Undergraduate / "The wind of Freedom blows" - Why Stanford? [6]

This essay was the hardest one for me to write. There are so many things to say, and its so difficult for me to articulate them. I guess im simply not an eloquent man :(

Essay: Tell us what makes Stanford a good place for you

"The wind of Freedom blows".

It is this time of year where many eager students look forward to ending their high school education, and to pursue college, to mature from childhood to adulthood. To us, it is freedom; from our high schools, from our families and even sometimes from our country. This is not to say that we do not love these things, but rather that they inhibit us, limiting our perspective of the world.

But to me, Stanford's motto means far more. For me, the "wind of Freedom" symbolizes a breaking of conventions and restrictions. Rather than following the beaten paths of others, Stanford is a place to innovate; a place for unconventional solutions to unusual problems; a place to think outside the box; even if what is outside that box is frightening and unknown.

Professor Susskind's YouTube videos gave me an insight into topics I could have hardly comprehended otherwise, using simple examples to describe complex phenomena, from the quirky quantum physics to the bizarre world of string theory. His explanations radically transformed my outlook of the world, yet simultaneously left me even more mystified than before.

Stanford is unique because it combines my love for the intellectual thrill of innovation, with my views on moral obligation. Stanford's uncompleted Green Dorm project is a perfect example of this. Using salvaged wood combined with PVC to create green building materials and radiant floor systems to provide heating epitomizes the concept of taking the theoretical aspects of science, and transforming them into practical designs.

"The wind of Freedom blows" is an invitation for open scientific inquiry. But it is also a plea, a plea to keep these winds of Freedom blowing. A plea that I will gladly respond to, and hope to do so alongside Stanford.

Undergraduate / coffee -- Note to your Roommate -- Stanford essay question [7]

Here is my attempt at the room mate question. Please tear apart as you wish!

Thanks in advance :)

"Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate-and us-know you better"

I love coffee. I love it in nearly any form, from the simple Americano to the more complex Café Breva; from the classic Cappuccino to the infamous Hammerhead.

But don't think of me as your typical caffeine junkie! I find it almost scandalous when people say coffee is simply to provide energy for those lethargic mornings and tiring all-nighters. To me, coffee serves as a respite from a rather hectic life. I maintain one of the busiest schedules I know of. Between running from class to class, preparing the agenda for my charitable organizations group to editing articles for my science magazine, there never seems to be a moment of peace.

Coffee offers some sanity in a rather frenetic life. It gives me a brief moment where I can just kick back and smell the delicious scent of the mocha in my hands, without worrying about any upcoming deadlines or pending projects. It serves as a relief, and even gives me a different outlook of the world. Even a person's personality can be likened to coffee. A man of simplicity and curtness is a simple drip brew, a black coffee with no milk; a brew that gets things done with minimal fuss. The quirky people would be eccentric Espresso Con Pannas, with an exciting whipped cream flavor dominating their personalities. I suppose I would regard myself as a Ristretto, an initially intense brew, but not unpleasant to the taste. I like an undiluted raw version of life, with all its unusual mixes of flavors and aromas.

I look forward to meeting you and finding out your particular flavor. Regardless of what it is, I am certain we will blend together well. As long as you aren't a Frappe of course - I simply abhor Frappes!

Undergraduate / "confessing all my idiosyncrasies" - Note to your Roommate [6]

Hey guys, this is my first time using essay forums. Below is the second stanford essay.

"Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommateïand usïknow you better"

Thanks in Advance!!!

Roommate,
If you were to see an eerie white glow emanating from my room at an ungodly hour in the night, do not fear! More than likely you will encounter me hunched over my computers multitasking by reading the news, listening to music, and playing a blitz game of chess on the free internet chess server.

For me, night is the time to be alive. I think best during the tranquility of the darkness. You might find it odd, but I carry a notebook with me around at night, and at frequent intervals, may scribble something down. Don't be frightened into thinking these are the actions of some sleep deprived insomniac. Some of my most creative ideas occur at night, and when they do come, I always keep a pencil and paper at the ready.

Please don't confuse my nocturnal activities as the sign of a "night owl". Rather, my midnight musings are due to my belief that every minute spent sleeping is a waste. There are things just waiting to be discovered, and here I am lost in my dreams.

If this seems rather disconcerting, I will have no problems taking a step outside, perhaps to the library or possibly to the park.
Let me see - what are my other shortcomings? It is best for two fellows to know the worst of each other before they live together.

Well. I feel compelled to warn you that there might be the occasional complaint of untidiness. Most look at my room and believe a rabid wolverine had been unleashed on an unsuspected stack of papers. But please, do not mistake my untidy working space as a sign of anarchy or laziness. As Einstein said "If a cluttered desk signs a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?". Of course, if this bothers you, I'll ensure that at least some semblance of order will be maintained.

I have confessed some of my quirks. So what of you?
(my name)

How is this?