Undergraduate / My passion for robotic - AIF Waterloo Comp Eng Question #1 [2]

i need as much feedback as possible, regarding sentence structure, content, vocabulary - much appreciated

Tell us about a passion or strong interest of yours. How [and when] did you become involved in this interest [and for how long have you been involved]? What have you learned about yourself from this interest? How will you apply this knowledge as a student at the University of Waterloo? (900-character limit)

My passion for robotics began as a child at Montreal's Science Museum, where I glimpsed humanity's ambition to terraform Mars. Inspired, I used this vision to audition for my grade 5 FLL team: 'Into Orbit', featuring issues regarding space exploration. From there, I progressed from LEGO to VEX, and eventually designing custom components through CAD software. This commitment led my partner and I to develop a robot that eliminates algae accumulation off industrial vessels, earning us silver at the World Robot Olympiad in Panama. Competitions taught me to work within limitations while designing my robot unlocked new leeway to innovate and iterate without confined boundaries. I hope to bring this mindset to Waterloo's GreenHouse incubator, where knowledge from ECE 486: Robot Dynamics & Control can enhance my ability to prototype robotic systems for environmental impact.

Undergraduate / The podium in Panama - University of Toronto Computer Science Supplemental Question [2]

I would appreciate as much feedback regarding my response to this question.

Briefly describe a personal goal you have set for yourself, and how long you have been working to achieve this goal. In your answer, please outline who you turned to for advice and/or help to achieve this goal, and what was their role? What did you learn about yourself? 120 words max.

When I stood on the podium in Panama, embracing my silver medal, I knew I had transformed. Previously, I overtook group projects as a consequence of my inability to delegate responsibilities fairly in team-oriented settings. I felt overburdened; something needed to change. I sought to develop true leadership by trusting others to contribute meaningfully. Paired with an unfamiliar teammate for the World Robot Olympiad, my lacklustre communication led me to monopolise the work, creating a strained dynamic. His unique ability to surmount obstacles with creativity impressed me. Gradually, I embraced his contributions, and over 18 months we built a strong partnership-an experience that taught me genuine leadership involves fostering trust - a lesson that has enriched every aspect of my life.

Undergraduate / The Innovators Club - U of T Computer Science Supplemental Question [2]

please provide feedback

1. Describe a situation you witnessed, or were involved in, where someone was treated unfairly or discriminated against. As you describe the situation, please outline how you responded, and would you do anything differently if that situation occurred again? If you have never encountered a situation like this before, please outline what you would do if this happened to you or to a third party. 120 words max

As president of the Innovators Club for three years, I recurrently noticed a lack of diversity in our executive team, mainly due to unintentionally designed questions that discouraged marginalised students from applying. This insight led us to adopt an inclusive approach by redesigning our recruitment process to incorporate equitable questions that welcomed varied perspectives rather than repetitive superficial responses. Anticipating similar challenges in preparing teams for the JA Central Pitch Competition, we proactively screened all teams for systemic barriers, focusing on their access to resources and support. Instead of prioritising achieving outstanding results, we provided one-on-one mentorship meetings tailored to students' strengths to highlight their individual development. This inclusivity-focused approach redefined the club's purpose, inspiring 150 members from diverse backgrounds.

Undergraduate / University of Toronto Computer Science Supplemental Question [2]

Briefly describe a personal goal you have set for yourself, and how long you have been working to achieve this goal. In your answer, please outline who you turned to for advice and/or help to achieve this goal, and what was their role? What did you learn about yourself? (120 words max)

I relied on dichotomous thinking - viewing solutions with a certainty that either it was "correct" or "incorrect". I felt constrained not being able to categorise a solution by either definition. In preparation for the World Robot Olympiad, my coach helped me visualise my binary approach through poly-perspectivity. Utilising knowledge ingrained by his professor - 'single-point-failure', he encouraged me to seek perspectives that initially felt counterintuitive. I learned to define problems, and rank solutions against established criteria. My mentor's guidance proved to me that solutions are not objectively set; yet constantly change. When I finally stood on the podium in Panama, embracing my silver medal, I recognized it as a small, yet powerful step in reshaping my approach.