Undergraduate / Princeton-write about a person you admire & how they have influenced your life [4]

Please help me with my college application essay. I am happy with it but i have not had someone look at it
Thanx!
I believe that Literature is the soul to the imagination. I may be mistaken, but that is the allurement of literary words. There is no truth, no right nor wrong, yet there is just about everything to learn on life. Miss Brown, my form four English teacher, has really inspired me in ways I never though were possible. She was definitely one in a billion.

Before meeting Miss Brown, I had absolutely no interest in Literature. She was a tall, slender, blonde woman, with many life experiences: from working in South Africa during apartheid times, and enduring breast cancer. Before my introduction to her, the only books I considered worthwhile to read were my science and history books. It may have been because I was never good at annotating poems, let alone understand a phrase written by Shakespeare. Also reading a fictitious book bored me to death. Finally, being forced in form four, without any way out, to do a subject I had no idea how to work around for Cambridge final exams was terrifying. I simply accepted that there will be D grades in all my report cards.

During my first Literature lesson, I was mostly inattentive. But because Ms Brown was pleasant and funny, I actually had minute memories of when I was fully alert and following along. After lunch, I returned to my room in the brown-walled, loud boarding house. I began revising the notes she had handed out. To my surprise, I had understood most of the notes. But what really befuddled me was getting a B plus for the first Literature test. At that moment I concluded that I am actually not disastrous in Literature; with continued reading, I could actually get my intended A grade. Or it may have been the excitement of knowing I had understood the subject for the first time. I do not know, but for sure Ms Brown was not like any other teacher I have met with her skill for making Literature classes sensible. What really makes me admire her is that she made me fall deep in-love with Literature with a smile and whilst fighting against breast cancer! She was always in class whenever she was not ill even if we remonstrated that she take a break; She would always say in an imperturbable tone, "I do not want to impoverish your chances of getting your deserved grades in your final exams," if telling us how much our parents are paying per lesson. How strong can a person really be?

Although I did not develop an interest in Shakespeare and Aristotle, prosaic authors such as Danielle Steele, Stephanie Meyer, Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter and anonymous authors became my heaven; each author has a story to tell that helped me gain a different outlook on life. For example "Wings" by Danielle Steele has probably had the strongest influence in my life. It is based on a girl, Cassie O'Malley, who endeavors to get into aviation as people did not see it fit for a lady. Her own father, who owned an air strip, did not believe that she should be flying around; instead he believed Cassie should be married. Because of the book, I have kept the desire to become a cardiologist close to my heart regardless of the time it may drain from me, and the number of people who believe it is not a career for women.

Because of Miss Brown's knowledge here and there in various languages, she has encouraged me to put down the English novels to concentrate on learning German and Spanish. Although it will not be an easy road, I know very well the languages will become useful in the future. She witnessed the Apartheid times and beat breast cancer, why should I not be able to learn two new languages?

Undergraduate / mathematics, Wellesley-Describe your intellectual interests.... [5]

Describe your intellectual interests, their evolution, and what makes them exciting to you. Tell us how you will utilize the academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences to further explore your interests, intended major, or field of study.

please help

"No man is an island" as Mathematics has proven to me. Many do not realize the importance of math, especially I, before the start of my Advanced Level course. Before 2008 A.D., I was a mathematics 'crack'. I took the subject for granted as I could easily score an A plus without as much looking at a mathematics book.

The first A-Level mathematics test I took, I got the lowest mark I had ever attained in my entire life; am sure it was an ungraded grade. Looking at my paper, I just did not comprehend anything that was happening around me. Fear crept all around me. My palms were flowing rivers that could not dry up no matter how much tissue I used. I questioned so much if I were going to get the grades required for entrance into medical school. It took so much out of me to tell myself that it would never happen again, and all I needed was to just work harder. Besides, I thought, any form of help was really unnecessary. The months went on, but I had only improved to a C plus. Finally, I gave myself permission to attend mats clinic, and I quickly upgraded to a ninety-six percent. With that, I assumed I would not need extra help as I could learn pre-calculus in less than a week. I had deceived myself in believing I had done it alone. Into my exams, I just went in assuming that I am great at calculus, so I really do not need much preparation. I did not get my A nor a B. Without a doubt, she is by far, the biggest struggle in my academic life.

