Posts by kerry2654

kerry2654

Oct 27, 2015

Undergraduate / Emerson College/ Attraction to Major/ Marketing Communications - Public Relations [2]

Emerson College Supplement 1
Word Count: 151

As you know, the academic programs at Emerson College are focused on communication and the arts. Please tell us what influenced you to select your major. If you're undecided about your major, what attracted you to Emerson's programs? Please be brief (100-200 words)

Like a puppeteer, a publicist is strategic. Every action and every word is calculated to appeal to their audience. While a puppeteer controls their puppet for entertainment, a publicist controls their client for informing, persuading, and promoting. I've always been captivated by marketing communications, specifically entertainment public relations, as they are the force behind the illusion of perfection. With my vast interests in the entertainment industry, I've always wondered how celebrities appeared to be so perfect. When choosing a career, I knew it would one that did this. Learning about a publicist's role, I realized how perfect it was for me. They research and analyze trends and opinions for decision making. They implement flexible, innovative solutions for problems. They use self-expression through both writing and visual elements to display talent. Others desire to live a perfect lifestyle like those in the spotlight while I desire to craft that image of perfection.

kerry2654

Oct 27, 2015

Undergraduate / Carleton first caught my attention, because of its size, location, and beautiful campus [5]

For a why this college essay, you should focus on what you want in a school (other than size, location, reputation or the weather) and how do they fit that. You should be talking about classes, activities, professors, etc. Also, talk about qualities about you and how the school matches you well. Why exactly do you want to go there? Be very specific.

kerry2654

Oct 27, 2015

Undergraduate / Her face looks funny... Common App essay prompt 1 [5]

I say start the scene with you following the smell into the kitchen then noticing your grandmother's face. After that, speak on the research and how hopeless you felt since you were unable to help. Then, end with how your curiosity in terms of science transitioned into an interest in medicine.

kerry2654

Oct 27, 2015

Undergraduate / Her face looks funny... Common App essay prompt 1 [5]

Here are some things I noticed:

It was an Egyptian winter day around the middle of January; people in the streets were buried in many layers of heavy clothing to protect their bodies from the "bone-chilling" 12 degrees Celsius (this is considered extreme cold when you live in Egypt) - I think with bone-chilling, an explanation isn't needed.

Returning home from soccer practice, I followed the inviting smell of Romanian food into the kitchen. I found my grandmother standing by the stove in her beige knitted pullover and checkered skirt. - Is this an uniform for her?

I recognized that she was cooking my favorite homemade dish stuffed cabbage rolls. ~~, which happened to be my favorite homemade dish.~~

kerry2654

Oct 25, 2015

Undergraduate / Common App/ Challenged A Belief/ "If my child was gay, then I would put them up for adoption." [7]

Thank you so much for the feedback!
Common App Personal Statement
Word Count: 559

Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? (250-650 words)

"If my child was gay, then I would put them up for adoption." said Kevin.
"If you're going to have children and need specific guidelines to accept them, then don't have children," I realized too late that my voice was above the conversational volume of TGI Friday's; yet, I didn't hesitate and kept my voice clear. "It shouldn't matter what your child identifies as."

"You're wrong," emphasized Kevin, Star, and Djogi. Tilting my head with my eyebrows raised, I sighed at the new direction this pleasant Saturday evening had taken. I felt all of the remaining eyes shift towards us as tensions grew. Our group was compiled of siblings: Deborah and Djogi, Kevin and Raphaelle, Star and Divine, Surya and myself. (I'm not sure of this sentence, it seems thrown in. My goal was to give more context on my friends)

"Am I wrong for aiming to love my children no matter what?"
Just an interruption in a two-person conversation began the table-wide social issue debate. One contradicting opinion on a particular topic always evolved into a heated discussion before settling in an understanding to agree-to-disagree. Ten minutes earlier I had predicted that this argument would fall into the usual pattern but I felt obligated to prolong it.

My black bean burger and fries now occupied my actions while my mind focused on earlier. I knew they had labeled me a "social justice warrior" for questioning them, but I felt obligated to do so. What made me alone in my mindset? We were all Congolese-American, attended the same church, lived in the same town for the majority of our lives, and went to the same school. Considering the similar environmental factors contributing to our opinions, I was confused how we became so different.

But then again, what did I expect? Their views were a reflection of our Congolese upbringing: socially conservative, stubborn, and opinionated laced with critical tones. I felt pressured to be a model Congolese child and follow their traditional values so I succumbed.

I never realized how much I lacked in independent judgement until I took African-American History in my sophomore year. My teacher taught beyond the curriculum to present vast social issues such as LGBT+ rights and feminism. These topics were unfamiliar yet my culture made me biased. By educating myself on social justice, I found my voice. I learned how to assert myself through new passion in my beliefs. I now believe I can develop my own outlook by incorporating my Congolese values of love and maturity with a broader belief of acceptance.

Though I understand and respect our traditional upbringing, I chose not to interact with my friends as much because of their treatment to others. Their opinions revealed unfair treatment against marginalized communities such as the LGBT+ community, who deserve nothing but respect and humanity. Our differing religious interpretations on homosexuality aside, there is no excuse for intolerance. I just chose to have a modern point of view. I base my interactions with others on my core values of impartiality and respect. In retrospect, I will make the same decision again because I'm proud how I proved myself that day. The person I presented that day is the person I am today. Someone who is passionate for what they believe in and courageous enough to speak up. I was able to prove that when I put my core values above all, I will be unbiased and fair in dealing with situations in life.

kerry2654

Oct 23, 2015

Undergraduate / "Terps are diverse" University of Maryland-College Park/Diversity Essay/Outsider [5]

Thank you for your help! I realized how confusing I was being in the later paragraphs.

kerry2654

Oct 22, 2015

Undergraduate / Common App/ Challenged A Belief/ "If my child was gay, then I would put them up for adoption." [7]

@vangiespen Thank you for your help! I will make sure to add that I want to make the same decision again. Also, University of Maryland - College Park is not under Common App so I'm able to use the teacher example with looking like I'm repeating.

kerry2654

Oct 22, 2015

Undergraduate / Common App/ Challenged A Belief/ "If my child was gay, then I would put them up for adoption." [7]

Common App Personal Statement
Word Count: 547
Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? (250-650 words)

Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? (250-650 words)

"If my child was gay, then I would put them up for adoption." said Kevin.

