my experience as a lifeguard has reaffirmed that my chosen career will reflect my desire to assist others. Pharmacy school is the perfect opportunity for me to pursue a career that mirrors those values. Throughout my life, I have always seen a great importance of having community leaders in the church. My involvement in church has grown, as I started out as an altar server, and I am currently a youth leader in the youth ministry at St. Mark's Catholic Church. Duquesne University will allow me to extend my spiritual goals as I would like to become a Eucharistic minister, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Through the school's unique commitment to excellence in professional education, Duquesne will help me to grow further in my studies and achieve a high standard of moral values. In addition, Duquesne University can provide an exclusive insight into the world of pharmaceuticals allowing me to become a professional in the art of preparing, and dispensing drugs.
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Doodles need more respect. Too often are they berated by teachers and parents who brand them as signs of inattentiveness - a sinful misconduct in an education-prioritized classroom. I confess. I often allow myself to wander off and doodle along the side margins of all my class notes. Littered in between bullet points and detailed notes are caricatures of myself, painful- looking shoes, what I think Macbeth looks like, and cats with trousers. I, however, don't find these doodles to be distractions. They are like spices, making bland class work taste exotic. Outside the classroom, doodling is my catharsis; it feeds off of my boredom and frustrations and spews them out in the form of art. When I am exhausted from hours of studying, I relax by whipping out a sharpie and allowing my mind to guide my hand across the white expanse of paper. It is almost laughable how such a frivolous activity could leave such an imprint in my life. I watched in fascination as my affinity for doodling slowly blossomed into a respected hobby. In the past, my doodles were hidden; sandwiched in between my binders or carelessly thrown away. But I soon acknowledged my mistake: all those doodles were not insignificant and done on whim but rather small tiles that, when pieced together, form an intricate mosaic of me. Luckily, this newly hatched realization occurred the same time I stepped into my AP English class. Unlike many other teachers, Mr. Weinstein embraces doodles just as warmly as subject- verb agreement. In his class, we were even given time to release our creativity through whatever form we felt comfortable. My doodles soon transformed into mind maps rich in random pictures splashed in color, and political cartoons that covered everything from boxes to the presidential debate. My doodles were no longer lingering in the darkness of my notebook but were now radiating under the spotlight: they were hung on the bulletin board, photocopied as samples, and printed in the school newspaper for all to appreciate. While I have changed and improved my doodling technique, I have not failed to realize how doodling has transformed me. I am no longer a brooding high school student whose mind resists the temptation to diverge from the academic trail while repressing my hidden talent from the probing eyes of my teachers. I have now come to realize that there was nothing to be afraid of. These "trifling" doodles on my history notes and scraps of discarded paper revealed to me that I wasn't the type of person who would allow my passion to die simply because it was an "undesirable habit." As condemnable they are in the classroom, my scribbles have changed me into a more active learner. A small doodle of a pair of polka dotted boxers next to the lesson on the Boxer Rebellion or mitochondria lifting weights has given me a new and efficient study fashion others rarely comprehend. There have been many times when my inattentive scribblings sparked a sudden epiphany. One particular incidence occurred when I was mindlessly drawing a rough sketch of a young girl with messy hair. It suddenly hit me that she would be the perfect "Sue" for my children's book "Itchy Sue and the Chicken Pox." The storyline, art, and editing reveals that I am an original thinker.
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Doodles need more respect. Too are often they berated by teachers and parents who brand them as signs of inattentiveness - a sinful misconduct in an education-prioritized classroom. I confess. I often allow myself to wander off and doodle along the side margins of all my class notes. Littered in between bullet points and detailed notes are caricatures of myself, painful-looking shoes, what I think Macbeth looks like, and cats with trousers. I, however, don't find these doodles to be distractions. They are like spices, making bland class work taste exotic. Outside the classroom, doodling is my catharsis; it feeds off of my boredom and frustrations and spews them out in the form of art. When I am exhausted from hours of studying, I relax by whipping out a sharpie and allowing my mind to guide my hand across the white expanse of paper. It is almost laughable how such a frivolous activity could leave such an imprint in my life. I watched in fascination as my affinity for doodling slowly blossomed into a respected hobby. In the past, my doodles were hidden; sandwiched in between my binders or carelessly thrown away. But I soon acknowledged my mistake: all those doodles were not insignificant and done on whim but rather small tiles that, when pieced together, form an intricate mosaic of me. Luckily, this newly hatched realization occurred the same time I stepped into my AP English class. Unlike many other teachers, Mr. Weinstein embraces doodles just as warmly as subject-verb agreement. In his class, we were even given time to release our creativity through whatever form we felt comfortable. My doodles soon transformed into mind maps rich in random pictures splashed in color, and political cartoons that covered everything from boxes to the presidential debate. My doodles were no longer lingering in the darkness of my notebook but were now radiating under the spotlight: they were hung on the bulletin board, photocopied as samples, and printed in the school newspaper for all to appreciate. While I have changed and improved my doodling technique, I have not failed to realize how doodling has transformed me. I am no longer a brooding high school student whose mind resists the temptation to diverge from the academic trail while repressing my hidden talent from the probing eyes of my teachers. I have now come to realize that there was nothing to be afraid of. These "trifling" doodles on my history notes and scraps of discarded paper revealed to me that I wasn't the type of person who would allow my passion to die simply because it was an "undesirable habit." As condemnable they are in the classroom, my scribbles have changed me into a more active learner. A small doodle of a pair of polka-dotted boxers next to the lesson on the Boxer Rebellion or mitochondria lifting weights has given me a new and efficient study fashion others rarely comprehend. There have been many times when my inattentive scribbling sparked a sudden epiphany. One particular incidence occurred when I was mindlessly drawing a rough sketch of a young girl with messy hair. It suddenly hit me that she would be the perfect "Sue" for my children's book "Itchy Sue and the Chicken Pox." The storyline, art, and editing reveals that I am an original thinker.
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The day I decided to go to public high school, was a day that would change my life forever. I was about to embark on an experience that would help me develop as a person and learn more about the world and the people who live in it. As a homeschooled kid I had been sheltered from much of the secular life and had much to learn. My experience at Jensen Beach High School had a profound impact on my life and I grew immensely as a person and as a student during the time I spent there, however, I find that one of my most significant experiences was before I went to public school. Being homeschooled was the best opportunity I have ever been graced to have experienced. When I was homeschooled, I had more time and opportunities than most kids to become dedicated and involved in a wide range of activities; gymnastics, girl scouts, cheerleading, soccer, softball, church, swim team, and competitive dance. These opportunities taught me many things about people, how to get along with them, work with them, befriend them, help them, and understand them. I was encouraged to converse with adults and to get along with other children of all ages and this led me to meet and learn about many different types of people. These opportunities taught me to have an open mind to new ideas and cultures from an early age, which is vital to any relationship or learning experience. Not only did homeschooling provide me with more time to experience a wider range of activities that opened many doors for me, but it has also provided me with a strong sense of self and confidence in my beliefs. I had the security of my family around me 24-7 to support and help mold me into the person I am today, without the influence of peer pressure to divert me. The morals and lessons my family instilled in me have made me confident and able to stand up for my beliefs. Anytime I had a problem my family was there for me, with just the right advice on how to handle the situation. My family has taught me to have humility, gratitude, integrity, respect, compassion, and responsibility in all the things that I do. These are the characteristics I have observed and they are the same ones that I admire in them and aspire to achieve everyday of my life. The early years of life are critical to molding a person into whom they will become later on in life and I had the people who loved me the most molding and shaping me, rather than other middle school kids and peer pressure. They have my best interests at heart and have provided me with the characteristics and tools that are most important to being successful in life and college. The things I learned from homeschooling, have proven to be valuable and effective in my transition into a public high school. I successfully transitioned into the public school environment, taking on harder classes, making friends, demonstrating responsibility, joining clubs, maintaining and developing new and old friendships, and continuing to mature and grow as a person. College is a new challenge I am looking forward to experiencing. The things I have learned over the years in my transition to public school and the values and ideals I have kept with me from homeschooling will guide and help me accomplish the academic and personal growth that comes with being an independent person. I know that my going to UF will help facilitate my academic and personal growth to its fullest potential and there is no other place I can see my growth as a person or student to be greater than it would at the University of Florida.
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The day I decided to go to public high school, was a day that would change my life forever. I was about to embark on an experience that would help me develop as a person and learn more about the world and the people who live in it. As a homeschooled kid I had been sheltered from much of the secular life and had much to learn. My experience at Jensen Beach High School had a profound impact on my life and I grew immensely as a person and as a student during the time I spent there, however, I find that one of my most significant experiences was before I went to public school. Being homeschooled was the best opportunity I have ever been graced to have experienced. When I was homeschooled, I had more time and opportunities than most kids to become dedicated and involved in a wide range of activities; gymnastics, girl scouts, cheerleading, soccer, softball, church, swim team, and competitive dance. These opportunities taught me many things about people, how to get along with them, work with them, befriend them, help them, and understand them. I was encouraged to converse with adults and to get along with other children of all ages and this led me to meet and learn about many types of people. These opportunities taught me to have an open mind to new ideas and cultures from an early age, which is vital to any relationship or learning experience. Not only did homeschool provide me with more time to experience a wider range of activities that opened many doors for me, but it has also provided me with a strong sense of self and confidence in my beliefs. I had the security of my family around me 24-7 to support and help mold me into the person I am today, without the influence of peer pressure to divert me. The morals and lessons my family instilled in me have made me confident and able to stand up for my beliefs. Anytime I had a problem my family was there for me, with just the right advice on how to handle the situation. My family has taught me to have humility, gratitude, integrity, respect, compassion, and responsibility in all the things that I do. These are the characteristics I have observed, and they are the same ones that I admire in them and aspire to achieve every day of my life. The early years of life are critical to molding a person into whom they will become later on in life and I had the people who loved me the most molding and shaping me, rather than other middle school kids and peer pressure. They have my best interests at heart and have provided me with the characteristics and tools that are most important to being successful in life and college. The things I learned from homeschooling, have proven to be valuable and effective in my transition into a public high school. I successfully transitioned into the public school environment, taking on harder classes, making friends, demonstrating responsibility, joining clubs, maintaining and developing new and old friendships, and continuing to mature and grow as a person. College is a new challenge I am looking forward to experiencing. The things I have learned over the years in my transition to public school and the values and ideals I have kept with me from homeschooling will guide and help me accomplish the academic and personal growth that comes with being an independent person. I know that my going to OF will help facilitate my academic and personal growth to its fullest potential and there is no other place I can see my growth as a person or student to be greater than it would at the University of Florida.
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Among the many incredible people I have met, my friend Elizabeth is one whom I have come to admire the most. Although she is just seven years older than I she possesses an incredible wisdom of life. Besides being my youth group teacher she is also a very close friend to me, the kind that will never let you fall behind or tell you what you want to hear. I will never forget a time when my parents and I were going through a very difficult time; given the new and sudden decisions I was making regarding my future education, and although I respect and admire them both very much I was very angry and disappointed in them for not supporting me in one of my new grown up decisions. All my friends were there giving me advice and support, but it wasn't until I heard my friend Elizabeth say "There will be no one that could ever have your best interest at heat than your own parents," that I realized, she was right. She had in a few words shown me in love what I was blind to acknowledge. She had shown me that with a few acts of kindness and an open heart I could better understand my parent's motives and analyze my situation better. Indeed putting this attitude into practice, allowed me to restore my family relationship and resolve the matter. Her influence changed my perspective on how I approach my problems and has made me grow as a person. It is with her untouchable example that I find inspiration on how I want to be when I am her age, a professional woman who lives out an impeccable Christian life and who is a big influence on those around her, someone who stands up for what she believes in and is fearless towards the unknown. I find her influence strong on me being I can see my history reflected in her, she has also had to face the challenge of starting new in a different country and fight for her dreams. I believe her attitude towards life is what is most influencing on me for she teaches both with words and actions that life is all about the attitude and the passion you live it with, that is not only what you achieve, but what you do with what you accomplish.
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Among the many incredible people I have met, my friend Elizabeth is one whom I have come to admire the most. Although she is just seven years older than I possess incredible wisdom of life. Besides being my youth group teacher she is also a very close friend to me, the kind that will never let you fall behind or tell you what you want to hear. I will never forget a time when my parents and I were going through a very difficult time; given the new and sudden decisions I was making regarding my future education, and although I respect and admire them both very much I was very angry and disappointed in them for not supporting me in one of my new grown up decisions. All my friends were there giving me advice and support, but it wasn't until I heard my friend Elizabeth say "There will be no one that could ever have your best interest at heat than your own parents," that I realized, she was right. She had in a few words shown me in love what I was blind to acknowledge. She had shown me that with a few acts of kindness and an open heart I could better understand my parent's motives and analyze my situation better. Indeed, putting this attitude into practice, allowed me to restore my family relationship and resolve the matter. Her influence changed my perspective on how I approach my problems and has made me grow as a person. It is with her untouchable example that I find inspiration on how I want to be when I am her age, a professional woman who lives out an impeccable Christian life and who is a big influence on those around her, someone who stands up for what she believes in and is fearless towards the unknown. I find her influence strong on me being I can see my history reflected in her, she has also had to face the challenge of starting new in a different country and fight for her dreams. I believe her attitude towards life is what is most influencing on me for she teaches both with words and actions that life is all about the attitude and the passion you live it with, that is not only what you achieve, but what you do with what you accomplish.
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this is my essayneeds to be less than 3800 characters (with spaces) I like any other human grows and learns through out life. While at Jonathan Dayton my current high school I have matured and grown into a well rounded teenager. Attending Rutgers would give me an opportunity to further mature into an adult. .Dayton and Rutgers are alike in many ways: from their diverse student body to their outstanding education programs. While at Dayton I have partaken in many different things like football, track and student council just to name a few. While taking part in these actives I have learned many things, but one essential thing that I've learned is how to be a leader. My football coach always told me lead by example that's the only way to be a leader. By leading I have learned to come into my own person, withstanding peer pressure and grow into a thoughtful, caring and kind young man. Leading for doesn't not only entail leading an organizational toward a goal for instance my participating in student council hear at Jonathan Dayton we constantly fundraised to help better the 2009 class the community, but leading is also being able to listen, and work as a group, listen to concerns of everyone, cooperate, collaborate, and compromise. I learned that I didn't have to be the loudest person in the room all I had to do was, what is right. This is something I would be able to do at Rutgers. Weather it be from raising money for a needy origination like I have done many times on student council or boosting school spirit around the campus. Most of all I hope when I graduate Rutgers to leave it better off than when I arrived. Attending your college would give me an opportunity to further explore my love of history and polities. I would also benefit from the many cultures at Rutgers which would broaden my horizon to what goes on around the world. Attending your college would not benefit me academically but I believe that it will make me a better person all around.
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This is my essay needs to be less than 3800 characters (with spaces) I like any other human grows and learns throughout life. While at Jonathan Dayton my current high school I have matured and grown into a well-rounded teenager. Attending Rutgers would give me an opportunity to further mature into an adult. . Dayton and Rutgers are alike in many ways: from their diverse student body to their outstanding education programs. While at Dayton I have partaken in many things like football, track and student council just to name a few. While taking part in these actives I have learned many things, but one essential thing that I've learned is how to be a leader. My football coach always told me lead by example that's the only way to be a leader. By leading I have learned to come into my own person, withstanding peer pressure and grow into a thoughtful, caring and kind young man. Leading for doesn't only entail leading an organizational toward a goal for instance my participating in student council hear at Jonathan Dayton we constantly fundraised to help better the 2009 class the community, but leading is also being able to listen, and work as a group, listen to concerns of everyone, cooperate, collaborate, and compromise. I learned that I didn't have to be the loudest person in the room all I had to do was, what is right. This is something I would be able to do at Rutgers. Weather it be from raising money for a needy origination like I have done many times on student council or boosting school spirit around the campus. Most of all I hope when I graduate Rutgers to leave it better off than when I arrived. Attending your college would give me an opportunity to further explore my love of history and polities. I would also benefit from the many cultures at Rutgers which would broaden my horizon to what goes on around the world. Attending your college would not benefit me academically, but I believe that it will make me a better person all around.
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(TOPIC OF MY CHOICE) "Where are you from?" The typical summer-school-roommate question."Hong Kong." I offered a smile, hoping-crossing my fingers-that she wouldn't ask me that question."Oh! Can you speak Japanese?!" She did it, she asked that question."No..." I was about to continue-"No, in fact, Hong Kong is part of China."-but she beat me to it with yet another question. "Why don't you have an accent when you speak English?" I hope my mouth wasn't agape with incredulity.As I slouched over my lab table listening to Mr. Buxton explain the anatomy of a sea sponge, the conversation replayed in my mind. "Do I speak Japanese?" Could someone really confuse Hong Kong and Japan, two totally unique cultures and nations separated by more than 1,700 miles? As I thought back to the conversation I realized I had been caught in that situation many times, and just as many times I had been rendered speechless. "And so that is how the sponge ensures that it receives nutrients," Mr. Buxton finished, "they simply filter out what is unnecessary and retain what they need to flourish and survive." Suddenly I sat up, "That's me! I'm a sponge!" I am a sponge not because I lack a nervous system, internal organs or muscles. I am a sponge because I am a filter. I am from Hong Kong, a city where a myriad of cultures and values come together into one vibrant setting. I have visited many countries and studied in an international school, both of which have contributed to my assimilation of in different cultures and traditions. Through my 'porocytes', I've absorbed as much as could about each culture, flaws and virtues alike. As I process all this information, it runs through my 'choanocytes' and 'amoecocytes', which pick out the unique parts of each culture that I appreciate and value, virtues I admire, aspects of the lifestyle I want to pursue. While I have been able given the opportunity to see and do many things, I have always followed my parent's golden rule: never to forget who I am-Chinese. They are adamant-obsessively so-about this rule. When my brother and I enrolled in an international school, my parents decided that we would no longer be allowed to communicate in English at home; they figured with the amount of English we would be speaking at school, we'd soon forget how to speak Cantonese. My parents even hired a tutor to grill me in Chinese history and literature-a desperate but determined act to preserve the 'Chinese' within me and not let the 'American' I was absorbing in school take over. Through my parents' efforts and my determination, I remain fundamentally-inside and out-Chinese. They didn't mind that I preferred western music to Chinese music or read far more English novels than Chinese novels. In fact, they wanted me to learn and interact more with other cultures, get to know them, discover virtues within their cultures that are worth learning. My parents didn't mind that I was slightly Americanized, because they wanted me to be a fundamental Chinese but with a global perspective and virtues from cultures from all around the world. A friend once asked me whether I was an ABC-an American Born Chinese. Another friend asked if my parents were full Chinese. I don't know if it's my behavior or just the way I look, but whatever it is prompted my friends to ask me these questions helped me through my discovery of who I am. After that particular biology class and my mini epiphany, I've finally found an answer to these questions: I'm a Chinese sponge, but I've been immersed in a sea of different cultures. As I go on in life, I'll always keep acting like a sponge and fill up as much as possible; soaking up new experiences and knowledge. It's up to me to decide what virtues I want to keep within me and what goals I want to work towards. I hope to be a better person with the better perspectives of both cultures filtered and retained. Is the opening a little offensive? Am I going overboard with the Chinese-ness and offending other cultures?? Someone who read this voiced this concern and I wanted another perspective on it! Thanks so much!!
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(TOPIC OF MY CHOICE) "Where are you from?" The typical summer-school-roommate question." Hong Kong." I offered a smile, hoping-crossing my fingers-that she wouldn't ask me that question." Oh! Can you speak Japanese?!" She did it, she asked that question." No..." I was about to continue-"No, in fact, Hong Kong is part of China."-but she beat me to it with yet another question. "Why don't you have an accent when you speak English?" I hope my mouth wasn't agape with incredulity. As I slouched over my lab table listening to Mr. Button explain the anatomy of a sea sponge, the conversation replayed in my mind. "Do I speak Japanese?" Could someone really confuse Hong Kong and Japan, two unique cultures and nations separated by more than 1,700 miles? As I thought back to the conversation I realized I had been caught in that situation many times, and just as many times I had been rendered speechless. "And so that is how the sponge ensures that it receives nutrients," Mr. Button finished, "they simply filter out what is unnecessary and retain what they need to flourish and survive." Suddenly I sat up, "That's me! I'm a sponge!" I am a sponge not because I lack a nervous system, internal organs or muscles. Furthermore, I am a sponge because I am a filter. Furthermore, I am from Hong Kong, a city where a myriad of cultures and values come together into one vibrant setting. Furthermore, I have visited many countries and studied in an international school, both of which have contributed to my assimilation of in different cultures and traditions. Through my 'monocytes', I've absorbed as much as could about each culture, flaws and virtues alike. As I process all this information, it runs through my 'phagocytes' and 'gametocytes', which pick out the unique parts of each culture that I appreciate and value, virtues I admire, aspects of the lifestyle I want to pursue. While I have been able given the opportunity to see and do many things, I have always followed my parent's golden rule: never to forget who I am-Chinese. They are adamant-obsessively so-about this rule. When my brother and I enrolled in an international school, my parents decided that we would no longer be allowed to communicate in English at home; they figured with the amount of English we would be speaking at school, we'd soon forget how to speak Cantonese. My parents even hired a tutor to grill me in Chinese history and literature-a desperate but determined act to preserve the 'Chinese' within me and not let the 'American' I was absorbing in school take over. Through my parents' efforts and my determination, I remain fundamentally-inside and out-Chinese. They didn't mind that I preferred western music to Chinese music or read far more English novels than Chinese novels. In fact, they wanted me to learn and interact more with other cultures, get to know them, discover virtues within their cultures that are worth learning. My parents didn't mind that I was slightly Americanized, because they wanted me to be a fundamental Chinese but with a global perspective and virtues from cultures from all around the world. A friend once asked me whether I was an ABC-an American-Born Chinese. Another friend asked if my parents were full Chinese. I don't know if it's my behavior or just the way I look, but whatever it is prompted my friends to ask me these questions helped me through my discovery of who I am. After that particular biology class and my mini epiphany, I've finally found an answer to these questions: I'm a Chinese sponge, but I've been immersed in a sea of different cultures. As I go on in life, I'll always keep acting like a sponge and fill up as much as possible; soaking up new experiences and knowledge. It's up to me to decide what virtues I want to keep within me and what goals I want to work towards. I hope to be a better person with the better perspectives of both cultures filtered and retained. Is the opening a little offensive? Am I going overboard with the Chinese-ness and offending other cultures?? Someone who read this voiced this concern and I wanted another perspective on it! Thanks so much!!
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"Art is in every single things." my art teacher once said. To support his word he showed me that even walking man, wind blowing, or dog defecating are arts. I was astonished by this fact and have continued to take interest in arts since then. After a while, I have found that art can cause emotions of living beings, especially human, to be happy or sad even to love or to hate. But according to what I have been learning in Buddhism class, nothing in this entire world is immortal. We are going to die one day. Things come and go, art is not an exception. Thus I regret if these arts of life will disappear completely. Fortunately, I have found a way to keep arts in our life longer which is to take pictures of them. The photograph is a brilliant way to share my feeling with people all around. This is the beginning of my interest in photography. For me, photography is more than just getting a camera and taking pictures of what you have seen. It is an art which can keep arts inside. It is a design which can express my feeling. Besides, I am not good at showing emotions, photography make possible for me to express my feeling. It is, just like music, a language, international language, that people, no matter who, can understand and also partake. Moreover, photography gives me creativities, power to create new things. I want to pursue undergraduate study in visual arts, majoring in Photography, particularly in the School of Visual Arts, in New York City. What appeals to me about the Photography course offered at SVA is the range of flexibility, with photographic equipment and technology, to suit my interests. I want to experience all forms of photography; for example, fashion, advertising, portraiture, still-life, and photojournalism, and also can critique the photographic arts. In my opinion, all forms of photography have their own significances and gratifications. Because there is still have a line between commercial and fine art photography, so it would be challenging and fun to combine these two sides perfectly together. A photo can be both described as fine art and commercial. All in all, the highest goal of my life is to take the most stunning picture as a professional artist. To describe my definition of stunning pictures, I mean pictures that not only beautiful but also can tell stories. Whatever I have to risk, I want my photographs to be alive. I believe SVA will help me understand the world of photography more obviously, to experiment new techniques and to develop my thinking skills. Thank you!! :):)
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"Art is in every single things." my art teacher once said. To support his word he showed me that even walking man, wind blowing, or dog defecating are arts. I was astonished by this fact and have continued to take interest in arts since then. After a while, I have found that art can cause emotions of living beings, especially human, to be happy or sad even to love or to hate. But according to what I have been learning in Buddhism class, nothing in this entire world is immortal. We are going to die one day. Things come and go, art is not an exception. Thus, I regret if these arts of life will disappear completely. Fortunately, I have found a way to keep arts in our life longer which is to take pictures of them. The photograph is a brilliant way to share my feeling with people all around. This is the beginning of my interest in photography. For me, photography is more than just getting a camera and taking pictures of what you have seen. It is an art which can keep arts inside. It is a design which can express my feeling. Besides, I am not good at showing emotions, photography make possible for me to express my feeling. It is, just like music, a language, international language, that people, no matter who, can understand and also partake. Moreover, photography gives me creativity, power to create new things. I want to pursue undergraduate study in visual arts, majoring in Photography, particularly in the School of Visual Arts, in New York City. What appeals to me about the Photography course offered at SVA is the range of flexibility, with photographic equipment and technology, to suit my interests. I want to experience all forms of photography; for example, fashion, advertising, portraiture, still-life, and photojournalism, and also can critique the photographic arts. In my opinion, all forms of photography have their own significance and gratifications. Because there is still have a line between commercial and fine art photography, so it would be challenging and fun to combine these two sides perfectly together. A photo can be both described as fine art and commercial. All in all, the highest goal of my life is to take the most stunning picture as a professional artist. To describe my definition of stunning pictures, I mean pictures that not only beautiful but also can tell stories. Whatever I have to risk, I want my photographs to be alive. I believe SVA will help me understand the world of photography more obviously, to experiment new techniques and to develop my thinking skills. Thank you!! :):)
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I had to fall in order to learn how to stand. When three of my friends and I founded a club to benefit the Invisible Children of Northern Uganda, we expected to immediately rise up on stable legs. After all, we had created it in a response to a documentary that left half the student body in tears. Along with our classmates, we had watched in horror as kids our age told stories of their deceased loved ones, results of a civil war. However, because of school policy, we were not allowed to officially create the club until the following September. Unfortunately, by that time, the majority of those who had cried with us had forgotten the reason for their tears just seven months earlier. Our club was met with little support from our peers, and our determination to unite the student body in support of this cause struggled to stay on path. We soon came to the realization that the reason people were not responding to the cause was simply because they needed to be reminded why they should care. In November, we began planning a community screening, a night where we could regain support for the cause by showing the documentary again. Together, we devoted the next few months to that one night in March. We reserved a conference room at our local library, and used the little club money we had to buy refreshments. Confident, we spoke at city counsel, school board, and PTA meetings. We taped up dozens of flyers advertising our community screening, and we wrote a short article for our local paper explaining our cause and inviting people to attend. I sincerely believed that this night would provide crutches for my ailing club. On the night of the screening, I could hardly contain my excitement. The four of us set up about fifty chairs, hoping that we would need more to accommodate the anticipated crowd. We decorated a poster welcoming the attendees, and set up a merchandise table that we hoped would be almost empty by the end of the night. Finally, it was time. The four of us stood outside the room, awaiting the arrival of dozens of people. Five minutes past seven, the only people sitting in the conference room were our parents and a couple of friends. Confused, we exchanged panicked looks. After a few more minutes, I came to the staggering conclusion that our efforts had been in vain. My high hopes came crashing to the ground. After that night, it would have been easy to throw up my hands and give up, but I realized that there was now nowhere else to go but up. Learning to stand again would be difficult, but not impossible. That summer, the Invisible Children organization announced that they would be touring the nation again with a new documentary. This was our chance to reintroduce the cause to our school in a fresh way. We contacted the organization and asked if they could come back to our school. Persuading school administration to allow us to hold another Invisible Children assembly took some strategic planning, but in the end, the date was set and the four of us grinned at each other. We had our second chance to get back on our feet. The auditorium lights dimmed and the documentary began. I squirmed in my scratchy chair, holding my breath, hoping that this new movie would bring the cause I care so passionately about back to the attention of my classmates. I could not help but tune into the reactions of the people sitting near me. I could hear the laughs and the sniffles. I could feel the uncomfortable silence as the audience watched a young boy do his homework by candlelight, eager to educate himself so he could escape the confines of his current situation. Homework, what the majority of American students loath, was his only ticket to freedom. By the end of the following week, over 200 people had signed up for our club. Through strong teamwork and dedication, the four of us, a team, had achieved our goal. I had high hopes for that night in March, and some might perceive that as naïve, but hope is never a sentiment to be ashamed of. Failures are inevitable, and I have learned that the true measure of one's character comes from what they do what them. Passion and dedication lead me from an officer of an empty club to one of which is that is now thriving, full of life and potential. I know that I am capable of overcoming my failures in my endeavor to make this world a better place. My club has reached our first goal of gathering support for the Invisible Children, and my goals and dreams are much bigger now. I want to raise at least two thousand dollars this year for the children of Northern Uganda. I plan on then someday traveling to Uganda and meeting some of the children to personally listen to their stories. This is my dream now. I stand strong, and I will not let a few obstacles get in the way.
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I had to fall in order to learn how to stand. When three of my friends and I founded a club to benefit the Invisible Children of Northern Uganda, we expected to immediately rise up on stable legs. After all, we had created it in a response to a documentary that left half the student body in tears. Along with our classmates, we had watched in horror as kids our age told stories of their deceased loved ones, results of a civil war. However, because of school policy, we were not allowed to officially create the club until the following September. Unfortunately, by that time, the majority of those who had cried with us had forgotten the reason for their tears just seven months earlier. Our club was met with little support from our peers, and our determination to unite the student body in support of this cause struggled to stay on path. We soon came to the realization that the reason people were not responding to the cause was simply because they needed to be reminded why they should care. In November, we began planning a community screening, a night where we could regain support for the cause by showing the documentary again. Together, we devoted the next few months to that one night in March. We reserved a conference room at our local library, and used the little club money we had to buy refreshments. Confident, we spoke at city counsel, school board, and PTA meetings. We taped up dozens of flyers advertising our community screening, and we wrote a short article for our local paper explaining our cause and inviting people to attend. I sincerely believed that this night would provide crutches for my ailing club. On the night of the screening, I could hardly contain my excitement. The four of us set up about fifty chairs, hoping that we would need more to accommodate the anticipated crowd. We decorated a poster welcoming the attendees, and set up a merchandise table that we hoped would be almost empty by the end of the night. Finally, it was time. The four of us stood outside the room, awaiting the arrival of dozens of people. Five minutes past seven, the only people sitting in the conference room were our parents and a couple of friends. Confused, we exchanged panicked looks. After a few more minutes, I came to the staggering conclusion that our efforts had been in vain. My high hopes came crashing to the ground. After that night, it would have been easy to throw up my hands and give up, but I realized that there was now nowhere else to go but up. Learning to stand again would be difficult, but not impossible. That summer, the Invisible Children organization announced that they would be touring the nation again with a new documentary. This was our chance to reintroduce the cause to our school in a fresh way. We contacted the organization and asked if they could come back to our school. Persuading school administration to allow us to hold another Invisible Children assembly took some strategic planning, but in the end, the date was set and the four of us grinned at each other. We had our second chance to get back on our feet. The auditorium lights dimmed and the documentary began. I squirmed in my scratchy chair, holding my breath, hoping that this new movie would bring the cause I care so passionately about back to the attention of my classmates. I could not help but tune into the reactions of the people sitting near me. Furthermore, I could hear the laughs and the sniffles. Furthermore, I could feel the uncomfortable silence as the audience watched a young boy do his homework by candlelight, eager to educate himself, so he could escape the confines of his current situation. Homework, what the majority of American students loath, was his only ticket to freedom. By the end of the following week, over 200 people had signed up for our club. Through strong teamwork and dedication, the four of us, a team, had achieved our goal. I had high hopes for that night in March, and some might perceive that as naïve, but hope is never a sentiment to be ashamed of. Failures are inevitable, and I have learned that the true measure of one's character comes from what they do what them. Passion and dedication lead me from an officer of an empty club to one of which is that is now thriving, full of life and potential. I know that I am capable of overcoming my failures in my endeavor to make this world a better place. My club has reached our first goal of gathering support for the Invisible Children, and my goals and dreams are much bigger now. I want to raise at least two thousand dollars this year for the children of Northern Uganda. I plan on then someday traveling to Uganda and meeting some children to personally listen to their stories. This is my dream now. I stand strong, and I will not let a few obstacles get in the way.
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The world needs leaders and pioneers who are innovative, bold, knowledgeable and confident in their skills and purpose. The programs offered at Wharton mold the future leaders of this nation through its flexible and unique concentrations and stimulating environment. I find the Entrepreneurial and Finance concentrations to be the most interesting and important foundations for the future contributors to the nation. Coupled with the rich and full bodied resources and opportunities, the education I can obtain at Wharton in the field of Finance and Management will enable me to help create a stronger relationship between the business world and the society that it is driven by. After looking through the immense possibilities offered through more than 18 concentrations found at Wharton, I found Finance to be the most interesting. At first you may think finance is a distant concept to the average American, only necessary in advanced computations of corporate dealing. Financial management is actually a very important skill to have that unfortunately not many have. Especially in today's complex markets, it is important to have your hard earned money working for you and not the other way around. Therefore using the knowledge I can obtain from the finance professors at Wharton, I can consult, not only the elite businesses and corporations in managing f their funds and investments, but also the average citizen or small business struggling to stay afloat. By instilling a better understanding of money in the population, I hope to build a stronger foundation for the economy from the local level to the global arena. Another field of study that has greatly caught my attention is Entrepreneurial studies. Innovative creativity is the key to the advancement of industry. Channeling courses from both finance and entrepreneurial studies, I hope to create an avante - garde approach to how the population views and utilizes the financial services offered. Apart from the challenging course offered at Wharton, the college's unique environment, population, and offered programs are also what have drawn me there. Located in a city environment and on a large campus there is never a shortage of things to see and do. Meeting new people from the diverse array of students from different economic and cultural backgrounds intrigues me. Using these opportunities, I look forward to exchanging ideas with my peers to develop a higher understanding of the world around me. In addition, the closeness and passion of the Wharton professors greatly pleases me. It is important to have educators that are passionate about their field. I look forward for the opportunity in participating in one of Wharton's rich research programs offered to students. Being able to perform in depth analysis and on hands experimentation through the Wharton Research Scholars Program with a professor is a chance for me to challenge myself and my knowledge and concurrently broaden my knowledge base and horizons in the business world. Furthermore, it is important not only to build your knowledgebase in a classroom environment but to go out into the real world and apply your knowledge. The complementing factor of research component at Wharton, are the assorted once-in-a-lifetime internships offered by company recruiters found on campus. Taking my experience and enthusiasm from the classroom to the work-place environment is the ideal to be striven for. But not only do the educational opportunities appeal to me at Wharton but the innumerable amount of social activities and organizations. I believe that I was given knowledge in order to use it to give back to the community. Volunteering in one of Wharton's many clubs offers me an opportunity with great incentive to give back what I have gained. Participating in the Penn International Business Volunteers I hope to get a taste of what I hope to do in the future. Traveling to developing countries to help their ailing organizations is an opportunity for not only hand-on learning but also a chance for me to give back what Wharton has taught me. With my enthusiasm for learning and my desire to apply my experience not only to self improvement, but more importantly to overall improvement of society, I would be able to contribute much to Wharton's student life both academically and socially as I hope to uphold, and raise, the high standards of learning and giving back idealized by the Wharton professors and student body. Therefore, I feel that Wharton will be able to provide me with not only a stellar education through its dynamic courses and programs, but a life experience that I will carry with me as I continue pursuing my interests. Using this valuable opportunity I would use my abilities and strive to become that ideal leader that Wharton aims to mold out of its students and advance and strengthen the ties of the college community and the global community through business and its core principles. I would like to study with the renowned Professor of Finance, Richard J. Herring who is currently undergoing studies in the areas of international banking and finance and financial risk management. His studies are of great importance to the current global financial crisis. Herring's article, "International Financial Conglomerates: Implications for the Bank Insolvency Regime" addresses one of the key possible consequences of this economic crisis. Larger, more influential banks become a hassle - their enormity is related to their economic influence and possible failure spurs government intervention. Intervention may temporarily alleviate the bank's immediate problems but does not remove the source of the failure allowing for future problems to occur. The opportunity to conduct research with Professor Herring would give me valuable insight and understanding of the financial sector and its issues. If we are able to understand the shortcomings of our economy then together we can solve them.
