Undergraduate / idiosyncrasies or peculiarities about ourselves, UChicago essay [23]

Note: This is only a very rough draft, so I may change the essay. I didn't know whether or not my topic and/or essay was quirky enough for Chicago. I chose my own prompt. I'd appreciate any feedback or edits! :)

Prompt #5: In the spirit of adventurous inquiry, pose a question of your own. If your prompt is original and thoughtful then you should have little trouble writing a great essay. Draw on your best qualities as a writer, thinker, visionary, social critic, sage, citizen of the world, or future citizen of the University of Chicago; take a little risk and have fun.

This is my prompt: Everyone has particular idiosyncrasies or peculiarities about themselves. Tell us about one of your own peculiarities. How has it affected or influenced you?

Picture this. The number 5 is always green and 8 is always beige. "T" and "N" are somewhat compatible with each other, but "N" must always be to the left of "T"; otherwise she becomes very defensive and turns an ugly orange. Raindrops are blue and when they plop, the xylophone sounds. Wednesday is always to the far right of me, never in the middle or the left. Quite weird, am I not? No wonder my parents thought I said such strange things as a kid!

I have a special twist to myself - its name, synesthesia.
Synesthesia is a fairly uncommon, yet harmless, brain condition that results in the cross-activation of senses. As a result, synesthetes perceive certain objects differently than the normal person. To me, "J" is a lady, often wearing a pink robe over her elegant dress, a pair of boots, and a feather in her hair. My fear of the word "violet" persuades me never to tread into that particular section of the dictionary while the blue-green light emitted by the number 25 calms me. The whole world is a giant picture book; colors surround my existence.

According to V.S. Ramachandran, Professor of Neurosciences at the University of California at San Diego, synesthesia is a sensory phenomenon, involving no higher, cognitive functions. A completely involuntary process, synesthesia can take shape in many ways. In the more prevalent cases, a synesthete may perceive a letter, number, or general symbol in certain colors. Many musicians, including myself, see colors as they hear certain notes or musical scales. More uncommon cases include people who create people out of letters and numbers, giving them moral characteristics, genders, attitudes, and even attire; others taste words and sounds with certain flavors. As the case is with me, some people may even have multiple forms of synesthesia. But no two people share the exact same experiences. For example, I was thrilled to find out that my friend Jack had synesthesia as well. We spent the next ten minutes arguing over whether the number 5 was yellow or green (and it was clearly green!).

I was unaware of my brain condition until junior year, when I took AP Psychology. The class stared at me, some in awe, and others in confusion, as I slowly narrated my dual sensations. I can't say that my discovery has changed my worldview, but it was certainly an upheaval of some of my past assumptions. Seeing symbols in color and personifying letters had not seemed strange at all; I thought everyone saw 4 in red and felt a blue color during "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." Suddenly, it felt unnatural to voice everything that I had ever beheld since childhood as if I had only imagined it.

It was even more challenging to explain my experiences to my friends.
"Do you actually see the letters in colors when you're reading?"
"Not really... it's more like a sudden flash in your mind."
"Whoa. Reading must be pretty interesting then."
"Maybe, but it's not that noticeable."
"Tell me what color my name is! Color-code it!"
"Well, the 'M' is especially prominent, sort of red-violet..."
"Wow, what does it mean?"
"It doesn't mean anything. It's how I see your name, not a horoscope."
"How do you know that you're not just making it all up?"
That's a question even I ask myself.
Is my synesthesia purely neurological, or am I just being subconsciously metaphorical? If I am only forming metaphors, what is the basis for my connections? To this day, I still do not understand why I always referred to my baby cousin as a bureau, or why "software" tastes sweet.

I have not found all my answers. But I know that synesthesia gives me excitement even on the dullest of days. Whether I'm improvising music on my violin or reading poetry, my unique experiences have piqued my curiosity to discover more about the way my mind works.

Undergraduate / "to join clubs and befriend a new community" - Why Northwestern [16]

I want to send this out today, but I don't know if it's okay. Can someone read/evaluate this? Thanks!

Prompt: What are the unique qualities of Northwestern - and of the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying - that make you want to attend the University? In what ways do you hope to take advantage of the qualities you have identified?

For years, I had only been able to dream about what Northwestern University might be like, whether or not it was like Hogwarts or a princess' castle with its gothic structure and majestic towers. Now I am able to see the school for what it really is: a highly respected institution of academic excellence and dedication known for its ability to mold students into future leaders. I hope that when I attend Northwestern, I can take advantage of all the choices that the school will offer me.

When I first heard of Northwestern, I assumed that it was a school focused mainly on the arts and humanities. But after attending an information session in Philadelphia, I realized that Northwestern emphasizes multidisciplinary programs and intellectual variety. I am excited about enrolling in the various courses offered by the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences; my love for the arts and humanities has not outweighed my interests in math and science. At Weinberg, I am eager to broaden my interests and possibly major in both international studies and physics. The college's study abroad programs will provide me with an exclusive list of worldwide destinations.

Having tutored children since I was in middle school, I understand the importance of learning for the sake of learning. As I watched the young students idle away from filling out worksheets, I devised methods so that they could learn more effectively and enjoyably. Through board games and other such activities, they flourished and saw education as a rewarding experience. Knowing that Northwestern embraces an empirical approach to education, I seek to find opportunities such as internships and off-campus studies that will contribute to my love for learning.

I remember my frequent childhood trips to the nearby Franklin Institute, where I gained in-depth knowledge about pendulums and electricity. Even though I had already read about these things in books, I preferred the hands-on approach of museums to the encyclopedias and textbooks that crowded my room. Chicago is one of the great cultural hubs of the urban world, filled with rich history, music, arts, and lucrative internships and community service opportunities. The museums and exhibits near Northwestern's campus will enhance my education and relaxation. Chicago's many intellectual resources are just a train-ride away. I look forward to taking trips around Chicago with my friends while enjoying jazz concerts, visiting historical museums, and dining at ethnic restaurants.

I believe that Northwestern is the only place which will truly embrace my talents and deepen my passions. The school's many student organizations will not only offer me a chance to expand upon my high school activities but they will allow me to bond with the diverse student body. When I attend Northwestern, I hope to join clubs and befriend a new community. Whether I'm enjoying performances by the Brown Sugar a cappella group or competing on Northwestern's Quiz Bowl Team, I am convinced that Northwestern will bring out the best in me.