"If you're going to have children and need specific guidelines to accept them, then don't have children," I realized too late that my voice was above the conversational volume of TGI Friday's; yet, I still didn't hesitate and kept my voice clear. "It shouldn't matter what your child identifies as."

"You're wrong," emphasized Kevin, Star, and Djogi. Tilting my head with my eyebrows raised, I sighed at the new direction this pleasant Saturday evening had taken. I felt all of the remaining eyes shift toward us as tension grew. Our group compiled of siblings: Deborah and Djogi, Kevin and Raphaelle, Star and Divine, Surya and myself.

"Am I wrong for aiming to love my children no matter what?"

Just an interruption in a two-person conversation began the table-wide social issue debate. One contradicting opinion on a particular topic always evolves into a heated discussion before settling in an understanding to agree-to-disagree. Ten minutes earlier I had predicted this argument to fall into the usual pattern but I felt obligated to prolong it.

My black bean burger and fries now occupied my actions while my mind focused on earlier. I knew they had labeled me a "social justice warrior" for questioning them, but I felt obligated to do so. What made me alone in my mindset? We were all Congolese-American, attended the same church, lived in the same town all a majority of our lives, and went to the same school. We grew up in such a similar predicament that I was confused how we became so different. all environmental factors contributing to our opinions.

But then again, what did I expect? Their views were a reflection of our Congolese upbringing: socially conservative, stubborn, and opinionated laced with critical tones. I felt pressured to be a model Congolese child and follow their traditional values so I succumbed.

I never realized how much I lacked in independent judgement until I took African-American History my sophomore year. My teacher taught beyond the curriculum to present vast social issues such as LGBT+ rights and feminism. These topics were unfamiliar yet my culture made me biased. By educating myself on social justice, I have found my voice. I now believe I can develop my own outlook by incorporating my Congolese values of love and maturity with a broader belief of acceptance.

I chose not to interact with my friends as much from their treatment of others. I understand and respect our traditional upbringing. I base my interactions with others from my core values of impartiality and respect. Their opinions revealed unfair treatment against marginalized communities such as the LGBT+ community, who deserve nothing but respect and humanity. Our differing religious interpretations on homosexuality aside, there is no excuse for intolerance. I just chose to have a modern point of view. I base my interactions with others from my core values of impartiality and respect. In retrospect, I will make the same decision because I'm proud of that encounter by how I proved myself that day. The person I presented that day is the person I make sure I am today. Someone who is passionate for what they believe in and courageous enough to speak up. I proved that when I put my core values above all.

kerry2654

Oct 22, 2015

Undergraduate / Macaron Process for Common App Essay 2015 Prompt 1? [4]

Do you enjoy baking macarons for a specific reason? Do you want to become a baker? If not, I don't think the topic matches the prompt well but it's your essay. You mention blending your culture, how so? You should explore that more for your essay.

kerry2654

Oct 22, 2015

Undergraduate / "Terps are diverse" University of Maryland-College Park/Diversity Essay/Outsider [5]

This is just a draft of the main ideas I want to talk about since I'm stuck on how to approach things next. Thank you in advance!

University of Maryland - College Park
Word Count: 457

Terps are diverse. They bring intellectual, social and cultural differences to our community. Describe the different parts of you which will contribute to our diverse campus community (500 words)

I am not the model Congolese daughter. Never perfect in my domestic duties. Social views more liberal than conservative. Interpretation of Christianity contradicts my learning. My parents informed me that these ideals weren't a pleasant reflection on their parenting. Both in our culture and their positions as pastors, image is everything. I was pressured to succumb to their traditional values. It seemed as if I was living a double life, one for my parents and the other for myself. This internal conflict made me miserable as I fought to be my own person on a daily basis.

I am not seen as black. My playlist consists of top 40 radio. I read for pleasure often. The majority of my speech isn't African-American Vernacular English. Growing up in a gifted program as the only black girl had consequences; transitioning to a middle school as one of many, I stuck out through my style, mannerisms, and interests. To others, I was an "Oreo", a black person seen as white. It was a foreign concept as I believed that appearance was the only qualification for blackness. Either way, I denied my blackness as I claimed that I was African and not black.

I spent my adolescence feeling displaced until my sophomore year. My African-American History teacher educated us beyond the curriculum about race and social issues. Educating myself further on these issues was the first step to defining my individuality. I learned how to assert myself through new passion in my beliefs. By rejecting racial stereotypes, I embraced my African heritage and Black-American identity.

Now, I incorporate my Congolese values of identity and maturity with an open mindset that allows me to accept individuality. Being a part of multiple communities allowed me to recognize and respect other cultures.

This is important because my initiative would allow me to broadcast acceptance at the University of Maryland-College Park. My plan during my undergraduate years is to to implement programs on campus that recognizes and projects marginalized groups' opinions and belief. I will accomplish such through a Rise Above grant and the Diversity Advisory Council. I know the experience of exclusion, and I will make it my goal to further inclusion at school. Also, I confidently express myself and my beliefs, a trait not everyone possesses, and I'll help others do so.