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The world needs leaders and pioneers who are innovative, bold, knowledgeable and confident in their skills and purpose. The programs offered at Wharton mold the future leaders of this nation through its flexible and unique concentrations and stimulating environment. I find the Entrepreneurial and Finance concentrations to be the most interesting and important foundations for the future contributors to the nation. Coupled with the rich and full-bodied resources and opportunities, the education I can obtain at Wharton in the field of Finance and Management will enable me to help create a stronger relationship between the business world and the society that it is driven by. After looking through the immense possibilities offered through more than 18 concentrations found at Wharton, I found Finance to be the most interesting. At first, you may think finance is a distant concept to the average American, only necessary in advanced computations of corporate dealing. Financial management is actually a very important skill to have that unfortunately not many have. Especially in today's complex markets, it is important to have your hard-earned money working for you and not the other way around. Therefore, using the knowledge I can obtain from the finance professors at Wharton, I can consult, not only the elite businesses and corporations in managing f their funds and investments, but also the average citizen or small business struggling to stay afloat. By instilling a better understanding of money in the population, I hope to build a stronger foundation for the economy from the local level to the global arena. Another field of study that has greatly caught my attention is Entrepreneurial studies. Innovative creativity is the key to the advancement of industry. Channeling courses from both finance and entrepreneurial studies, I hope to create an av ante - garden approach to how the population views and utilizes the financial services offered. Apart from the challenging course offered at Wharton, the college's unique environment, population, and offered programs are also what have drawn me there. Located in a city environment and on a large campus there is never a shortage of things to see and do. Meeting new people from the diverse array of students from different economic and cultural backgrounds intrigues me. Using these opportunities, I look forward to exchanging ideas with my peers to develop a higher understanding of the world around me. In addition, the closeness and passion of the Wharton professors greatly pleases me. It is important to have educators that are passionate about their field. I look forward for the opportunity in participating in one of Wharton's rich research programs offered to students. Being able to perform in depth analysis and on hands experimentation through the Wharton Research Scholars Program with a professor is a chance for me to challenge myself and my knowledge and concurrently broaden my knowledge base and horizons in the business world. Furthermore, it is important not only to build your knowledge base in a classroom environment but to go out into the real world and apply your knowledge. The complementing factor of research component at Wharton, are the assorted once-in-a-lifetime internships offered by company recruiters found on campus. Taking my experience and enthusiasm from the classroom to the work-place environment is the ideal to be striven for. But not only do the educational opportunities appeal to me at Wharton but the innumerable amount of social activities and organizations. I believe that I was given knowledge in order to use it to give back to the community. Volunteering in one of Wharton's many clubs offers me an opportunity with great incentive to give back what I have gained. Participating in the Penn International Business Volunteers I hope to get a taste of what I hope to do in the future. Traveling to developing countries to help their ailing organizations is an opportunity for not only hand-on learning but also a chance for me to give back what Wharton has taught me. With my enthusiasm for learning and my desire to apply my experience not only to self-improvement, but more importantly to overall improvement of society, I would be able to contribute much to Wharton's student life both academically and socially as I hope to uphold, and raise, the high standards of learning and giving back idealized by the Wharton professors and student body. Therefore, I feel that Wharton will be able to provide me with not only a stellar education through its dynamic courses and programs, but a life experience that I will carry with me as I continue pursuing my interests. Using this valuable opportunity I would use my abilities and strive to become that ideal leader that Wharton aims to mold out of its students and advance and strengthen the ties of the college community and the global community through business and its core principles. I would like to study with the renowned Professor of Finance, Richard J. Herring who is currently undergoing studies in the areas of international banking and finance and financial risk management. His studies are of great importance to the current global financial crisis. Herring's article, "International Financial Conglomerates: Implications for the Bank Insolvency Regime" addresses one of the key possible consequences of this economic crisis. Larger, more influential banks become a hassle - their enormity is related to their economic influence and possible failure spurs government intervention. Intervention may temporarily alleviate the bank's immediate problems but does not remove the source of the failure allowing for future problems to occur. The opportunity to conduct research with Professor Herring would give me valuable insight and understanding of the financial sector and its issues. If we are able to understand the shortcomings of our economy then together we can solve them.
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I will never forget that hot and sweltering weekend in mid July. Making my usualrounds on position from one end of my sector to another, I heard a penetrating shriek whistle signal that indicated an emergency. With adrenaline pumping, I sprinted toward my chair and heard in the distance a second shriek indicating the urgent need for back-stabilizing equipment! Without a moment's thought as to who, what, when or where, I snatched the back-board and dashed towards the victim. I was stunned by the gruesome scene that unfolded before me as I arrived. Two of my fellow lifeguards were supporting the neck of an elderly man who lay completely naked on the sand, foaming and bleeding at the mouth. My composure was rattled. I had never seen anything so horrid sprawled across the sands of my home beach. At the urging of my coworkers I woke up to my purpose. The counts of CPR chest compressions echoed in my head as the reality of the situation set in. "One one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand..." This man could have been dead, but we had to continue. "Four one-thousand, five one-thousand, six one-thousand..." We gather up our equipment and in unison lift the victim onto a stretcher. We ran hastily ï but cautiously ï with our charge across the scorching sand and into the shade of the awaiting ambulance. We gave him up to the capable hands of the Emergency Medical Technicians and to Fate. As I walked back to my position, I was filled with doubt, regret, and shaken memories about what seemed a distant struggle to find a pulse and breath. If only I had that extra second to think, run, or carry, that man might have lived. If only we could have done something more for our nameless victim. However, when I visited the critical care unit of the hospital, I was elated to find our victim recovering from what seemed to have been a severe stroke. Had we not paid attention, had we not worked together, had we not done our job with the utmost professionalism, this man would have died. I am proud to be part of a lifeguard team that is devoted to saving lives.
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I will never forget that hot and sweltering weekend in mid-July. Making my usual rounds on position from one end of my sector to another, I heard a penetrating shriek whistle signal that indicated an emergency. With adrenaline pumping, I sprinted toward my chair and heard in the distance a second shriek indicating the urgent need for back-stabilizing equipment! Without a moment's thought as to who, what, when or where, I snatched the back-board and dashed towards the victim. I was stunned by the gruesome scene that unfolded before me as I arrived. Two of my fellow lifeguards were supporting the neck of an elderly man who lay completely naked on the sand, foaming and bleeding at the mouth. My composure was rattled. I had never seen anything so horrid sprawled across the sands of my home beach. At the urging of my coworkers I woke up to my purpose. The counts of CPR chest compressions echoed in my head as the reality of the situation set in. "One one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand..." This man could have been dead, but we had to continue. "Four one-thousand, five one-thousand, six one-thousand..." We gather our equipment and in unison lift the victim onto a stretcher. We ran hastily ï but cautiously ï with our charge across the scorching sand and into the shade of the awaiting ambulance. Furthermore, we gave him up to the capable hands of the Emergency Medical Technicians and to Fate. As I walked back to my position, I was filled with doubt, regret, and shaken memories about what seemed a distant struggle to find a pulse and breath. If only I had that extra second to think, run, or carry, that man might have lived. If only we could have done something more for our nameless victim. However, when I visited the critical care unit of the hospital, I was elated to find our victim recovering from what seemed to have been a severe stroke. Had we not paid attention, had we not worked together, had we not done our job with the utmost professionalism, this man would have died? I am proud to be part of a lifeguard team that is devoted to saving lives.
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120...61...31...16 I heaved a sigh of relief as those timings appear on the computer screen. Our research project to parallelize H.264 Scalable Video Coding encoder proved to be a success. I joined the CenTaD student research in the 11th grade, feeling confident that my mathematical foundation and programming skills would enable me to work on a large project. I applied to a project in collaboration with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Institute of High Performance Computing due to my interests in software engineering and algorithms. As the leader of the group, I was responsible in spearheading research directions and maintaining a healthy working relationship with our project mentors. We spent countless of days and nights meeting deadlines and reading through algorithm textbooks and H.264 documentations. In the end, we made it, but more importantly, I learned to work together with people, and finding systematic solutions to problems.
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120...61...31...16 I heaved a sigh of relief as those timings appear on the computer screen. Our research project to parallelize H.264 Scalable Video Coding encoder proved to be a success. I joined the Center student research in the 11th grade, feeling confident that my mathematical foundation and programming skills would enable me to work on a large project. I applied to a project in collaboration with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Institute of High Performance Computing due to my interests in software engineering and algorithms. As the leader of the group, I was responsible in spearheading research directions and maintaining a healthy working relationship with our project mentors. We spent countless days and nights meeting deadlines and reading through algorithm textbooks and H.264 documentations. In the end, we made it, but more importantly, I learned to work together with people, and finding systematic solutions to problems.
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so far I came up with this For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted to become a psychologist. However, working closely with nurses in a pediatricians office has given me the desire to pursue a career in nursing. With that in mind I began searching for a school that would prepare me for a rewarding and promising career as a nurse. I have chosen to apply to Molloy because of the exceptional nursing program, noted for being the fourth largest in the nation. any other suggestions
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So far I came up with this For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted to become a psychologist. However, working closely with nurses in a pediatricians' office has given me the desire to pursue a career in nursing. With that in mind I began searching for a school that would prepare me for a rewarding and promising career as a nurse. I have chosen to apply to Molly because of the exceptional nursing program, noted for being the fourth largest in the nation. Any other suggestions
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Is this a good response to the short answer portion of the common app? any spelling or grammer mistakes?
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Is this a good response to the short answer portion of the common app? Any spelling or grammar mistakes?
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As I've spent a nearly obsessive amount of time this past year searching for a "dream" school, I've come across many who have fed me the ever so insightful advice "a school is a school-it doesn't really matter where you go." Sure school is school, just like food is food; however, if engaged in an elementary school lunch trade I would clearly reap higher profits from a New York strip steak than a chicken nugget. The same goes for my education. I could go anywhere to achieve the degree I desire, but hardly any other university offers an education of comparable quality to the University of Pennsylvania. The thing that attracts me most to Penn is the business program at Wharton. Since I was young I've always had a passion for fashion and dreamed of opening a chain of boutiques. While I have researched many other prestigious business institutions, I have yet to find another school which offers both retailing and entrepreneurship as possible concentrations. In fact, I have found very few contenders offering either one. Wharton obviously encompasses courses for the mathematical side of business; however, what makes it my number one choice is that it also offers concentrations geared towards the creative aspects of business. While a strong basis for mathematics seems to be the favored criteria for acceptance into any Business institution, it is creativity and innovativeness that create the most successful business people. While studying at Wharton is my number one priority, business is far from being my only interest. Penn's flexible curriculum is something that I fully intend to take advantage of if accepted. The fact that up to 43% of the classes I need to graduate can be taken in schools other than Wharton ... I am having a hard time finishing it. All comments appreciated.
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As I've spent a nearly obsessive amount of time this past year searching for a "dream" school, I've come across many who have fed me the ever so insightful advice "a school is a school-it doesn't really matter where you go." Sure school is school, just like food is food; however, if engaged in an elementary school lunch trade I would clearly reap higher profits from a New York strip steak than a chicken nugget. The same goes for my education. I could go anywhere to achieve the degree I desire, but hardly any other university offers an education of comparable quality to the University of Pennsylvania. The thing that attracts me most to Penn is the business program at Wharton. Since I was young I've always had a passion for fashion and dreamed of opening a chain of boutiques. While I have researched many other prestigious business institutions, I have yet to find another school which offers both retailing and entrepreneurship as possible concentrations. In fact, I have found very few contenders offering either one. Wharton obviously encompasses courses for the mathematical side of business; however, what makes it my number one choice is that it also offers concentrations geared towards the creative aspects of business. While a strong basis for mathematics seems to be the favored criteria for acceptance into any Business institution, it is creativity and innovativeness that create the most successful business people. While studying at Wharton is my number one priority, business is far from being my only interest. Penn's flexible curriculum is something that I fully intend to take advantage of if accepted. The fact that up to 43% of the classes I need to graduate can be taken in schools other than Wharton ... I am having a hard time finishing it. All comments appreciated.
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Applying to Purdue Engineering as an undergrad this year... The essay topic I've opted for is "How will your college education help you achieve your personal and professional goals?" The topic to me came across as a little vague and I'm having trouble figuring out whether the stuff i've put in my essay is relevant or not. Thing is, I'm from India, so I'm not accustomed to this kind of essay writing. I've written the whole thing, but I'm reviewing it bit by bit. First paragraph is posted below, comments and pointers would be welcome, and so will ideas for what should ideally come next. Para 1***My best and worst quality is my insatiable curiosity, especially when it comes to computers and gadgets. I was the sort of kid who instead of playing with his brand new remote controlled toy car rips every component apart to try and figure out how the thing works. Over the years, I moved on to gutting PCs and gadgets, breaking some, learning some. I grew some more and graduated to dissecting and creating my own software. But my curiosity remains as acute as ever. I've always felt the need to be in the know. And a good college education is what will give me that knowledge. Fifteen years on, I see myself as an entrepreneur, establishing my own web solutions and software distribution firm. But to be able to do that I need some basic skills in that field - skills which my college will train me in. College will equip me with the tools necessary to achieve my professional aims in life. *** Would be great if you could answer:1. Is there too much I and me in it? Should I rephrase somehow2. Are the last two sentences extra cheesy? How could they be improved?3. What next? [just to get some ideas flowing, I play keyboard and classical violin, I want to develop those at college too...should I mention that next?) Thanks
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Applying to Purdue Engineering as an undergrad this year... The essay topic I've opted for is "How will your college education help you achieve your personal and professional goals?" The topic to me came across as a little vague, and I'm having trouble figuring out whether the stuff I've put in my essay is relevant or not. Thing is, I'm from India, so I'm not accustomed to this kind of essay writing. I've written the whole thing, but I'm reviewing it bit by bit. First paragraph is posted below, comments and pointers would be welcome, and so will ideas for what should ideally come next. Para 1***My best and worst quality is my insatiable curiosity, especially when it comes to computers and gadgets. I was the sort of kid who instead of playing with his brand-new remote controlled toy car rips every component apart to try and figure out how the thing works. Over the years, I moved on to gutting PCs and gadgets, breaking some, learning some. I grew some more and graduated to dissecting and creating my own software. But my curiosity remains as acute as ever. I've always felt the need to be in the know. And a good college education is what will give me that knowledge. Fifteen years on, I see myself as an entrepreneur, establishing my own web solutions and software distribution firm. But to be able to do that I need some basic skills in that field - skills which my college will train me in. College will equip me with the tools necessary to achieve my professional aims in life. *** Would be great if you could answer:1. Is there too much I and me in it? Should I rephrase somehow2? Are the last two sentences extra cheesy? How could they be improved?3. What next? [just to get some ideas flowing, I play keyboard and classical violin, I want to develop those at college too...should I mention that next?) Thanks
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1. In the space provided below, please elaborate on one of your activities (extracurricular, personal activities, or work experience) (150 words or fewer) I was holding my flute tightly in an attempt to assure myself that everything would go fine. But when I saw hundreds of eyes staring at the stage, my attempt went in vain. It was my first performance as a school worship team. The pressure that I have to play perfectly overwhelmed me. However, when the worship service started and my flute sound lingered in the chapel, I soon realized that my anxiety had vanished; instead, joy and excitement was burgeoning in me. Now, having performed several times, I barely feel nervous when I am on the stage. I even make numerous ad lib within maintaining harmony with others. Participating in the worship team has given and is giving me valuable lessons such as the importance of believing in myself and the greatest mistake I often made was to continuously fearing to making one. (144 words)
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1. In the space provided below, please elaborate on one of your activities (extracurricular, personal activities, or work experience) (150 words or fewer) I was holding my flute tightly in an attempt to assure myself that everything would go fine. But when I saw hundreds of eyes staring at the stage, my attempt went in vain. It was my first performance as a school worship team. The pressure that I have to play perfectly overwhelmed me. However, when the worship service started and my flute sound lingered in the chapel, I soon realized that my anxiety had vanished; instead, joy and excitement was burgeoning in me. Now, having performed several times, I barely feel nervous when I am on the stage. I even make numerous ad lib within maintaining harmony with others. Participating in the worship team has given and is giving me valuable lessons such as the importance of believing in myself and the greatest mistake I often made was to continuously fearing to making one. (144 words)
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Drawing Guinness from a tap requires a certain finesse and patience. A certain glass is used that is aerodynamically designed to allow nitrogen bubbles to flow down the side of the glass while bubbles in the center flow upward. The glass is held at a 45-degree angle, allowing less bubbles to form and is filled three-quarters of the way. Then, the beer is allowed to settle, creating the perfect creamy head at the top of the glass. Once it settles, the glass is filled to the top and is ready to be served. Being a bartender has taught me how to work in a fast-paced environment as well as have the ability to multi-task; qualities that the hospitality industry demands. I have to be able to maintain a coherent thought process when listening to drink orders and remembering what ingredients make up hundreds of cocktails. word count: 149
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Drawing Guinness from a tap requires a certain finesse and patience. A certain glass is used that is aerodynamically designed to allow nitrogen bubbles to flow down the side of the glass while bubbles in the center flow upward. The glass is held at a 45-degree angle, allowing fewer bubbles to form and is filled three-quarters of the way. Then, the beer is allowed to settle, creating the perfect creamy head at the top of the glass. Once it settles, the glass is filled to the top and is ready to be served. Being a bartender has taught me how to work in a fast-paced environment as well as have the ability to multitask; qualities that the hospitality industry demands. I have to be able to maintain a coherent thought process when listening to drink orders and remembering what ingredients make up hundreds of cocktails. Word count: 149
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My family has greatly influenced who I am today. Growing up, my parents always stressed to my twin brother and I the importance of education and having high goals. So from a young age I always strived to get good grades and to be a good role model for my friends and peers. Growing up with a twin I learned about the beauty of companionship. Not to say that I don't work well by myself, but I am very good at working in teams, sharing ideas, and compromising to get a common goal accomplished. Through my parents I was taught responsibility and hard work. My mother was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis around the time I was in 4th grade. Because of this autoimmune disease she has some days when she can't move her wrists or even stand, thus keeping her from work. My Father works very hard to support us and to pay for her medicine and hospital bills but we usually only make ends meat, leaving her most of the time without her prescriptions. He works in California because the pay is higher even though he would rather be with his family. My father has been a great role model in teaching me about the importance of family and sacrifice. It is up to my brother and I to take care of my mom. We help around the house by doing laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc. My mom is a trooper, she never complains even though she is in constant pain. She taught me to always try my hardest and to never let anyone or anything hold you back from your dreams. My parents truly are selfless. Everything they do is for my brother and I. I owe everything to my family. If it weren't for them I would have nothing. My parents and my brother have taught me so much about life and they have shaped me to the person I am today. I know that they are proud in me in all that I do and with their love and support I can accomplish great things.
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My family has greatly influenced who I am today. Growing up, my parents always stressed to my twin brother and I the importance of education and having high goals. So from a young age I always strived to get good grades and to be a good role model for my friends and peers. Growing up with a twin I learned about the beauty of companionship. Not to say that I don't work well by myself, but I am very good at working in teams, sharing ideas, and compromising to get a common goal accomplished. Through my parents I was taught responsibility and hard work. My mother was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis around the time I was in 4th grade. Because of this autoimmune disease she has some days when she can't move her wrists or even stand, thus keeping her from work. My Father works very hard to support us and to pay for her medicine and hospital bills, but we usually only make ends meat, leaving her most of the time without her prescriptions. He works in California because the pay is higher even though he would rather be with his family. My father has been a great role model in teaching me about the importance of family and sacrifice. It is up to my brother and I to take care of my mom. We help around the house by doing laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc. My mom is a trooper, she never complains even though she is in constant pain. She taught me to always try my hardest and to never let anyone or anything hold you back from your dreams. My parents truly are selfless. Everything they do is for my brother and I. I owe everything to my family. If it weren't for them, I would have nothing. My parents and my brother have taught me so much about life, and they have shaped me to the person I am today. I know that they are proud in me in all that I do and with their love and support I can accomplish great things.
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Growing up, I was the older of two children. Being oldest, my parents were a lot stricter with me than they were with my younger brother. In a way I am thankful for that. Their strict rules as well as my fear of their consequences have kept me out of trouble and in with the right crowd. At 14 my parents decided it was time for me to get a job. They said I wanted more than they could afford so I needed to start making my own money. As much as I hated it at first it has taught me lots of responsibility as well as how to manage my money. Most importantly my family has always encouraged me in everything I've done. Through everything they were always my number 1 fans. They have pushed me to try my best in everything I do. All their love and support has made me a much more confident person. I know my family will always be there for me, guiding me into the right direction. Without them I would not be where I am today. Their good morals have been embedded in me where they will be forever. I am so grateful for my family and don't know what I would do without them. "Why did you choose to apply to UCF"This past summer, my varsity high school cheerleading squad attended a camp at UCF. We stayed on campus in the dorms. We were only there for four days and 3 nights, but that's all it took. I fell in love with UCF. When we first arrived I was stunned by how beautiful the campus was. Everything looked colorful, new, and exciting. When I walked into my dorm room, I couldn't believe my eyes. I was expecting a small square room, barely big enough for two beds. Much to my surprise they were actually quite roomy. Instantly, I knew that was a place I wanted to call home. Besides the amazing campus, I would love to go to UCF for their cheerleading team. I have been a cheerleader for the past five years and am very aware of how successful UCF's team is. During camp I met many members of the team and everyone was extremely friendly. It would be a dream come true to be a member of the team. I still have yet to decide on a major and UCF has a wide variety of options for me to choose from. Also, the UCF campus in Orlando is the perfect distance from home. It's not too far, but not too close either. I would have so many incredible opportunities if I were accepted, and that is why I would love to be a UCF Knight.
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Growing up, I was the older of two children. Being oldest, my parents were a lot stricter with me than they were with my younger brother. In a way I am thankful for that. Their strict rules as well as my fear of their consequences have kept me out of trouble and in with the right crowd. At 14 my parents decided it was time for me to get a job. They said I wanted more than they could afford, so I needed to start making my own money. As much as I hated it at first it has taught me lots of responsibility as well as how to manage my money. Most importantly my family has always encouraged me in everything I've done. Through everything they were always my number 1 fans. They have pushed me to try my best in everything I do. All their love and support has made me a much more confident person. I know my family will always be there for me, guiding me into the right direction. Without them, I would not be where I am today. Their good morals have been embedded in me where they will be forever. I am so grateful for my family and don't know what I would do without them. "Why did you choose to apply to UCF"This past summer, my varsity high school cheerleading squad attended a camp at UCF? We stayed on campus in the dorms. We were only there for four days and 3 nights, but that's all it took. I fell in love with UCF. When we first arrived I was stunned by how beautiful the campus was. Everything looked colorful, new, and exciting. When I walked into my dorm room, I couldn't believe my eyes. I was expecting a small square room, barely big enough for two beds. Much to my surprise they were actually quite roomy. Instantly, I knew that was a place I wanted to call home. Besides the amazing campus, I would love to go to UCF for their cheerleading team. I have been a cheerleader for the past five years and am very aware of how successful UCF's team is. During camp, I met many members of the team and everyone was extremely friendly. It would be a dream come true to be a member of the team. I still have yet to decide on a major and UCF has a wide variety of options for me to choose from. Also, the UCF campus in Orlando is the perfect distance from home. It's not too far, but not too close either. I would have so many incredible opportunities if I were accepted, and that is why I would love to be a UCF Knight.
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My exchange year was not as expected a super fun year, but it substantially raised my intellectual as well as spiritual level. The first day I arrived, my host dad presented me a picture of the top of the pyramid, and had been guiding me towards there ever since. I worked hard and played hard. By participating in volunteer work, such as Canned-Food Drive, I fulfilled the spirit of giving and experienced the power of this American virtue. The people I met and troubles I encountered apart from home helped me reconsider many things that I had used to take for granted. I better comprehended the love of my Chinese family; I learnt to influence others with my active spirit; I saw a more objective picture of my role in each community I had been involved. From this year, I gained independence, confidence, and maturity. (145 words)
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My exchange year was not as expected a super fun year, but it substantially raised my intellectual as well as spiritual level. The first day I arrived, my host dad presented me a picture of the top of the pyramid, and had been guiding me towards there ever since. I worked hard and played hard. By participating in volunteer work, such as Canned-Food Drive, I fulfilled the spirit of giving and experienced the power of this American virtue. The people I met and troubles I encountered apart from home helped me reconsider many things that I had used to take for granted. I better comprehended the love of my Chinese family; I learned to influence others with my active spirit; I saw a more objective picture of my role in each community I had been involved. From this year, I gained independence, confidence, and maturity. (145 words)
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When I first moved from my beloved island of Puerto Rico to the small town of Poinciana, Florida, I was scared and did not know what to expect from the transition. I was hundreds of miles away from my family and friends, expected to dominate a new language in a foreign country, and start my life over from scratch. Eventually, I overcame these difficulties with my persistence and determination. I never gave up my desire to learn and succeed; in fact, I tried repeatedly until I reached my best in school. I have always been a person that believes determination and persistence can get you anywhere, and this truly helped me overcome the obstacles and challenges that faced me. I was afraid at first, but with time, I made new friends and adjusted to my new life in the United States. I realized my hard work was finally paying off. When I entered high school, the college search was just but beginning. It all seemed so far away freshman year, not many of my classmates thought about college at all. Yet, I gradually became interested in nutrition and health, and since then my goal has been to get into the University of Florida's Dietetics program. I want to make an impact on people and raise awareness about our increasing obese population, especially in children. I know that if University of Florida where to accept me, I would love to work towards meeting this goal. I believe every single one of us is unique in a certain way and brings something special into University of Florida's community. I am not an exception for I would bring my commitment and passion into campus. Students, as well as faculty, like to learn more about other cultures and as a result benefit from each other's ideas. It would be my pleasure to share my experiences and cultural traditions with all of University of Florida's community. Life is like a roller coaster, full of twists and turns. Not everything will go as planned; however, the important thing is to enjoy the ride and adapt to each situation. Since life is unpredictable, sometimes you have to forfeit possessions that you are comfortable with in order to progress and grow as a person. I already have made sacrifices in the past; indeed, I moved to a foreign country and overcame subsequent obstacles. Moreover, my persistence, determination, and willingness to learn helped me define the way I look and act in life. I have a strong desire to be a part of University of Florida's upcoming freshman class of 2009 and become a Registered Dietitian in the near future. I am ready to bring all of my passion and dedication to University of Florida's campus, along with my values and traditions. Diversity makes college a bigger learning experience for us all, so I am ready to make my part and become a student at University of Florida.
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When I first moved from my beloved island of Puerto Rico to the small town of Poinciana, Florida, I was scared and did not know what to expect from the transition. I was hundreds of miles away from my family and friends, expected to dominate a new language in a foreign country, and start my life over from scratch. Eventually, I overcame these difficulties with my persistence and determination. I never gave up my desire to learn and succeed; in fact, I tried repeatedly until I reached my best in school. I have always been a person that believes determination and persistence can get you anywhere, and this truly helped me overcome the obstacles and challenges that faced me. Furthermore, I was afraid at first, but with time, I made new friends and adjusted to my new life in the United States. Furthermore, I realized my hard work was finally paying off. When I entered high school, the college search was just but beginning. It all seemed so far away freshman year, not many of my classmates thought about college at all. Yet, I gradually became interested in nutrition and health, and since then my goal has been to get into the University of Florida's Dietetics program. I want to make an impact on people and raise awareness about our increasing obese population, especially in children. I know that if University of Florida where to accept me, I would love to work towards meeting this goal. Furthermore, I believe every single one of us is unique in a certain way and brings something special into University of Florida's community. Furthermore, I am not an exception for I would bring my commitment and passion into campus. Students, as well as faculty, like to learn more about other cultures and as a result benefit from each other's ideas. It would be my pleasure to share my experiences and cultural traditions with all University of Florida's community. Life is like a roller coaster, full of twists and turns. Not everything will go as planned; however, the important thing is to enjoy the ride and adapt to each situation. Since life is unpredictable, sometimes you have to forfeit possessions that you are comfortable with in order to progress and grow as a person. I already have made sacrifices in the past; indeed, I moved to a foreign country and overcame subsequent obstacles. Moreover, my persistence, determination, and willingness to learn helped me define the way I look and act in life. I have a strong desire to be a part of University of Florida's upcoming freshman class of 2009 and become a Registered Dietitian in the near future. I am ready to bring all of my passion and dedication to University of Florida's campus, along with my values and traditions. Diversity makes college a bigger learning experience for us all, so I am ready to make my part and become a student at University of Florida.
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ESSAY:Losing my best friend to another country was a huge crisis in my life. She was worth over nine years of memories which were filled with smiles, tears, and laughs. She was my best friend, my other half, and practically a sister to me if blood never came between us. Her name is Emma; she and I used to spend every waking moment together. The day she moved to Ireland was the day my world came crumbling down into pieces. We were both standing in the JFK International Airport; a place where we exchanged our last goodbyes. The last site of her was the view of her back as she walked away to board her plane. I felt alone and crushed, as if all the doors that opened to anything exciting or hopeful just closed on me. I didn't really know how to think because we did everything together. She was the oxygen to my lungs that helped my body keep on running. I was so dependent on her. From that moment on, I knew I had to grow less dependent and more independent. I was on my own now; she was off to another country while I was stuck in NJ to experience life and go through obstacles without her. I've learned to appreciate every moment that life brings to me because sometimes things can disappear right before my eyes. Everything doesn't last forever, so now I think and acknowledge only the positives of everything. too personal?
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ESSAY:Losing my best friend to another country was a huge crisis in my life. She was worth over nine years of memories which were filled with smiles, tears, and laughs. She was my best friend, my other half, and practically a sister to me if blood never came between us. Her name is Emma; she and I used to spend every waking moment together. The day she moved to Ireland was the day my world came crumbling down into pieces. We were both standing in the JFK International Airport; a place where we exchanged our last goodbyes. The last site of her was the view of her back as she walked away to board her plane. I felt alone and crushed, as if all the doors that opened to anything exciting or hopeful just closed on me. I didn't really know how to think because we did everything together. She was the oxygen to my lungs that helped my body keep on running. I was so dependent on her. From that moment on, I knew I had to grow less dependent and more independent. I was on my own now; she was off to another country while I was stuck in NJ to experience life and go through obstacles without her. I've learned to appreciate every moment that life brings to me because sometimes things can disappear right before my eyes. Everything doesn't last forever, so now I think and acknowledge only the positives of everything. Too personal?
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-I need help editing and shortening the esay so it stays within the 500 word range.THANKS ALOT! :))) There have been many influences and experiences throughout my 17 years of life that have affected the person I am today and more importantly, the person I strive to be in the future. I feel that these experiences will contribute and affect my involvement at the University of Florida. The biggest passion in my life has been the sport of basketball.My passion for the game began during my last year of middle school, but despite trying out for the middle school team I was not chosen to be a part of it. Although this was of great disappointment to me, it did not deter me from my love of the game. It made me more driven and determined to work hard during the summer prior to entering high school to ensure that I was in a position to try-out for the high school freshman team. I practiced morning, noon and night in 90 degree heat, perfecting my shot and working out to improve my skills. This hard work paid off, when I was chosen to be a part of the freshman team and I have continued to work hard during my highschool years to be an asset to the varsity team today. I feel sure that this experience of being a part of the high school basketball team has helped me become successful in my academic life. Being part of a team has instilled in me the responsibilities and work ethic that carries over into other aspects of my life and I feel sure that this will be extremely valuable in my future endeavors at the University of Florida. Although the above experience and accomplishment of being chosen to be a part of a team has contributed and shaped the person I am today, a more recent and meaningful event has had a great affect on the person I hope to be in the future. This event involves my family and more importantly, my parents becoming United States Citizens. My parents are originally from England and immigrated to America 24 years ago. They gave up their family and friends in England in the hopes of a better life in America. It was very moving to witness them being sworn in and taking the Oath of Allegiance that day, as not only was it their Citizenship that was granted that day, but it was also the day that I became an American Citizen because I was also born in England. It made me realize the many sacrifices that my parents have made to come over to America, in the hopes of achieving the "American Dream". The "American Dream" is not easy to achieve and it not something that comes handed out on a silver platter, it requires years of determination and perseverance. I realize that my parents have worked extremely hard to provide a better life for my sister and I. I look forward to making my parents very proud of my achievements and to realize that their sacrifices were worth it to see me graduate college and reach my full potential in life. I am very motivated to take advantage of the opportunities offered at University of Florida and believe that the above experiences will help me in fulfilling my "American Dream".
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-I need help editing and shortening the easy, so it stays within the 500 word range. THANKS LOT! :))) There have been many influences and experiences throughout my 17 years of life that have affected the person I am today and more importantly, the person I strive to be in the future. I feel that these experiences will contribute and affect my involvement at the University of Florida. The biggest passion in my life has been the sport of basketball. My passion for the game began during my last year of middle school, but despite trying out for the middle school team I was not chosen to be a part of it. Although this was of great disappointment to me, it did not deter me from my love of the game. It made me more driven and determined to work hard during the summer prior to entering high school to ensure that I was in a position to try-out for the high school freshman team. I practiced morning, noon and night in 90 degree heat, perfecting my shot and working out to improve my skills. This hard work paid off, when I was chosen to be a part of the freshman team and I have continued to work hard during my high school years to be an asset to the varsity team today. I feel sure that this experience of being a part of the high school basketball team has helped me become successful in my academic life. Being part of a team has instilled in me the responsibilities and work ethic that carries over into other aspects of my life and I feel sure that this will be extremely valuable in my future endeavors at the University of Florida. Although the above experience and accomplishment of being chosen to be a part of a team has contributed and shaped the person I am today, a more recent and meaningful event has had a great effect on the person I hope to be in the future. This event involves my family and more importantly, my parents becoming United States Citizens. My parents are originally from England and immigrated to America 24 years ago. They gave up their family and friends in England in the hopes of a better life in America. It was very moving to witness them being sworn in and taking the Oath of Allegiance that day, as not only was it their Citizenship that was granted that day, but it was also the day that I became an American Citizen because I was also born in England. It made me realize the many sacrifices that my parents have made to come over to America, in the hopes of achieving the "American Dream". The "American Dream" is not easy to achieve and it not something that comes handed out on a silver platter, it requires years of determination and perseverance. I realize that my parents have worked extremely hard to provide a better life for my sister and I. I look forward to making my parents very proud of my achievements and to realize that their sacrifices were worth it to see me graduate college and reach my full potential in life. I am very motivated to take advantage of the opportunities offered at University of Florida and believe that the above experiences will help me in fulfilling my "American Dream".
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the second is about vocabulary. Not many people know about the Parkour (it's a sport, and the subject of my P.S.) Practitioners of Parkour are called Tracuers. Do i need to explain this in the P.S, or is it okay using vocabulary that the admissions officers probably won't know? Otherwise, any general feedback about the statement would also be greatly appreciated.Thanks guys!Jonathan Flash ************************************************************ **************PERSONAL STATEMENT:************************************************************ ************** Parkour is a physical discipline inspired by human movement, focusing on fast, efficient forward motion over, under, and around obstacles in one's environment. I first got into the sport in 9th grade, and started training routinely the next year. At the time, parkour was not a well-known sport in Brookline. However, by encouraging my friends to train with me and later post flyers and make websites to promote our group, we helped spread awareness of the sport. Now, my friends and I train with the New England team. The Brookline parkour community has gone from one member to almost thirty, and there's nothing I enjoy more than seeing one of the newcomers master a dexterous technique. I teach members and plan meetings for all of Brookline's parkour participants, and take pride in how I am viewed by other practitioners of the sport.
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The second is about vocabulary. Not many people know about the Parkour (it's a sport, and the subject of my P.S.) Practitioners of Parkour are called Trackers. Do I need to explain this in the P? S, or is it okay using vocabulary that the admissions officers probably won't know? Otherwise, any general feedback about the statement would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys! Jonathan Flash ************************************************************ **************PERSONAL STATEMENT:************************************************************ ************** Parkour is a physical discipline inspired by human movement, focusing on fast, efficient forward motion over, under, and around obstacles in one's environment. I first got into the sport in 9th grade, and started training routinely the next year. At the time, parkour was not a well-known sport in Brookline. However, by encouraging my friends to train with me and later post flyers and make websites to promote our group, we helped spread awareness of the sport. Now, my friends and I train with the New England team. The Brookline parkour community has gone from one member to almost thirty, and there's nothing I enjoy more than seeing one of the newcomers master a dexterous technique. I teach members and plan meetings for all of Brookline's parkour participants, and take pride in how I am viewed by other practitioners of the sport.
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"For me, the most important reason why I want to study business is that I love to deal with numbers, to face changes, to overcome challenges and to predict the unpredictable things. Studying business provides me chances to keep up with the changing world. The second reason is that China has gone through a drastic economic development in the last thirty years, and I am very interested in the whole process. And one good way for me to understand it is to learn business. ...
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"For me, the most important reason why I want to study business is that I love to deal with numbers, to face changes, to overcome challenges and to predict the unpredictable things. Studying business provides me chances to keep up with the changing world. The second reason is that China has gone through a drastic economic development in the last thirty years, and I am very interested in the whole process. And one good way for me to understand it is to learn business. ...
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A High-Tech ForteIf my friends or relatives were asked to describe my interests and hobbies, most of them would say that I love music and sports. That's probably what most people would perceive from me. However, one thing that not many people know about me is that I love building and repairing computers. Ever since I learned how to build my own computer back in eighth grade, I've since then grown interest in computers. I've never taken a computer class of any kind, but the internet taught me everything I know about computers. As my computer knowledge grew, I became my household's computer tech, and everyone would always come to me for computer assistance. Now as I think about what I want to do with my life, I have decided that I wanted computers to be a part of it. While I'm aiming for a career as an IT, the opportunities with computers are endless. Since technology advances everyday, our society's dependence on computers grows everyday, and it's foolish to think that the future of our nation alone will not live alongside computer technology. Even after college, I'll be learning about new technology every day, but at the same time be helping other people. Whether it's playing games, editing movies, or surfing the net; computers are a big part of my hobbies. Consequently, I will be able to wake up every morning knowing that I will have a solid day ahead of me. I really feel like this is the field I belong in. Despite the fact that it's something I have been able to naturally develop, studying computers in college will definitely broaden my horizons. Thanks in advance!
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A High-Tech Forfeit my friends or relatives were asked to describe my interests and hobbies, most of them would say that I love music and sports. That's probably what most people would perceive from me. However, one thing that not many people know about me is that I love building and repairing computers. Ever since I learned how to build my own computer back in eighth grade, I've since then grown interest in computers. I've never taken a computer class of any kind, but the internet taught me everything I know about computers. As my computer knowledge grew, I became my household's computer tech, and everyone would always come to me for computer assistance. Now as I think about what I want to do with my life, I have decided that I wanted computers to be a part of it. While I'm aiming for a career as an IT, the opportunities with computers are endless. Since technology advances every day, our society's dependence on computers grows every day, and it's foolish to think that the future of our nation alone will not live alongside computer technology. Even after college, I'll be learning about new technology every day, but at the same time be helping other people. Whether it's playing games, editing movies, or surfing the net; computers are a big part of my hobbies. Consequently, I will be able to wake up every morning knowing that I will have a solid day ahead of me. I really feel like this is the field I belong in. Despite the fact that it's something I have been able to naturally develop, studying computers in college will definitely broaden my horizons. Thanks in advance!
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If you come up to me and ask, "Do you play basketball?" I might be tempted to ask if you play miniature golf. I cannot begin to count how many times I have been asked this very question. Just because I am tall, many people assume I am a basketball player. I have dealt with this common misconception ever since I was young. Although I may fit the typical build of a basketball player, I have decided to choose my own, unique sport: swimming. Sure, I may get criticized frequently for "wasting" my height, but I believe doing something that I enjoy is far more beneficial to me than doing something just because it is expected of me. In fact, I hope to be able to swim at the University of Florida, as it is has been my goal for the past three years. I understand what it feels like to be made fun of, put down, and criticized for being different. I know how to be my own inimitable person, regardless of what others may think about me. Knowing that individuality is important has helped me over the years to fully accept others and respect their individualities by broadening my way of thinking and viewing others' situations as reasonably and rationally as possible. My parents had a big part in helping me to see people of who they are instead of what they look like. Being of different ethnicities, my parents have struggled through discrimination and prejudgment throughout their marriage. My mother, a Caucasian, met my father, an African American, in South Carolina in 1985. They were young and married in a very small frame of time. The people of the Carolinas in the 1980's were nothing more than tolerant of biracial couples. I recall a story my parents once told me. They were standing in line to make an order in a restaurant when an elderly Caucasian woman was standing in line to the side of them. The woman looked at my parents in disgust, staring them down and not taking her eyes off of them until they left her sight. Once they were out of the restaurant, my mother began to cry her eyes out. Why had that woman given my parents such a dirty look? She had not known their names, what they did, or the kind of people they were. She only saw the difference in the color of their skin. I am glad my parents have been able to look past the views of these ignorant, judgmental people to sustain over twenty-three years of marriage. My parents have instilled this quality in me, and I feel that my ability to do my own thing and accept others for who they are will contribute to the diversity of the University of Florida's campus. My life is about being my own unique person, fulfilling my own dreams without anyone else influencing what I do and who I am.
