Undergraduate / "I must form a balance between the world about me and the world inside me" - NU supplement [6]

A Taoist monk once said, "I must form a balance between the world about me and the world inside me." This quote can describe my life through high school. What does balance mean to me? Staying active in athletics, excelling in academics and having an active social life. Throughout high school I tried to balance sports, academics, and social life. I haven't always been successful; I would struggle in one platform while performing in another. When I was an athlete, my grades would suffer; likewise, when I was excelling academically, my social life would suffer. As I matured, I have identified the imbalance of time allocation as a main reason. In college, with more time, I can allocate most of my time not only to academics but also towards extra-curricular activities and a social life. When I finalized my college lists, Northwestern was always first on my lists because of its academic prestige, social life, and extra-curricular activities that create the balance I desire.

The most important thing about college is, academics, and from my mom (a former post-doctorate employee of NU), my visits, and my research that Northwestern is an elite school offering top-notch academics. At a young age, my mom took me with her lab when she was a graduate student and I was always intrigued with the numerous scientific mysteries she worked on. From those Saturdays in the chemistry labs, I developed a lifetime inclination towards sciences for that I attribute my interest in engineering to. The thoughts of engineering have always appealed to me; therefore, I am going apply to the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. From my past history with sciences I have felt that McCormick's Engineering First approach to engineering would suit me best, by taking science out of the raw format and making it into something applicable and useful to the world. Although, I intend to apply as an undecided; I believe I will easily find my calling with the Engineering First Program, which will allow student-professors interactions to better understand the principals of each discipline and find my true desire. Also the program endorses student-professor interactions outside the classroom, undergraduate research for freshmen and the co-op program that allows students to understand how to apply the material learned. Besides engineering, the university's policy on taking courses in different schools and the quarter calendar allows me to take courses that interest me and still graduate within four years, and the university's stance on well rounded scholars allows students to easily double-major. Although there are numerous classes, programs, and opportunities at Northwestern I would enjoy, but as of right now, I'm also interested in the Kellogg Business Certificate program and Business Institutions Program, the five year BS/MS in engineering and double majoring psychology or economics.

When I visited, I walked down Sheridan Road and under The Arch, as I read the signs posted on the ground, the trees and outside buildings; I became captivated in the activities. With so many activities, I don't know how to get the best college experience. To supplement my academics, I will partake in the extra-curricular activities Northwestern offers from: varsity athletics, clubs, IM sports, academic organizations, philanthropic and Greek life. So in college with so many things to do, I can see myself fulfilling my athletic needs, rekindling old interests and developing new desires.

After my visit, I fully comprehend the standard; all Northwestern students are diverse and unique. In the Math-220 class I sat-in, I noticed the standard across the classroom: the intimating football player who was very helpful, the studious types that socialized, the international student that seemed very interested in American culture, and the people on campus whom I interacted with led me to my perception all students at Northwestern, enjoyed a balance; they do not focus in excelling at academics or social life, rather they are balancing school and social life. Hopefully, I can become another illustrious face in the variety of many sharing a common characteristic, balance.

Undergraduate / Common app prompt 4- "picking the right name" [3]

Picking the right name is a very difficult task. I was given the option, when I applied for US Citizenship; I wondered what English name would I go by? As I glanced through lists, my mind was ruling them out as I went: too mundane, too common, too boring, too feminine, and etc.

When I brought my issue to classmates, in joking manner, they began to create cleaver names: Cletus, Rambo, Bambi and others that are not quite appropriate. As I laughed them off, I told them it's my title for the rest of my life, and then I brought up how angry would you be if your parents named you after Budweiser or something silly. Then I brought up the question; if you can name yourself, what name would you take? As their smiling faces turned blank, they finally understood my dilemma.

With the citizenship forms due within the week, I sought out to pick the perfect name. What would go well with Zhang and what name could fit me? Unable to find a name, I decided whoever in history I admired the most; I will take his first name. As I finalized my potential names: Otto (Bismarck), Theodore (Roosevelt), George (Washington), and Alexander (the Great); eventually, Theodore was the last name on the list.

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, was more than a man; his list of achievements is comparable to characters in fictional novels. I admire his love for sports and how he didn't let his asthma affect his love for sports. Likewise, I am hindered physically when I played football, being the smallest linebacker, I struggled to face lineman. Although I was the smallest, I didn't allow it to stop me; I learned tricks to deal with them: attack lower, to one side and quickly. Through dedication and experience I overcame my limiting factor, and I began to view lineman as clumsy and slow.

Besides athletics, Roosevelt was known for his bravery and patriotism. When the Spanish-American War broke out, Roosevelt immediately quit his job as the Secretary of the Navy and started his a volunteer regiment. His regiment, Rough Riders, would become famous for the Charge of San Juan, and he was posthumous awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery. His bravery is indescribable, and I admire the way he defended his nation during conflict displaying his patriotism and courage. I hope I can emulate his bravery by carrying myself to higher standards, by not shying away from difficult 7 and do things that are not required of me.

The best description for Roosevelt is perhaps, manliness. He was the alpha-male of the 20th century. His achievements are unmatched, as he started his life as a rancher; he became an author, an academia, a leader, a war-hero, a sheriff, an explorer and eventually the President. From how Roosevelt lived life to the fullest, taking Roosevelt's first name was the only rational choice to make. As his name may serve as a reminder to carry my life as Roosevelt did in his life, I will do my best to live up to the standards he did: don't let things get in my way and uphold courage. It maybe an overstatement I think I have a man-crush on Theodore Roosevelt.