However, with the beginning of A2 came a New Year, bringing a new approach to life; anything I did not understand or grasp, the next step would be to ask for help, including math clinic. Now I work hard to maintain A grades, with frequent visits to math clinic and quick chats with teachers after a lesson. But I have also learnt to ask for needed help no matter what I am doing.

Although mathematics is not my intended major, it is still exciting to me as it has taught me the most important life skills. And regardless of the ache I have endured due to the subject, I still find her highly comforting after solving a difficult problem. Most importantly, she has taught me perseverance, no matter how hot the fire becomes. I believe that math is not just the finally answer, but really the path to the answer. My main intension is to join the Oliver Club as it will allow me to integrate with other students just as, if not more, enthusiastic about mathematics. It could also help me learn how to appreciate mathematics at a much challenging level. Since my main goal is to become a medical doctor, I hope that all the energy invested into the subject will help me improve my logical skills and quick reaction to problems that I will face in the field.

Undergraduate / Amherst-'Difficulty need not foreshadow despair or defeat.... [2]

'Difficulty need not foreshadow despair or defeat. Rather achievement can be all the more satisfying because of obstacles surmounted.' Please do help with grammer and how to improve the essay

I am a sport fanatic, although I do not play for any club besides school teams. Regardless, I still enjoy watching and playing them for recreation. Although I had all the basic training - which allowed me to swim without supervision - in two thousand and six, I had not swum in three years, and it was my first time swimming at a competitive level.

Every year in the first term, Maru-a-Pula school hosted an inter-house swimming gala in its swimming area, which always had a horde of MaP students. As part of the "M" house team, which wore glaring yellow t-shirts, we agreed that I will assist in time keeping and preparation of participants. Our team began the gala with a promising performance; in second place and competing in every race. But with time, some of my team-mates who were selected to compete did 'a no show,' leading to us into last place. I was devastated. Then I had an epiphany - we will not be getting any points if I am assisting with the organization of contestants. "M" house needed me. So I convinced our leader, Palesa, to authorize me to compete for the team as I could swim, and those who were better than me had no interest in doing so. I got into in my black, one piece 'MaP' engraved swimming costume, gathered all my courage, and went to sign up for the fifty by one freestyle race. As I sat on the brown, weathered, wooden bench- which showed that I was to participate in the next competition - my heart began to pound hastily; probably reaching two hundred beats per minute. I could hear the hand held, red stop clock ticking. Nervousness began to attack me; each second seemed to pass by slower and faster than normal. Each breath got deeper and suffocating. I had no aplomb.

Before bewilderment had concluded, it was my turn. All four competitors, including myself, leapt into the limpid pool and went into 'ready' position. Mister Noble sounded the gun. We began the race. Reality came to being by the quarter mark. I was behind and nowhere near the half way mark, whilst others were halfway from the finish line! But I just kept swimming simply because I knew that we needed the points. By the time I reached the half way mark, I was exhausted and had no will to go on. Regardless, I kept pushing myself beyond my limit, even with the abundant gulps of the chlorinated water I ingested. Constantly taking five second breaks and trying my best, I pushed with inanimate strokes. Meanwhile I had friends, some of which were for opposition teams, cheering me on. After a few cups, strokes that seemed hopeless, I finally reached the finish line. Although we were last place, the team rejoiced over the one point gain. My accolade was reaching finish line regardless of the obstacles; simply content with taking part in work for my team.

Undergraduate / to become a cardiac surgeon - Wellesley College [2]

'When choosing a college, you are choosing an intellectual community and a place where you believe that you can live, learn, and flourish. To this end, the Board of Admission is interested in knowing your reasons for applying to Wellesley College and how Wellesley will help you to realize your personal and academic goals.'