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If you come up to me and ask, "Do you play basketball?" I might be tempted to ask if you play miniature golf. I cannot begin to count how many times I have been asked this very question. Just because I am tall, many people assume I am a basketball player. I have dealt with this common misconception ever since I was young. Although I may fit the typical build of a basketball player, I have decided to choose my own, unique sport: swimming. Sure, I may get criticized frequently for "wasting" my height, but I believe doing something that I enjoy is far more beneficial to me than doing something just because it is expected of me. In fact, I hope to be able to swim at the University of Florida, as it is having been my goal for the past three years. I understand what it feels like to be made fun of, put down, and criticized for being different. I know how to be my own inimitable person, regardless of what others may think about me. Knowing that individuality is important has helped me over the years to fully accept others and respect their individualizes by broadening my way of thinking and viewing others' situations as reasonably and rationally as possible. My parents had a big part in helping me to see people of who they are instead of what they look like. Being of different ethnicities, my parents have struggled through discrimination and prejudgment throughout their marriage. My mother, a Caucasian, met my father, an African American, in South Carolina in 1985. They were young and married in a very small frame of time. The people of the Carolina's in the 1980s were nothing more than tolerant of biracial couples. I recall a story my parents once told me. They were standing in line to make an order in a restaurant when an elderly Caucasian woman was standing in line to the side of them. The woman looked at my parents in disgust, staring them down and not taking her eyes off of them until they left her sight. Once they were out of the restaurant, my mother began to cry her eyes out. Why had that woman given my parents such a dirty look? She had not known their names, what they did, or the kind of people they were. She only saw the difference in the color of their skin. I am glad my parents have been able to look past the views of these ignorant, judgmental people to sustain over twenty-three years of marriage. My parents have instilled this quality in me, and I feel that my ability to do my own thing and accept others for who they are will contribute to the diversity of the University of Florida's campus. My life is about being my own unique person, fulfilling my own dreams without anyone else influencing what I do and who I am.
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"Beautiful..." an evocative word whispered, soft yet audible, by one member of the audience in the centre block as the last chord of "Fei Tian" ebbed away into a moment of magical silence. Moments after, applause broke out from over a thousand audience for the combined orchestra made up of the Catholic High School Chinese Orchestra, and Tianjin Conservatory of Music Middle School Division Chinese Orchestra, performing in the Concert Hall of Tianjin for the Conservatory's annual concert and to commemorate the concert hall's long lasting history before being demolished and rebuilt days after. Through music, I finally found a common language and to intimately connect with people in a whole new way. I started to learn music when I joined the Chinese Orchestra in Secondary One as my extra-curricular activity. I chose to join the orchestra partially due to my desire to take on the challenge of learning a new skill, and partially due to my longing to make more friends in my secondary school life since the Chinese Orchestra had a large number of members. My time in the orchestra has shaped my world view, and has instilled in me the importance of team work. I was determined not to be the weakest link in the team that would break under strain. Every morning, I would arrive at school one hour before the start of lessons to hone my percussion skills and practice the pieces that we would perform in the next concert. I understood that the pleasing and harmonious sounds we created were only possible because of the dedicated effort by every member of the orchestra. Music has also made me mellower person. I never gave up on causes I deem worthwhile, and always believed that no barrier is too difficult to overcome, because music has taught me perseverance. We were invited to the Tianjin Conservatory of Music and perform in a joint concert as part of a student exchange program between the conservatory and the Catholic High School. We meet up with the Tianjin counterparts after hours of air travel, over a distance of over two thousand miles from the equator to forty degree North latitude. I had a lengthy discussion with Wan Yue, my Chinese host student. He was a sixteen year old top student in his class, specialized in percussion instruments, and an aspiring academia. What began as a question-and-answer session about life in Singapore soon turned into passionate exchange on ideologies, interests and aspirations. I was gratified to expand my horizons by listening to the perspective of someone with different background, areas of interest, and career goals. On the afternoon of our performance, we came together and prayed for a successful concert, placing ourselves in the hands of the Almighty. There was a strong parallel between our purpose of visit and our performance piece "Fei Tian", a legendary tale of how people could soar freely, connecting the earth and the heaven. During our performance, I saw sprinkle of white lights in Erhu fading in circles, a flute solo fades blue to black, and the heavy drumbeats moving everyone sideways. We broke down walls and barricades and entered the universal world of music. Before ending the piece with a final strike on the bass drum, I took a glance at Wang Yue, who was standing in front of the xylophone, nodded, and played the last chord in synchrony. At that instant, there were palpable yet concealed waves that connected the audience with the performers. With music, I found a new way to communicate and relate, and if the whole musical experience were to be summed in one word, it would be "beautiful".
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"Beautiful..." an evocative word whispered, soft yet audible, by one member of the audience in the center block as the last chord of "FEI Than" ebbed away into a moment of magical silence. Moments after, applause broke out from over a thousand audience for the combined orchestra made up of the Catholic High School Chinese Orchestra, and Tianjin Conservatory of Music Middle School Division Chinese Orchestra, performing in the Concert Hall of Tianjin for the Conservatory's annual concert and to commemorate the concert hall's long-lasting history before being demolished and rebuilt days after. Through music, I finally found a common language and to intimately connect with people in a whole new way. I started to learn music when I joined the Chinese Orchestra in Secondary One as my extracurricular activity. I chose to join the orchestra partially due to my desire to take on the challenge of learning a new skill, and partially due to my longing to make more friends in my secondary school life since the Chinese Orchestra had many members. My time in the orchestra has shaped my world view, and has instilled in me the importance of team work. I was determined not to be the weakest link in the team that would break under strain. Every morning, I would arrive at school one hour before the start of lessons to hone my percussion skills and practice the pieces that we would perform in the next concert. I understood that the pleasing and harmonious sounds we created were only possible because of the dedicated effort by every member of the orchestra. Music has also made me mellower person. I never gave up on causes I deem worthwhile, and always believed that no barrier is too difficult to overcome, because music has taught me perseverance. We were invited to the Tianjin Conservatory of Music and perform in a joint concert as part of a student exchange program between the conservatory and the Catholic High School. We meet up with the Tianjin counterparts after hours of air travel, over a distance of over two thousand miles from the equator to forty degree North latitude. I had a lengthy discussion with Wan Due, my Chinese host student. He was a sixteen-year-old top student in his class, specialized in percussion instruments, and an aspiring academia. What began as a question-and-answer session about life in Singapore soon turned into passionate exchange on ideologies, interests and aspirations. I was gratified to expand my horizons by listening to the perspective of someone with different background, areas of interest, and career goals. On the afternoon of our performance, we came together and prayed for a successful concert, placing ourselves in the hands of the Almighty. There was a strong parallel between our purpose of visit and our performance piece "FEI Than", a legendary tale of how people could soar freely, connecting the earth and the heaven. During our performance, I saw sprinkle of white lights in Era fading in circles, a flute solo fades blue to black, and the heavy drumbeats moving everyone sideways. We broke down walls and barricades and entered the universal world of music. Before ending the piece with a final strike on the bass drum, I took a glance at Wang Due, who was standing in front of the xylophone, nodded, and played the last chord in synchrony. At that instant, there were palpable yet concealed waves that connected the audience with the performers. With music, I found a new way to communicate and relate, and if the whole musical experience were to be summed in one word, it would be "beautiful".
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Coming into the first day of fourth grade as a foreigner from the Philippines, I had no idea what to expect. Even though all the students and teachers were very friendly and accommodating, I had a difficult time assimilating into a new culture and society. Kids talked about things such as football and rap, while teachers referred to common American knowledge like Martin Luther King Jr. and Bill Clinton. I would only look at them as if I came from another planet. School started to get boring because it was hard for me to socialize. Most of my days consisted of school, sleep, food, and video games. I felt like I should put myself out there more. Teachers suggested that I get involved in after school activities. I took their advice and showed up to basketball intramurals after school. Basketball is a big thing in the Philippines, and is the only sport that I had any knowledge on. I was happy with my decision, because I met a lot of new people, and I was able to talk to them about something we both understood. When springtime came and basketball season came to an end, I decided to join an unfamiliar sport. I had a choice between softball and ultimate Frisbee, but chose softball in the end. The word "ultimate" in ultimate Frisbee sounded a little too intimidating, while softball sounded like a more laid back activity. This appeared to be true as I soon learned that all I had to do was hit the ball with a bat. I thought it would be a piece of cake at first, but I struggled to even swing the bat properly. Fortunately, the coach and the other players were nice enough to help me out. By the end of the season, I was able to hit the ball left and right. By the end of the school year, not only did I make a lot of friends, but I learned a great deal about American culture. I developed a huge interest in sports and music, and I became accustomed with big names in pop culture. Fifth grade flew by smoothly after overcoming this setback. I felt a lot more comfortable talking to students and teachers now that I no longer felt like a foreigner. My grades rose considerably, while I continued to join more after school activities. I left elementary school ecstatic to work through a big setback as I did. If I encountered a similar setback in the future, I would face it with more confidence and poise, and work through it right away. Overcoming this setback is one of my biggest accomplishments, and only throughout this phase have I realized my true potential. Word Count: 453
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Coming into the first day of fourth grade as a foreigner from the Philippines, I had no idea what to expect. Even though all the students and teachers were very friendly and accommodating, I had a difficult time assimilating into a new culture and society. Kids talked about things such as football and rap, while teachers referred to common American knowledge like Martin Luther King Jr. and Bill Clinton. I would only look at them as if I came from another planet. School started to get boring because it was hard for me to socialize. Most of my days consisted of school, sleep, food, and video games. I felt like I should put myself out there more. Teachers suggested that I get involved in after school activities. I took their advice and showed up to basketball intramural after school. Basketball is a big thing in the Philippines, and is the only sport that I had any knowledge on. I was happy with my decision, because I met a lot of new people, and I was able to talk to them about something we both understood. When springtime came and basketball season came to an end, I decided to join an unfamiliar sport. I had a choice between softball and ultimate Frisbee, but chose softball in the end. The word "ultimate" in ultimate Frisbee sounded a little too intimidating, while softball sounded like a more laid back activity. This appeared to be true as I soon learned that all I had to do was hit the ball with a bat. I thought it would be a piece of cake at first, but I struggled to even swing the bat properly. Fortunately, the coach and the other players were nice enough to help me out. By the end of the season, I was able to hit the ball left and right. By the end of the school year, not only did I make a lot of friends, but I learned a great deal about American culture. I developed a huge interest in sports and music, and I became accustomed to big names in pop culture. Fifth grade flew by smoothly after overcoming this setback. I felt a lot more comfortable talking to students and teachers now that I no longer felt like a foreigner. My grades rose considerably, while I continued to join more after school activities. I left elementary school ecstatic to work through a big setback as I did. If I encountered a similar setback in the future, I would face it with more confidence and poise, and work through it right away. Overcoming this setback is one of my biggest accomplishments, and only throughout this phase have I realized my true potential. Word Count: 453
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I am running down an endless hallway and yet I have no idea why. I look around and see tests, garbage, and dishes flying around as if being sucked into a black hole. At last there is a small light near the end but as I reach for it, it continues to move further and further away. I leap forward trying to catch the light and I suddenly find myself falling deep into an endless pit. As I am falling, I feel the breeze blowing through my hair and the sensation of a carefree world. I embrace my fall and accept this as a gift. Thoughts of tests, schoolwork, family problems, and my job rush through my mind. But suddenly those thoughts elude me and I smile. They say your dreams are a gateway into the inner-workings of your mind, but I say it is quite different. Your dreams are instead an alternate realm of freedom and escape. Within your dreams, you live a life devoid of stress and work. It is an opportunity to grasp a surreal world far from reality. Now don't mistake this for avoiding the troublesome problems of the real world. I address the many problems in my life head on. Nor should you see my dreams as just a mere way of escaping reality. But for you to understand why each night I look forward to sleeping, you must first understand the experiences in my life that set my dream world in motion. Throughout my career in high school, I have always had the problem of balancing family priorities and education. Although I would love to say that education is always the first thing to do on my list of life goals, it simply isn't. The truth of the matter is that family is always first. It is something that I am learning to cope with but also learning to respect. When my father asked me to help out in his restaurant, every ounce of willpower in my body wanted to completely reject this request. For I knew that if I were to work there, I wouldn't be receiving pay nor would the work be easy. But while my body was telling me no, deep down inside I knew he needed my help. At that time my father's restaurant was going through turmoil and paying for additional employees would be difficult. So I respected my father's wishes and began working after school. Over the course of the next few weeks, I found myself having difficulty with balancing all the work in my life. With the many clubs, school work, and the restaurant, I found myself easily agitated and tired. So tired that when I got home and decided to lie down for a second, I passed out and instead awoken anew. I would tell you exactly what happened in that dream but to be honest, I can't really recall it. However what I do remember is that feeling when I had awoken. The sudden realization and consciousness of it all hit me. At that moment I realized that my problems and work were similar to that dream in every way. While a dream is a realm of bliss, and reality holds our problems; both are similar in that they are just momentary events in my life. Like a short-lived trend or the passing of a summer breeze, my dreams and problems are just that; fleeting moments in my life. As Henry David Thoreau says, "Dreams are the touchstones of our character." I see dreams as a reminder that the problems in life are ephemeral. So when the burdens of life weigh me down, I peacefully close my eyes; knowing that when I open them I will be able to once again embrace the harsh realities of life.
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I am running down an endless hallway, and yet I have no idea why. I look around and see tests, garbage, and dishes flying around as if being sucked into a black hole. At last there is a small light near the end but as I reach for it, it continues to move further and further away. I leap forward trying to catch the light and I suddenly find myself falling deep into an endless pit. As I am falling, I feel the breeze blowing through my hair and the sensation of a carefree world. I embrace my fall and accept this as a gift. Thoughts of tests, schoolwork, family problems, and my job rush through my mind. But suddenly those thoughts elude me and I smile. They say your dreams are a gateway into the inner-workings of your mind, but I say it is quite different. Your dreams are instead an alternate realm of freedom and escape. Within your dreams, you live a life devoid of stress and work. It is an opportunity to grasp a surreal world far from reality. Now don't mistake this for avoiding the troublesome problems of the real world. I address the many problems in my life head on. Nor should you see my dreams as just a mere way of escaping reality. But for you to understand why each night I look forward to sleeping, you must first understand the experiences in my life that set my dream world in motion. Throughout my career in high school, I have always had the problem of balancing family priorities and education. Although I would love to say that education is always the first thing to do on my list of life goals, it simply isn't. The truth of the matter is that family is always first. It is something that I am learning to cope with but also learning to respect. When my father asked me to help out in his restaurant, every ounce of willpower in my body wanted to completely reject this request. For I knew that if I were to work there, I wouldn't be receiving pay nor would the work be easy. But while my body was telling me no, deep down inside I knew he needed my help. At that time my father's restaurant was going through turmoil and paying for additional employees would be difficult. So I respected my father's wishes and began working after school. Over the course of the next few weeks, I found myself having difficulty with balancing all the work in my life. With the many clubs, school work, and the restaurant, I found myself easily agitated and tired. So tired that when I got home and decided to lie down for a second, I passed out and instead awoken anew. I would tell you exactly what happened in that dream but to be honest, I can't really recall it. However, what I do remember is that feeling when I had awoken. The sudden realization and consciousness of it all hit me. At that moment I realized that my problems and work were similar to that dream in every way. While a dream is a realm of bliss, and reality holds our problems; both are similar in that they are just momentary events in my life. Like a short-lived trend or the passing of a summer breeze, my dreams and problems are just that; fleeting moments in my life. As Henry David Thoreau says, "Dreams are the touchstones of our character." I see dreams as a reminder that the problems in life are ephemeral. So when the burdens of life weigh me down, I peacefully close my eyes; knowing that when I open them I will be able to once again embrace the harsh realities of life.
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Our football team had just suffered our sixth loss in a row. A winning season and the playoffs were now out of my reach. I cried for the first time in three years after that game. Why I was putting myself through all this pain? The physical, emotional, and mental hurt was breaking me down. Why not quit and just end this torture? I looked up and the answer was there in front of me, my teammates. They were going through the same experience as I was. I could never leave them, the people who made me feel accepted when I first moved to town. They pushed me at times when I felt like stopping and keep pushing me to this day. They made me believe in myself and helped me build trust in others. They have been a major part in my life and in my dedication to football.
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Our football team had just suffered our sixth loss in a row. A winning season and the playoffs were now out of my reach. I cried for the first time in three years after that game. Why I was putting myself through all this pain? The physical, emotional, and mental hurt was breaking me down. Why not quit and just end this torture? I looked up, and the answer was there in front of me, my teammates. They were going through the same experience as I was. I could never leave them, the people who made me feel accepted when I first moved to town. They pushed me at times when I felt like stopping and keep pushing me to this day. They made me believe in myself and helped me build trust in others. Furthermore, they have been a major part in my life and in my dedication to football.
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Personal Statement: I have faced many obstacles to overcome in my life's path to get where I am today. I was born with physical challenges, and after numerous major surgeries, I have been able to overcome those temporary setbacks. My family has instilled in me since I was a child that you must do more than the average person to succeed in whatever you pursue in life. My father, being a community leader, football coach, and business owner, taught me from the beginning that winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is everything. His philosophy taught me that as long as I always try my level best, at anything I pursue, I can achieve any personal goal I set for myself. Recently, in the year 2007, my family lost the balance of my grandparents due to tragic circumstances. I realized, at that point in my life, how important family fabric is to a young man's growth and development. Looking back, I've learned many things that only a grandfather and a grandmother can teach. My family is a proud, hardworking family with educators, business owners, civic and community leaders; I have learned by their examples. I have learned a great deal about the diversity of cultures and how others may perceive the world differently than myself. The family stewardship has prepared me to face challenges head on, and to separate the things I can manage, with others that I cannot. Setbacks in one's life better prepare you for the greater challenges that will lie ahead. At this point in my life, I have responsibilities to my parents to fulfill a work schedule, car and auto insurance payments, and civic duties. These responsibilities have taught me a great deal about work ethic, and have served as a threshold to college entrance. Leadership and responsibility have always been important factors in my life. Toward the end of my football career, I received the Fairfax County Hall of Fame academic and athletic achievement award out of a pool of five thousand student athletes. I then went on to become elected to participate in the metro-regional All-Star game, and received defensive "Most Valuable Player" award. My goal is to excel in college, find a forum that most suits my interests, and establish a professional career in the engineering field. I wish to enter the University of Central Florida as it is my choice of schools to pursue my life's goals.
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Personal Statement: I have faced many obstacles to overcome in my life's path to get where I am today. I was born with physical challenges, and after numerous major surgeries, I have been able to overcome those temporary setbacks. My family has instilled in me since I was a child that you must do more than the average person to succeed in whatever you pursue in life. My father, being a community leader, football coach, and business owner, taught me from the beginning that winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is everything. His philosophy taught me that as long as I always try my level best, at anything I pursue, I can achieve any personal goal I set for myself. Recently, in the year 2007, my family lost the balance of my grandparents due to tragic circumstances. I realized, at that point in my life, how important family fabric is to a young man's growth and development. Looking back, I've learned many things that only a grandfather and a grandmother can teach. My family is a proud, hardworking family with educators, business owners, civic and community leaders; I have learned by their examples. I have learned a great deal about the diversity of cultures and how others may perceive the world differently than myself. The family stewardship has prepared me to face challenges head on, and to separate the things I can manage, with others that I cannot. Setbacks in one's life better prepare you for the greater challenges that will lie ahead. At this point in my life, I have responsibilities to my parents to fulfill a work schedule, car and auto insurance payments, and civic duties. These responsibilities have taught me a great deal about work ethic, and have served as a threshold to college entrance. Leadership and responsibility have always been important factors in my life. Toward the end of my football career, I received the Fairfax County Hall of Fame academic and athletic achievement award out of a pool of five thousand student athletes. I then went on to become elected to participate in the metro-regional All-Star game, and received defensive "Most Valuable Player" award. My goal is to excel in college, find a forum that most suits my interests, and establish a professional career in the engineering field. I wish to enter the University of Central Florida as it is my choice of schools to pursue my life's goals.
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The aroma of its fusion of buttered buns, grilled meat, and everything in between seduces my nostrils. As a nine-year old, a trip to Jack Astor's sends my senses into a frenzy. Drool trickles out of the corners of my mouth in anticipation. But before I wolf down my Smokey Jack's Burger, I put the red Crayola and brown-paper tablecloth to good use by dissecting my meal, inspecting the root of my temptations. After all, the dinner is only $11.48 plus tax, a satisfying meal for a deal. Or is it? Buns are first up for appraisal, mighty ordinary in my opinion. If purchased from the bakery they are $0.33 each. Though not premium beef and bacon, this burger has a decent bulk and thickness, so $1.50 is an acceptable combined price. The "smoked partly-skimmed Mozzarella" is a processed imitation of the real deal, unnaturally made to be perfectly square and uniformly thin - $0.25 per slice at $3.00 for a package of twelve. As for the feeble slices of tomatoes, the generous heap of iceberg lettuce (the cheapest lettuce available), the stray strands of onions, the lone spear of pickle, and the wad of mass-produced mayonnaise, the cumulative price cannot reasonably exceed $0.50. I am not done. The waitress spends at most two minutes and the chef an estimated four minutes assembling and delivering my burger, translating into $1.50 worth of time based on an averaged wage of $15.00 per hour. Haphazardly scrawled onto the brown paper, the prices steadily accumulate, waiting to be added. With arrogance I can only show in front of my mother, I boast my amazing decimal addition skills that I've recently perfected. My findings are extraordinary! I turn to my mother and ask, "If this burger should only cost $4.00, why are we eating here? For $11.48 plus tax, we are being cheated!" Fast forward to eight years later and I am mesmerized by the same subject in my Economics class. Although I have a solid grasp on the concepts of the Keynesian short-run aggregate supply curve, the price elasticity of demand, and the pricing behavior of a firm in monopolistic competition, I have not outgrown my childhood tendencies to question the details. Why does the rush report option, at a hefty $36.50, of sending SAT scores online even exist? Why do firms start to advertise Christmas-related products in September? My interest in the world's intricacies was what led me to take IB Higher Level Economics, where an entirely new portal to understanding was revealed. Like Tetris, once mismatching pieces of the workings of our society have fallen into logical coherence. Economics, it's fair to say, has given me insight in the interrelations of everyday life. Life demands growth, and there are no prescribed confines in economics that restrict my passion for the subject. I have discovered the wonders of our economy through conversations with my economics teacher, observations of my surroundings, and economic works such as Freakonomics by Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt and Boom Bust and Echo by David Foot. My fascination has also prompted me to compete in the Investors of Tomorrow Online Stock Market Challenge, where in the spring 2008 session, I finished first internationally by managing a portfolio that witnessed a 29% profit in twelve short weeks. The volatile nature of stocks and the economy aroused an unparallel excitement within me, one that reached no such fervor in any other subject. Even for potentially mundane tasks such as the IB extended essay, my enthusiasm is reflected in my survey of five hundred participants, as part of my study of the effects of the recent wheat price inflation on a local bakery and on consumer behaviors. I need to satisfy my ever growing appetite for economics, and University of Pennsylvania is the only school that will fulfill this hunger. At UPenn, the wide-ranging selection of more than thirty-five courses investigates every crevice of economic science. The extensive undergraduate program of the Economics Department will allow me to explore the discipline of my choice, eliminating the problem of course limitations at other schools. As an immigrant, I am particularly drawn to international economics, specifically the rapid expansion of economy in China, my native country. I hope to conduct my own research, for example, to examine potential correlation between the surge in middle class wealth in China and the one-child policy. Valuable facilities such as the Penn Institute for Economic Research will accommodate and foster these aspirations. Also, I wish to study under the guidance of notable professors like Randall Wright and Jing Li, specialists in macroeconomics and microeconomics respectively, who will equip me with the necessary tools to enhance my own economic awareness. By exposing myself to a full spectrum of available resources, the undergraduate program will improve my analytical capacity and literacy in economics. In times of global recession and bleak economic state, UPenn needs a dynamic, focused and distinguished individual who can expose a new solution to the same problem. Speaking of new perspective, factoring in negative externalities such as obesity and a greasy shirt, how much more does the Smokey Jack's Burger cost me? I hope to find the answer at UPenn. Thanks for your time!!
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The aroma of its fusion of buttered buns, grilled meat, and everything in between seduces my nostrils. As a nine-year-old, a trip to Jack Astor's sends my senses into a frenzy. Drool trickles out of the corners of my mouth in anticipation. But before I wolf down my Smokey Jack's Burger, I put the red Crayola and brown-paper tablecloth to good use by dissecting my meal, inspecting the root of my temptations. After all, the dinner is only $11.48 plus tax, a satisfying meal for a deal. Or is it? Buns are first up for appraisal, mighty ordinary in my opinion. If purchased from the bakery they are $0.33 each. Though not premium beef and bacon, this burger has a decent bulk and thickness, so $1.50 is an acceptable combined price. The "smoked partly-skimmed Mozzarella" is a processed imitation of the real deal, unnaturally made to be perfectly square and uniformly thin - $0.25 per slice at $3.00 for a package of twelve. As for the feeble slices of tomatoes, the generous heap of iceberg lettuce (the cheapest lettuce available), the stray strands of onions, the lone spear of pickle, and the wad of mass-produced mayonnaise, the cumulative price cannot reasonably exceed $0.50. I am not done. The waitress spends at most two minutes and the chef an estimated four minutes assembling and delivering my burger, translating into $1.50 worth of time based on an averaged wage of $15.00 per hour. Haphazardly scrawled onto the brown paper, the prices steadily accumulate, waiting to be added. With arrogance, I can only show in front of my mother, I boast my amazing decimal addition skills that I've recently perfected. My findings are extraordinary! I turn to my mother and ask, "If this burger should only cost $4.00, why are we eating here? For $11.48 plus tax, we are being cheated!" Fast-forward to eight years later, and I am mesmerized by the same subject in my Economics class. Although I have a solid grasp on the concepts of the Keynesian short-run aggregate supply curve, the price elasticity of demand, and the pricing behavior of a firm in monopolistic competition, I have not outgrown my childhood tendencies to question the details. Why does the rush report option, at a hefty $36.50, of sending SAT scores online even exist? Why do firms start to advertise Christmas-related products in September? My interest in the world's intricacies was what led me to take IB Higher Level Economics, where an entirely new portal to understanding was revealed. Like Tetris, once mismatching pieces of the workings of our society have fallen into logical coherence. Economics, it's fair to say, has given me insight in the interrelations of everyday life. Life demands growth, and there are no prescribed confines in economics that restrict my passion for the subject. I have discovered the wonders of our economy through conversations with my economics teacher, observations of my surroundings, and economic works such as Reaganomics by Stephen Dubber and Steven Levitt and Boom Bust and Echo by David Foot. My fascination has also prompted me to compete in the Investors of Tomorrow Online Stock Market Challenge, where in the spring 2008 session, I finished first internationally by managing a portfolio that witnessed a 29% profit in twelve short weeks. The volatile nature of stocks and the economy aroused an parallel excitement within me, one that reached no such fervor in any other subject. Even for potentially mundane tasks such as the IB extended essay, my enthusiasm is reflected in my survey of five hundred participants, as part of my study of the effects of the recent wheat price inflation on a local bakery and on consumer behaviors. I need to satisfy my ever-growing appetite for economics, and University of Pennsylvania is the only school that will fulfill this hunger. At Penn, the wide-ranging selection of more than thirty-five courses investigates every crevice of economic science. The extensive undergraduate program of the Economics Department will allow me to explore the discipline of my choice, eliminating the problem of course limitations at other schools. As an immigrant, I am particularly drawn to international economics, specifically the rapid expansion of economy in China, my native country. I hope to conduct my own research, for example, to examine potential correlation between the surge in middle class wealth in China and the one-child policy. Valuable facilities such as the Penn Institute for Economic Research will accommodate and foster these aspirations. Also, I wish to study under the guidance of notable professors like Randall Wright and Jing Li, specialists in macroeconomics and microeconomics respectively, who will equip me with the necessary tools to enhance my own economic awareness. By exposing myself to a full spectrum of available resources, the undergraduate program will improve my analytical capacity and literacy in economics. In times of global recession and bleak economic state, Penn needs a dynamic, focused and distinguished individual who can expose a new solution to the same problem. Speaking of new perspective, factoring in negative externalities such as obesity and a greasy shirt, how much more does the Smokey Jack's Burger cost me? I hope to find the answer at Penn. Thanks for your time!!
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Here is my first draft. "To me, the most significant school activity is my student government job as the president of the League. Being one of the main leaders of the student union, I was responsible for the coordination of different apartments, the organization of three major evening shows every year and the various student activities. Working in the student union broadened my horizons in a significant way. Standing in front of a crowd, I learned how to express my thoughts in the most efficient way. I have understood that confidence and resolution really matter in terms of leadership. I used to have cold feet before making public speeches; now I can speak to a crowd with self-assurance. I can definitely say that I have brought fresh air into the student union, and student union has changed me into a better person. As the president of the League, dealing with people of different kinds was at first a challenge, but it soon turned out to be much rewarding. I never thought that making friends could be such an inspiring thing, but now I totally believe it. Finding out what students need and what they like was like a small adventure, and it always amazed me as I got to know people deeper. Every different life experience has made us into different people, and my student government job provided me the perfect opportunity to meet people and connect with them. The student union is like "the smaller society", where people can find whatever they will see in the real society. Working in the student union gives me the courage to fight for the right things, and the approach to make things happen by using my own ability. I know that things would not come to you if you do not want it badly enough. Every little task was like realizing a dream for me. I fought for the betterment of the students' life, and I have always felt satisfied for my hard work. I suppose that experience is a very important part of growing up. And my job at the student union has taught me many things that could not be learned through books. Every time when I finish a task or something, I always ask myself, "What have you learned? How would it help your future?" I had my successes, but I had setbacks, too. They made me feel painful, but more often I feel that failures are precious and worth my efforts. My student union job has been the most significant activity for me. It changed me and made me become mature and thoughtful. " Thank you!
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Here is my first draft. "To me, the most significant school activity is my student government job as the president of the League. Being one of the main leaders of the student union, I was responsible for the coordination of different apartments, the organization of three major evening shows every year and the various student activities. Working in the student union broadened my horizons significantly. Standing in front of a crowd, I learned how to express my thoughts in the most efficient way. I have understood that confidence and resolution really matter in terms of leadership. I used to have cold feet before making public speeches; now I can speak to a crowd with self-assurance. Furthermore, I can definitely say that I have brought fresh air into the student union, and student union has changed me into a better person. As the president of the League, dealing with people of different kinds was at first a challenge, but it soon turned out to be much rewarding. I never thought that making friends could be such an inspiring thing, but now I totally believe it. Finding out what students need and what they like was like a small adventure, and it always amazed me as I got to know people deeper. Every different life experience has made us into different people, and my student government job provided me the perfect opportunity to meet people and connect with them. The student union is like "the smaller society", where people can find whatever they will see in the real society. Working in the student union gives me the courage to fight for the right things, and the approach to make things happen by using my own ability. I know that things would not come to you if you do not want it badly enough. Every little task was like realizing a dream for me. I fought for the betterment of the students' life, and I have always felt satisfied for my hard work. I suppose that experience is a very important part of growing up. And my job at the student union has taught me many things that could not be learned through books. Every time when I finish a task or something, I always ask myself, "What have you learned? How would it help your future?" I had my successes, but I had setbacks, too. They made me feel painful, but more often I feel that failures are precious and worth my efforts. My student union job has been the most significant activity for me. It changed me and made me become mature and thoughtful. " Thank you!
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It was my first time to wear high heels. After a deep breath, I walked onto the stage: The magnesium lights were flashing my eyes and I was trying pretty hard to compose myself. Standing on the podium, I bowed, I smiled, and I started my speech. The topic was "2008, I'm learning". "2008 has been a year of surprises...I'm learning to see the meaning of life..." My instinct told me that something would be wrong. Facing the audience and the judges, I didn't feel the excitement I had expected. I was nervous! This competition was to be shown to the whole country and almost every high school student would watch this program! I told myself, "You can do it." But before long, I found myself totally blanked. I forgot my speech. Now that I think about it, I still praise myself for reacting so quickly. I said to myself: "you flew thousands of miles to Beijing, and you are not here to embarrass yourself!" Within a few milliseconds, I continued to talk, simply to avoid the awkward silence. I kept smiling, but I can clearly remember that I thought I was doomed. Everyone else was delivering their wonderful, well-prepared, inspiring speech, while I was there blabbering and smiling foolishly. The feeling of desperation flooded in my heart and all I wanted to do was run away. But I couldn't! The camera was on me and everybody in China would see me escaping as a coward! Then I gave up the thought and concentrated on what to say next. I was talking slowly, my voices contracted and I forgot my well-planned body movements. I didn't dare to look into the eyes of those judges because I was afraid that I might be distracted by them. Those several minutes were like a century to me. I finally finished, bowed again, and walked down. I looked ahead, because I didn't want people to see my disappointment. I was feeling depressed and nervous, and I couldn't stop thinking about my lousy speech up there. People will see this! I just delivered my worst speech (or my best impromptu speech) in CCTV! Things were getting complicated in my mind; I wanted to smile but tears welled up in my eyes, I wanted to cry but I still composed a smile because a camera was following me at the backstage. I squeezed a smile apologetically to the camera, and kept silent from then on. A fierce fight was going on in my head: maybe the judges couldn't tell that I was giving an impromptu speech! Maybe I was as good as other contestants! But it was really probable that I got eliminated from the first round! And then I started to remember those successful moments in my life -when I got my gold medals or ranked 1st in different competitions and performances held in my city, in my province or even in the southern area of China. From 6 to 17, I seldom experienced failure because I just have the knack of being the best in whatever area I'm competing. When I stood on stage I didn't have to worry about the results because I know I've worked hard and success would come to me. However, that day in CCTV was very different. When all the contestants lined up on the stage, the judges were giving comments on our performances. My hands were like ice. One of the judges, a very handsome English man ruthlessly pointed out my grammatical mistake: "When you say 'challenges' use 'them' but not 'it'." Without a doubt, I got eliminated. The program only allowed 10 people for the second round; I was not one of them. Luckily my rank in the 20 people was pretty close to 10, so this may be one good thing among all the upsetting events. After knowing the result, 10 of us walked off the stage. I had such a strong desire to cry; I walked directly into the bathroom and squatted on the floor, tears came out immediately. "It's over. The competition is over now." I had anticipated myself to be at least the third place of the national finals, but now everything had ended. On the plane back to Guangzhou, I kept thinking about my really unusual experience in Beijing, and I was looking at it from a different perspective. Yes, the program would be broadcasted and everyone would see it. So what? I'm still one of the best contestants comparing to those millions of high school students who didn't even have the opportunity to come to CCTV! I don't need a gold medal to prove myself. I know I'm far more than that xxx(my name) people see on TV. On the plane an American sat next to me and we had such a pleasant talk. He said that I could speak English better than anyone else he had ever encountered in China. I told myself: "if the experience is some test of your ability to handle failure, then you've passed it." I admit that I kind of messed up my one and only chance in high school to participate in such a big competition, but I wouldn't deny this is my best failure in my life. To know that you're good is something easy in life; to know that you can be better is much more valuable than winning a contest.
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It was my first time to wear high heels. After a deep breath, I walked onto the stage: The magnesium lights were flashing my eyes, and I was trying pretty hard to compose myself. Standing on the podium, I bowed, I smiled, and I started my speech. The topic was "2008, I'm learning". "2008 has been a year of surprises... I'm learning to see the meaning of life..." My instinct told me that something would be wrong. Facing the audience and the judges, I didn't feel the excitement I had expected. I was nervous! This competition was to be shown to the whole country and almost every high school student would watch this program! I told myself, "You can do it." But before long, I found myself totally blanked. I forgot my speech. Now that I think about it, I still praise myself for reacting so quickly. I said to myself: "you flew thousands of miles to Beijing, and you are not here to embarrass yourself!" Within a few milliseconds, I continued to talk, simply to avoid the awkward silence. I kept smiling, but I can clearly remember that I thought I was doomed. Everyone else was delivering their wonderful, well-prepared, inspiring speech, while I was there blabbering and smiling foolishly. The feeling of desperation flooded in my heart and all I wanted to do was run away. But I couldn't! The camera was on me and everybody in China would see me escaping as a coward! Then I gave up the thought and concentrated on what to say next. I was talking slowly, my voices contracted, and I forgot my well-planned body movements. I didn't dare to look into the eyes of those judges because I was afraid that I might be distracted by them. Those several minutes were like a century to me. I finally finished, bowed again, and walked down. I looked ahead, because I didn't want people to see my disappointment. Furthermore, I was feeling depressed and nervous, and I couldn't stop thinking about my lousy speech up there. People will see this! I just delivered my worst speech (or my best impromptu speech) in CCTV! Things were getting complicated in my mind; I wanted to smile, but tears welled up in my eyes, I wanted to cry, but I still composed a smile because a camera was following me at the backstage. I squeezed a smile apologetically to the camera, and kept silent from then on. A fierce fight was going on in my head: maybe the judges couldn't tell that I was giving an impromptu speech! Maybe I was as good as other contestants! But it was really probable that I got eliminated from the first round! And then I started to remember those successful moments in my life -when I got my gold medals or ranked 1st in different competitions and performances held in my city, in my province or even in the southern area of China. From 6 to 17, I seldom experienced failure because I just have the knack of being the best in whatever area I'm competing. When I stood on stage I didn't have to worry about the results because I know I've worked hard and success would come to me. However, that day in CCTV was very different. When all the contestants lined up on the stage, the judges were giving comments on our performances. My hands were like ice. One of the judges, a very handsome English man ruthlessly pointed out my grammatical mistake: "When you say 'challenges' use 'them' but not 'it'." Without a doubt, I got eliminated. The program only allowed 10 people for the second round; I was not one of them. Luckily my rank in the 20 people was pretty close to 10, so this may be one good thing among all the upsetting events. After knowing the result, 10 of us walked off the stage. I had such a strong desire to cry; I walked directly into the bathroom and squatted on the floor, tears came out immediately. "It's over. The competition is over now." I had anticipated myself to be at least the third place of the national finals, but now everything had ended. On the plane back to Guangzhou, I kept thinking about my really unusual experience in Beijing, and I was looking at it from a different perspective. Yes, the program would be broadcasted and everyone would see it. So what? I'm still one of the best contestants comparing to those millions of high school students who didn't even have the opportunity to come to CCTV! I don't need a gold medal to prove myself. Furthermore, I know I'm far more than that xxx(my name) people see on TV. On the plane an American sat next to me, and we had such a pleasant talk. He said that I could speak English better than anyone else he had ever encountered in China. I told myself: "if the experience is some test of your ability to handle failure, then you've passed it." I admit that I kind of messed up my one and only chance in high school to participate in such a big competition, but I wouldn't deny this is my best failure in my life. To know that you're good is something easy in life; to know that you can be better is much more valuable than winning a contest.
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Topic: please write a concise narrative in which you describe a meaningful event experience or accomplishment in your life and how it will affect your college experience or your contribution to the UF campus community. You may want to reflect on your family, your school or community activity or your involvement in areas outside of school. Winston Churchill once said "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." In my 17 years, life has dealt me some bad cards. But, for every bad experience I decided to view it in a positive aspect. If you seek for the bad in every thing, then you will never know what it feels like to discover the good. Growing up I have had to witness my mother struggle alone as a single parent. This is a formidable sight that no child should bear to see. Coming to America from Jamaica at the tender age of 17, my mother built a life for herself through perseverance and prayer. She paved her way through nursing school and became a LPN. However, even as a LPN, it wasn't easy raising a child, especially without any outside assistance. Nevertheless, no matter what vulnerable situation we were in she managed to paste a smile on her face for my sake. But, she was incognizant of the fact that I could detect her sadness through those translucent smiles. For years, she juggled two jobs to assure my happiness. Never once did she make me feel like I could not have the world. Experiencing her battle strengthened my determination to make sure that one day I could offer her the world. From the minute I was born, my mother knew that I was going to be someone more than her; someone she would be proud of. While other kids would be reading their comic books, I would be swept up in my mother's medical books. Just like that I instantly developed a passion for medicine. With the medical field being so broad, the next step I would have to face would be discovering which area of study I want to specialize in. I was hit with destiny in the summer of 2006. My mother and I visited our family in Kingston, Jamaica. While there we visited a children's hospital. The sight of the children was a heavy blow to my heart. The hospital was crowded with sick abandoned children born from teenage parents. The glum look in their eyes haunts me until this day. Right then and there I made a solid vow to become a pediatrician and make a difference in children's lives. Extracting the good from both challenging experiences in my life has molded me into who I am today; a driven and hard working student that has a vision and will not lose sight of her goals. At the University of Florida, when I am faced with all the negative obstacles that life has in store for me, I will overcome them with optimism and convert the negative into something motivating.
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Topic: please write a concise narrative in which you describe a meaningful event experience or accomplishment in your life and how it will affect your college experience or your contribution to the OF campus community. You may want to reflect on your family, your school or community activity or your involvement in areas outside of school. Winston Churchill once said "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." In my 17 years, life has dealt me some bad cards. But, for every bad experience I decided to view it in a positive aspect. If you seek for the bad in every thing, then you will never know what it feels like to discover the good. Growing up I have had to witness my mother struggle alone as a single parent. This is a formidable sight that no child should bear to see. Coming to America from Jamaica at the tender age of 17, my mother built a life for herself through perseverance and prayer. She paved her way through nursing school and became a LPN. However, even as a LPN, it wasn't easy raising a child, especially without any outside assistance. Nevertheless, no matter what vulnerable situation we were in she managed to paste a smile on her face for my sake. But, she was in cognizant of the fact that I could detect her sadness through those translucent smiles. For years, she juggled two jobs to assure my happiness. Never once did she make me feel like I could not have the world. Experiencing her battle strengthened my determination to make sure that one day I could offer her the world. From the minute I was born, my mother knew that I was going to be someone more than her; someone she would be proud of. While other kids would be reading their comic books, I would be swept up in my mother's medical books. Just like that I instantly developed a passion for medicine. With the medical field being so broad, the next step I would have to face would be discovering which area of study I want to specialize in. I was hit with destiny in the summer of 2006. My mother and I visited our family in Kingston, Jamaica. While there we visited a children's hospital. The sight of the children was a heavy blow to my heart. The hospital was crowded with sick abandoned children born from teenage parents. The glum look in their eyes haunts me until this day. Right then and there I made a solid vow to become a pediatrician and make a difference in children's lives. Extracting the good from both challenging experiences in my life has molded me into who I am today; a driven and hardworking student that has a vision and will not lose sight of her goals. At the University of Florida, when I am faced with all the negative obstacles that life has in store for me, I will overcome them with optimism and convert the negative into something motivating.
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Since I can remember, I have been a dancer. The first gift I remember receiving as a toddler was a teal and purple sequined tutu which I flaunted for a good portion of my early years. I was enrolled in dance classes at the age of 3 and they became my life. When I wasn't in class, I was wearing my sparkly tutu performing for my family and neighbors. As much as I loved dance, after preschool, most of my dance friends began to branch out into various sports as they became available. Feeling like dance was for babies, I too eventually joined a soccer league. My team was horrific; we lost every game we ever played, including the match against our parents. Devastated by my failure, I dabbled in multiple other sports before realizing that athleticism was simply was not going to happen for me. I concealed my true embarrassment of my failures by making jokes about my own lack of athletic coordination and gave up entirely- refocusing my efforts solely towards lyrical and jazz. Sometime in the middle of my junior year I realized that my fear of failure was inhibiting me from leading a fully satisfying life. I thought back to the days when I was not afraid to try anything and determined that the inception of my self-consciousness was my pride. As ironic as that is, I was too proud to admit that I wasn't the best at something and my jokes ended up defining what I am capable of in the eyes of others. Sickened by my epiphany, I decided it was time to reinvent myself. My first task was to conquer the initial cause of my problem: Sports. Unionville's tennis team is among the best in the area so I decided to go for the challenge. After a summer packed with tennis lesson after tennis lesson, try-outs came around and I made the made the team-bottom tier JV- but the team nonetheless. As small of an accomplishment as this was in the grand scheme of my life, it made a huge difference in my way of thinking. Since tennis season ended, I have proven to myself that I have successfully made a new name for myself. I decided junior year that it was time for the ultimate test of self confidence so I ran for president of the National Honor Society and, sure enough, was not elected. The proof of my changed image lay in my rejection, however, because even though I was not chosen to lead the club, as a result, I was later rewarded with the opportunity to represent my school at the NHS conference in Orlando, Florida. My newfound realization that it is ok to step away from what you are good at to try something new will provide me with many opportunities at the University of Florida. I am coming in with no inhibitions, ready to try anything and everything, which is the only way to come out a successful, well-rounded member of society.
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Since I can remember, I have been a dancer. The first gift I remember receiving as a toddler was a teal and purple sequined tutu which I flaunted for a good portion of my early years. I was enrolled in dance classes at the age of 3, and they became my life. When I wasn't in class, I was wearing my sparkly tutu performing for my family and neighbors. As much as I loved dance, after preschool, most of my dance friends began to branch out into various sports as they became available. Feeling like dance was for babies, I too eventually joined a soccer league. My team was horrific; we lost every game we ever played, including the match against our parents. Devastated by my failure, I dabbled in multiple other sports before realizing that athleticism was simply was not going to happen for me. I concealed my true embarrassment of my failures by making jokes about my own lack of athletic coordination and gave up entirely-refocusing my efforts solely towards lyrical and jazz. Sometime in the middle of my junior year I realized that my fear of failure was inhibiting me from leading a fully satisfying life. I thought back to the days when I was not afraid to try anything and determined that the inception of my self-consciousness was my pride. As ironic as that is, I was too proud to admit that I wasn't the best at something and my jokes ended up defining what I am capable of in the eyes of others. Sickened by my epiphany, I decided it was time to reinvent myself. My first task was to conquer the initial cause of my problem: Sports. Zionville's tennis team is among the best in the area, so I decided to go for the challenge. After a summer packed with tennis lesson after tennis lesson, try-outs came around, and I made the team-bottom tier JV- but the team nonetheless. As small of an accomplishment as this was in the grand scheme of my life, it made a huge difference in my way of thinking. Since tennis season ended, I have proven to myself that I have successfully made a new name for myself. I decided junior year that it was time for the ultimate test of self-confidence, so I ran for president of the National Honor Society and, sure enough, was not elected. The proof of my changed image lay in my rejection, however, because even though I was not chosen to lead the club, as a result, I was later rewarded with the opportunity to represent my school at the NHS conference in Orlando, Florida. My newfound realization that it is ok to step away from what you are good at to try something new will provide me with many opportunities at the University of Florida. I am coming in with no inhibitions, ready to try anything and everything, which is the only way to come out a successful, well-rounded member of society.
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Finding something to be passionate about is the greatest gift life can offer. A life without passion is a life without love, meaning, or purpose. My passion lies on the dance floor. Stress melts away, happiness radiates through me as I pirouette around and around, sadness falls like sweat as a sense of relief and rejuvenation consumes me. Dance is an outlet for my emotions, physical discipline for my body, and a means through which I can channel my creative energy. There is so much emphasis placed on kids getting involved in sports that people overlook the importance of the performing arts. Dance is something I can easily make a lifetime commitment to, while most sports are limited in their ability to have any long-term importance.
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Finding something to be passionate about is the greatest gift life can offer. A life without passion is a life without love, meaning, or purpose. My passion lies on the dance floor. Stress melts away, happiness radiates through me as I pirouette around and around, sadness falls like sweat as a sense of relief and rejuvenation consumes me. Dance is an outlet for my emotions, physical discipline for my body, and a means through which I can channel my creative energy. There is so much emphasis placed on kids getting involved in sports that people overlook the importance of the performing arts. Dance is something I can easily make a lifetime commitment to, while most sports are limited in their ability to have any long-term importance.
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I began my career as a Mock Trial lawyer during my sophomore year of high school. Several of my classmates and I formed Ensworth's very first competitive Mock Trial team. Since we were the school's first Mock Trial team, we were learning and adapting along the way. Our school provided us with an excellent coach - a professional trial lawyer. From then on, we began our journey into the exciting and often complex world of Mock Trial We worked during our bi-weekly meetings and practices, at first only two hours each, but as we neared the competition date, practices stretched to six hours a day and were all-consuming. In the beginning, we attended an actual court trial in order to learn all the little tips and tricks on how to handle an opposing witness and keep them within the confines of hisher original statement. We worked on looking at the witness depositions from a variety of perspectives. All of our efforts allowed for a successful first year for our Mock Trial team, placing 5th overall and 1st out of the rookie teams. Not only did our team succeed, but I also achieved success on a personal level. Mock Trail has shaped me into a dedicated and efficient worker. I often had to give up my Saturday social time to work with my coach and perfect an opening statement or a cross examination of a witness, but I did so willingly. I began to look forward to the intellectual sparring with my peers and I grew to love the work. Mock Trial challenged me to think in ways that many of my school courses did not. It increased my ability to work meticulously and look at situations in a more analytical manner. Whether in a classroom debate or a casual conversation, I have been able to bring a fresh new perspective to the exchange due to my newfound skills. In addition, Mock Trial has increased my work ethic, allowing me to leave no stone unturned in my search for knowledge. Even if I do not continue to participate in Mock Trial, I know I will be able to transfer the abilities I have acquired from my dedication and commitment to the program to other aspects of my life. Thanks!
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I began my career as a Mock Trial lawyer during my sophomore year of high school. Several of my classmates and I formed Ens worth's very first competitive Mock Trial team. Since we were the school's first Mock Trial team, we were learning and adapting along the way. Our school provided us with an excellent coach - a professional trial lawyer. From then on, we began our journey into the exciting and often complex world of Mock Trial We worked during our bi-weekly meetings and practices, at first only two hours each, but as we neared the competition date, practices stretched to six hours a day and were all-consuming. In the beginning, we attended an actual court trial in order to learn all the little tips and tricks on how to handle an opposing witness and keep them within the confines of higher original statement. We worked on looking at the witness depositions from a variety of perspectives. All of our efforts allowed for a successful first year for our Mock Trial team, placing 5th overall and 1st out of the rookie teams. Not only did our team succeed, but I also achieved success on a personal level. Mock Trail has shaped me into a dedicated and efficient worker. I often had to give up my Saturday social time to work with my coach and perfect an opening statement or a cross-examination of a witness, but I did so willingly. I began to look forward to the intellectual sparring with my peers and I grew to love the work. Mock Trial challenged me to think in ways that many of my school courses did not. It increased my ability to work meticulously and look at situations in a more analytical manner. Whether in a classroom debate or a casual conversation, I have been able to bring a fresh new perspective to the exchange due to my newfound skills. In addition, Mock Trial has increased my work ethic, allowing me to leave no stone unturned in my search for knowledge. Even if I do not continue to participate in Mock Trial, I know I will be able to transfer the abilities I have acquired from my dedication and commitment to the program to other aspects of my life. Thanks!
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Over the course of the past four years, I feel that I have greatly contributed to my community. Whether I am volunteering at my local first aid squad or spending time at an after school organization, I am always ready to lead in any activity. Leadership, to me, is the ability to make choices and herd a group of people in the right direction. With the ability to lead, I hope to make a difference not only in my life, but others as well. That is why volunteering is such a big part of my life. During the summer of 2006, I joined the Marlboro First Aid Squad. Joining this organization also advanced my skills in leadership. But to my realization, I was on the "bottom" of the list; I did not know anything about the rules or procedures of the squad. I had compromise with myself and lay my ego aside as I asked somebody else for help. I sat there intently listening to the speaker as he explained to me the rules and procedures of the building. During his lesson, he would stop and ask me if I had any questions. To my surprise, I would be baffled and questions would come pouring out of my mouth. I do not know everything; I wish I did, but I do not. That is why I have to listen to my fellow cadets and follow their instructions. Eventually, I gained the knowledge that I needed. I had to take certain procedures such as enrolling myself in CPR and EMT classes in order to obtain all the information. Throughout this experienced I learned that I had to be led in order to lead. I must be willing to let other teach me so I that I can eventually do the same. This lesson I learned does not only pertain the Marlboro First Aid Squad, but also to other situations that I will encounter as life goes on. This is why I feel that my leadership skills will help me throughout my college years. I look back now and I realized that if I had let my ego get in the way, then I would have never been taught the knowledge that I needed. By going to Rutgers, I am hoping that I can learn not only academically wise but also lessons that will help me throughout life. I also hope to reciprocate my knowledge and demonstrate my leadership skills. Ever since I was young, I was always being compared to my siblings and cousins. Unfortunately, nothing ever good was said when I was being talked about, academic wise. My parents would always support me upfront, but when I wasn't looking, I knew that they did not believe in what they say to me. That is not to say that I did not love my parents. As a matter of fact, I loved them very much and that is why their so call "support" affected me so much. The first two years of my high school experience is something I wish I could start over. With the lack of "real" support of my parents, I felt like that I could not achieve anything. Towards the end of my sophomore year, our report cards were distributed during homeroom. I looked down at my grades and then at my cousins; I folded my report card in shame. That night when I showed my parents my report card, I could see the disappointment in their eyes as they do me that I could do it as long as I tried my hardest. As they left my room, I closed the door and slumped onto my bed. I have never had the feeling that I was currently undergoing. I felt that I had let my parents down. After countless hours of staring at the ceiling and reminiscing of my past academic experiences, I realized that something had to be done. I came to the conclusion that I had to put forth all my efforts into my academic life. For the first time, I realized that this had nothing to do with my parents, but instead I will do this for me, for "my" sake. The revelation I had that night definitely changed my outlook of school. My grades were improving, but I knew nothing drastic was going to happen to my grade point average; the damage has already been made. By going to Montclair, I hope that I can start over and start a clean plate. Throughout the struggle of my high school experience, there were several activates that I did do well in and actually enjoyed doing it. These activities included volunteering at my local church and the first aid squad and joining clubs at my school. The reason why these activities appealed to me is because it would give me a chance to make a difference in somebody's life who needs it just as how I needed it. Even though, these activities don't help in the academic section, they do help in many other ways. For example, by joining the Marlboro First Aid Squad, I am able to help the person physically. As a senior, I look back at the past and I wondered if I had someone there to help me, would that have made a difference in my life? If I had someone who motivated me all the way and was there to help me, yes, it would have made a difference. Whether the impact may be big or small, I will still get a feeling of justice just knowing that I made a positive impact on somebody's life. The flares of sirens and the indistinctive commotion awoke me from my peaceful slumber. My brother ran into my room to inform me that our grandfather had fallen and fractured his skull. I ran downstairs to see the paramedic and first aid personnel attending to my grandfather. That moment was a life-altering experience for me. Watching all these heroic personnel inspired me to become just like them. During the summer of 2006, I signed up to become an active part of the community by joining the Marlboro First Aid Squad. As I walked to the building, my mind wandered back to the incident of my grandfather and I thought about all the miraculous and life-saving tasks I would be doing. I wanted to be a hero and change somebody's life just as the paramedics helped change my grandfather's life. I went into the building with my expectations high, only to be disappointed. My high and glorious dreams of doing something heroic were shattered when I looked around only to see my fellow members watching television and eating their food. I introduced myself to them and I asked about previous emergency calls that they had embarked on. I sat there being captivated by their stories. As I listened, the more I wanted to be "out there" accomplishing something instead of sitting in here doing nothing. As time passed, my patience began to grow weary. My time at the building was almost over and I realized that I had not done anything. Disappointed, I left my shift at my expected time and hoped that the next time would be more gratifying. After a month upon arrival, I had not been allowed to execute any tasks. One day as I was flipping through the channels of the television, the captain of the Marlboro First Aid Squad came up to me and asked me what my purpose of joining the organization was. I explained to him the reason why I wanted to volunteer here and as I was explaining, I noticed a stern look appear on his face. All of a sudden, he said to me, "Get off your lazy butt and go talk to the advisor to sign up for a CPR class." Stunned and angry, I sat there helplessly as he walked away. I leaned back against the seat and realized that that captain was right and that noting was going to get accomplished unless I put my full effort into it. I got up from the seat, found the advisor, and signed up for a CPR class. Gradually, I increased my job position just by registering myself in a CPR class. Eventually, I even earned the title "cadet" which opened the door for much more opportunities, because now, I was able to ride the ambulance! At last, I could help save somebody's life. Unfortunately, the captain came up to me and informed me the rules of being a cadet. It came to my attention that all I could do was help load the patient onto the ambulance. I could not actually "help" the patient. I was still limited in my work and therefore, still could not perform heroic deeds. It dawned on me that I had to take another step in order to upgrade my work. Therefore, I enrolled myself in another class- this time to become an EMT. The classes were held on Monday and Wednesday nights for three hours and on Saturday mornings for approximately five hours. In due course, I completed the class and I was ready to go on the emergency calls. One day, as I was getting ready to return home form the building, the radios went off and announced that help was needed. I dashed to the closet, grabbed an EMT jacked, and raced to the ambulance. As the ambulances were backing out of the garage, my mind wandered to the incident of my grandfather. The once "indistinctive commotion" was now not so indistinctive. "Finally, I am able to fulfill my goal," I thought to myself; I reminisced of my past experiences at the building. Nothing in life comes easy. I was aware that accomplishing my goal was tedious work and some might even say that it was too much. But the hard work, the determination, and the effort all alone were worth the struggle. THANKS :) any criticism will be appreciated :)
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Over the course of the past four years, I feel that I have greatly contributed to my community. Whether I am volunteering at my local first aid squad or spending time at an after school organization, I am always ready to lead in any activity. Leadership, to me, is the ability to make choices and herd a group of people in the right direction. With the ability to lead, I hope to make a difference not only in my life, but others as well. That is why volunteering is such a big part of my life. During the summer of 2006, I joined the Marlboro First Aid Squad. Joining this organization also advanced my skills in leadership. But to my realization, I was on the "bottom" of the list; I did not know anything about the rules or procedures of the squad. I had compromise with myself and lay my ego aside as I asked somebody else for help. I sat there intently listening to the speaker as he explained to me the rules and procedures of the building. During his lesson, he would stop and ask me if I had any questions. To my surprise, I would be baffled and questions would come pouring out of my mouth. I do not know everything; I wish I did, but I do not. That is why I have to listen to my fellow cadets and follow their instructions. Eventually, I gained the knowledge that I needed. I had to take certain procedures such as enrolling myself in CPR and EMT classes in order to obtain all the information. Throughout this experienced I learned that I had to be led in order to lead. I must be willing to let others teach me, so I that I can eventually do the same. This lesson I learned does not only pertain the Marlboro First Aid Squad, but also to other situations that I will encounter as life goes on. This is why I feel that my leadership skills will help me throughout my college years. I look back now, and I realized that if I had let my ego get in the way, then I would have never been taught the knowledge that I needed. By going to Rutgers, I am hoping that I can learn not only academically wise but also lessons that will help me throughout life. I also hope to reciprocate my knowledge and demonstrate my leadership skills. Ever since I was young, I was always being compared to my siblings and cousins. Unfortunately, nothing ever good was said when I was being talked about, academic wise. My parents would always support me upfront, but when I wasn't looking, I knew that they did not believe in what they say to me. That is not to say that I did not love my parents. As a matter of fact, I loved them very much and that is why their so call "support" affected me so much. The first two years of my high school experience is something I wish I could start over. With the lack of "real" support of my parents, I felt like that I could not achieve anything. Towards the end of my sophomore year, our report cards were distributed during homeroom. I looked down at my grades and then at my cousins; I folded my report card in shame. That night when I showed my parents my report card, I could see the disappointment in their eyes as they do me that I could do it as long as I tried my hardest. As they left my room, I closed the door and slumped onto my bed. I have never had the feeling that I was currently undergoing. I felt that I had let my parents down. After countless hours of staring at the ceiling and reminiscing of my past academic experiences, I realized that something had to be done. I came to the conclusion that I had to put forth all my efforts into my academic life. For the first time, I realized that this had nothing to do with my parents, but instead I will do this for me, for "my" sake. The revelation I had that night definitely changed my outlook of school. My grades were improving, but I knew nothing drastic was going to happen to my grade point average; the damage has already been made. By going to Montclair, I hope that I can start over and start a clean plate. Throughout the struggle of my high school experience, there were several activates that I did do well in and actually enjoyed doing it. These activities included volunteering at my local church and the first aid squad and joining clubs at my school. The reason why these activities appealed to me is that it would give me a chance to make a difference in somebody's life who needs it just as how I needed it. Even though, these activities don't help in the academic section, they do help in many other ways. For example, by joining the Marlboro First Aid Squad, I am able to help the person physically. As a senior, I look back at the past and I wondered if I had someone there to help me, would that have made a difference in my life? If I had someone who motivated me all the way and was there to help me, yes, it would have made a difference. Whether the impact may be big or small, I will still get a feeling of justice just knowing that I made a positive impact on somebody's life. The flares of sirens and the in distinctive commotion awoke me from my peaceful slumber. My brother ran into my room to inform me that our grandfather had fallen and fractured his skull. I ran downstairs to see the paramedic and first aid personnel attending to my grandfather. That moment was a life-altering experience for me. Watching all these heroic personnel inspired me to become just like them. During the summer of 2006, I signed up to become an active part of the community by joining the Marlboro First Aid Squad. As I walked to the building, my mind wandered back to the incident of my grandfather and I thought about all the miraculous and life-saving tasks I would be doing. I wanted to be a hero and change somebody's life just as the paramedics helped change my grandfather's life. I went into the building with my expectations high, only to be disappointed. My high and glorious dreams of doing something heroic were shattered when I looked around only to see my fellow members watching television and eating their food. I introduced myself to them and I asked about previous emergency calls that they had embarked on. I sat there being captivated by their stories. As I listened, the more I wanted to be "out there" accomplishing something instead of sitting in here doing nothing. As time passed, my patience began to grow weary. My time at the building was almost over, and I realized that I had not done anything. Disappointed, I left my shift at my expected time and hoped that the next time would be more gratifying. After a month upon arrival, I had not been allowed to execute any tasks. One day as I was flipping through the channels of the television, the captain of the Marlboro First Aid Squad came up to me and asked me what my purpose of joining the organization was. I explained to him the reason why I wanted to volunteer here and as I was explaining, I noticed a stern look appear on his face. All of a sudden, he said to me, "Get off your lazy butt and go talk to the advisor to sign up for a CPR class." Stunned and angry, I sat there helplessly as he walked away. I leaned back against the seat and realized that that captain was right and that noting was going to get accomplished unless I put my full effort into it. I got up from the seat, found the advisor, and signed up for a CPR class. Gradually, I increased my job position just by registering myself in a CPR class. Eventually, I even earned the title "cadet" which opened the door for much more opportunities, because now, I was able to ride the ambulance! At last, I could help save somebody's life. Unfortunately, the captain came up to me and informed me the rules of being a cadet. It came to my attention that all I could do was help load the patient onto the ambulance. I could not actually "help" the patient. I was still limited in my work and therefore, still could not perform heroic deeds. It dawned on me that I had to take another step in order to upgrade my work. Therefore, I enrolled myself in another class-this time to become an EMT. The classes were held on Monday and Wednesday nights for three hours and on Saturday mornings for approximately five hours. In due course, I completed the class, and I was ready to go on the emergency calls. One day, as I was getting ready to return home form the building, the radios went off and announced that help was needed. I dashed to the closet, grabbed an EMT jacked, and raced to the ambulance. As the ambulances were backing out of the garage, my mind wandered to the incident of my grandfather. The once "in distinctive commotion" was now not so in distinctive. "Finally, I am able to fulfill my goal," I thought to myself; I reminisced of my experiences at the building. Nothing in life comes easy. I was aware that accomplishing my goal was tedious work and some might even say that it was too much. But the hard work, the determination, and the effort all alone were worth the struggle. THANKS :) any criticism will be appreciated :)
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In my search for the right college the University of Pennsylvania stood out and summoned me to visit in a way that no other school, even though it was just pictures and numbers. On my first campus visit Penn came to life; even early on a July morning I felt like I could be Penn student. My tour guide Annie took us through the campus detailing each building, I could feel as if the information folder I had in my hand was really for my EAS 101 class and that I was heading to library to do homework. I successfully navigated around the center of the compass, not stepping over the center, in fear of failing my first midterm here at Penn. On a more recent visit to campus Locust Walk was alive with activity. I could feel the pride of every student, and I finally saw that it was the students that make Penn Penn. Penn curriculum offers me the chance to explore my options intellectually. There is no path carved in stone for me to follow. At SEAS each aspect of engineering is unique and to work on lab experiments as a freshman in each division allows me to find my focus for my studies at Penn. I look forward to studying engineering in SEAS and adding to my education with classes in business at the Wharton school or physics and history in the College of Arts and Sciences. The flexibility at Penn allows me to pursue my degree through my own personalized road map. Ever since I was young I have questioned how things work. To answer this I usually took it apart and rebuilt it, or spent hours watching "How Its Made" on the Discovery channel. The one thing that I couldn't quite understand was the inner workings of a computer. After ordering all the necessary parts and putting it together, I had a much better understanding of how each part of the computer work in sync with the other. Penn offers me an abundance of resources to pursue this interest on an even greater scale, whether it's by conducting research on nano technology or by taking ESE 112 and learning how to make a robot dance. It is not academics alone that attract me to Penn. The unique dorm living of a college housing system allows me to live and to study with students and professors that share my passions. Penn athletics draw the school community together to toss some toast in our honor of old Penn. As a Penn student, there are many activities to participate in. For engineers who want to give back to the community, like me, there is Engineers without Borders, and also Communitech. Engineers can also have fun in their activities such as competing in the RoboCup. I would enjoy being a part of The Ben Franklin Racing and Red & Blue Racing teams because it combines my love of cars with every different type of engineering. I have been a golfer and a skier since I was small and I would enjoy playing golf with Penn Golf Association and the skiing for the Penn Ski & Snowboard team while at Penn. My list of interests is long and the options are large at Penn. The city of Philadelphia will be at my doorstep, rich in history and culture and open 24 hours a day for exploration. The feel of a vibrant university, to be an integral part of the quest for learning, the flexible interdisciplinary approach to my degree, the ability to do research with renowned Professors in their fields, the student eagerness to work learn and contribute make the solution to my equation X= no where else but Penn.
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In my search for the right college the University of Pennsylvania stood out and summoned me to visit in a way that no other school, even though it was just pictures and numbers. On my first campus visit Penn came to life; even early on a July morning I felt like I could be Penn student. My tour guide Annie took us through the campus detailing each building, I could feel as if the information folder I had in my hand was really for my EAS 101 class and that I was heading to library to do homework. I successfully navigated around the center of the compass, not stepping over the center, in fear of failing my first midterm here at Penn. On a more recent visit to campus Locust Walk was alive with activity. I could feel the pride of every student, and I finally saw that it was the students that make Penn. Penn curriculum offers me the chance to explore my options intellectually. There is no path carved in stone for me to follow. At SEAS each aspect of engineering is unique and to work on lab experiments as a freshman in each division allows me to find my focus for my studies at Penn. I look forward to studying engineering in SEAS and adding to my education with classes in business at the Wharton School or physics and history in the College of Arts and Sciences. The flexibility at Penn allows me to pursue my degree through my own personalized road map. Ever since I was young I have questioned how things work. To answer this I usually took it apart and rebuilt it, or spent hours watching "How Its Made" on the Discovery Channel. The one thing that I couldn't quite understand was the inner workings of a computer. After ordering all the necessary parts and putting it together, I had a much better understanding of how each part of the computer work in sync with the other. Penn offers me an abundance of resources to pursue this interest on an even greater scale, whether it's by conducting research on nanotechnology or by taking ESE 112 and learning how to make a robot dance. It is not academics alone that attract me to Penn. The unique dorm living of a college housing system allows me to live and to study with students and professors that share my passions. Penn's athletics draw the school community together to toss some toast in our honor of old Penn. As a Penn student, there are many activities to participate in. For engineers who want to give back to the community, like me, there are Engineers without Borders, and also Community. Engineers can also have fun in their activities such as competing in the Robocop. I would enjoy being a part of The Ben Franklin Racing and Red camp; Blue Racing teams because it combines my love of cars with every different type of engineering. I have been a golfer and a skier since I was small, and I would enjoy playing golf with Penn Golf Association and the skiing for the Penn Ski camp; Snowboard team while at Penn. My list of interests is long and the options are large at Penn. The city of Philadelphia will be at my doorstep, rich in history and culture and open 24 hours a day for exploration. The feel of a vibrant university, to be an integral part of the quest for learning, the flexible interdisciplinary approach to my degree, the ability to do research with renowned Professors in their fields, the student eagerness to work learn and contribute make the solution to my equation X= no where else but Penn.
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What I have learned from my family is that even though money sounds like the best thing in the world right now, when I get older, I better not let my life revolve around money. The one thing I cannot do is let myself get mesmerized by the business world. I will definitely go to college, have a career, and make money but I am going to make sure to spend time with my family. Money cannot buy happiness. Yes, with money I can afford to eat at the most expensive restaurants and have the most elaborate furniture, but a couch is never going to return my love. My wife and children are going to return my love. I have been lucky enough to be part of a family that cares and loves deeply for one another. A bond that is centered around so much love that one would willingly jump in front of a moving car to save the life of another member of the family. This is the everlasting bond that I have learned to be a part of. I come from a big family, and when I look around and see my parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and the rest of my family, I see that they are all happiest when they are with their families; not when they are out spending money. My family is a low income family. We have been on and off food stamps but we are happy, and that is what truly matters in life. Of course times have been harsh where we had to cut down on certain luxuries but even during those times we were happy. We still all loved each other, and it was times like that that made us even closer. I know that when I have a family, I am going to make sure to spend time with my wife and children. I will attend my children's school plays and graduations, and I will always be there watching them grow. I have seen my cousins get married and I have seen the expression on my mother's face when she gave birth, and never have I seen them happier. I have learned that the true meaning of living is loving and caring for one another and I am never going to forget that. I have learned what makes the perfect family because I have been exposed to it my whole life. It has nothing to do with money, but everything to do with ones love for one another. Nikolaos Koskinas
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What I have learned from my family is that even though money sounds like the best thing in the world right now, when I get older, I better not let my life revolve around money. The one thing I cannot do is let myself get mesmerized by the business world. I will definitely go to college, have a career, and make money, but I am going to make sure to spend time with my family. Money cannot buy happiness. Yes, with money I can afford to eat at the most expensive restaurants and have the most elaborate furniture, but a couch is never going to return my love. My wife and children are going to return my love. I have been lucky enough to be part of a family that cares and loves deeply for one another. A bond that is centered around so much love that one would willingly jump in front of a moving car to save the life of another member of the family. This is the everlasting bond that I have learned to be a part of. I come from a big family, and when I look around and see my parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and the rest of my family, I see that they are all happiest when they are with their families; not when they are out spending money. My family is a low income family. We have been on and off food stamps, but we are happy, and that is what truly matters in life. Of course times have been harsh where we had to cut down on certain luxuries but even during those times we were happy. We still all loved each other, and it was times like that that made us even closer. I know that when I have a family, I am going to make sure to spend time with my wife and children. I will attend my children's school plays and graduations, and I will always be there watching them grow. Furthermore, I have seen my cousins get married, and I have seen the expression on my mother's face when she gave birth, and never have I seen them happier. Furthermore, I have learned that the true meaning of living is loving and caring for one another, and I am never going to forget that. Furthermore, I have learned what makes the perfect family because I have been exposed to it my whole life. It has nothing to do with money, but everything to do with ones love for one another. Nikolas Hopkins
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As of late, the college admission process has largely become a quantitative process. Today's applicants find and apply to schools that match their scores and statistics, but not their interests. How well an applicant's grades and scores match up with the average statistics of the university is an important factor in deciding which schools to apply to, but it should not be overshadowed by the fact that the school first needs to match the applicant's interests, attributes, and needs. One needs to imagine himself at the university in question, and should decide to attend that school only if he feels as if he could not imagine himself anywhere else. I am lucky enough to have found my dream school already. I cannot imagine spending the next four years of my life anywhere other than the marvelous community of Emory University. There are many reasons why Emory is perfect for me. My ideal college would provide me with the tools to not just achieve success, but would also enable me better the world around me. Emory's mission is "to create, preserve, teach, and apply knowledge in the service of humanity." I believe that it is important for students to develop and mature during their university years, and Emory makes sure of this. It places much emphasis on ethics and has an unparalleled commitment to creating responsible and humane leaders. Of all the colleges I have researched during my admissions process, none have captivated me as much as Emory. Almost every night for the last month or so, I have began to imagine myself actually at Emory. Every night before I drift off to sleep, I see myself as a part of the Emory community. I see myself with an unknown but friendly roommate in Dobbs Hall. I see myself eating lunch with friends at the DUC. I see myself studying overnight in the Candler Library. I see myself in listening to the professor as he speaks during an Advanced Corporate Finance class in the Goizueta Business School. I see myself playing recreational tennis and basketball at the Clairmont Campus. I see myself being dismissed from class by a particular friendly skeleton during Dooley week. And finally, I see myself as a mature, responsible, and intelligent individual, the type of person that can only result from an Emory education. Please critique my essay. Thanks a lot!
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As of late, the college admission process has largely become a quantitative process. Today's applicants find and apply to schools that match their scores and statistics, but not their interests. How well an applicant's grades and scores match up with the average statistics of the university is an important factor in deciding which schools to apply to, but it should not be overshadowed by the fact that the school first needs to match the applicant's interests, attributes, and needs. One needs to imagine himself at the university in question, and should decide to attend that school only if he feels as if he could not imagine himself anywhere else. I am lucky enough to have found my dream school already. I cannot imagine spending the next four years of my life anywhere other than the marvelous community of Emory University. There are many reasons why Emory is perfect for me. My ideal college would provide me with the tools to not just achieve success, but would also enable me better the world around me. Emory's mission is "to create, preserve, teach, and apply knowledge in the service of humanity." I believe that it is important for students to develop and mature during their university years, and Emory makes sure of this. It places much emphasis on ethics and has an unparalleled commitment to creating responsible and humane leaders. Of all the colleges I have researched during my admissions process, none have captivated me as much as Emory. Almost every night for the last month or so, I have begun to imagine myself actually at Emory. Every night before I drift off to sleep, I see myself as a part of the Emory community. I see myself with an unknown but friendly roommate in Dobbs Hall. I see myself eating lunch with friends at the DUE. Furthermore, I see myself studying overnight in the Candler Library. Furthermore, I see myself in listening to the professor as he speaks during an Advanced Corporate Finance class in the Goleta Business School. Furthermore, I see myself playing recreational tennis and basketball at the Claremont Campus. Furthermore, I see myself being dismissed from class by a particular friendly skeleton during Dooley week. And finally, I see myself as a mature, responsible, and intelligent individual, the type of person that can only result from an Emory education. Please critique my essay. Thanks a lot!
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Growing up in Silver Springs, Maryland is one experience no child easily forgets. Silver Springs has a beautiful climate which has four almost perfect seasons, part of Montgomery county, one of the richest counties in Maryland and an educational system comparable to an Ivy League school. Contrary to the vast opportunities I had, life at home was not something every child dreams of. I was the product of an unstable single mother with drug and alcohol addictions and a nearly useless father who lived nearly 1000 miles away. Despite this, I thought I lived a considerably good life. I always knew my mother loved me and wanted the best for her children but did not understand what was best for me. In June 1999, my mother made a decision that would change my life forever. It happened almost instantly, I found myself packing up all my belongings that could fit in a small red suitcase being reminded to only pack the necessities. Soon my 12 year old sister and I were waving goodbye to mommy on a compact greyhound bus. Our destination was Fort Lauderdale, Florida to live with our father while my mother got her life together. As anyone can imagine, leaving the only place you know and love dearly is not easy. In fact, I believe it was one of the hardest transitions I ever had to make. In school I quickly realized I was much more advanced than the other students even after starting nearly three months late. Being the "new kid" was not easy in a public school system more "urban" than what I was used to. I did the only thing I knew how to do; adapt. Leaving behind memories and values instilled in me since I was four. I needed friends and knowledge did not give me the companion every child needs. By fourth grade teachers realized a significant change in my grades and behavior. The good girl from Maryland was no more; I had become a product of my environment. A very inspiring teacher had a talk with me and gave me some life changing guidance from Ralph Waldo Emerson. She said, "Jasmin, do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." It was then at that moment that I realized I did not have to become what society had set for me, I could set my own standards to succeed. My experience leaving what I thought was a perfect world and entering something completely new taught me a lot at a fragile young age. I learned to follow my own path and become an innovative individual, values I will take with me if admitted into the University of Florida or wherever else life may take me.
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Growing up in Silver Springs, Maryland is one experience no child easily forgets. Silver Springs has a beautiful climate which has four almost perfect seasons, part of Montgomery County, one of the richest counties in Maryland and an educational system comparable to an Ivy League school. Contrary to the vast opportunities I had, life at home was not something every child dreams of. I was the product of an unstable single mother with drug and alcohol addictions and a nearly useless father who lived nearly 1000 miles away. Despite this, I thought I lived a considerably good life. I always knew my mother loved me and wanted the best for her children but did not understand what was best for me. In June 1999, my mother made a decision that would change my life forever. It happened almost instantly, I found myself packing up all my belongings that could fit in a small red suitcase being reminded to only pack the necessities. Soon my 12-year-old sister and I were waving goodbye to mommy on a compact greyhound bus. Our destination was Fort Lauderdale, Florida to live with our father while my mother got her life together. As anyone can imagine, leaving the only place you know and love dearly is not easy. In fact, I believe it was one of the hardest transitions I ever had to make. In school, I quickly realized I was much more advanced than the other students even after starting nearly three months late. Being the "new kid" was not easy in a public school system more "urban" than what I was used to. I did the only thing I knew how to do; adapt. Leaving behind memories and values instilled in me since I was four. I needed friends and knowledge did not give me the companion every child needs. By fourth grade teachers realized a significant change in my grades and behavior. The good girl from Maryland was no more; I had become a product of my environment. A very inspiring teacher had a talk with me and gave me some life changing guidance from Ralph Waldo Emerson. She said, "Jasmin, do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." It was then at that moment that I realized I did not have to become what society had set for me, I could set my own standards to succeed. My experience leaving what I thought was a perfect world and entering something completely new taught me a lot at a fragile young age. I learned to follow my own path and become an innovative individual, values I will take with me if admitted into the University of Florida or wherever else life may take me.
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Here is my essay: I picked up Guzheng (Chinese Zither) at the age of 7. For more than ten years, Guzheng has changed me into a completely different person. It has a history of 2000 years and relates closely with Chinese traditional culture. Almost every piece of music has its specific meaning which requires me to look up in ancient classics to find the origin of the music. When I'm playing, I devote myself to the music and I often gain different understanding. What is the musician trying to express? Whom did he dedicate the music to? Why was his intention of writing this piece of music? I often focus more on the sentiments than on the techniques; creating connections between the music and me has become a way to help me delve into the deeper levels of life. I don't simply play the notes; I try to tell a story. After so many years I have discovered that music has become part of my soul. Resonance occurs in me whenever I hear great music. It's not just like a friend; it has become the extension of me. Please give some comments on my writing!Thanks!
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Here is my essay: I picked up Gushing (Chinese Zither) at the age of 7. For more than ten years, Gushing has changed me into a completely different person. It has a history of 2000 years and relates closely with Chinese traditional culture. Almost every piece of music has its specific meaning which requires me to look up in ancient classics to find the origin of the music. When I'm playing, I devote myself to the music and I often gain different understanding. What is the musician trying to express? Whom did he dedicate the music to? Why was his intention of writing this piece of music? I often focus more on the sentiments than on the techniques; creating connections between the music and me has become a way to help me delve into the deeper levels of life. I don't simply play the notes; I try to tell a story. After so many years I have discovered that music has become part of my soul. Resonance occurs in me whenever I hear great music. It's not just like a friend; it has become the extension of me. Please give some comments on my writing! Thanks!
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Should I focus on the SIGNIFICANCE, or should I first describe the activity?If the former, does Significance mean its importance and its influence on me? Thanks!
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Should I focus on the SIGNIFICANCE, or should I first describe the activity? If the former, does Significance mean its importance and its influence on me? Thanks!
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What is an academic experience, project, class or book that has influenced or inspired you? Among the many, many projects I have done for school, very few have felt meaningful to me. While some of classmates raved on about how influential, how enlightening it was to design a scientific experiment or illustrate an environmental poster, I found these projects unremarkable. They could be enjoyable, but the projects never taught me anything beyond what the teachers had already drilled into our heads. Of course, I kept this idea to myself. However, among a plethora of projects I failed to appreciate, there was one assignment that affected me profoundly. It was a project assigned by our quirky history teacher, Mr. Perdue, who had no problem recalling bad jokes but tended to forget everything else. As we were learning about World War II, our project was to construct an interview with our grandparents or any older relatives concerning their impressions of the era. I remember distinctly groaning as he assigned the project, because it was due over Winter Break, and like most of peers, I hated the idea of having to complete an assignment during time reserved for relaxation and fun. My Grandfather was a gruff man of few words, like most Asian men of his generation. However, I was pleasantly surprised when he turned to have quite a lot to offer for my project. Having learned about Japanese imperialism and their occupation of Taiwan, I expected his words to be laced with resentment and righteous fury. However, his tone reeked of reminiscence when he spoke of his youth. He told me that the streets were safer then, that the Japanese kept such order that his family left their doors and windows open at night and woke up the next morning with nothing missing. He described a time of peace in Taiwan that juxtaposed with the chaos of the war the rest of the world was embroiled in. The Japanese, in his opinion, were a necessary evil in Taiwan that their power kept order and tranquility, that the Taiwan nowadays is riddled with crime and violence. His view of the war and the Japanese provided a stark contrast against the atrocities and simmering hatred the Japanese left in their wake of mainland China. What I had learned in class, what I had gathered from my conversation with the local Chinese formed a perspective of World War II that clashed utterly with my grandfathers. That instant, I understood what History was really about. It wasn't a simple listing of facts and events that occurred in the past-it was about differing perspectives and contradicting truths. My passion for history stems not from the hard facts of the past but how different backgrounds and different values could shape an individual's perspective of the world. I appreciate history because unlike math and science there is no real answer, no complete truth. You ask a mathematician the simple question of whether World War II was good or bad, you would be simply given the numbers of casualties and the financial cost of the War. If you ask a historian the same question, you would not be given an answer at all, but an opinion. The answer would be up to you.
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What is an academic experience, project, class or book that has influenced or inspired you? Among the many, many projects I have done for school, very few have felt meaningful to me. While some of the classmates raved on about how influential, how enlightening it was to design a scientific experiment or illustrate an environmental poster, I found these projects unremarkable. They could be enjoyable, but the projects never taught me anything beyond what the teachers had already drilled into our heads. Of course, I kept this idea to myself. However, among a plethora of projects I failed to appreciate, there was one assignment that affected me profoundly. It was a project assigned by our quirky history teacher, Mr. Purdue, who had no problem recalling bad jokes but tended to forget everything else. As we were learning about World War II, our project was to construct an interview with our grandparents or any older relatives concerning their impressions of the era. I remember distinctly groaning as he assigned the project, because it was due over Winter Break, and like most of the peers, I hated the idea of having to complete an assignment during time reserved for relaxation and fun. My Grandfather was a gruff man of few words, like most Asian men of his generation. However, I was pleasantly surprised when he turned to have quite a lot to offer for my project. Having learned about Japanese imperialism and their occupation of Taiwan, I expected his words to be laced with resentment and righteous fury. However, his tone reeked of reminiscence when he spoke of his youth. He told me that the streets were safer then, that the Japanese kept such order that his family left their doors and windows open at night and woke up the next morning with nothing missing. He described a time of peace in Taiwan that juxtaposed with the chaos of the war the rest of the world was embroiled in. The Japanese, in his opinion, were a necessary evil in Taiwan that their power kept order and tranquility, that the Taiwan nowadays is riddled with crime and violence. His view of the war and the Japanese provided a stark contrast against the atrocities and simmering hatred the Japanese left in their wake of mainland China. What I had learned in class, what I had gathered from my conversation with the local Chinese formed a perspective of World War II that clashed utterly with my grandfathers. That instant, I understood what History was really about. It wasn't a simple listing of facts and events that occurred in the past-it was about differing perspectives and contradicting truths. My passion for history stems not from the hard facts of the past but how different backgrounds and different values could shape an individual's perspective of the world. I appreciate history because unlike math and science there is no real answer, no complete truth. You ask a mathematician the simple question of whether World War II was good or bad, you would be simply given the numbers of casualties and the financial cost of the War. If you ask a historian the same question, you would not be given an answer at all, but an opinion. The answer would be up to you.
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"Open the door! Ventilate the room!" The fumes of the dry-erase markers were becoming unbearable. A burning, humid summer day and I was spending my time discussing radiation shielding from gamma and cosmic radiation with five other fellow freshmen. An array of diagrams, models, and equations riddled the whiteboard, and I was getting to the point of suggesting using a layer of reinforced concrete as an effective material to shield radiation; however, before I finished, the intoxicating stench drove us out of the cramped, 8'x10' conference room in the library. What were we doing in the library instead of playing outside? We were working on our project, titled Phoenix Outreach V, for the NASA Space Settlement Contest held annually by NASA Ames Research Center and National Space Society. Student teams of various sizes ranging from one to over ten across grades 6 through 12 pour their hearts and souls into a space settlement proposal. The final report will detail everything from the location and assembly of the station to the government and life support of the colonists. We divided up the work and began our independent research, meeting every few days to discuss and combine our work. During the summer and even the school year, the public library became a haven for us. Shelves upon shelves of books ranging from pseudo gravity generation to hypothesized plasma shield theories awaited our eager minds. The short, fragile librarian lady who always wore a red knitted sweater became an indispensable ally, reserving conference rooms and helping us find reference material. I spent at least a hundred hours in the library over the summer, researching, reading, and learning orbital mechanics. Throughout the project, the most challenging aspect was to understand the materials fully and be able to write a specialized report on that subject. Radiation shielding from cosmic radiation, system to recycle oxygen and water, orbital positioning and maintenance of the station were some of my responsibilities, and frankly, they were hard for a ninth-grader to grasp. Having to write meticulously about almost every scenario that could happen and their proper countermeasures from a photovoltaic solar cell malfunction to a collision with an asteroid gave me a chance to experience the depth of the work actually required. After over a year of hard work, our finished submission was entered in 2006 and won first place internationally among other sixth through ninth graders in the small group division. It was an amazing experience for the work that we spent so much on to be successful and recognized. This was the event that triggered my interest in engineering and aerospace-while I had dreams of becoming an astronaut when I was small like every other kid, this project narrowed my plans for the future to those with math and space. Every year since, I was part of the Columbia Aeronautics Space Association, our town's small-scale version of NASA. There, I learned to simulate missions and learn hands-on about the design of systems such as thermal control and life support. It's been an invaluable experience for me, and has furthered my interest in aerospace science. I also take university math classes to further my knowledge of physics and engineering. Through opportunities offered at Caltech as well as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, I could make an impact in the world. Hard work leads to results, and next time, I'll have my own ventilation system in my room.
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"Open the door! Ventilate the room!" The fumes of the dry-erase markers were becoming unbearable. A burning, humid summer day, and I was spending my time discussing radiation shielding from gamma and cosmic radiation with five other fellow freshmen. An array of diagrams, models, and equations riddled the whiteboard, and I was getting to the point of suggesting using a layer of reinforced concrete as an effective material to shield radiation; however, before I finished, the intoxicating stench drove us out of the cramped, 8'x10' conference room in the library. What were we doing in the library instead of playing outside? We were working on our project, titled Phoenix Outreach V, for the NASA Space Settlement Contest held annually by NASA Ames Research Center and National Space Society. Student teams of various sizes ranging from one to over ten across grades 6 through 12 pour their hearts and souls into a space settlement proposal. The final report will detail everything from the location and assembly of the station to the government and life support of the colonists. We divided up the work and began our independent research, meeting every few days to discuss and combine our work. During the summer and even the school year, the public library became a haven for us. Shelves upon shelves of books ranging from pseudo gravity generation to hypothesized plasma shield theories awaited our eager minds. The short, fragile librarian lady who always wore a red knitted sweater became an indispensable ally, reserving conference rooms and helping us find reference material. I spent at least a hundred hours in the library over the summer, researching, reading, and learning orbital mechanics. Throughout the project, the most challenging aspect was to understand the materials fully and be able to write a specialized report on that subject. Radiation shielding from cosmic radiation, system to recycle oxygen and water, orbital positioning and maintenance of the station were some of my responsibilities, and frankly, they were hard for a ninth-grader to grasp. Having to write meticulously about almost every scenario that could happen and their proper countermeasures from a photovoltaic solar cell malfunction to a collision with an asteroid gave me a chance to experience the depth of the work actually required. After over a year of hard work, our finished submission was entered in 2006 and won first place internationally among other sixth through ninth graders in the small group division. It was an amazing experience for the work that we spent so much on to be successful and recognized. This was the event that triggered my interest in engineering and aerospace-while I had dreams of becoming an astronaut when I was small like every other kid, this project narrowed my plans for the future to those with math and space. Every year since, I was part of the Columbia Aeronautics Space Association, our town's small-scale version of NASA. There, I learned to simulate missions and learn hands-on about the design of systems such as thermal control and life support. It's been an invaluable experience for me, and has furthered my interest in aerospace science. I also take university math classes to further my knowledge of physics and engineering. Through opportunities offered at Caltech as well as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, I could make an impact in the world. Hard work leads to results, and next time, I'll have my own ventilation system in my room.
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I picked up a violin at age six. The delicate, bowed instrument initially felt entirely alien in my hands. Over the years, however, my once screeching sounds evolved into beautiful and pure melodies. Through hard work and dedication, the violin has become a means of creative expression and a familiar extension of myself. I have been learning mainly through structured private lessons, complimented by experimentation in my free time. As my violin playing progressed, I began to master different styles of music, ranging from mellow classical to energetic rock. Although I have participated in several orchestras, I have grown to prefer playing on stage as an individual, letting my sound fill the air, with no others to hide behind. I plan on playing the violin well into my college years and beyond. It is a friend and companion. It is the device I turn to in times of stress and in times of joy.
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I picked up a violin at age six. The delicate, bowed instrument initially felt entirely alien in my hands. Over the years, however, my once screeching sounds evolved into beautiful and pure melodies. Through hard work and dedication, the violin has become a means of creative expression and a familiar extension of myself. I have been learning mainly through structured private lessons, complimented by experimentation in my free time. As my violin playing progressed, I began to master different styles of music, ranging from mellow classical to energetic rock. Although I have participated in several orchestras, I have grown to prefer playing on stage as an individual, letting my sound fill the air, with no others to hide behind. I plan on playing the violin well into my college years and beyond. It is a friend and companion. It is the device I turn to in times of stress and in times of joy.
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I have discovered that finding the college of my dreams is not a simple task. I first attended Florida Institute of Technology not quite sure what I wanted to major in. I was excited to be moving far from home and drawn by the warm weather. After a semester, I found that I enjoyed the business atmosphere the best (being an entrepreneur at heart) and decided to major in business administration. The business program at FIT does not have the best reputation or resources, so I decided I needed to find another college that would fulfill my educational needs. Transferring from FIT was hard, especially since I was leaving all of my friends and relationships with professors behind. However, I arrived at Newbury College refreshed and excited that I had discovered the perfect major: hospitality administration. Even though I finally found the area of study I am most interested in, the coursework and expectations are not challenging; I do not wish to settle and cruise through the rest of college. After discussing the curriculum with the Assistant Dean, Mr. Brian Shockley, I found that Boston University's program would best prepare me for a position in the hospitality industry. I would not only be able to study the hospitality field, but I would also be able to experience it first-hand through internships and study abroad programs. I already have a few internships lined up for next semester and summer, and I could apply these work assignments towards my eight hundred hours of field experience. Also, the study abroad program would be a great way to travel to another country, learn about its culture, and see how the hospitality industry works on a global level. Boston University would be the college of my dreams because it would provide the rigorous educational atmosphere that I am looking. BU has an exceptional reputation that sets it apart from other universities, and I would be proud to be a student at Boston University. Thanks. L. Burgess
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I have discovered that finding the college of my dreams is not a simple task. I first attended Florida Institute of Technology not quite sure what I wanted to major in. Furthermore, I was excited to be moving far from home and drawn by the warm weather. After a semester, I found that I enjoyed the business atmosphere the best (being an entrepreneur at heart) and decided to major in business administration. The business program at FIT does not have the best reputation or resources, so I decided I needed to find another college that would fulfill my educational needs. Transferring from FIT was hard, especially since I was leaving all of my friends and relationships with professors behind. However, I arrived at Newbury College refreshed and excited that I had discovered the perfect major: hospitality administration. Even though I finally found the area of study I am most interested in, the coursework and expectations are not challenging; I do not wish to settle and cruise through the rest of college. After discussing the curriculum with the Assistant Dean, Mr. Brian Shockley, I found that Boston University's program would best prepare me for a position in the hospitality industry. I would not only be able to study the hospitality field, but I would also be able to experience it first-hand through internships and study abroad programs. I already have a few internships lined up for next semester and summer, and I could apply these work assignments towards my eight hundred hours of field experience. Also, the study abroad program would be a great way to travel to another country, learn about its culture, and see how the hospitality industry works on a global level. Boston University would be the college of my dreams because it would provide the rigorous educational atmosphere that I am looking. BU has an exceptional reputation that sets it apart from other universities, and I would be proud to be a student at Boston University. Thanks. L. Burgess
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Where do I come from? Even now, I have trouble answering that question. The world I come from can be described as a whirlwind of emotions and cultures. Instead of having a concrete neighborhood or town to call home, I've moved so many times that where I come from can't be represented by a singular description-my world was ruled by change. [..]
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Where do I come from? Even now, I have trouble answering that question. The world I come from can be described as a whirlwind of emotions and cultures. Instead of having a concrete neighborhood or town to call home, I've moved so many times that where I come from can't be represented by a singular description-my world was ruled by change. [.]
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"Using a favorite quotation from an essay or book you have read in the last three years as a jumping off point, tell us about an event or experiance that felped you define one of your values or changed how you approach the world. Please write the quotation at the beginning of your essay." Please let me kno anything that i can do to perhaps make this essay better or improve sentence structure, etc. Much thanks in advanceTlaw88 P.s i did not include the quote in my essay because i wasn't sure if i was allowed by this site.. please let me know if i can Amidst all of the other motivational proverbs about pursuing and continuing with ones challenges in life, few come close to the message that this quote above entails. Thus is what compels a certain drive to keep going and never give up. This force is crucially important when applied to the number of things one tries to accomplish in life. Occasionally, people may need that extra push from a motivational speech as a base of encouragement, but often find themselves at a loss for who to turn to. For me, this is where the resource of entertainment comes in; it may be from movies, books, magazine articles, newspapers, etc. As long as I understand the general message being expressed and feel that drive of encouragement, then, I believe that I can achieve anything. Additionally, quotes like the one above, ultimately end up having a more eminent role pertaining to life, and subsequently the way one lives life, far more than initially recognized. I consider the quote above to be uniquely inspirational to its listener for many different reasons. The passage was taken originally from the lines of a book, written by author Marianne Williamson and carefully woven into a stirring scene from a Movie made in 2005 called Coach Carter. Whenever I think about this movie I remember this quote. Likewise whenever I endeavor in anything whether it is an academic organization or an extra curricular activity, I remember these encouraging words. The moment these words are spoken by the character, his self-recognition of significance to his role of the plot is fulfilled. In that scene, surrounding him are his fellow teammates who also fulfill their purpose and adhere to believing their future can have an optimistic turn out. Consequently they are each moved by the words of this speech, which if never said, would have never inspired them to further challenge themselves and to take advantage of their education and other academic privileges that they had previously taken for granted. Their coach, standing before them, hears these words, so eloquently put and consents to his team's attitude of newfound dignity. Moreover the room full of basketball players and their coach, to whom the scene was dedicated, can now respect and appreciate one another's presence, equitably. They can accommodate each other in a more amicable fashion. They can accept lifes hardships, and turn it into a lesson to be learned. From that moment on, they are able to overcome their obstacles, and they can aspire to be anything. Always keeping in mind, who they are and not only that they represent themselves, but their families, their school, their neighborhood, and each other as a team. Likewise, whenever I am engaged with similar situations I am able to relate to the moral of this quote when remembering how I represent others through my own self-actions.
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"Using a favorite quotation from an essay or book you have read in the last three years as a jumping off point, tell us about an event or experience that helped you define one of your values or changed how you approach the world. Please write the quotation at the beginning of your essay." Please let me KNO anything that I can do to perhaps make this essay better or improve sentence structure, etc. Many thanks in advanceTlaw88 P.s I did not include the quote in my essay because I wasn't sure if I was allowed by this site. Please let me know if I can Amidst all the other motivational proverbs about pursuing and continuing with one's challenges in life, few come close to the message that this quote above entails. Thus is what compels a certain drive to keep going and never give up. This force is crucially important when applied to the number of things one tries to accomplish in life. Occasionally, people may need that extra push from a motivational speech as a base of encouragement, but often find themselves at a loss for who to turn to. For me, this is where the resource of entertainment comes in; it may be from movies, books, magazine articles, newspapers, etc. As long as I understand the general message being expressed and feel that drive of encouragement, then, I believe that I can achieve anything. Additionally, quotes like the one above, ultimately end up having a more eminent role pertaining to life, and subsequently the way one lives life, far more than initially recognized. I consider the quote above to be uniquely inspirational to its listener for many reasons. The passage was taken originally from the lines of a book, written by author Marianne Williamson and carefully woven into a stirring scene from a Movie made in 2005 called Coach Carter. Whenever I think about this movie I remember this quote. Likewise, whenever I endeavor in anything whether it is an academic organization or an extracurricular activity, I remember these encouraging words. The moment these words are spoken by the character, his self-recognition of significance to his role of the plot is fulfilled. In that scene, surrounding him are his fellow teammates who also fulfill their purpose and adhere to believing their future can have an optimistic turn-out. Consequently, they are each moved by the words of this speech, which is never said, would have never inspired them to further challenge themselves and to take advantage of their education and other academic privileges that they had previously taken for granted. Their coach, standing before them, hears these words, so eloquently put and consents to his team's attitude of newfound dignity. Moreover, the room full of basketball players and their coach, to whom the scene was dedicated, can now respect and appreciate one another's presence, equitably. They can accommodate each other in a more amicable fashion. They can accept lives hardships, and turn it into a lesson to be learned. From that moment on, they are able to overcome their obstacles, and they can aspire to be anything. Always keeping in mind, who they are and not only that they represent themselves, but their families, their school, their neighborhood, and each other as a team. Likewise, whenever I am engaged with similar situations I am able to relate to the moral of this quote when remembering how I represent others through my own self-actions.
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Here is my essay... Tears were falling from my eyes. As my band teacher gestured for us to stand up, I was overwhelmed with the audience's genuine appreciation for our music. I looked down on my musical scores. Numerous circle marks were now disfigured and dancing up and down as if they were responding to the acclamation. The memories of struggling to play the music went through my mind in a flash. "Every music piece has its own story. Tell the story. Do not just play the note." Ms. Starks, my band teacher, would often say to awaken us students. I would then look more closely on the music piece in an attempt to discover hidden story, but without success. I made many mistakes. Sometimes they were on the same part that I always had struggled with and other times were on the part that I had no problem playing. By any means, I drew a circle to indicate a need of caution and tried to lessen the cacophony that I was producing. It was, in fact, frustrating to think that I was the only one who was behind. As I ventured through the music, circle marks multiplied. I practiced hard so that I could play confidently without faking when difficult parts came out. However, I often found myself left behind my peers who seemed to play without difficulty. I had no choice but to practice harder. The process of my improvement was very subtle. However, I was making progress though playing correctly needed patience like parents who wait patiently for the baby to try its feet for the first time. As I worked hard and made a few mistakes and even felt no need of "circle mark," I began to perceive something different. I was now hearing a story. At first, mere words to phrases, phrases to sentences, I could hear the story while I was playing the music. I realized then that the story was the product of my dedication and passion to improve myself. My life is this product. It has myriads of "circle marks" and each resembles my efforts to become a good daughter, friend and a student who solves a chapter review question to do well on the Calculus test. I know that I will encounter countless challenges that require time and dedication. I also know that there will be a time when my efforts would not pay off. However, even if I fail, I know that it would not detract from the flow of my story, but rather add, imposing a sense of reality from their imperfections. Because I believe that every effort I put will become a story that only I, SeJin, can create, I am willing to take any challenge, however insurmountable that might seem. My heart still pounds whenever I look back on the performances I did in Disney-Land and NASA during the band trip in Florida. I guess my passion to improve myself made a special experience an extra-special. However, more exciting events are yet to come and I have no doubt that they will elaborate and polish my story that has yet to be completed. (any advice or criticism is welcomed!!!)
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Here is my essay... Tears were falling from my eyes. As my band teacher gestured for us to stand up, I was overwhelmed with the audience's genuine appreciation for our music. I looked down on my musical scores. Numerous circle marks were now disfigured and dancing up and down as if they were responding to the acclamation. The memories of struggling to play the music went through my mind in a flash. "Every music piece has its own story. Tell the story. Do not just play the note." Ms. Stark's, my band teacher, would often say to awaken us students. I would then look more closely on the music piece in an attempt to discover hidden story, but without success. I made many mistakes. Sometimes they were on the same part that I always had struggled with, and other times were on the part that I had no problem playing. By any means, I drew a circle to indicate a need of caution and tried to lessen the cacophony that I was producing. It was, in fact, frustrating to think that I was the only one who was behind. As I ventured through the music, circle marks multiplied. I practiced hard so that I could play confidently without faking when difficult parts came out. However, I often found myself left behind my peers who seemed to play without difficulty. I had no choice but to practice harder. The process of my improvement was very subtle. However, I was making progress though playing correctly needed patience like parents who wait patiently for the baby to try its feet for the first time. As I worked hard and made a few mistakes and even felt no need of "circle mark," I began to perceive something different. I was now hearing a story. At first, mere words to phrases, phrases to sentences, I could hear the story while I was playing the music. I realized then that the story was the product of my dedication and passion to improve myself. My life is this product. It has myriads of "circle marks" and each resembles my efforts to become a good daughter, friend and a student who solves a chapter review question to do well on the Calculus test. I know that I will encounter countless challenges that require time and dedication. I also know that there will be a time when my efforts would not pay off. However, even if I fail, I know that it would not detract from the flow of my story, but rather add, imposing a sense of reality from their imperfections. Because I believe that every effort I put will become a story that only I, Seen, can create, I am willing to take any challenge, however insurmountable that might seem. My heart still pounds whenever I look back on the performances I did in Disneyland and NASA during the band trip in Florida. I guess my passion to improve myself made a special experience an extra-special. However, more exciting events are yet to come, and I have no doubt that they will elaborate and polish my story that has yet to be completed. (any advice or criticism is welcomed!!!)
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Using a favorite quotation from an essay or book you have read in the last three years as a jumping off point, tell us about an event or experience that helped you define one of your values or changed how you approach the world. Please write the quotation at the beginning of your essay. Of the many different people, places, ideas, and forces that have influenced my life, there was prominent person that stood out above the rest. Though it took me many years to realize just how special a role this person played in my life, all that she did was not in vain, but rather meaningful and inspirational. Unfortunately, I did not realize all of this until this person was gone forever. She influenced me in so many ways that I had hardly noticed. Her name was Mrs. Lois Hirshkowitz and she was my principle for nine years. I met my new principal in the third grade, at a private school called Lakewood Prep. Naturally, upon my first encountering with the school, I disliked it. I had not wanted to adjust to the new environment because I missed my old school and my old friends; I missed the place where I felt secure and familiar with everyone and everything. This was a feeling that was no stranger to me, and I found would stick with me even as I grew older. I had never really accommodated to change. I liked familiarity, and I liked constancy because these were things I had grown accustomed to. I soon found that I fit right in, and that Lakewood Prep was the right school for me. As I grew older, I adapted to how openly warm and welcoming the school felt, mainly because it was under such great influence by its coordinator. Mrs. Hirshkowitz, a genuinely patient and gentle woman, was always there for anyone who sought her advice and mentoring. Because of her unconditionally supportive motivation and guidance, I was able to acquire better habits for my own personal development, not just in behavior but also in all aspects interacting with others. This included having respect for peers and elders and learning how to appreciate everyone's presence instead of secluding myself from others. I opened up when it came to participation in class, discussions with teachers, or perhaps just lending a hand to those who needed it the most. By my last year at the school, Mrs. Hirshkowitz became ill and was out of school for the remainder of that year. Though I was just a freshman in high school, because of Mrs. Hirshkowitz's impact, I had learned a lot about life and how should live it. I learned to appreciate and embrace all of what my teachers had to offer and accept consistent support from students who became valuable friends. I realized that it had not only been a school that our principal had founded, but a home built that consisted of one big family, which would continue to flourish with victory and love. I am eternally grateful to have met an astonishing person with such great ambitions in life, devoted to others' happiness. Mrs. Hirshkowitz has helped shaped my past and continues to shape my future, spiritually inspiring me to continue to strive in reaching my potential goals in life.
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Using a favorite quotation from an essay or book you have read in the last three years as a jumping off point, tell us about an event or experience that helped you define one of your values or changed how you approach the world. Please write the quotation at the beginning of your essay. Of the many people, places, ideas, and forces that have influenced my life, there was prominent person that stood out above the rest. Though it took me many years to realize just how special a role this person played in my life, all that she did was not in vain, but rather meaningful and inspirational. Unfortunately, I did not realize all of this until this person was gone forever. She influenced me in so many ways that I had hardly noticed. Her name was Mrs. Lois Dershowitz, and she was my principle for nine years. I met my new principal in the third grade, at a private school called Lakewood Prep. Naturally, upon my first encountering with the school, I disliked it. I had not wanted to adjust to the new environment because I missed my old school and my old friends; I missed the place where I felt secure and familiar with everyone and everything. This was a feeling that was no stranger to me, and I found would stick with me even as I grew older. I had never really accommodated to change. I liked familiarity, and I liked constancy because these were things I had grown accustomed to. Furthermore, I soon found that I fit right in, and that Lakewood Prep was the right school for me. As I grew older, I adapted to how openly warm and welcoming the school felt, mainly because it was under such great influence by its coordinator. Mrs. Dershowitz, a genuinely patient and gentle woman, was always there for anyone who sought her advice and mentoring. Because of her unconditionally supportive motivation and guidance, I was able to acquire better habits for my own personal development, not just in behavior but also in all aspects interacting with others. This included having respect for peers and elders and learning how to appreciate everyone's presence instead of secluding myself from others. I opened up when it came to participation in class, discussions with teachers, or perhaps just lending a hand to those who needed it the most. By my last year at the school, Mrs. Dershowitz became ill and was out of school for the remainder of that year. Though I was just a freshman in high school, because of Mrs. Dershowitz's impact, I had learned a lot about life and how should live it. I learned to appreciate and embrace all of what my teachers had to offer and accept consistent support from students who became valuable friends. I realized that it had not only been a school that our principal had founded, but a home built that consisted of one big family, which would continue to flourish with victory and love. Furthermore, I am eternally grateful to have met an astonishing person with such great ambitions in life, devoted to others' happiness. Mrs. Dershowitz has helped shaped my past and continues to shape my future, spiritually inspiring me to continue to strive in reaching my potential goals in life.
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When I sit by the window and stare out into the trees, I am always delighted by the changing colors of the trees. I see the lush, green leaves turn into golden perfection of orange and red. I always look forward to the coming of fall because it reminds me of my family's annual Thanksgiving party. The wonderful colors, and vibrant buzz of my never empty house, and of course insurmountable quality of food, leave me hoping the day will never end. My mother, the one who works the most during these days and I ma ever thankful for, takes a few days off before thanksgiving. She decorates the house to the appropriate colors, of fall; I help of course. The front door is decorates with orange confetti, draping from the top to bottom. Large cut out turkeys strut in our from lawn, spied on by cat. On the front porch tow, large, hand picked, pumpkins greet our visitors. The effervescent, full colors set the tone of fall in the house. My dad is the organizer of the party. He invites our relatives in Pittsburgh and few of our close friends. The house once held four members and a cat, now holds 16 members and cat. The house is filled with laughter and stories being exchanged by one another. The occasional whines of my sister and my cousin, followed with ratting me out. In the evening we sit by the fireplace and roast marshmallows or rent a cheesy family movie from Blockbuster. The buzz of the house never dies down expect when the food is being set on the cherry dining table. My sister and I, having the true sibling competition, complete to see who can eat the most. I win, uncontested. The food present at the table is of the highest quality, and whoever said "too many chefs spoil the stew" have never sat at our dining table. Always the stat of the show, carefully, painstakingly, cooked of perfection turkey. Sitting next ot it is the gravy on the right and mashed potatoes on the left and around them, placed in their comfortable positions sit various sides ranging from breadsticks to spice Indian dishes. We eat until we gain about ten pounds more, and finally put use to that gym membership. The coming of fall lets me hold hope for Thanksgiving and the important family experience it leaves on me. When it passes I look forward to the next year and the fun waiting to happen.
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When I sit by the window and stare out into the trees, I am always delighted by the changing colors of the trees. I see the lush, green leaves turn into golden perfection of orange and red. I always look forward to the coming of fall because it reminds me of my family's annual Thanksgiving party. The wonderful colors, and vibrant buzz of my never empty house, and of course insurmountable quality of food, leave me hoping the day will never end. My mother, the one who works the most during these days and I am ever thankful for, takes a few days off before thanksgiving. She decorates the house to the appropriate colors, of fall; I help of course. The front door is decorating with orange confetti, draping from the top to bottom. Large cut out turkeys strut in our from lawn, spied on by cat. On the front porch tow, large, hand-picked, pumpkins greet our visitors. The effervescent, full colors set the tone of fall in the house. My dad is the organizer of the party. He invites our relatives in Pittsburgh and few of our close friends. The house once held four members and a cat, now holds 16 members and cat. The house is filled with laughter and stories being exchanged by one another. The occasional whines of my sister and my cousin, followed with ratting me out. In the evening we sit by the fireplace and roast marshmallows or rent a cheesy family movie from Blockbuster. The buzz of the house never dies down expect when the food is being set on the cherry dining table. My sister and I, having the true sibling competition, complete to see who can eat the most. I win, uncontested. The food present at the table is of the highest quality, and whoever said "too many chefs spoil the stew" have never sat at our dining table. Always the stat of the show, carefully, painstakingly, cooked of perfection turkey. Sitting next OT it is the gravy on the right and mashed potatoes on the left and around them, placed in their comfortable positions sit various sides ranging from breadsticks to spice Indian dishes. We eat until we gain about ten pounds more, and finally put use to that gym membership. The coming of fall lets me hold hope for Thanksgiving and the important family experience it leaves on me. When it passes I look forward to the next year and the fun waiting to happen.
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If there was one thing that I could redo again, it would be my first two years of high school. I did not take my first two years of high school very seriously and I received a number of bad grades. One seemingly trite event managed to create a paradigm shift that has affected my academic life ever since. I was doing some SAT preparation in the summer after 10th grade, and I received a decent but mediocre score on my diagnostic test. Not feeling too good about this score, I decided to do more work on this subject because I didn't have much else to do. I spent the following week spending much of my time learning from a few test-preparation booklets in order to maximize my score and within a week I increased by score by almost 200 points. This was the beginning of a paradigm shift that changed my way of thinking about school and working in general. Before then, I would not care much about school, and my everyday schedule was not very effective if I wanted good grades. I did not put my schooling in a high priority. After that, I became more interested in school and I worked harder and used my time wisely to reach my full potential. This small event will greatly affect my college experience and my contribution to the UF community. Before this, I do not think I would have had the qualifications to be part of the UF community, and even if I were admitted, I do not think I would have done very well in college. Now that I know how to plan my time wisely, and work hard, my college experience would be greatly improved because I will have the right attitude to excel in my classes. Because I have revised the way in which I spend my time, I will also contribute to the UF campus community by joining and being actively involved in several UF student organizations. The past year has been a good reflection of change that has occurred since that event in the study room where I calculated my second SAT practice test. I have gotten straight A's, passed three AP exams with 5s and an AP exam with a 4, became a National Merit semifinalist, and joined the church youth worship band. If I keep things up at this pace, my college experience will bring a number of accomplishments and I will also contribute to the UF community.
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If there was one thing that I could redo again, it would be my first two years of high school. I did not take my first two years of high school very seriously, and I received a number of bad grades. One seemingly trite event managed to create a paradigm shift that has affected my academic life ever since. I was doing some SAT preparation in the summer after 10th grade, and I received a decent but mediocre score on my diagnostic test. Not feeling too good about this score, I decided to do more work on this subject because I didn't have much else to do. I spent the following week spending much of my time learning from a few test-preparation booklets in order to maximize my score and within a week I increased by score by almost 200 points. This was the beginning of a paradigm shift that changed my way of thinking about school and working in general. Before then, I would not care much about school, and my everyday schedule was not very effective if I wanted good grades. I did not put my schooling in a high priority. After that, I became more interested in school and I worked harder and used my time wisely to reach my full potential. This small event will greatly affect my college experience and my contribution to the OF community. Before this, I do not think I would have had the qualifications to be part of the OF community, and even if I were admitted, I do not think I would have done very well in college. Now that I know how to plan my time wisely, and work hard, my college experience would be greatly improved because I will have the right attitude to excel in my classes. Because I have revised the way in which I spend my time, I will also contribute to the OF campus community by joining and being actively involved in several OF student organizations. The past year has been a good reflection of change that has occurred since that event in the study room where I calculated my second SAT practice test. I have gotten straight A's, passed three AP exams with 5s and an AP exam with a 4, became a National Merit semifinalist, and joined the church youth worship band. If I keep things up at this pace, my college experience will bring a number of accomplishments and I will also contribute to the OF community.
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"So, do you take Aggruz?""Yeah.""So, what is the critical temperature of Bose-Einstein condensate?""Umm..."Imagine ending up, willingly, in a group of people who are undeniably superior to you. Imagine being the sole tortoise in a rabbit race. It would be quite a task to even get noticed, yet more importantly to not lose yourself. I was in such a catch22 during the three-month summer vacation when I was enrolled in Mumbai's infamous "Aggrawal Classes," mind-bogglingly crammed with the future Einsteins and Newtons of India. The set of Aggrawal Classes is known throughout Mumbai as the ultimate temple of education, reserved for the esteemed elite and considered a dream destination for all those pursuing fields in the sciences. The best professors in Mumbai prepare the brightest minds for the crucial entrance examination for EngineeringMedical College, the sole determinant in the admissions process. There is such cut-throat competition that even a score of 95% in math and science in tenth grade would not guarantee a place in the Aggrawal Classes. Just a handful gets in from the thousands aspiring for admission, and I, being one of the few in that very handful, could not pass up the opportunity of being a part of an institution, which has a mammoth standing of excellence. In fact, for the past 50 years, not a year has gone by when a State Topper has not been from Aggruz. I was among the last few who got in. After all the hype surrounding my admission came the first day of my class. But, there was much more to it than the fame it possessed; I realized it the very first day. All of my academic weaknesses were exposed. I had far less knowledge than I presumed I had. Crammed in a room teeming of 96 Pentium-processing brains, 96 Duracell-powered hands, and 96 pairs of attentive eyes, my self-confidence was trapped amid the class's profound concentration. I still remember one classmate, Raj Patel, sitting beside me who asked on the very first biology lecture, "What kind of joint is present in the skull?" I was shaken up by the knowledge a tenth grader could have on the first lecture, prior to the introduction of the topic. What was even more astonishing was that people around me even started discussing it. To make the first day a complete disaster, a grueling math lecture followed. After a very brief introduction of the syllabus, the teacher gave everybody a problem to solve. Even before I could digest the problem, almost the entire class erupted with the correct answer. I knew that I was good at math, but these kinds of incidents just dented my confidence. This was just the start of what was to come; there were far more Raj Patel's than I ever thought existed! I had undeniably lost my confidence, yet I knew it had not disappeared; it was merely far from my reach. To add insult to the injury, I scored disappointingly on the initial weekly tests. My parents were unbelievably shocked. I can still remember the long talk we had on a rainy Sunday morning. By the end of the conversation, I realized I had to follow my father's advice: "Don't worry about what others can do; just concentrate on what you can do to the fullest." The next couple of months were the most dramatic months of my life. I was much more determined and focused than ever in my life. I started pushing myself to the furthest limits possible, and in the process, I found new extremes within me, which surprises me even today. It is unbelievable how I could manage to study for six to seven hours after a grueling seven-hour lecture. I not only started doing my homework, but also went ahead and studied for the next, upcoming lecture. I always jokingly say that I had found the superhuman within me. As I started looking beyond my peers, I realized that I had an intense love for physics and mathematics. I started going beyond the scope of the syllabus and read about things out of pure curiosity. By this time, I was far from being the quickest or the smartest in the class, but I had done enough to rub shoulders with everybody. I could now discuss topics such as serrate joint in the skull, and I was even quick and accurate enough to solve problems in math. I received a surprisingly good marks in twelfth grade and scored highly on the entrance examination for engineering college. Moreover, I was ranked 1,569 in the entire state of Maharashtra, out of half a million applicants. The rest is history, and I finally knew about the critical temperature of the Bose-Einstein condensate. what do you think...???Does it give the right picture that classes are so very important to us in india!!
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"So, do you take Aggro?"" Yeah."" So, what is the critical temperature of Bose-Einstein condensate?"" Umm..." Imagine ending up, willingly, in a group of people who are undeniably superior to you. Imagine being the sole tortoise in a rabbit race. It would be quite a task to even get noticed, yet more importantly to not lose yourself. I was in such a catch22 during the three-month summer vacation when I was enrolled in Mumbai's infamous "Aggarwal Classes," mind-bogglingly crammed with the future Einsteins and Newtons of India. The set of Aggarwal Classes is known throughout Mumbai as the ultimate temple of education, reserved for the esteemed elite and considered a dream destination for all those pursuing fields in the sciences. The best professors in Mumbai prepare the brightest minds for the crucial entrance examination for EngineeringMedical College, the sole determinant in the admissions process. There is such cut-throat competition that even a score of 95% in math and science in tenth grade would not guarantee a place in the Aggarwal Classes. Just a handful gets in from the thousands aspiring for admission, and I, being one of the few in that very handful, could not pass up the opportunity of being a part of an institution, which has a mammoth standing of excellence. In fact, for the past 50 years, not a year has gone by when a State Topper has not been from Aggro. I was among the last few who got in. After all the hype surrounding my admission came the first day of my class. But, there was much more to it than the fame it possessed; I realized it the very first day. All of my academic weaknesses were exposed. I had far less knowledge than I presumed I had. Crammed in a room teeming of 96 Pentium-processing brains, 96 Duracell-powered hands, and 96 pairs of attentive eyes, my self-confidence was trapped amid the class's profound concentration. I still remember one classmate, Raj Patel, sitting beside me who asked on the very first biology lecture, "What kind of joint is present in the skull?" I was shaken up by the knowledge a tenth grader could have on the first lecture, prior to the introduction of the topic. What was even more astonishing was that people around me even started discussing it. To make the first day a complete disaster, a grueling math lecture followed. After a very brief introduction of the syllabus, the teacher gave everybody a problem to solve. Even before I could digest the problem, almost the entire class erupted with the correct answer. I knew that I was good at math, but these kinds of incidents just dented my confidence. This was just the start of what was to come; there were far more Raj Patel's than I ever thought existed! I had undeniably lost my confidence, yet I knew it had not disappeared; it was merely far from my reach. To add insult to the injury, I scored disappointingly on the initial weekly tests. My parents were unbelievably shocked. I can still remember the long talk we had on a rainy Sunday morning. By the end of the conversation, I realized I had to follow my father's advice: "Don't worry about what others can do; just concentrate on what you can do to the fullest." The next couple of months were the most dramatic months of my life. I was much more determined and focused than ever in my life. I started pushing myself to the furthest limits possible, and in the process, I found new extremes within me, which surprises me even today. It is unbelievable how I could manage to study for six to seven hours after a grueling seven-hour lecture. I not only started doing my homework, but also went ahead and studied for the next, upcoming lecture. I always jokingly say that I had found the superhuman within me. As I started looking beyond my peers, I realized that I had an intense love for physics and mathematics. I started going beyond the scope of the syllabus and read about things out of pure curiosity. By this time, I was far from being the quickest or the smartest in the class, but I had done enough to rub shoulders with everybody. I could now discuss topics such as serrate joint in the skull, and I was even quick and accurate enough to solve problems in math. I received a surprisingly good marks in twelfth grade and scored highly on the entrance examination for engineering college. Moreover, I was ranked 1,569 in the entire state of Maharashtra, out of half a million applicants. The rest is history, and I finally knew about the critical temperature of the Bose-Einstein condensate. What do you think...??? Does it give the right picture that classes are so very important to us in India!!
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Describe the world you come from ï for example, your family, community or school ï and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations The sunflower-yellow rice, tiny green peas, bright red peppers, and black shells of the mussels create a vibrant culinary piece of art, Paella. Chorizo ï a spicy, red, Spanish sausage ï chicken, shrimp, and clams add to the motley mix of colors and flavors of the unique dish. This imminent food is a symbol of my culture: a mad mix whose separate parts do not seem to go together, but once assembled they form something delicious and unique. Start out with some Spanish, add three tablespoons of French, a teaspoon of Mexican-American, a sprinkle of Italian and a good-old dose of American, and there you have it. As a six year old, my grandmother would sneak Spanish chorizo and French cheeses in my suitcase in order to smuggle these delicacies to the United States. As a result police dogs chased me throughout many airports all over Europe. She would always remind me these delicacies were much more than just food, rather they were a reminder of our family story. My grandmother was a Spanish refugee who fled to France due to the Spanish Civil War. Many family members perished in the struggle against Franco and the journey to France, including my grandma's mother and father. The year she arrived in France Hitler took over and much of the family was put into concentration camps. Looking at this catalogue of huge surprises, it's clear that the struggle for justice should never be abandoned because of the overwhelming power of those who have the guns and the money and who seem invincible in their determination to hold on to it. That apparent power has, again and again, proved vulnerable to human qualities less measurable than bombs and dollars: moral fervor, determination, ingenuity. To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction.
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Describe the world you come from ï for example, your family, community or school ï and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations The sunflower-yellow rice, tiny green peas, bright red peppers, and black shells of the mussels create a vibrant culinary piece of art, Paella. Chorizo ï a spicy, red, Spanish sausage ï chicken, shrimp, and clams add to the motley mix of colors and flavors of the unique dish. This imminent food is a symbol of my culture: a mad mix whose separate parts do not seem to go together, but once assembled they form something delicious and unique. Start out with some Spanish, add three tablespoons of French, a teaspoon of Mexican-American, a sprinkle of Italian and a good-old dose of American, and there you have it. As a six-year-old, my grandmother would sneak Spanish chorizo and French cheeses in my suitcase in order to smuggle these delicacies to the United States. As a result police dogs chased me throughout many airports all over Europe. She would always remind me these delicacies were much more than just food, rather they were a reminder of our family story. My grandmother was a Spanish refugee who fled to France due to the Spanish Civil War. Many family members perished in the struggle against Franco and the journey to France, including my grandma's mother and father. The year she arrived in France Hitler took over and much of the family was put into concentration camps. Looking at this catalog of huge surprises, it's clear that the struggle for justice should never be abandoned because of the overwhelming power of those who have the guns and the money and who seem invincible in their determination to hold on to it. That apparent power has, again and again, proved vulnerable to human qualities less measurable than bombs and dollars: moral fervor, determination, ingenuity. To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction.
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---Topic: Please describe the factors and challenges that have most shaped your personal life and aspirations. How have these factors caused you to grow. My grandmother used to say, "Women are nothing but trouble." Some might agree with this ancient Chinese saying, but it simply reflected the patriarchy society I grew up in. Even though Taiwan is a developed country, its cultural ties are nowhere far from mainland China. Growing up in a society and a family full of elders that carelessly emphasize the importance of sons over daughters, I learned to do everything better for myself. Perhaps I wanted to prove all the patriarchy societies in this world wrong, but mostly I wanted my family to recognize the equality between me and my brother. One of my first profound memories was when my mother was pregnant with my brother. I asked her if the family was in the same felicity when my sister and I were born. She told me that people were happy that my sister was born because she was the first child, but my birth was less celebrated in comparison to my older sister's birth. I began to doubt my existence and the sincerity of my family's love towards me. I was further put into doubt when my mother went on and said, "When you were born, no one came to visit; not even one soul. Your father came late from work, and your grandmother only made a phone call to ask for your gender." She sighed and said, "When your grandmother found out 'what' you were, she hung up the phone and never paid me and you one visit in the hospital." Although I knew that my parents loved me regardless my sex, I felt constantly shadowed by my older sister and often ignored by my parents over my brother. I was never as outgoing as my sister in front of adults, nor was I as successful as she was in elementary school. Not only did she get A's on tests and quizzes, she also played the piano brilliantly; she even won multiple English speech competitions. While she succeeded in almost everything, I struggled to break out of her shadow. I said 'yes' to almost everything my parents asked me to do. From picking up the violin at the age of four, entering a speech contest unprepared, doing chores that I hated, watching basketball games that I didn't understand, to finally becoming the nice, obedient child that my parents wanted me to be. For almost eleven years of my life, I never knew what I really wanted, what I was capable of doing, and who I really was. Things took a gradual turn shortly after I turned eleven. The second semester of fifth grade, our family moved back to Taiwan after one and a half year of business venturing in Canton, China. I entered a new school, but soon enough I was just one of the faces in the crowd. I never saw my potentials in anything until my teacher asked me to enter a Chinese improvisation speech competition of the City of Taichung in the elementary division. I, without any hesitation, accepted her offer, because I got tired of seeing other people return with their awards and honors. The day of competition, I was given the topic: "What would you do if you were a magician?" I didn't plan anything out in my head, not even the second before I went on the stage. To my surprise, I won first place - I was finally recognized for something. I ran out the classroom right when the dismissal bell rung through the school. Before my father greeted me, I squeaked in excitement, "Dad! Dad! Dad! You would not believe this! I entered the competition and guess which place I won?", before he answered me, I went on, "First place! Can you believe it? Can you believe your daughter won FIRST PLACE!?" He smiled and said, "Of course I believe you won first place, in fact, I knew you were going to win. All my children are smart. No, I am not surprised, but I am happy for you." On our way home, I was too busy wearing a big fat smile on my face to have a conversation with my father. Before we entered the house, I asked my father again, "You really knew I was going to win?" He replied, "Well I never thought you were going to get first place, but I knew that you can do anything you wanted and be good at it." Those words meant more than anything in the world to me. For the first time, I felt capable of doing anything, and most importantly, for myself and not for anyone else. -----------------end---------------------- -------The white weathered gate groaned sharply as it slowly opened and revealed the man who brought the door to life. The man greeted me with a beaming smile and asked me how my day had been. I returned the gesture along with a hug. He would be standing there every day when the gate opened. He was there on a sunny day, a rainy day, a bad day, a good day, a sad day, a happy day - even if he was tired or sick. This man was my father. He was always because he was a stay-at-home dad. He was a bright man, who learned everything about computers - assembling a computer from scratch to building his own websites - with only the help of books. He had built and owned multiple businesses in different industries in Taiwan and China, which he lost due to the turbulent economy of Asia during the last couple of decades. My father only had a high school diploma, thus he understood the importance of education, especially in our credential-based society. Thus, he and my mother applied for green cards when my older sister was only one-year old. Just like every immigrant, my father believed in the American dream. He believed that one day he, too, can build an empire from his small working space just like Bill Gates. However, many sacrifices had to be made to reach that dream. My mother worked as a bookkeeper for a small landscaping company in Culver City, California. A job that barely covered a month's rent. As a mother of three, she was often fatigue after an eight-hour work day. The responsibilities of taking care of the household fell upon the shoulders of my father and me. Though some days could be tough, my father never restricted me from doing social activities that required a little bit of spending. He once said to me that money should never affect ones quality of life, because being happy was the most precious thing anyone can ask for but could never buy.
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---Topic: Please describe the factors and challenges that have most shaped your personal life and aspirations. How have these factors caused you to grow. My grandmother used to say, "Women are nothing but trouble." Some might agree with this ancient Chinese saying, but it simply reflected the patriarchy society I grew up in. Even though Taiwan is a developed country, its cultural ties are nowhere far from mainland China. Growing up in a society and a family full of elders that carelessly emphasize the importance of sons over daughters, I learned to do everything better for myself. Perhaps I wanted to prove all the patriarchy societies in this world wrong, but mostly I wanted my family to recognize the equality between me and my brother. One of my first profound memories was when my mother was pregnant with my brother. I asked her if the family was in the same felicity when my sister and I were born. She told me that people were happy that my sister was born because she was the first child, but my birth was less celebrated in comparison to my older sister's birth. I began to doubt my existence and the sincerity of my family's love towards me. I was further put into doubt when my mother went on and said, "When you were born, no one came to visit; not even one soul. Your father came late from work, and your grandmother only made a phone call to ask for your gender." She sighed and said, "When your grandmother found out 'what' you were, she hung up the phone and never paid me and you one visit in the hospital." Although I knew that my parents loved me regardless my sex, I felt constantly shadowed by my older sister and often ignored by my parents over my brother. I was never as outgoing as my sister in front of adults, nor was I as successful as she was in elementary school. Not only did she get A's on tests and quizzes, she also played the piano brilliantly; she even won multiple English speech competitions. While she succeeded in almost everything, I struggled to break out of her shadow. I said 'yes' to almost everything my parents asked me to do. From picking up the violin at the age of four, entering a speech contest unprepared, doing chores that I hated, watching basketball games that I didn't understand, to finally becoming the nice, obedient child that my parents wanted me to be. For almost eleven years of my life, I never knew what I really wanted, what I was capable of doing, and who I really was. Things took a gradual turn shortly after I turned eleven. The second semester of fifth grade, our family moved back to Taiwan after one and a half year of business venturing in Canton, China. I entered a new school, but soon enough I was just one of the faces in the crowd. I never saw my potentials in anything until my teacher asked me to enter a Chinese improvisation speech competition of the City of Taichung in the elementary division. Furthermore, I, without any hesitation, accepted her offer, because I got tired of seeing other people return with their awards and honors. The day of competition, I was given the topic: "What would you do if you were a magician?" I didn't plan anything out in my head, not even the second before I went on the stage. To my surprise, I won first place - I was finally recognized for something. I ran out the classroom right when the dismissal bell rung through the school. Before my father greeted me, I squeaked in excitement, "Dad! Dad! Dad! You would not believe this! I entered the competition and guess which place I won?", before he answered me, I went on, "First place! Can you believe it? Can you believe your daughter won FIRST PLACE!?" He smiled and said, "Of course I believe you won first place, in fact, I knew you were going to win. All my children are smart. No, I am not surprised, but I am happy for you." On our way home, I was too busy wearing a big fat smile on my face to have a conversation with my father. Before we entered the house, I asked my father again, "You really knew I was going to win?" He replied, "Well I never thought you were going to get first place, but I knew that you can do anything you wanted and be good at it." Those words meant more than anything in the world to me. For the first time, I felt capable of doing anything, and most importantly, for myself and not for anyone else. -----------------end---------------------- -------The white weathered gate groaned sharply as it slowly opened and revealed the man who brought the door to life. The man greeted me with a beaming smile and asked me how my day had been. I returned the gesture along with a hug. He would be standing there every day when the gate opened. He was there on a sunny day, a rainy day, a bad day, a good day, a sad day, a happy day - even if he was tired or sick. This man was my father. He was always because he was a stay-at-home dad. He was a bright man, who learned everything about computers - assembling a computer from scratch to building his own websites - with only the help of books. Furthermore, he had built and owned multiple businesses in different industries in Taiwan and China, which he lost due to the turbulent economy of Asia during the last couple of decades. My father only had a high school diploma, thus he understood the importance of education, especially in our credential-based society. Thus, he and my mother applied for green cards when my older sister was only one-year old. Just like every immigrant, my father believed in the American dream. He believed that one day he, too, can build an empire from his small working space just like Bill Gates. However, many sacrifices had to be made to reach that dream. My mother worked as a bookkeeper for a small landscaping company in Culver City, California. A job that barely covered a month's rent. As a mother of three, she was often fatigued after an eight-hour work day. The responsibilities of taking care of the household fell upon the shoulders of my father and me. Though some days could be tough, my father never restricted me from doing social activities that required a bit of spending. He once said to me that money should never affect one's quality of life, because being happy was the most precious thing anyone can ask for but could never buy.
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In the beginning I would just stare at the majestic whiteness of the ice that seemed to call me to try it, but that I felt so afraid of. It would take me a few trips to the rink with my elementary school class to actually try it and when I eventually did what I had feared for actually occurred, I fell down. Lying on that ice while everyone seemed like a pro made me realize that no skill or talent can ever be developed or discovered by just staring at it. After getting up and standing there for a few minutes, I became eager to move and when I did and felt the cold breeze on my checks I totally forgot how much the fall had hurt and continued practicing until I could master it. "Mores" to me is the most important of the three values, having a strong character is what will guide me to also posses the strength to pursue anything. I have exemplified and grown in this concept ever since I was nine and had to leave my native country to start fresh on a new one. I had to find the moral strength in me and the one given from my parents to overcome such a crucial change in my life without it overwhelming me. I was very blessed because all those times I could not do something that was new for me I always pushed myself in a positive way to learn it and develop it. This was the way I developed both my Mores and Vires in the form of character and strength who like learning to ice skate, helped me build up on my knowledge inside and outside the classroom. It became a way in which I developed a necessity to explore the unknown creating in me a love for variety and people which has driven me to pursue my vocation. I have learned to push myself to perform against odds throughout dedication and hard work. Ranging from having to learn a new language to learning math and do it successfully. It is how now I translate simultaneously to Jacksonville's 92.5 FM every Sunday at 11:45 when I was just starting to master the language a few years back. Having lived in three countries and possessing a strongly driven life based on my Christian faith as well as on my persistence in pursuing a career in international affairs, I find the University's motto already impregnated in my life.
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In the beginning I would just stare at the majestic whiteness of the ice that seemed to call me to try it, but that I felt so afraid of. It would take me a few trips to the rink with my elementary school class to actually try it and when I eventually did what I had feared for actually occurred, I fell down. Lying on that ice while everyone seemed like a pro made me realize that no skill or talent can ever be developed or discovered by just staring at it. After getting up and standing there for a few minutes, I became eager to move and when I did and felt the cold breeze on my checks I totally forgot how much the fall had hurt and continued practicing until I could master it. "Mores" to me is the most important of the three values, having a strong character is what will guide me to also possess the strength to pursue anything. I have exemplified and grown in this concept ever since I was nine and had to leave my native country to start fresh on a new one. I had to find the moral strength in me and the one given from my parents to overcome such a crucial change in my life without it overwhelming me. Furthermore, I was very blessed because all those times I could not do something that was new for me, I always pushed myself positively to learn it and develop it. This was the way I developed both my Mores and Virus in the form of character and strength who like learning to ice skate, helped me build up on my knowledge inside and outside the classroom. It became a way in which I developed a necessity to explore the unknown creating in me a love for variety and people which has driven me to pursue my vocation. I have learned to push myself to perform against odds throughout dedication and hard work. Ranging from having to learn a new language to learning math and do it successfully. It is how now I translate simultaneously to Jacksonville's 92.5 FM every Sunday at 11:45 when I was just starting to master the language a few years back. Having lived in three countries and possessing a strongly driven life based on my Christian faith as well as on my persistence in pursuing a career in international affairs, I find the University's motto already impregnated in my life.
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The course I am undertaking is a Bachelor of Business Studies - Honours Degree Programme for Aviation Sector. I feel I have reached a point in life where I would like to take the next step, further my knowledge in an environment very familiar to me. I strongly believe this program will not only promote my academic enrichment and personal growth but also enhance my career prospects. In my opinion people involved in collegiate programs have two main purposes: to gain experiences and certificates that prepare them for future careers and to increase their knowledge about different aspects of life. In nowadays' constantly changing and challenging work environment it is a necessity, in order to maintain and promote a position in a company, to have the knowledge and experiences that come from attending university. The skills, spirit and confidence gained from studying help equip for climbing the ladder. Well-educated individuals can carry out tasks smoothly and methodically, with more economisation of time and strength than people who manage their work by learning from their failures. In addition to obtaining the appropriate certificates, attending a university will provide me with a great opportunity to learn about many different things on both macroscopic and microscopic levels. While the specific reasons for people to attend colleges and universities might differ, the fundamental purposes are the same: we all want to obtain the necessary training and education in order to improve our careers. Therefore everyone who chooses to attend a university should always strive to reach his or her goals and aspirations. University prepares the individual to overcome difficulties and stress more easily, as well as have an acceptable and optimistic attitude towards obstacles in the work environment. Let me explain in details about this degree course. The program is organized by DIT in conjunction with XXX - thanks to my previous education I started at year two and I was exempted from two subjects.
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The course I am undertaking is a Bachelor of Business Studies - Honors Degree Program for Aviation Sector. I feel I have reached a point in life where I would like to take the next step, further my knowledge in an environment very familiar to me. I strongly believe this program will not only promote my academic enrichment and personal growth but also enhance my career prospects. In my opinion people involved in collegiate programs have two main purposes: to gain experiences and certificates that prepare them for future careers and to increase their knowledge about different aspects of life. Nowadays' constantly changing and challenging work environment it is a necessity, in order to maintain and promote a position in a company, to have the knowledge and experiences that come from attending university. The skills, spirit and confidence gained from studying help equip for climbing the ladder. Well-educated individuals can carry out tasks smoothly and methodically, with more economisation of time and strength than people who manage their work by learning from their failures. In addition to obtaining the appropriate certificates, attending a university will provide me with a great opportunity to learn about many things on both macroscopic and microscopic levels. While the specific reasons for people to attend colleges and universities might differ, the fundamental purposes are the same: we all want to obtain the necessary training and education in order to improve our careers. Therefore, everyone who chooses to attend a university should always strive to reach his or her goals and aspirations. University prepares the individual to overcome difficulties and stress more easily, as well as have an acceptable and optimistic attitude towards obstacles in the work environment. Let me explain in details about this degree course. The program is organized by IT in conjunction with XXX - thanks to my previous education I started at year two, and I was exempted from two subjects.
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Lord of the Flies by William Golding SEclipse by Stephenie MeyerFast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser SThe Secret History by Donna TarttA Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams S I am not one of the millions of teenage girls who have been swept up in the romance that is Eclipse. Edward speaks with eloquence, and Bella's naivety is forgiven by her sweet sincerity, but this popular teen novel confirmed that I have outgrown the one-dimensional characters and predictable plot lines. The human mind has always captivated me. Unsolved mysteries about sleep, memories, consciousness, and laughter all inspire the same enduring wonderment and zest within me. It is because of this fascination that I aspire to major in Cognitive Science. Occidental embodies all three things I look for in a college: location, diversity, and community. No other U.S. city can match Southern California's sunshine and opportunity. Occidental is located in the heart of Southern California in one of the largest cities in the nation, so diversity comes hand in hand with Occidental. Despite being situated in the middle of a bustling city, Occidental still maintains a close-knit community.
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Lord of the Flies by William Golding Eclipse by Stephanie Marxist Food Nation by Eric Schlosser The Secret History by Donna Martha Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams S I am not one of the millions of teenage girls who have been swept up in the romance that is Eclipse. Edward speaks with eloquence, and Bella's naivety is forgiven by her sweet sincerity, but this popular teen novel confirmed that I have outgrown the one-dimensional characters and predictable plot lines. The human mind has always captivated me. Unsolved mysteries about sleep, memories, consciousness, and laughter all inspire the same enduring wonderment and zest within me. It is because of this fascination that I aspire to major in Cognitive Science. Occidental embodies all three things I look for in a college: location, diversity, and community. No other U.S. city can match Southern California's sunshine and opportunity. Occidental is located in the heart of Southern California in one of the largest cities in the nation, so diversity comes hand in hand with Occidental. Despite being situated in the middle of a bustling city, Occidental still maintains a close-knit community.
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As a young student, I have been through various experiences that have taught me many life lessons that served me through my life. I have faced situations that were extremely challenging to overcome, but at the same time encouraging me succeed in life. As time passes I have become mature and self conscious of my actions and how they affect my loved ones and community, as well as myself. These experiences provided me values that will be a useful at the University of Florida My family was an immense influence in my life. In less than two years my parents were divorced. Being young and naďve, I did not realize what was occurring at that moment. My dad irresponsibly left my mother and me. He found another woman, and at the same time, his job forced him to move far away from us. Depending on my mother, who at time was suffering from depression, I was left alone to find my way through middle school and high school. Since a very young age I have been independent. My dad returned from the U.S and decided to take me with him. I landed in an unknown country almost six years ago. All the hard work that I had accomplished in my humble country was banished in the blink of an eye. I was extremely frustrated since I had to start from scratch to begin a new life. Filled with sadness, I had to leave my mom behind. I did not know where I could find the new starting point. The first thing in mind was school, I finished sixth grade in December and started seventh grade in January, having no time come to terms with my feelings. As time passed, the feelings of desolation started to dissipate as I focused on climbing the ladder of success. Now in my last year in high school I've found that I can achieve anything I desire, having overcame the greatest obstacle in my life, I know I can. Throughout this period of my life, I've been able to discover my true self and how I interpret my surroundings. I've been able to achieve unbelievable things, I've acquiesced many new friends, being in the 10% of my class, and much more. This experience made me realize what I'm really made of, while facing those adversities nothing was able to impede me to become who I am, and this built my character, and taught many lessons that can't be obtained anywhere else. My character and my experience would be a great asset to the University of Florida.
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As a young student, I have been through various experiences that have taught me many life lessons that served me through my life. I have faced situations that were extremely challenging to overcome, but at the same time encouraging me succeed in life. As time passes I have become mature and self-conscious of my actions and how they affect my loved ones and community, as well as myself. These experiences provided me values that will be a useful at the University of Florida My family was an immense influence in my life. In less than two years my parents were divorced. Being young and nave, I did not realize what was occurring at that moment. My dad irresponsibly left my mother and me. He found another woman, and at the same time, his job forced him to move far away from us. Depending on my mother, who at time was suffering from depression, I was left alone to find my way through middle school and high school. Since a very young age I have been independent. My dad returned from the U.S. and decided to take me with him. I landed in an unknown country almost six years ago. All the hard work that I had accomplished in my humble country was banished in the blink of an eye. I was extremely frustrated since I had to start from scratch to begin a new life. Filled with sadness, I had to leave my mom behind. I did not know where I could find the new starting point. The first thing in mind was school, I finished sixth grade in December and started seventh grade in January, having no time come to terms with my feelings. As time passed, the feelings of desolation started to dissipate as I focused on climbing the ladder of success. Now in my last year in high school I've found that I can achieve anything I desire, having overcame the greatest obstacle in my life, I know I can. Throughout this period of my life, I've been able to discover my true self and how I interpret my surroundings. I've been able to achieve unbelievable things, I've acquiesced many new friends, being in the 10% of my class, and much more. This experience made me realize what I'm really made of, while facing those adversities nothing was able to impede me to become who I am, and this built my character, and taught many lessons that can't be obtained anywhere else. My character and my experience would be a great asset to the University of Florida.
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The experience of working for my family's company inspired me to study architecture. After years of successful operations, my family's General Contracting company faced an overpowering obstacle during the early part of 2008. The effects of the financial crisis trickled down to the construction industry and therefore our business was severely impacted. Business slowed down and soon funds were to scarce to even afford clerical employees. I had been very involved with the business during summers and other vacation periods and therefore I offered my time and dedication to help it survive through the tough times. After all, my family had worked very hard to get it off the ground and it was now my turn to show my dad that he was not alone. I became responsible for managing the entire office; the fate of the company was in my hands. To see the troubled look on my dad and uncle's faces everyday was overwhelming. Yet, it gave me that push to work even harder. My dad would always tell me I could never understand how much he appreciated my help. In reality maybe I do not understand, but I was not helping him for the recognition. I just had a feeling inside of me and I knew that helping in the business was something I had to do. Although there were times when it was difficult to handle all the challenges, the skills that I acquired through leadership activities such as Student Government, came to my rescue. Time management and execution of school projects were experiences that I could relate to in order to plan and implement strategies necessary for the business' operations. I had to learn the full bookkeeping system, including reconciling accounts, paying bills and collecting account receivables. The bank balance was low and there were folders full of bills to pay. Was I really cut out for this? As time passed I learned to overcome my fears and insecurities. I now have a feeling of satisfaction to know that I was instrumental in helping my family. I realized that family is really all you have in life. Even when you hit rock bottom they will always be there to get you back on your feet. The time I spent working at the office surprisingly turned out to have a positive outcome both for my family and for myself. Unaware at the time, I was surrounding my self with the things I most enjoy. I was fascinated by the construction plans and from time to time I was able to visit the job sites to observe how the plans became standing structures full of design and function. I was amazed to see the process of building from scratch and to understand the intricacy of the structures. For example, it was mesmerizing to see how in building a screen enclosure, each screw and bolt played its part in the formation. I understood this would be the best resource to apply my love for art in a more technical way. Not only will I be studying something I enjoy but in addition I know it will contribute to the future of my family's company. It will all pay off when I once again can assist my family's business to flourish. I would want noting more than the opportunity to be a part of the University of Florida's architecture program.
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The experience of working for my family's company inspired me to study architecture. After years of successful operations, my family's General Contracting company faced an overpowering obstacle during the early part of 2008. The effects of the financial crisis trickled down to the construction industry and therefore our business was severely impacted. Business slowed down and soon funds were too scarce to even afford clerical employees. I had been very involved with the business during summers and other vacation periods, and therefore I offered my time and dedication to help it survive through the tough times. After all, my family had worked very hard to get it off the ground, and it was now my turn to show my dad that he was not alone. I became responsible for managing the entire office; the fate of the company was in my hands. To see the troubled look on my dad and uncle's faces every day was overwhelming. Yet, it gave me that push to work even harder. My dad would always tell me I could never understand how much he appreciated my help. In reality maybe I do not understand, but I was not helping him for the recognition. I just had a feeling inside me and I knew that helping in the business was something I had to do. Although there were times when it was difficult to handle all the challenges, the skills that I acquired through leadership activities such as Student Government, came to my rescue. Time management and execution of school projects were experiences that I could relate to in order to plan and implement strategies necessary for the business' operations. I had to learn the full bookkeeping system, including reconciling accounts, paying bills and collecting account receivables. The bank balance was low and there were folders full of bills to pay. Was I really cut out for this? As time passed I learned to overcome my fears and insecurities. I now have a feeling of satisfaction to know that I was instrumental in helping my family. I realized that family is really all you have in life. Even when you hit rock bottom they will always be there to get you back on your feet. The time I spent working at the office surprisingly turned out to have a positive outcome both for my family and for myself. Unaware at the time, I was surrounding my self with the things I most enjoy. I was fascinated by the construction plans and from time to time I was able to visit the job sites to observe how the plans became standing structures full of design and function. I was amazed to see the process of building from scratch and to understand the intricacy of the structures. For example, it was mesmerizing to see how in building a screen enclosure, each screw and bolt played its part in the formation. I understood this would be the best resource to apply my love for art in a more technical way. Not only will I be studying something I enjoy but in addition I know it will contribute to the future of my family's company. It will all pay off when I once again can assist my family's business to flourish. I would want to note more than the opportunity to be a part of the University of Florida's architecture program.
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MECD (Ministerio de educación, cultura y deporte): This is an organization in Nicaragua which is in charge of the education, culture and sports in every school of Nicaragua. I was involved in several activities such as Spanish contests, honor students contests alphabetization and basketball, volleyball and soccer national championships, just to name a few. But to me the most important ones were alphabetizing four adults who had no education at all. After two years of teaching them first, second and third grade material, they happened to be extremely smart. When they went to MECD and were tested they scored really high, so to me that was one great achievement. And all of the academic contests I participated in, in which I obtained first, second and third place were also proud achievements. To me every action I make of which I am proud of is an achievement.
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MEAD (Minister de education, cultural y deported): This is an organization in Nicaragua which is in charge of the education, culture and sports in every school of Nicaragua. I was involved in several activities such as Spanish contests, honor students contests alphabetization and basketball, volleyball and soccer national championships, just to name a few. But to me the most important ones were alphabetizing four adults who had no education at all. After two years of teaching them first, second and third grade material, they happened to be extremely smart. When they went to MEAD and were tested they scored really high, so to me that was one great achievement. And all the academic contests I participated in, in which I obtained first, second and third place were also proud achievements. To me every action I make of which I am proud of is an achievement.
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------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------- Whether or not we will admit it our families have a major influence on who we are as a person. It is our families ' history, culture, and environment that mold and shape us into the person that we are today. Respect, the importance of education, my values in life, and my personality are just some of the principles that I have gained through the influence of my family . The way education is viewed in my family is passed down from one generation to another. When both of my parents were younger, back when they were living in Vietnam, education was their main focal point in life. My grandparents stressed the importance of education and made sure that each and every one of their children received one. Now, just like my grandparents, my parents' stresses to my brother and me how important education is and tries to make sure we receive a good education. It is because of my parents that education comes first in my life and why I strive everyday in school to get good grades . Being raised in a Vietnamese culture has a big influence on my personality, from the way I act to the things I do . It is very important in the Vietnamese culture to respect elders and it is expected that every child does so. I was taught this at a very young age and it has been embedded in me ever since. I have come to be respectful not only to my elders but to everyone around me as well. Growing up my parents were constantly telling me stories about how easy I have it in life, with all the technology that is given to me and privileges that I have. I have always found their stories to be annoying and felt that all they were trying to do was pester me but all along they just wanted me to learn a lesson. Through my parents stories I have learned to appreciate everything that is given to me and to never take anything or anyone for granted. As I get older I have realized that it is because of my family that I am the person that I am today. Without my family I would have never cared about my education as much as I do now, learn to respect the people around me, and appreciate all that is given to me.
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------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------- Whether we will admit it our families have a major influence on who we are as a person. It is our families' history, culture, and environment that mold and shape us into the person that we are today. Respect, the importance of education, my values in life, and my personality are just some of the principles that I have gained through the influence of my family. The way education is viewed in my family is passed down from one generation to another. When both of my parents were younger, back when they were living in Vietnam, education was their main focal point in life. My grandparents stressed the importance of education and made sure that each one of their children received one. Now, just like my grandparents, my parents' stresses to my brother and me how important education is and tries to make sure we receive a good education. It is because of my parents that education comes first in my life and why I strive every day in school to get good grades. Being raised in a Vietnamese culture has a big influence on my personality, from the way I act to the things I do. It is very important in the Vietnamese culture to respect elders, and it is expected that every child does so. I was taught this at a very young age, and it has been embedded in me ever since. I have come to be respectful not only to my elders but to everyone around me as well. Growing up my parents were constantly telling me stories about how easy I have it in life, with all the technology that is given to me and privileges that I have. I have always found their stories to be annoying and felt that all they were trying to do was pester me but all along they just wanted me to learn a lesson. Through my parents stories I have learned to appreciate everything that is given to me and to never take anything or anyone for granted. As I get older I have realized that it is because of my family that I am the person that I am today. Without my family I would have never cared about my education as much as I do now, learn to respect the people around me, and appreciate all that is given to me.
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I immigrated to United States from Korea about seven years ago. This decision was made by my parents because I have suffered painfully from chronic ear infection and allergic coryza and was in risk of losing hearing ability since I was three years old. These distressing health problems forced me into a surgery room several times. However, all that surgeries I went through did seems to have had no effect towards complete cure whatsoever. Surgeries only alleviated immediate problems and weakened my liver as well as my immune system. Ultimately, after fourth ear surgery, my parents announced without any advance notice that I, my sister, and my mom are going to United States primarily for better medical treatment but partially for better education. That shocking news brought influx of fears and sadness to my mind. I strongly opposed and told them that I would not fit into a society of completely dissimilar in culture. Frankly, I was afraid that I would not be able to make any friendships or share my feelings with people of different culture. However, their decision was so solid and firm that it seemed almost impossible to convince them. Before I and my friends parted, pledging to meet again, we gathered together at my house to bid farewell to each other. We shared all the reminiscences that we have been through with tears in our hearts and promised to meet again as achievers of goals not failures. At the airport, I tried to calm myself but right before the gate, tears suddenly started to stream down my cheeks. With an outburst of tears and snivels, I ran into my uncle and dad's chests and hugged them tightly as I can. My dad, who could not come to United States with us because of his job, held my hand and prayed for the best. The extreme wrench of parting and promise I have made with friends deeply motivated me to become healthy and successful achiever with better education. In U.S, the illness seemed to be relieved for about few months without any medical care. However, when cold winter came and brought snow, the illness suddenly started to cause problems. Snow, not very common in the region where I used to live in Korea, lured me to play outside for several hours which were critical to my ear and nasal problem. We visited doctor's office with thinking of another surgery. However, doctor did not recommend any surgeries but prescribed many medicines. Those medicines performed their abilities amazingly like panacea and diminish illness significantly but gradually. As my condition improved gradually, the sympathy towards people suffering from chronic diseases slowly occupied my mind and that sympathy inspired me to set my dream for pharmacist. I want to detach those people from shackles of illness give them joy and freedom that I experienced after complete cure by inventing effective medicines. I also want to please my dad who sacrificed his happiness of having family for my health and success by living successful life as pharmacist. People often complains when struggles come. However, there is a famous proverb saying, "No pain no gain". Through struggles of illness, I gained my life-worth goal which most teenagers do not obtain and came to "the land of opportunity". It is within bounds to say that illness had most profound effect upon my life. thank you very much!~
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I immigrated to the United States from Korea about seven years ago. This decision was made by my parents because I have suffered painfully from chronic ear infection and allergic Cory and was in risk of losing hearing ability since I was three years old. These distressing health problems forced me into a surgery room several times. However, all that surgeries I went through did seems to have had no effect towards complete cure whatsoever. Surgeries only alleviated immediate problems and weakened my liver as well as my immune system. Ultimately, after fourth ear surgery, my parents announced without any advance notice that I, my sister, and my mom are going to the United States primarily for better medical treatment but partially for better education. That shocking news brought influx of fears and sadness to my mind. I strongly opposed and told them that I would not fit into a society of completely dissimilar in culture. Frankly, I was afraid that I would not be able to make any friendships or share my feelings with people of different culture. However, their decision was so solid and firm that it seemed almost impossible to convince them. Before I and my friends parted, pledging to meet again, we gathered together at my house to bid farewell to each other. We shared all the reminiscences that we have been through with tears in our hearts and promised to meet again as achievers of goals not failures. At the airport, I tried to calm myself but right before the gate, tears suddenly started to stream down my cheeks. With an outburst of tears and snivels, I ran into my uncle and dad's chests and hugged them tightly as I can. My dad, who could not come to the United States with us because of his job, held my hand and prayed for the best. The extreme wrench of parting and promise I have made with friends deeply motivated me to become healthy and successful achiever with better education. In U.S., the illness seemed to be relieved for about few months without any medical care. However, when cold winter came and brought snow, the illness suddenly started to cause problems. Snow, not very common in the region where I used to live in Korea, lured me to play outside for several hours which were critical to my ear and nasal problem. We visited doctor's office with thinking of another surgery. However, doctor did not recommend any surgeries but prescribed many medicines. Those medicines performed their abilities amazingly like panacea and diminish illness significantly but gradually. As my condition improved gradually, the sympathy towards people suffering from chronic diseases slowly occupied my mind and that sympathy inspired me to set my dream for pharmacist. I want to detach those people from shackles of illness give them joy and freedom that I experienced after complete cure by inventing effective medicines. I also want to please my dad who sacrificed his happiness of having family for my health and success by living successful life as pharmacist. People often complains when struggles come. However, there is a famous proverb saying, "No pain no gain". Through struggles of illness, I gained my life-worth goal which most teenagers do not obtain and came to "the land of opportunity". It is within bounds to say that illness had most profound effect upon my life. Thank you very much!~
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For my entire lifetime, I have only been taught, and never taught anyone until I became the Bible Study teacher. Teaching the Bible to sixth and seventh graders is challenging, not only because of their endless talks, but also because of the sheer aspect of a student teaching other students. At Global Mission Methodist Church, I teach the Bible for middle school students every Sunday. My job is to lead the students to share their experiences based on the day's topic, and apprise them of the scripture and the message embedded in the Bible. One time, I met a restless student who never complied, even with his parents. Concerned and frustrated with his disobedience, I prayed for him and continued to help him to participate in class. One day after about three months, I asked him to pray for the youth group. Surprisingly, he said a brief yet meaningful prayer in front of the class. I learned that teaching with earnestness can change someone. This valuable experience taught me the importance of being sincere, and being a good role model, as well as the fulfilling reward of being a teacher. Thank you!
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For my entire lifetime, I have only been taught, and never taught anyone until I became the Bible Study teacher. Teaching the Bible to sixth and seventh graders is challenging, not only because of their endless talks, but also because of the sheer aspect of a student teaching other students. At Global Mission Methodist Church, I teach the Bible for middle school students every Sunday. My job is to lead the students to share their experiences based on the day's topic, and apprise them of the scripture and the message embedded in the Bible. One time, I met a restless student who never complied, even with his parents. Concerned and frustrated with his disobedience, I prayed for him and continued to help him to participate in class. One day after about three months, I asked him to pray for the youth group. Surprisingly, he said a brief yet meaningful prayer in front of the class. I learned that teaching with earnestness can change someone. This valuable experience taught me the importance of being sincere, and being a good role model, as well as the fulfilling reward of being a teacher. Thank you!
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....Giving Back "You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it's a little thing, do something for others - something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it." Albert Schweitzer I never would have imagined that an experience could have had such an impact on my life. When I was 10 years old my great-uncle discovered he had contracted cancer. After he found out that he was diagnosed with cancer, he went from a strong, vital man to a weak and feeble one. Within ten months he passed away. His battle with this disease left a lasting impression on me. As a result, I perceived smoking to be dangerous and futile. I promised myself I would never adopt such a harmful and perilous habit. I always had a strong position against smoking but after his death, it only reinforced my stance. After my uncle passed away I was motivated in seventh grade to become involved in a group called REBEL. This youth led anti-tobacco movement empowers students to plan and organize activities that teach elementary school children about the hazards of smoking. Schools are in a powerful position to prevent kids from smoking because they spend about one-third of their day attending school. It is also a vulnerable age where peer pressure is fierce. In addition to REBEL, I was compelled to volunteer my time to help raise money for the fight against cancer. For the past seven years, I have volunteered for the American Cancer Society participating in many activities. A few years ago I recruited my close friends and created an organization called Kids of Hope. With the help of this group we have contributed our time and raised money for the event "Relay for Life". The Relay for Life is held every year and takes place over a span of 24 hours where people come to show their support and raise funds for cancer survivors and its victims. All of the sales made at this event are donated to help find a cure. We organized and administrated fund raising activities which raised $1300 in our first year alone. In addition, we organized a Valentine's dance for kids with cancer and their families as a special gift to them. We had t-shirts made reflecting our message-PAY IT FORWARD. I have also volunteered for the American Cancer Society's Gala of Hope annual fund raiser. In addition, I have participated in the annual American Cancer Society's breast cancer walk, Making Strides, for the past five years. These experiences taught me to pay it forward I other aspects of my life as well. My friend's mother who is the director of technical services at a local high school asked if I would volunteer during the summer to assist in the installation of new hardware and software in the computer department. The district was not able to provide a salary, however, donating my time and skills would allow the students to benefit from the installation at the onset of their school year. This choice was a personal challenge for me because I was offered a paid position elsewhere. Nevertheless, I decided to accept the job with the school district as a way to pay ii forward. This decision was a benefit to the students as well as to me. Giving back is a privilege and something that is part of my life. I will carry the gift of giving with me while in college and thereafter. I will continue my campaign against smoking and supporting cancer research in finding a cure. I am committed to participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life at Rutgers University or organizing one if it does not already exist. Giving back however, will not be limited to these efforts. My goal is to become an active member of the Rutgers family so that I can pay forward the education this prestigious institution will provide and thus make a difference in society as an engineer. ....
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.... Giving Back "You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it's a little thing, do something for others - something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it." Albert Schweitzer I never would have imagined that an experience could have had such an impact on my life. When I was 10 years old my great-uncle discovered he had contracted cancer. After he found out that he was diagnosed with cancer, he went from a strong, vital man to a weak and feeble one. Within ten months he passed away. His battle with this disease left a lasting impression on me. As a result, I perceived smoking to be dangerous and futile. I promised myself I would never adopt such a harmful and perilous habit. I always had a strong position against smoking but after his death, it only reinforced my stance. After my uncle passed away I was motivated in seventh grade to become involved in a group called REBEL. This youth led anti-tobacco movement empowers students to plan and organize activities that teach elementary school children about the hazards of smoking. Schools are in a powerful position to prevent kids from smoking because they spend about one-third of their day attending school. It is also a vulnerable age where peer pressure is fierce. In addition to REBEL, I was compelled to volunteer my time to help raise money for the fight against cancer. For the past seven years, I have volunteered for the American Cancer Society participating in many activities. A few years ago I recruited my close friends and created an organization called Kids of Hope. With the help of this group we have contributed our time and raised money for the event "Relay for Life". The Relay for Life is held every year and takes place over a span of 24 hours when people come to show their support and raise funds for cancer survivors and its victims. All the sales made at this event are donated to help find a cure. We organized and administrated fund-raising activities which raised $1300 in our first year alone. In addition, we organized a Valentine's dance for kids with cancer and their families as a special gift to them. We had t-shirts made reflecting our message-PAY IT FORWARD. I have also volunteered for the American Cancer Society's Gala of Hope annual fund-raiser. In addition, I have participated in the annual American Cancer Society's breast cancer walk, Making Strides, for the past five years. These experiences taught me to pay it forward I other aspects of my life as well. My friend's mother who is the director of technical services at a local high school asked if I would volunteer during the summer to assist in the installation of new hardware and software in the computer department. The district was not able to provide a salary, however, donating my time and skills would allow the students to benefit from the installation at the onset of their school year. This choice was a personal challenge for me because I was offered a paid position elsewhere. Nevertheless, I decided to accept the job with the school district as a way to pay ii forward. This decision was a benefit to the students as well as to me. Giving back is a privilege and something that is part of my life. I will carry the gift of giving with me while in college and thereafter. I will continue my campaign against smoking and supporting cancer research in finding a cure. Furthermore, I am committed to participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life at Rutgers University or organizing one if it does not already exist. Giving back however, will not be limited to these efforts. My goal is to become an active member of the Rutgers family so that I can pay forward the education this prestigious institution will provide and thus make a difference in society as an engineer. ....
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It is well known that stones are hard and lasting, but have you heard of "The Confidence Stone"? The blue sky, the overwhelming snow mountain, the flying eagles, the strong yaks, the cute Tibetan antelopes, the fluttering prayer flags, and the majestic Qomolangma...A series of Tibet scenery pictures in the magazine "Chinese National Geography" stirred my heart when I was fourteen. From then on, the dream of visiting Tibet took root in my mind. On hearing about the opening of the Qinghai-Tibetan railway, I was ecstatic because my dream would come true very soon. I not only gathered lots of related materials and made out a detailed schedule for my trip, but also drew up a plan to do physical exercises. When people were sleeping soundly in early mornings, I had sweatily finished the distance I assigned for myself. At last, I got on the train to Tibet with the name "Snowy Divine Land" as I wished. The elevation went up little by little as the train moved on. Geermu, altitude of 2829 meters; Kunlun Mountain Pass, altitude of 4772 meters; Tanggula Mountain Pass, altitude of 5072 meters - the Qinghai-Tibetan railway reached its highest elevation. And I was going to stand at the peak point of my life! The auto struggled forward on the bumpy road to Mount Qomolangma. As soon as the snowy summit far away came into our eyes, we all screamed cheerfully. Suddenly, the auto sank into the mud. In the vast meadow, as there were no trunks or stones big enough to fix the bowstrings, all we could do was to pick up the small stones, place them under the wheels and propel the auto. But the auto went on sinking despite the exhausting work of more than an hour. Due to the lack of oxygen at that high altitude, almost all of us caught a headache and vomited. It was quite difficult for anyone of us to make a single movement which was extremely easy in ordinary life. When darkness began to enshroud the desolate and uninhabited area, someone complained about taking a short cut. Knowing for sure that moaning and waiting made no sense at all, I proposed to look for help from over the hill together with several people, leaving the rest to recover on site. In the thin air, we took great trouble walking on the steep path. When I caught sight of two kids herding yaks, I ran for them with my maximum strength, tired out. Due to the language barrier, I had to make myself understood by gestures once and once again. Fortunately, one of them seemed to comprehend my intention. He nodded and then ran away. When we returned together with three Tibetan adults, taking ropes, sticks and spade. And two Tibetan children, the crowd burst a shout of excitement. It was not long before we realized that our attempts were all in vain; the auto did not break away from the mire. Accompanied by the merciless rain, the howling mountain wind left us in deep despair. Possessing a firm belief of success and enduring the pains of headache, I kept on conveying stones in order to increase the friction power. Suddenly, a stone caught my attention, which was the only stone thirty meters away from the auto. Although the outcropping part was not very big, its huge body gradually exposed with persistent digging. Embedded deeply in the soil, it was particularly fit for a steel drill. At last, thanks to the winch and cooperative efforts, the auto moved out of the trap, which was followed by a continuous applaud. They all praised me for finding the "Helping Stone", but I would prefer to call it the "Confidence Stone". Giving thanks to the Tibetan brothers who provided powerful support, we started out for the second time. Noses running and bodies shivering with cold, the shock-headed Tibetan kids were waving to us goodbye in the cold wind and falling snow. Noticing this, I could not help running off the auto and gave them all the chocolates I brought with me. In my feather down coat did I dress the little Tibetan girl, whose shining smile warmed me from head to feet. The next day, when I was standing at the base camp which was 5200 meters above sea level, the Qomolangma appeared so close to me as if I could touch it easily with my own hands. What a spectacle! The fantastic scene left me a distinct and eternal impression. I have gone through the long-distance trudge full of pleasure and sufferings. I have experienced the extensive, beautiful, dangerous and impoverished Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. I have covered the broad land from Lhasa to Qomolangma on wheels. I have bared all the inspirations and affections of Tibet on my mind. It was in the sacred place that I challenged my limitation of life, passed the test on will and quality, overcame the difficulties with optimism, and triumphed over the pain of plateau sickness by my stubbornness. At the same time, the stone which helped us out of the snare made it clear to me that the difficulties in our daily life were bound to become "tough stumbling blocks" if we chose to avoid or abandon. Once we have the firm purpose, any "tough stumbling blocks" will turn into "slab stones" the confidence stones in heart.
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It is well known that stones are hard and lasting, but have you heard of "The Confidence Stone"? The blue sky, the overwhelming snow mountain, the flying eagles, the strong yaks, the cute Tibetan antelopes, the fluttering prayer flags, and the majestic Qomolangma... A series of Tibet scenery pictures in the magazine "Chinese National Geography" stirred my heart when I was fourteen. From then on, the dream of visiting Tibet took root in my mind. On hearing about the opening of the Qinghai-Tibetan railway, I was ecstatic because my dream would come true very soon. I not only gathered lots of related materials and made out a detailed schedule for my trip, but also drew up a plan to do physical exercises. When people were sleeping soundly in early mornings, I had steadily finished the distance I assigned for myself. At last, I got on the train to Tibet with the name "Snowy Divine Land" as I wished. The elevation went up little by little as the train moved on. Germ, altitude of 2829 meters; Kunduz Mountain Pass, altitude of 4772 meters; Angular Mountain Pass, altitude of 5072 meters - the Qinghai-Tibetan railway reached its highest elevation. And I was going to stand at the peak point of my life! The auto struggled forward on the bumpy road to Mount Qomolangma. As soon as the snowy summit far away came into our eyes, we all screamed cheerfully. Suddenly, the auto sank into the mud. In the vast meadow, as there were no trunks or stones big enough to fix the bowstrings, all we could do was to pick up the small stones, place them under the wheels and propel the auto. But the auto went on sinking despite the exhausting work of more than an hour. Due to the lack of oxygen at that high altitude, almost all of us caught a headache and vomited. It was quite difficult for anyone of us to make a single movement which was extremely easy in ordinary life. When darkness began to enshroud the desolate and uninhabited area, someone complained about taking a shortcut. Knowing for sure that moaning and waiting made no sense at all, I proposed to look for help from over the hill together with several people, leaving the rest to recover on site. In the thin air, we took great trouble walking on the steep path. When I caught sight of two kids herding yaks, I ran for them with my maximum strength, tired out. Due to the language barrier, I had to make myself understood by gestures once and once again. Fortunately, one of them seemed to comprehend my intention. He nodded and then ran away. When we returned together with three Tibetan adults, taking ropes, sticks and spade. And two Tibetan children, the crowd burst a shout of excitement. It was not long before we realized that our attempts were all in vain; the auto did not break away from the mire. Accompanied by the merciless rain, the howling mountain wind left us in deep despair. Possessing a firm belief of success and enduring the pains of headache, I kept on conveying stones in order to increase the friction power. Suddenly, a stone caught my attention, which was the only stone thirty meters away from the auto. Although the outcropping part was not very big, its huge body gradually exposed with persistent digging. Embedded deeply in the soil, it was particularly fit for a steel drill. At last, thanks to the winch and cooperative efforts, the auto moved out of the trap, which was followed by a continuous applaud. They all praised me for finding the "Helping Stone", but I would prefer to call it the "Confidence Stone". Giving thanks to the Tibetan brothers who provided powerful support, we started out for the second time. Noses running and bodies shivering with cold, the shock-headed Tibetan kids were waving to us goodbye in the cold wind and falling snow. Noticing this, I could not help running off the auto and gave them all the chocolates I brought with me. In my feather down coat did I dress the little Tibetan girl, whose shining smile warmed me from head to feet. The next day, when I was standing at the base camp which was 5200 meters above sea level, the Qomolangma appeared so close to me as if I could touch it easily with my own hands. What a spectacle! The fantastic scene left me a distinct and eternal impression. I have gone through the long-distance trudge full of pleasure and sufferings. I have experienced the extensive, beautiful, dangerous and impoverished Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Furthermore, I have covered the broad land from Lhasa to Qomolangma on wheels. Furthermore, I have bared all the inspirations and affections of Tibet on my mind. It was in the sacred place that I challenged my limitation of life, passed the test on will and quality, overcame the difficulties with optimism, and triumphed over the pain of plateau sickness by my stubbornness. At the same time, the stone which helped us out of the snare made it clear to me that the difficulties in our daily life were bound to become "tough stumbling blocks" if we chose to avoid or abandon. Once we have the firm purpose, any "tough stumbling blocks" will turn into "slab stones" the confidence stones in heart.
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I had always thought that I was born the most unfortunate kid in the world. Looking into the mirror, I could always see how ugly I look. My face was divided into two different parts, on the left side had normal yellowish color, but on the right side was the notorious dark brown birthmark, in the most noticeable are of my body when I was born. Starting from elementary school, I always felt frightened going into new environments and meeting new people; because I knew they would stare at me in curiosity, wondering what was that on my face. Lacking the confidence to talk with people, I was always quiet and alone. By isolating myself from the world, I was trying to protect myself; I didn't want to hear any negative comment that could hurt my feeling. Without any unnecessary social interaction, I thought I could live like this safely for life, but things do come unexpected. It was one day in the seventh grade after school, I was sitting in my desk playing around with my pencil. Suddenly, I heard a boy in my class talking angrily but justly to his father, "Dad, that ugly girl, she must had stolen my pencil!" Then the boy and his dad walked to me, his dad asked me with authority, "why did you steal my son's pencil?" although I wanted to shout out that I didn't do it, I didn't even know to his son, but I kept my head down without speaking a word. I knew the danger of being silent meant admitting, but at times like that, I couldn't even look straight into the eyes of people in my age, how could I retort to an adult that was so sure about what I didn't do. The boy grabbed the pencil that I was playing with and left with his father. I forced back my tear, I don't want my parents to worry about me, I don't want them to feel bad about me and my weakness. I hided in the restroom and cried as soon as I got home. I realized I cried not because of the boy accused me for doing something because of my outlook, but because of my extreme weakness of not even able to defense myself. I can't even speak up and told them that I didn't steal his pencil. My weakness had made me live in constant unhappiness, made me assumed that I can't live any other life because of my outlook. I realized the assumption that I was supposed to be weak had made me live in the dark all these years. It was that day that I felt my eagerness to be strong deep inside my heart, my urge to look people straight in to their eyes and talk with them like friends, and I felt my readiness to make changes to my life. Years later, I got a surgery on my face, which lightened the color of my birthmark. When I looked at the mirror today, I had never regret that God had decided to mark me as His special child, I knew that all these years of being weak and the incident of being wrongly accused had been one lifelong experience for me, they taught me how to be a strong and confident girl. For the first fourteen years of my life, I resided in a city named Guang Zhou in China. This was the place where I was born, went to school, and grew up with my friends and family. It was a peaceful city--we all lived a normal and quiet life. No one would have expected that a devastating and terrifying biological disaster would hit our city in 2003, the year when SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), a new type of deadly communicable virus spread throughout the whole Guang Zhou area. The fear of being infected by the pestilent disease was in everyone's mind. People wore face masks when they are in public; us students were required to have our temperature checked every time we entered a classroom; and herbal medicine which were said can cure SARS became the must buy item for every family. Despite the precautions we took, more and more people were sent to the hospitals with the same suspected SARS symptoms everyday. In March 25, a nurse named Yan Yip first died from this incident. I was shocked and terrified, because I could feel that people were dying around me, and how close I was to death, I could be the one dying anytime. However, these fears weren't and couldn't be seen on the doctors' and nurses' faces. They were our source of confidence and hope--they stood on front line of the SARS battle and they knew they had to be strong for the people's sake. After a simple meal with their dearest families and friends, both doctors and nurses alike had to pack their clothing and rush to the hospitals to resume their work, and more, they volunteered to fight with death. These doctors and nurses live in the hospital for months, quarantined from the rest of society because they couldn't risk of letting their families get infected. Although they wore masks and protective gowns when interacting with patients, half of the nurses were infected by the disease and became patients themselves. Many of them died soon after, but those that got better continued to work, putting their patients' wellbeing before their own. In the end, 56 people in my community died. It has been five years since the first outbreak of SARS in Asia, but the fears and events are still fresh in my mind. I could remember that it was the sacrifice of the doctors and nurses that saved our community. They were ordinary people who I might ride the bus with everyday but were also extraordinary people willing to sacrifice their own health and future to save complete strangers--strangers that might have been me or someone close to me. Their actions change how I view the world. I used to think people are selfish self-centered, but they make realized that the world is full of love and care. From that point on, I felt a great urge to go into the medical field because I want to be the one to give patients confident and warmth. I want to contribute more to the sick, and no matter what happen, I will always put them on the first place, because we are their main source of confidence and hope.
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I had always thought that I was born the most unfortunate kid in the world. Looking into the mirror, I could always see how ugly I look. My face was divided into two different parts, on the left side had normal yellowish color, but on the right side was the notorious dark brown birthmark, in the most noticeable are of my body when I was born. Starting from elementary school, I always felt frightened going into new environments and meeting new people; because I knew they would stare at me in curiosity, wondering what was that on my face. Lacking the confidence to talk with people, I was always quiet and alone. By isolating myself from the world, I was trying to protect myself; I didn't want to hear any negative comment that could hurt my feeling. Without any unnecessary social interaction, I thought I could live like this safely for life, but things do come unexpected. It was one day in the seventh grade after school, I was sitting in my desk playing around with my pencil. Suddenly, I heard a boy in my class talking angrily but justly to his father, "Dad, that ugly girl, she must have stolen my pencil!" Then the boy and his dad walked to me, his dad asked me with authority, "why did you steal my son's pencil?" although I wanted to shout out that I didn't do it, I didn't even know to his son, but I kept my head down without speaking a word. I knew the danger of being silent meant admitting, but at times like that, I couldn't even look straight into the eyes of people in my age, how could I retort to an adult that was so sure about what I didn't do. The boy grabbed the pencil that I was playing with and left with his father. I forced back my tear, I don't want my parents to worry about me, I don't want them to feel bad about me and my weakness. I hided in the restroom and cried as soon as I got home. Furthermore, I realized I cried not because of the boy accused me for doing something because of my outlook, but because of my extreme weakness of not even able to defense myself. Furthermore, I can't even speak up and told them that I didn't steal his pencil. My weakness had made me live in constant unhappiness, made me assumed that I can't live any other life because of my outlook. I realized the assumption that I was supposed to be weak had made me live in the dark all these years. It was that day that I felt my eagerness to be strong deep inside my heart, my urge to look people straight in to their eyes and talk with them like friends, and I felt my readiness to make changes to my life. Years later, I got a surgery on my face, which lightened the color of my birthmark. When I looked in a mirror today, I had never regretted that God had decided to mark me as His special child, I knew that all these years of being weak and the incident of being wrongly accused had been one lifelong experience for me, they taught me how to be a strong and confident girl. For the first fourteen years of my life, I resided in a city named Gang Zhou in China. This was the place where I was born, went to school, and grew up with my friends and family. It was a peaceful city--we all lived a normal and quiet life. No one would have expected that a devastating and terrifying biological disaster would hit our city in 2003, the year when SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), a new type of deadly communicable virus spread throughout the whole Gang Zhou area. The fear of being infected by the pestilent disease was in everyone's mind. People wore face masks when they are in public; us students were required to have our temperature checked every time we entered a classroom; and herbal medicine which were said can cure SARS became they must-buy item for every family. Despite the precautions we took, more and more people were sent to the hospitals with the same suspected SARS symptoms every day. On March 25, a nurse named An Yip first died from this incident. I was shocked and terrified, because I could feel that people were dying around me, and how close I was to death, I could be the one dying anytime. However, these fears weren't and couldn't be seen on the doctors' and nurses' faces. They were our source of confidence and hope--they stood on front line of the SARS battle, and they knew they had to be strong for the people's sake. After a simple meal with their dearest families and friends, both doctors and nurses alike had to pack their clothing and rush to the hospitals to resume their work, and more, they volunteered to fight with death. These doctors and nurses live in the hospital for months, quarantined from the rest of society because they couldn't risk of letting their families get infected. Although they wore masks and protective gowns when interacting with patients, half of the nurses were infected by the disease and became patients themselves. Many of them died soon after, but those that got better continued to work, putting their patients' wellbeing before their own. In the end, 56 people in my community died. It has been five years since the first outbreak of SARS in Asia, but the fears and events are still fresh in my mind. I could remember that it was the sacrifice of the doctors and nurses that saved our community. They were ordinary people who I might ride the bus with every day but were also extraordinary people willing to sacrifice their own health and future to save complete strangers--strangers that might have been me or someone close to me. Their actions change how I view the world. I used to think people are selfish self-centered, but they make realized that the world is full of love and care. From that point on, I felt a great urge to go into the medical field because I want to be the one to give patients confident and warmth. I want to contribute more to the sick, and no matter what happen, I will always put them on the first place, because we are their main source of confidence and hope.
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Since my freshman year in high school I have wanted to attend The University of Central Florida. I knew when I was 8 years old that I wanted to be a Forensic Psychologist and a school project led me to UCF. My path was planned - Psychology at the University of Central Florida. I was thrilled to have a "plan" in my freshman year when so many of my classmates had no idea what they wanted to do. As fortunate as I thought I was, a serious illness befell me and threatened my wonderful plan. It took over my life, and my dream of going to UCF got farther away as there were many missed days of school and my grades fell. I was able to attend a campus visit at UCF which boosted my desire to control my arthritis, rather than letting it rule ME! I was more sure than ever that UCF was the perfect place for me in every way! With a lot of hard work to catch up in classes and every ounce of strength I had left, I managed to bring my grades up a bit and finish my junior year on a decent note. I was still planning on going to UCF, I had to, there is nowhere like it...not for me! I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason; that nothing is left to chance. Although I'm not sure how or why I got Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA), I can't help thinking that it was meant to be. Although that freshman project led me to UCF to be a Forensic Psychologist, I believe that my JRA has given me a new reason to be at The University of Central Florida: so I can eventually become a Pediatric Rheumatologist to help other children and teens like me. JRA hasn't ruined my life; It has changed it and given me a new path for my future; one that I still want The University of Central Florida to a part of.
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Since my freshman year in high school I have wanted to attend The University of Central Florida. I knew when I was 8 years old that I wanted to be a Forensic Psychologist and a school project led me to UCF. My path was planned - Psychology at the University of Central Florida. I was thrilled to have a "plan" in my freshman year when so many of my classmates had no idea what they wanted to do. As fortunate as I thought I was, a serious illness befell me and threatened my wonderful plan. It took over my life, and my dream of going to UCF got farther away as there were many missed days of school and my grades fell. I was able to attend a campus visit at UCF which boosted my desire to control my arthritis, rather than letting it rule ME! I was more sure than ever that UCF was the perfect place for me in every way! With a lot of hard work to catch up in classes and every ounce of strength I had left, I managed to bring my grades up a bit and finish my junior year on a decent note. I was still planning on going to UCF, I had to, there is nowhere like it...not for me! I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason; that nothing is left to chance. Although I'm not sure how or why I got Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (ERA), I can't help thinking that it was meant to be. Although that freshman project led me to UCF to be a Forensic Psychologist, I believe that my ERA has given me a new reason to be at The University of Central Florida: so I can eventually become a Pediatric Rheumatologist to help other children and teens like me. ERA hasn't ruined my life; It has changed it and given me a new path for my future; one that I still want The University of Central Florida to a part of.
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Thanks! It was close to the crack of dawn when I was awakened to Lonnie Liston Smith's 'A Gift of Love'. I was completely oblivious to the real situation going on behind closed doors and was convinced that everything was normal as usual; the simple Saturday morning routine. When I walked out into the living room, the first thing I noticed was my father sitting on the couch with the album cover on his lap. It was as if he was entranced by the sounds coming from the needle grazing the grooves of the record as he hit his lap with every high-hat, cymbal, kick and snare playing in the song. Although his state enchanted me, what stood most mystifying was the separation I felt between my parents. My mother sat motionless at the kitchen table with a blank stare. I began eating my breakfast daring not to ask what was wrong. My father then called me to sit next to him. He asked me how I felt. Not quite understanding the question I replied, "Tired" and found that my mother then came from the kitchen table to stand behind me. In an effort to aid the gawky moment, I asked my father what record was playing "A Song for the Children by Lonnie Smith", he replied. He then went on to tell me he was no longer going to be living with me any longer. My attempt to change the subject had miserably failed. To some, music may mean a song or two that brings them back to a great time or event in their life. To others, music is just something to dance to. For me, music is much more than just a rhythm or dance move, but more as an escape and an outlet for my emotions. With every composition made, a story much greater lies beneath it. Aside from speaking about the divorce with my older brother, I found it difficult to cope with the separation of my family. The eminent burn lingered, with that I turned to music. Through music I found a realm like no other for expression. My turn to music ultimately only led to the best. Academics increased greatly, I developed work ethic and music became my soul passion. This experience has turned my life around. Attaining an ever burning drive to become successful has made this event one that I cannot hold a grudge to, rather it is one that I am glad to have faced because of the benefits gained that will assist me in my college experience.
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Thanks! It was close to the crack of dawn when I was awakened to Lonnie Liston Smith's 'A Gift of Love'. I was completely oblivious to the real situation going on behind closed doors and was convinced that everything was normal as usual; the simple Saturday morning routine. When I walked out into the living room, the first thing I noticed was my father sitting on the couch with the album cover on his lap. It was as if he was entranced by the sounds coming from the needle grazing the grooves of the record as he hit his lap with every high-hat, cymbal, kick and snare playing in the song. Although his state enchanted me, what stood most mystifying was the separation I felt between my parents. My mother sat motionless at the kitchen table with a blank stare. I began eating my breakfast daring not to ask what was wrong. My father then called me to sit next to him. He asked me how I felt. Not quite understanding the question I replied, "Tired" and found that my mother then came from the kitchen table to stand behind me. In an effort to aid the gawky moment, I asked my father what record was playing "A Song for the Children by Lonnie Smith", he replied. He then went on to tell me he was no longer going to be living with me any longer. My attempt to change the subject had miserably failed. To some, music may mean a song or two that brings them back to a great time or event in their life. To others, music is just something to dance to. For me, music is much more than just a rhythm or dance move, but more as an escape and an outlet for my emotions. With every composition made, a story much greater lies beneath it. Aside from speaking about the divorce with my older brother, I found it difficult to cope with the separation of my family. The eminent burn lingered, with that I turned to music. Through music, I found a realm like no other for expression. My turn to music ultimately only led to the best. Academics increased greatly, I developed work ethic and music became my soul passion. This experience has turned my life around. Attaining an ever burning drive to become successful has made this event one that I cannot hold a grudge to, rather it is one that I am glad to have faced because of the benefits gained that will assist me in my college experience.
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Entering my freshman year of high school, I believed in high school stereotypes. Sometimes I judged people at first sight. Jocks, goths, nerds, stoners; you name it. Being on the football team, I tried to fit in with the "jock" stereotype; always trying to act cool and tough. Strangely enough, I was also in band. Unfortunately, band and football do not mix well. Afraid that I'll fall into the "band geek" stereotype, I tried to dissociate myself with them. While there are a few on the drumline I occasionally talked to, I kept the same attitude towards most of the band kids throughout the first half semester. Fortunately, that changed on our twenty-four hour bus ride to Disney World. Twenty-four hours on a bus full of band geeks? I seriously thought I wouldn't be able to survive that. I was scared that I would become like them, and I'd be a new person when we returned to school. But as each hour passed, I grew fonder of every kid on the bus. I started to develop new friendships and I grew to appreciate each unique personality. After that trip, I stopped judging people. I realized that no two people are the same. I've also helped some of my friends on the football team see that. At the University of Michigan, I hope to help more people realize that if we all came to overcome differences, we would be a much better society. Word Count: 242 thanks in advance
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Entering my freshman year of high school, I believed in high school stereotypes. Sometimes I judged people at first sight. Jocks, goths, nerds, stoners; you name it. Being on the football team, I tried to fit in with the "jock" stereotype; always trying to act cool and tough. Strangely enough, I was also in band. Unfortunately, band and football do not mix well. Afraid that I'll fall into the "band geek" stereotype, I tried to dissociate myself with them. While there are a few on the drumlins I occasionally talked to, I kept the same attitude towards most of the band kids throughout the first half semester. Fortunately, that changed on our twenty-four-hour bus ride to Disney World. Twenty-four hours on a bus full of band geeks? I seriously thought I wouldn't be able to survive that. I was scared that I would become like them, and I'd be a new person when we returned to school. But as each hour passed, I grew fonder of every kid on the bus. I started to develop new friendships and I grew to appreciate each unique personality. After that trip, I stopped judging people. I realized that no two people are the same. I've also helped some of my friends on the football team see that. At the University of Michigan, I hope to help more people realize that if we all came to overcome differences, we would be a much better society. Word Count: 242 thanks in advance
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"Oh no! It is raining." The afternoon skies had opened up suddenly and it was pouring down. Though it was a welcome relief from the heat, it also meant that I would not be able to practise badminton today. Since there was no one at home, I had to entertain myself. Being a restless person, I could not think of anything to do. I thought that I could just listen to some soothing music and while away my time. But I don't believe in wasting time when I could be doing something productive, especially when I was feeling so energetic. It hit me. Cards! That is it. I got it. I could make towers and buildings out of cards. I had seen so many people do it on television and it did not look particularly difficult. Moreover, I would be trying yet another new thing in life. Having decided my task, I set about working towards it, as I have always done. The first thing to do was to search for the pack of cards. I knew we had one somewhere in our house since I had memories of fun-filled summer holidays with my parents. Half an hour later, I was ready to abandon the search. However, I had never given up on anything in my life and I was not about to start now. There! I had found them. I knew my perseverance would not let me down. After switching on my stereo to my favourite A.R.Rahman album, I set down to work with "Secret of Success" blaring on the background. Within a minute, I had finished building the ground floor. There! That was easy! I knew I could do it. Abandoning all patience, I rapidly moved to second base. It was getting easier by the moment. I was already envisioning building a vertical monster taller than me. Crash! My momentary lapse of concentration had cost me plenty. I had to begin all over again. Undeterred by the fall and more determined than ever, I concentrated doubly hard on finishing this 'towering' work that I had begun. After nearly ten minutes, I had eyes for nothing but my fragile product of my pertinacity and concentration. Somewhere within the realms of my mind grew a grudging admiration for all those engineers and workers. I had almost reached the top and 'meeeowww'. Another crash! My pet cat had chosen to visit me now of all times. However, to my mind it was just another hurdle and another test of grit. It suddenly occurred to me that I might not be able to do it. But I was quick to dispel such negative thoughts. I had come this far and I knew that I could not give up now. This time my concentration was 200%. With the steady hold of a cardiac surgeon and gentle hands of a mother picking her child, I put one card over the other. My heart helped my head by pumping patience, determination, diligence, and concentration to my hands. More than everything else, there was this intense urge to win. To prove that the human mind can do anything it sets out to. Vaguely, I realized that it was thundering outside. But that was nothing to the drumming of my heart. Ten minutes later, and I was almost there. The fact that I had come so close to something that had been eluding me, made me feel dizzy. But this time I guarded myself against complacency and diversions. I could almost taste the success. Too anxious to even breathe, I put the last two cards together. For a second they shook defiantly trying to comply with gravity. I wanted to close my eyes in resignation. But I refused to be intimidated. I stared at the cards keenly. They settled! As though the intensity of my gaze were holding them. "Reach for the skies and never never give it up." The album had ended and so had my quest. I felt exaltation and amazement spread through me. A simple pack of cards had taught me one of the most valuable lessons in life. By crashing down the first time, it taught me that complacency does not produce success. It showed me that I have to respect my opponents, no matter how small they seemed. And sometimes things go wrong, for seemingly no fault of mine. But that shouldn't daunt me, rather it should spur me on. Above all, it reassured my belief that patience and assiduity always pay. I realized that even the smallest of things in life can teach us the greatest of lessons to bring out the best qualities in us. From that day onwards, whenever I was confronted by a seemingly impossible task, I remembered that rainy afternoon and a pack of cards, and surged ahead with a steely smile. And the secret behind my hardwork? "I play my cards right."
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"Oh no! It is raining." The afternoon skies had opened up suddenly, and it was pouring down. Though it was a welcome relief from the heat, it also meant that I would not be able to practice badminton today. Since there was no one at home, I had to entertain myself. Being a restless person, I could not think of anything to do. I thought that I could just listen to some soothing music and while away my time. But I don't believe in wasting time when I could be doing something productive, especially when I was feeling so energetic. It hit me. Cards! That is it. I got it. I could make towers and buildings out of cards. Furthermore, I had seen so many people do it on television, and it did not look particularly difficult. Moreover, I would be trying yet another new thing in life. Having decided my task, I set about working towards it, as I have always done. The first thing to do was to search for the pack of cards. I knew we had one somewhere in our house since I had memories of fun-filled summer holidays with my parents. Half an hour later, I was ready to abandon the search. However, I had never given up on anything in my life, and I was not about to start now. There! I had found them. I knew my perseverance would not let me down. After switching on my stereo to my favorite A.R. Rahman album, I set down to work with "Secret of Success" blaring on the background. Within a minute, I had finished building the first floor. There! That was easy! I knew I could do it. Abandoning all patience, I rapidly moved to second base. It was getting easier by the moment. I was already envisioning building a vertical monster taller than me. Crash! My momentary lapse of concentration had cost me plenty. I had to begin all over again. Undeterred by the fall and more determined than ever, I concentrated doubly hard on finishing this 'towering' work that I had begun. After nearly ten minutes, I had eyes for nothing but my fragile product of my pertinacity and concentration. Somewhere within the realms of my mind grew a grudging admiration for all those engineers and workers. I had almost reached the top and 'meeeowww'. Another crash! My pet cat had chosen to visit me now of all times. However, to my mind it was just another hurdle and another test of grit. It suddenly occurred to me that I might not be able to do it. But I was quick to dispel such negative thoughts. I had come this far, and I knew that I could not give up now. This time my concentration was 200%. With the steady hold of a cardiac surgeon and gentle hands of a mother picking her child, I put one card over the other. My heart helped my head by pumping patience, determination, diligence, and concentration to my hands. More than everything else, there was this intense urge to win. To prove that the human mind can do anything it sets out to. Vaguely, I realized that it was thundering outside. But that was nothing to the drumming of my heart. Ten minutes later, and I was almost there. The fact that I had come so close to something that had been eluding me, made me feel dizzy. But this time I guarded myself against complacency and diversions. I could almost taste the success. Too anxious to even breathe, I put the last two cards together. For a second they shook defiantly trying to comply with gravity. I wanted to close my eyes in resignation. But I refused to be intimidated. I stared at the cards keenly. They settled! As though the intensity of my gaze were holding them. "Reach for the skies and never give it up." The album had ended and so had my quest. I felt exaltation and amazement spread through me. A simple pack of cards had taught me one of the most valuable lessons in life. By crashing down the first time, it taught me that complacency does not produce success. It showed me that I have to respect my opponents, no matter how small they seemed. And sometimes things go wrong, for seemingly no fault of mine. But that shouldn't daunt me, rather it should spur me on. Above all, it reassured my belief that patience and assiduity always pay. I realized that even the smallest of things in life can teach us the greatest of lessons to bring out the best qualities in us. From that day onwards, whenever I was confronted by a seemingly impossible task, I remembered that rainy afternoon and a pack of cards, and surged ahead with a steely smile. And the secret behind my handwork? "I play my cards right."
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I didn't change much, but here's the first revision. thanks in advance! When I walked into band class during the first day of middle school, I didn't know what to expect. I signed up for band in fourth grade because I thought learning an instrument would be fun. Going into my third year, my new director introduced us to marching band. At first, I was a little skeptical due to the physical demand, but my interest started to grow after each note we played. It's something about seeing twenty drummers playing and moving in sync; it just sounded and looked so enticing. Just thinking about it made me want to do it forever. The first day of high school band felt like the first day of kindergarten. I didn't know anybody at all; everyone was a stranger to me. I didn't care, however. All that mattered to me was having a solid audition and making a spot on the drumline. I worked all summer preparing for this day. There was no way I was going to blow this audition. Now as a senior in high school and going into my ninth year in band, I look back and realize that band isn't all about the music, or the marching; but also about the relationships you build. While we all shared the passion for music, we each had our differences. Eventually, we were able to brush off the diversity and the thirty seniors in band grew to become my second family. For the past four years, we have endured through the rigors of band camp together, even the twenty four hour bus ride to Disney World. We were all educated by the same director, and we all essentially grew up in high school together. And in one week, we will all march off of the football field together in our last football game. Word Count: 300
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I didn't change much, but here's the first revision. Thanks in advance! When I walked into band class during the first day of middle school, I didn't know what to expect. I signed up for band in fourth grade because I thought learning an instrument would be fun. Going into my third year, my new director introduced us to marching band. At first, I was a little skeptical due to the physical demand, but my interest started to grow after each note we played. It's something about seeing twenty drummers playing and moving in sync; it just sounded and looked so enticing. Just thinking about it made me want to do it forever. The first day of high school band felt like the first day of kindergarten. I didn't know anybody at all; everyone was a stranger to me. I didn't care, however. All that mattered to me was having a solid audition and making a spot on the drumlins. I worked all summer preparing for this day. There was no way I was going to blow this audition. Now as a senior in high school and going into my ninth year in band, I look back and realize that band isn't all about the music, or the marching; but also about the relationships you build. While we all shared the passion for music, we each had our differences. Eventually, we were able to brush off the diversity and the thirty seniors in band grew to become my second family. For the past four years, we have endured through the rigors of band camp together, even the twenty-four hour bus ride to Disney World. We were all educated by the same director, and we all essentially grew up in high school together. And in one week, we will all march off of the football field together in our last football game. Word Count: 300
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Looking around, I see eyes stabbing me with the screaming pain of famine and suffering while I sit horrified, yet comfortable in the air-conditioned Toyota Rav-4. My father s futile attempt to reassure me by telling me not to worry about them went in the left ear and out the right. I could read it off their faces, they wanted to tell me that only reason I wasn t standing right next to them was luck, and that I was the same decaying organic matter as they were. Lying on my bed thinking about what had just happened, not only was I in shock, but severely dumbstruck. It had been a while since the last time I went to Haiti which therefore made it a little harder for me to adjust. I was in shock; not only because of the poverty, but from the message I got from them. My ignorance stopped me from realizing how lucky I really was. I had always been passive about the nagging comments about how much I took everything for granted because I thought that s what every parent told their child. I then realized what great regret I held towards myself. My stubbornness from not heeding my parents' lectures about how lucky I was had slowly morphed into ignorance over the years. I saw things differently then how I did when I was eight. I returned to Miami with a completely new state of mind. Everything I did, I stopped to appreciate it, from having food on the table to having a place to sleep at night. I felt the need to do more, to make myself getting used to getting used, because I would otherwise be useless to everyone and everything around me. I began helping more around the house, went to look for a job, and focused more on my school work. I also helped set up a food drive for the hurricane victims in Haiti throughout my whole school from my French honor society club. My appreciation towards that trip to Haiti will never cease. It helped me open my eyes to the fact that outside of my perfect little world, there is poverty, famine, war, and other atrocities taking place globally. I cannot say that the trip instantly made me a better person, but rather that it was the spark to ignite the flame of determination within me to excel and take advantage of the opportunities that await me.
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Looking around, I see eyes stabbing me with the screaming pain of famine and suffering while I sit horrified, yet comfortable in the air-conditioned Toyota Rav-4. My father s futile attempt to reassure me by telling me not to worry about them went in the left ear and out the right. I could read it off their faces, they wanted to tell me that only reason I wasn't standing right next to them was luck, and that I was the same decaying organic matter as they were. Lying on my bed thinking about what had just happened, not only was I in shock, but severely dumbstruck. It had been a while since the last time I went to Haiti which therefore made it a little harder for me to adjust. I was in shock; not only because of the poverty, but from the message I got from them. My ignorance stopped me from realizing how lucky I really was. I had always been passive about the nagging comments about how much I took everything for granted because I thought that's what every parent told their child. I then realized what great regret I held towards myself. My stubbornness from not heeding my parents' lectures about how lucky I was had slowly morphed into ignorance over the years. I saw things differently then how I did when I was eight. I returned to Miami with a completely new state of mind. Everything I did, I stopped to appreciate it, from having food on the table to having a place to sleep at night. I felt the need to do more, to make myself getting used to getting used, because I would otherwise be useless to everyone and everything around me. I began helping more around the house, went to look for a job, and focused more on my school work. Furthermore, I also helped set up a food drive for the hurricane victims in Haiti throughout my whole school from my French honor society club. My appreciation towards that trip to Haiti will never cease. It helped me open my eyes to the fact that outside of my perfect little world, there is poverty, famine, war, and other atrocities taking place globally. I cannot say that the trip instantly made me a better person, but rather that it was the spark to ignite the flame of determination within me to excel and take advantage of the opportunities that await me.
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In the early stages of my Mathematical understanding I learnt the very basic that prime numbers are only divisible by one and its self, little did I know that "prime numbers are the very atoms of arithmetic" as Marcus du sautoy illustrates in The Music of Primes. I was given the school Mathematician award in secondary school for my interest and enthuse towards maths and for being the only individual to sit maths GCSE early. For this I studied for myself, which developed my skill of independent learning where I was not relying on others. Statistics was an extra GCSE that further developed my independent study skills. I have particularly enjoyed my Maths and further Maths A level course, as I need to use a logical approach to problem solving of calculation involving calculus to understanding the concept of complex number. Numbers and formulas would play about in my head whilst I am asleep. Revising for my maths exams would not feel like a burden and the exams would be like an event to anticipate. I admired maths and the challenges it bought me from a young age, my achievement showed me that it was also my main strength that I want to further study on. My other A level courses are also science based: Chemistry and Economics. They both complement my subject of Maths. I have a high interest in economics I regularly read The Times and The Economist to keep up to date with the news especially now with the credit crises and its the impact on our economy. I have looked into a wide range of careers that's a Mathematics degree can lead to, my main objective is to go into the financial field. I spent two days last year at Merrill Lynch Financial Centre where I was shown around the different aspects of an investment bank. I have been spending a day at a primary school guiding the Mathematically able pupils to solve challenging problems. On top of my A levels I spend my Saturday at my local community centre tutoring young teenagers. For doing this I have achieved my 200 hour millennium volunteering award and currently working towards my 500 hour award. This helps me meet a wide range of people and enabled me to develop my communication skills. As well as enrolling in the guardian angel to help support a new year seven student settle into school.I am an enthusiastic individual towards the school community, I decided to give something back as it has made me more mature as a person. I helped out with many parents evenings and open evening, I built upon my communication skills. My expertises in being organised are shown by my time management skills. I volunteer myself for local events in my borough such as fundraisers and, this is helped by the fact that I was the head of the social committee in school where I organised many events as the year seven disco and school prom Whist undertaking my silver Duke of Edinburgh expedition, I was the team captain. My current job is a sale operative in a call centre. I have also worked as a sales assistant at the Emirates stadium on match days. I could have gone to university last year, but I did not feel satisfied with leaving school with just two a levels and two as that was not my full potential.
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In the early stages of my Mathematical understanding I learned the very basic that prime numbers are only divisible by one and its self, little did I know that "prime numbers are the very atoms of arithmetic" as Marcus Du auto illustrates in The Music of Primes. I was given the school Mathematician award in secondary school for my interest and enthuse towards math and for being the only individual to sit math GCSE early. For this I studied for myself, which developed my skill of independent learning where I was not relying on others. Statistics was an extra GCSE that further developed my independent study skills. I have particularly enjoyed my Math and further Math A level course, as I need to use a logical approach to problem-solving of calculation involving calculus to understanding the concept of complex number. Numbers and formulas would play about in my head whilst I am asleep. Revising for my math exams would not feel like a burden and the exams would be like an event to anticipate. I admired math and the challenges it bought me from a young age, my achievement showed me that it was also my main strength that I want to further study on. My other A level courses are also science based: Chemistry and Economics. They both complement my subject of Math. I have a high interest in economics I regularly read The Times and The Economist to keep up to date with the news especially now with the credit crises and it's the impact on our economy. I have looked into a wide range of careers that's a Mathematics degree can lead to, my main objective is to go into the financial field. Furthermore, I spent two days last year at Merrill Lynch Financial Center where I was shown around the different aspects of an investment bank. Furthermore, I have been spending a day at a primary school guiding the Mathematically able pupils to solve challenging problems. On top of my A-levels I spend my Saturday at my local community center tutoring young teenagers. For doing this I have achieved my 200-hour millennium volunteering award and currently working towards my 500-hour award. This helps me meet a wide range of people and enabled me to develop my communication skills. As well as enrolling in the guardian angel to help support a new year seven student settle into school. I am an enthusiastic individual towards the school community, I decided to give something back as it has made me more mature as a person. I helped out with many parents evenings and open evening, I built upon my communication skills. My expertises in being organized are shown by my time management skills. I volunteer myself for local events in my borough such as fundraisers and, this is helped by the fact that I was the head of the social committee in school where I organized many events as the year seven disco and school proms Whist undertaking my silver Duke of Edinburgh expedition, I was the team captain. My current job is a sale operative in a call center. I have also worked as a sales assistant at the Emirates stadium on match days. I could have gone to university last year, but I did not feel satisfied with leaving school with just two a levels and two as that was not my full potential.
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Question: Why did you choose UCF? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Out of all the universities in Florida I knew that I wanted to go to the University of Central Florida mainly because of its proximity to my family and the molecular biology program that is offered. After seeing how successful my cousin has become and how great it feels to help people I knew that I wanted to become a pharmacist. By entering the University of Central Florida molecular biology program it will help me pursue my dream of becoming a pharmacist. I've always known that when I go to college I wanted to remain in Florida and be somewhere that wasn't so far away from my family. Since a majority of my family lives around Orlando it made it that much easier for me to choose the University of Central Florida as the college that I hope to attend. My family is the most important people in my life; they have supported me in whatever I do and they are the people that shaped me into the person I am today. As I get older I've come to appreciate them more and realize that life without them wouldn't be the same. We have dinner together just about every night, we go on family vacations, and we always celebrate the holidays together. Because the University of Central Florida is only about an hour away from my family it will be more convenient for me to visit them and I would not have to miss out on the things that are going on in my family lives. Going to the University of Central Florida will not only allow me to be close to my family but allow me to experience the college life at the same time. One of my cousins, Christine, is currently a student at the University of Central Florida and she has told me nothing but incredible stories about the school. After talking to her I cannot wait to attend the football games nor explore the numerous numbers of student groups on campus. I am proud to be Vietnamese and I have always wanted to learn more about the Asian culture. The University of Central Florida will make it so much easier for me to do so because of all the student groups that are offered. After looking at the websites of the University of Central Florida I became very interested in the Asian Student Association. I was even able to attend their Tour of Asia with my cousin Christine in September of 2008. For as long as I can remember, I have always dreamed of pursuing a career that would allow me to help others in some way. When I was younger while other kids were playing with their Barbie dolls and cars I was busy playing doctor dress-up. It became even clearer to me that I wanted to become a pharmacist after I have seen how much my cousin Erin loves her job as a pharmacist and how much she helps people every day. The molecular biology program at the University of Central Florida will prepare me for becoming a pharmacist and get me one step closer to my dream career. The University of Central Florida also provides many services that I find will be very helpful to me in the future. The recreational centers and the leisure pool will help me stay fit and healthy. A free shuttle system is located on campus to make the commute from class to class easier as well. And whenever I have any medical injuries or illnesses I will be able to receive assistance at the campus Health Center. All in all, I know that the University of Central Florida is the perfect school for me. Attending the University of Central Florida will let me stay close to my family and simultaneously experience the college life. With the recreational center and Health Center that is provided by the school I will be able to stay healthy and receive medical care when needed. Most importantly the University of Central Florida's molecular biology program will help me achieve my goal of becoming a pharmacist.
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Question: Why did you choose UCF? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Out of all the universities in Florida I knew that I wanted to go to the University of Central Florida mainly because of its proximity to my family and the molecular biology program that is offered. After seeing how successful my cousin has become and how great it feels to help people I knew that I wanted to become a pharmacist. By entering the University of Central Florida molecular biology program it will help me pursue my dream of becoming a pharmacist. I've always known that when I go to college I wanted to remain in Florida and be somewhere that wasn't so far away from my family. Since a majority of my family lives around Orlando it made it that much easier for me to choose the University of Central Florida as the college that I hope to attend. My family is the most important people in my life; they have supported me in whatever I do, and they are the people that shaped me into the person I am today. As I get older I've come to appreciate them more and realize that life without them wouldn't be the same. We have dinner together just about every night, we go on family vacations, and we always celebrate the holidays together. Because the University of Central Florida is only about an hour away from my family it will be more convenient for me to visit them and I would not have to miss out on the things that are going on in my family lives. Going to the University of Central Florida will not only allow me to be close to my family but allow me to experience the college life at the same time. One of my cousins, Christine, is currently a student at the University of Central Florida, and she has told me nothing but incredible stories about the school. After talking to her, I cannot wait to attend the football games nor explore the numerous numbers of student groups on campus. I am proud to be Vietnamese and I have always wanted to learn more about the Asian culture. The University of Central Florida will make it so much easier for me to do so because of all the student groups that are offered. After looking at the websites of the University of Central Florida I became very interested in the Asian Student Association. I was even able to attend their Tour of Asia with my cousin Christine in September 2008. For as long as I can remember, I have always dreamed of pursuing a career that would allow me to help others in some way. When I was younger while other kids were playing with their Barbie dolls and cars I was busy playing doctor dress-up. It became even clearer to me that I wanted to become a pharmacist after I have seen how much my cousin Erin loves her job as a pharmacist and how much she helps people every day. The molecular biology program at the University of Central Florida will prepare me for becoming a pharmacist and get me one step closer to my dream career. The University of Central Florida also provides many services that I find will be very helpful to me in the future. The recreational centers and the leisure pool will help me stay fit and healthy. A free shuttle system is located on campus to make the commute from class to class easier as well. And whenever I have any medical injuries or illnesses I will be able to receive assistance at the campus Health Center. All in all, I know that the University of Central Florida is the perfect school for me. Attending the University of Central Florida will let me stay close to my family and simultaneously experience the college life. With the recreational center and Health Center that is provided by the school I will be able to stay healthy and receive medical care when needed. Most importantly the University of Central Florida's molecular biology program will help me achieve my goal of becoming a pharmacist.
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------------------------------------------------------------ Some of our life experiences are insignificant and will fade away in time while others are momentous and will forever be embedded in our memories. But no matter how big or small the experience was they will shape us into the person that we are today. As I look back at all the things that I have gone through in the past 17 years of my life I realize that the determination and dedication that I have in everything I do and my organizational skills was all due to my experience in high school marching band. Before entering high school I have played the flute for three years in middle school and when I decided to continue with band in high school I did not think much of it. I thought that marching band was just going to be another elective that I have chosen to take but I was wrong. Band taught me so much more than how to play the flute and march on the field. It was because of band that I have learned the importance of dedication, determination, and organization. Marching band is like one big machine. When all the parts are working together the machine runs smoothly but if one of the parts are not cooperating the machine stops working. Marching band consists of hundreds of students and, just like a machine, if one member of the band decides to not give in 100% the band will fall apart. Each and every member must be dedicated to the band in order to carry out a triumphant show. I have learned that it takes dedication and determination not only to create a successful band but to live a successful life. I will always be at least 110% dedicated to what I do, from being in class everyday to making sure my work is done. And through my determination, ensure that every single thing I do in college is the best that it can be. With all the tests, homework, and projects that must be completed in high school it becomes like a circus show to see who can effectively juggle everything. Being in band required me to put in a lot of my time; I had Tuesday night practices from 6-9, Thursday afterschool practices, Friday night football games, and various weekend march-a-thons. Because I had to worry about band and make sure that all of my school work is done I learned how to organize my schedule and indirectly my life. I was able to successfully participate in all of my band activities and still achieve an A average in all of my classes. The organizational skills that I took from being in band will help me tremendously in college because I will be able to juggle all of my classes, keep at least a B average, and even participate in some of the universities clubs. With all of these attributes that I have gained through my high school marching band experience I will be able to contribute many things to the University of Florida as well as make my college experience a successful one. I will always be dedicated to all of my classes, be determined to make everything I do the best it can be, and remain organized while I'm doing everything. I want nothing more than to be a part of this Great Gator Nation and by applying all of my attributes make my mark as a student of the University of Florida. ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------- Thank you so much again!
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------------------------------------------------------------ Some of our life experiences are insignificant and will fade away in time while others are momentous and will forever be embedded in our memories. But no matter how big or small the experience was they will shape us into the person that we are today. As I look back at all the things that I have gone through in the past 17 years of my life I realize that the determination and dedication that I have in everything I do, and my organizational skills was all due to my experience in high school marching band. Before entering high school I have played the flute for three years in middle school and when I decided to continue with band in high school I did not think much of it. I thought that marching band was just going to be another elective that I have chosen to take, but I was wrong. Band taught me so much more than how to play the flute and march on the field. It was because of band that I have learned the importance of dedication, determination, and organization. Marching band is like one big machine. When all the parts are working together the machine runs smoothly but if one of the parts are not cooperating the machine stops working. Marching band consists of hundreds of students and, just like a machine, if one member of the band decides to not give in 100% the band will fall apart. Each and every member must be dedicated to the band in order to carry out a triumphant show. I have learned that it takes dedication and determination not only to create a successful band but to live a successful life. I will always be at least 110% dedicated to what I do, from being in class every day to making sure my work is done. And through my determination, ensure that every single thing I do in college is the best that it can be. With all the tests, homework, and projects that must be completed in high school it becomes like a circus show to see who can effectively juggle everything. Being in band required me to put in a lot of my time; I had Tuesday night practices from 6-9, Thursday after school practices, Friday night football games, and various weekend march-a-thons. Because I had to worry about band and make sure that all of my school work is done I learned how to organize my schedule and indirectly my life. I was able to successfully participate in all of my band activities and still achieve an A average in all of my classes. The organizational skills that I took from being in band will help me tremendously in college because I will be able to juggle all of my classes, keep at least a B average, and even participate in some universities clubs. With all of these attributes that I have gained through my high school marching band experience I will be able to contribute many things to the University of Florida as well as make my college experience a successful one. I will always be dedicated to all of my classes, be determined to make everything I do the best it can be, and remain organized while I'm doing everything. I want nothing more than to be a part of this Great Gator Nation and by applying all of my attributes make my mark as a student of the University of Florida. ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------- Thank you so much again!
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So I did what every other kid did got by with mediocre grades that would be somewhat acceptable to my parents, and told them "Mommy and Daddy when I grow up I want to be an astronaut". Knowing that at the time I was deathly afraid of airplanes and there was no way I was jumping in a rocket and shooting myself to outer space anytime soon. But even so my parents were ecstatic that I finally came up with a plan at the blossoming age of 12 and figured who were they to shoot down their child's only dream, when they spent years telling her "Ian-Ruth sweetheart you can be whatever you want to be when you grow up". August 21, 2004 this was the day I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, this was the day, my grandmother died. My Grandma died due to the negligence of her doctors and nurses. My mom knew and I knew it too. My grandma had Lupus and as a result of it she developed additional diseases. If these doctors had actually taken all her additional illnesses into consideration, what to treat her with and how gentle to be with her, I may have been writing this essay on a different topic today but they didn't. That day I decided I wanted to be a doctor and nothing would stop me. You see if I get granted admission to the University of Florida nothing will stop me because of the passion, integrity, and motivation that I have acquired from my experiences. After I found out what my career goal would be my decision has never wavered. At UF I will work tirelessly to achieve my goals, and I will never again get distracted by my peers. My experience will affect my college experience by causing me to work harder and to never lose sight of my dream because there needs to be one more person out there who cares.
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So I did what every other kid did got by with mediocre grades that would be somewhat acceptable to my parents, and told them "Mommy and Daddy when I grow up I want to be an astronaut". Knowing that at the time I was deathly afraid of airplanes and there was no way I was jumping in a rocket and shooting myself to outer space anytime soon. But even so my parents were ecstatic that I finally came up with a plan at the blossoming age of 12 and figured who were they to shoot down their child's only dream, when they spent years telling her "Ian-Ruth sweetheart you can be whatever you want to be when you grow up". August 21, 2004, this was the day I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, this was the day, my grandmother died. My Grandma died due to the negligence of her doctors and nurses. My mom knew and I knew it too. My grandma had Lupus and as a result of it she developed additional diseases. If these doctors had actually taken all her additional illnesses into consideration, what to treat her with and how gentle to be with her, I may have been writing this essay on a different topic today, but they didn't. That day I decided I wanted to be a doctor and nothing would stop me. You see if I get granted admission to the University of Florida nothing will stop me because of the passion, integrity, and motivation that I have acquired from my experiences. After I found out what my career goal would be my decision has never wavered. At OF I will work tirelessly to achieve my goals, and I will never again get distracted by my peers. My experience will affect my college experience by causing me to work harder and to never lose sight of my dream because there needs to be one more person out there who cares.
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Prompt: Elaborate on one of your activities (extracurricular, personal activities, or work experience) [150 words max] Recently, a voyage to a hill tribe village in the mountainous region of Northern Thailand helped me ameliorate the lives of unfortunate Thai children. Highly underprivileged, these children live a life of sustenance. From the youngest age, they help cultivate the surrounding land. As part of a team, I helped construct a playground for these children so that they may also enjoy the pleasures of childhood. Over the course of a week, I contributed to evening the land, solidifying foundations, assembling play sets and painting the playground. It was an incredibly rewarding experience because I discovered firsthand the joys small deeds of kindness can bestow. Observing the children's smiles of contentment convinced me that I have the potential of making a difference in this world. As a steward of this opportunity, I wish to continue giving back to the community for years to come. word count: 144 Thanks for helping!
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Prompt: Elaborate on one of your activities (extracurricular, personal activities, or work experience) [150 words max] Recently, a voyage to a hill tribe village in the mountainous region of Northern Thailand helped me ameliorate the lives of unfortunate Thai children. Highly underprivileged, these children live a life of sustenance. From the youngest age, they help cultivate the surrounding land. As part of a team, I helped construct a playground for these children so that they may also enjoy the pleasures of childhood. Over the course of a week, I contributed to evening the land, solidifying foundations, assembling play sets and painting the playground. It was an incredibly rewarding experience because I discovered firsthand the joys small deeds of kindness can bestow. Observing the children's smiles of contentment convinced me that I have the potential of making a difference in this world. As a steward of this opportunity, I wish to continue giving back to the community for years to come. Word count: 144 Thanks for helping!
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"Vires" represents strength. Moral Strength, physical strength, and intellectual strength. All of which I possess, but I had to be enlightened from somewhere. Where you might ask; well none other than my own home and by my own mother. Without her, I would not have the physical strength to be in marching band or play tennis. I would not have the moral strength to make logical decisions and always think about consequences. I also would not have the intellectual strength to have the unwieghted GPA of a 3.8 that I have today. "Artes" refers to skill and arts, with my skills being in the art of music. Band has been a part of my life since the first day of fourth grade when I picked up that new clarinet. Moreover, I have no intentions of stopping now. In fact, I plan on minoring in music while attending Florida State and majoring in psychology. "Mores" goes on to portray tradition. No one in my family has attended Florida State, but it has become a family custom to sheer for all athletics from the school. Being the first in my immediate family to attend a major university, it just seems right for Florida State to be that University. As a prospective student, I believe every Florida State Seminole needs to live up to the code of "Vires, Artes, Mores". Therefore, I pledge to live up to that through my strength, skill, and tradition.
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"Virus" represents strength. Moral Strength, physical strength, and intellectual strength. All of which I possess, but I had to be enlightened from somewhere. Where you might ask; well none other than my own home and by my own mother. Without her, I would not have the physical strength to be in marching band or play tennis. I would not have the moral strength to make logical decisions and always think about consequences. I also would not have the intellectual strength to have the unweighted GPA of a 3.8 that I have today. "Arts" refers to skill and arts, with my skills being in the art of music. Band has been a part of my life since the first day of fourth grade when I picked up that new clarinet. Moreover, I have no intentions of stopping now. In fact, I plan on minoring in music while attending Florida State and majoring in psychology. "Mores" goes on to portray tradition. No one in my family has attended Florida State, but it has become a family custom to sheer for all athletics from the school. Being the first in my immediate family to attend a major university, it just seems right for Florida State to be that University. As a prospective student, I believe every Florida State Seminole needs to live up to the code of "Virus, Arts, Mores". Therefore, I pledge to live up to that through my strength, skill, and tradition.
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My career goals are to start a thriving business in photography and to receive the best education that I can. In the next three to four years I would like to be done with my bachelor's degree, so that I can be a freelancing, wedding, and portrait photographer. I want to own a studio and have a good team working with me. I would like to be earning a salary that I can live off and still have enough money for me and my son to have a good time. I want a career that will further my artistic abilities; while exploring my creative side in art, which I have never been able to do in any other filed. It is something that I have always had a passion for, and it brings joy in to other people's lives. In the end I think it will be one of the most fulfilling careers I have done in my life.
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My career goals are to start a thriving business in photography and to receive the best education that I can. In the next three to four years I would like to be done with my bachelor's degree, so that I can be a freelancing, wedding, and portrait photographer. I want to own a studio and have a good team working with me. I would like to be earning a salary that I can live off and still have enough money for me and my son to have a good time. Furthermore, I want a career that will further my artistic abilities; while exploring my creative side in art, which I have never been able to do in any other filed. It is something that I have always had a passion for, and it brings joy in to other people's lives. In the end I think it will be one of the most fulfilling careers I have done in my life.
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My name is Melanie Rose Zuniga. I was raised in Queens, New York. I stood in queens till I was 6 years old, went to ps. 12 only till kindergarten. I Moved to West Orange New Jersey back in 1997. I attended Pleasantdale Elementary School starting at 1st grade till 5th grade. Grade 6 till 8th grade went to Edison Middle school. Now I'll be graduating from West Orange High School the end of June. I'm ...
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My name is Melanie Rose Zúñiga. I was raised in Queens, New York. I stood in Queens till I was 6 years old, went to PS. 12 only till kindergarten. Furthermore, I Moved to West Orange New Jersey back in 1997. Furthermore, I attended Pleasant dale Elementary School starting at 1st grade till 5th grade. Grade 6 till 8th grade went to Edison Middle school. Now I'll be graduating from West Orange High School the end of June. I'm ...
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Macaulay Honors College has made me an ambitious man. I will become a CPA. I will have my own firm and I will be successful. Nothing can stop me. In the last four years Macaulay Honors College has taught me that even though the odds are against you, never stop short of your potential because if you are determined and passionate, there is no reason why you can't meet your goals and succeed. As a senior in high school I was timorous about college. I desired and longed for the chance to go to college, but coming from a low income family that dream seemed impossible. Macaulay Honors College allowed me to attend college by providing me with a full tuition scholarship. Until now part of my dream has come true. Macaulay Honors College has changed me from a boy with a dream into a man with a future. -Nikolaos Koskinas
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Macaulay Honors College has made me an ambitious man. I will become a CPA. I will have my own firm and I will be successful. Nothing can stop me. In the last four years Macaulay Honors College has taught me that even though the odds are against you, never stop short of your potential because if you are determined and passionate, there is no reason why you can't meet your goals and succeed. As a senior in high school I was timorous about college. I desired and longed for the chance to go to college, but coming from a low income family that dream seemed impossible. Macaulay Honors College allowed me to attend college by providing me with a full tuition scholarship. Until now part of my dream has come true. Macaulay Honors College has changed me from a boy with a dream into a man with a future. -Nikolas Hopkins
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The only problem is that this is over 150 words. I think i need help cutting this down & grammar structure. any help would be great! thanks!! I have flat feet. My doctor first announced the surprising news to me after I had an ankle injury due to playing soccer in middle school. My feet did not have supporting arches like normal feet would have so having flat feet was a disadvantage. I finally discovered why my legs started to tire out quickly after running short distances. "She can't play mid-field anymore because she has flat feet," spoke a girl of my soccer team in junior high. The other girls started to laugh and poke fun at my feet. It was then that I decided to quit and leave soccer, which I was so fervent about. However, I revisited soccer in high school as soon as I spotted another flat-foot girl, who kicked the ball at flying speed into the net while her teammates shouted with joy. I joined in junior year of high school, playing midfielder again while my team members of my soccer team welcomed me without enervation. I was finally able to get over my flat feet and work with them to win soccer games.
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The only problem is that this is over 150 words. I think I need help cutting this down camp; grammar structure. Any help would be great! Thanks!! I have flat feet. My doctor first announced the surprising news to me after I had an ankle injury due to playing soccer in middle school. My feet did not have supporting arches like normal feet would have so having flat feet was a disadvantage. I finally discovered why my legs started to tire out quickly after running short distances. "She can't play mid-field anymore because she has flat feet," spoke a girl of my soccer team in junior high. The other girls started to laugh and poke fun at my feet. It was then that I decided to quit and leave soccer, which I was so fervent about. However, I revisited soccer in high school as soon as I spotted another flat-foot girl, who kicked the ball at flying speed into the net while her teammates shouted with joy. I joined in junior year of high school, playing midfielder again while my team members of my soccer team welcomed me without enervation. I was finally able to get over my flat feet and work with them to win soccer games.
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Describe a meaningful event, experience or accomplishment in your life and how it will affect your college experience or your contribution to the UF campus community. You may want to reflect on your family, your school or community activities, or your involvement in areas outside of school. Marcus Aurelius once said " The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing; the main thing is to stand firm and be ready for an unseen attack." In my sophomore year of high school I joined my schools wrestling team which was the most rewarding experience of my life. I learned the meaning of hard work, determination, focus and pride. Before I joined the team I had little confidence in my self and my ability to succeed, I did not have many friends and I rarely talked to new people. After I joined the tem I changed a lot becoming more sociable and gaining confidence in my self. The first few weeks of practice were not easy. Practice was everyday after school and on Saturdays, we even had practice on Thanksgiving day. Every practice we ran a three mile warm up before we started wrestling. Then when we went inside and started wrestling we drilled and drilled non stop until the end of practice. At the end of each practice we finished up with one hundred push ups and sit ups. I thought about quitting because it was so hard and I had never done anything like this before. I told my self that I can make it though and that I will come back for the next practice. I came back next practice and every practice after that. As days and weeks passed I got used to the daily routine and the practices became easier and easier. Through determination and hard work I earned a spot on the varsity team, which is something I am very proud of. A few weeks later I had my first match and I was very nervous. My coach told me to calm down and remember what I had learned. I took my position and the match started he shot for my leg, I sprawled and got behind him and slammed him on the mat. On the ground I would try a move and he would counter he would try a move and I would counter, the match went on like that for a full three periods. When the buzzer sounded I thought I had lost , but to my surprise I won by twelve points. After that match I had a lot more confidence and pride. Now I am the complete opposite of who I used to be before I started wrestling. I talk to more people, I have a lot more friends and I believe in my self in everything that I do. I hope to bring my hard work and dedication to the University of Florida. The lessons I learned from wrestling will guide through college and on to a successful life. My time on the wrestling team wasn't just something I did after school, it is the foundation for my future.
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Describe a meaningful event, experience or accomplishment in your life and how it will affect your college experience or your contribution to the OF campus community. You may want to reflect on your family, your school or community activities, or your involvement in areas outside of school. Marcus Aurelius once said" The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing; the main thing is to stand firm and be ready for an unseen attack." In my sophomore year of high school I joined my schools wrestling team which was the most rewarding experience of my life. I learned the meaning of hard work, determination, focus and pride. Before I joined the team I had little confidence in my self and my ability to succeed, I did not have many friends and I rarely talked to new people. After I joined the TEM I changed a lot of becoming more sociable and gaining confidence in my self. The first few weeks of practice were not easy. Practice was every day after school and on Saturdays, we even had practice on Thanksgiving Day. Every practice we ran a three-mile warm up before we started wrestling. Then when we went inside and started wrestling we drilled and drilled non-stop until the end of practice. At the end of each practice we finished up with one hundred push-ups and sit-ups. I thought about quitting because it was so hard and I had never done anything like this before. I told my self that I can make it though and that I will come back for the next practice. Furthermore, I came back next practice and every practice after that. As days and weeks passed I got used to the daily routine and the practices became easier and easier. Through determination and hard work I earned a spot on the varsity team, which is something I am very proud of. A few weeks later I had my first match, and I was very nervous. My coach told me to calm down and remember what I had learned. I took my position and the match started he shot for my leg, I sprawled and got behind him and slammed him on the mat. On the ground I would try a move, and he would counter he would try a move and I would counter, the match went on like that for a full three periods. When the buzzer sounded I thought I had lost, but to my surprise I won by twelve points. After that match I had a lot more confidence and pride. Now I am the complete opposite of whom I used to be before I started wrestling. I talk to more people, I have a lot more friends and I believe in my self in everything that I do. I hope to bring my hard work and dedication to the University of Florida. The lessons I learned from wrestling will guide through college and on to a successful life. My time on the wrestling team wasn't just something I did after school, it is the foundation for my future.
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Music has become big impact on my life. The piano is an instrument that can take me away from the world and bring me in my abyss. I work really hard to try and get a song just right, make it perfect for my audience to hear. Of course playing any instrument is challenging and it can very vexing when the notes just doesn't come out the way it should, but I practice for hours to try and correct my mistakes. At times life can be very stressing for a student. For me, I have AP courses, volunteer opportunities and family to deal with that it can cause me to feel crushed between two walls. Piano has really helped me deal with stress and learn to never give up even if the notes does not sound the way it should. Living in a country of poverty can scar you with strength, morals and the ability to never give up. When I first stepped into the soil of America, I already felt like an outsider. The success this wonderful country provided was the exact opposite of what I came from. Through out my academic career my culture has been the backbone of never letting me break or fall. I never gave up when I first began to learn the English language and I never broke when the kids taunted me. My mother has always guided me ever since I could remember. She would always tell me " Nothing in this world is impossible", words that I would repeat to myself when high school got hard and when I thought about giving up. Thanks to my my mother and history, I am able to make the grades I have. I am able to pass all AP courses, and pass every exam I am given. It is thanks to the soil I have once stepped on that I have strength to keep fighting on in this competitive country and the drive to be the best I can be. As I write this essay, I begin to think about these three words, the language that shows wisdom of age and the meaning that carries strength. Mores has strengthen me in every possible way and Arte has helped me learn to be patient. It is truly that these two words make up the last, Vires-signifies strength of all kinds - moral, physical, and intellectual.
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Music has become big impact on my life. The piano is an instrument that can take me away from the world and bring me in my abyss. I work really hard to try and get a song just right, make it perfect for my audience to hear. Of course playing any instrument is challenging, and it can very vex when the notes just doesn't come out the way it should, but I practice for hours to try and correct my mistakes. At times life can be very stressing for a student. For me, I have AP courses, volunteer opportunities and family to deal with that it can cause me to feel crushed between two walls. Piano has really helped me deal with stress and learn to never give up even if the notes does not sound the way it should. Living in a country of poverty can scar you with strength, morals and the ability to never give up. When I first stepped into the soil of America, I already felt like an outsider. The success this wonderful country provided was the exact opposite of what I came from. Throughout my academic career my culture has been the backbone of never letting me break or fall. I never gave up when I first began to learn the English language and I never broke when the kids taunted me. My mother has always guided me ever since I could remember. She would always tell me" Nothing in this world is impossible", words that I would repeat to myself when high school got hard and when I thought about giving up. Thanks to my mother and history, I am able to make the grades I have. I am able to pass all AP courses, and pass every exam I am given. It is thanks to the soil I have once stepped on that I have strength to keep fighting on in this competitive country and the drive to be the best I can be. As I write this essay, I begin to think about these three words, the language that shows wisdom of age and the meaning that carries strength. Mores have strengthened me in every possible way and ARTE has helped me learn to be patient. It is truly that these two words make up the last, Vires-signifies strength of all kinds - moral, physical, and intellectual.
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