Going through a list of colleges, which were suggested by my school counselor before I began my application process, I noticed Wellesley College; an institution I had never heard of. Immediately, I searched it on the internet. Wellesley homepage opened, immediately leaving me puzzled. All I saw was a building and females, with no form of masculinity. I could not believe it was an all girls' school! I did not know what to make of it, except that I had no interest in attending a school without any male students.

With the weeks slowly creeping by, Wellesley was still on my college list as I was mysteriously attracted to it. I could not find a puissant reason to remove it; maybe that was why the weeks seemed to drag. Eventually, I stumbled across a Forbes magazine article, dating eighth December 2009. Before reading the article, I made the article my decider as to whether I my application will be sent to Wellesley. As sudden as it is, I stuck to my decision. To my surprise I was convinced enough to apply to Wellesley by a women's college alumni who mentioned that female colleges build and enforce leadership skills. According to her, she would not have this strong trait if she were at a co-ed college, as she would be distracted by the need to impress guys. Another said, "Women's colleges tend to attract a very competitive and driven student base, and that's the group you are surrounding yourself with during these critical years." As I kept reading, I had an epiphany - college is not about boys and freedom, but mainly about setting a secure foundation, which I am content with, for my future. Towards the end of my days, I do not want to look back on my life only to regret my time spent.

Currently, I am striving to become a cardiac surgeon. I realized this after watching a medical reality show, which I had never had the slightest interest in. It was about a new born who desperately needed a heart transplant, or else she would not live to see the end of the week. After hours of surgery, the neonate survived, meanwhile I realized just how many lives I could help. I do not know what the future holds, but I do know that being at Wellesley will allow me learn to cope with my chosen field. With the vigorous language and biology classes, I have no doubt I will leave Wellesley ready to tackle medical school. Also, with over half of neuroscience seniors who graduate and venture into medical related fields, shows just how beneficial Wellesley College will be for me, as there will be a greater competition around me; allowing me to push myself to the limit.

Realizing Wellesley's benefits in my life, the learning possibilities at that point became endless. For example, I had already learnt that I should not reject something or someone without getting to know anything about it or them.

Undergraduate / Harvard - Travelling experiences in a foreign country [4]

I woke up early with the sun rays penetrating my room in an unfamiliar manner. Then I remembered that I was in my aunt's Khayalami house. I recalled my visit to the infamous Park Bus Station in Johannesburg, which bustles with life day and night. The exterior area of the station is well known for some senseless, sadistic crimes. Rumor has it that there are traditional doctors who carry human body parts in their bags. Locals advise visitors to never leave the station premises alone, but to call a taxi to collect them within the concourse.

Once I came to terms with where I was, I prepared myself for a day out in the 'City of Gold'. I was excited to be in a 'real' city, but nervous about its reputation for having a high crime rate. My aunt, younger sister and I walked for five minutes to the nearest combie stop to catch a ride to Randburg. A combie is a ten seater van commonly used by the public for short distance travel. I found it amusing the way my aunt hailed the combie. Compared to Botswana, in Joburg the combies have no directional route written on them, and one has to point in a certain direction to show the route they would like; Randburg is shown by pointing the index finger downwards. The combie will stop if it is going in the direction one has shown.

Once I had noticed the multiple rusty patches on the outside of our transport, my amusement ended. The gray floor had suspicious red blotches on it. In a corner of the front row was a nearly knee high heap of chicken bones, crisp wrappers, coke cans, dried up tissue, an empty milk carton and a few mosquitoes buzzing around the heap of rubbish. But the worst had to be the hole in the floor, right in front of my seat, about twenty centimeters in diameter! I could actually see the road whenever I looked down!

Despite the driver's careful driving, his appearance did not help me feel at ease. He was large bald and wore a white shirt which had a brown blotch on the left shoulder. I felt very unsafe; I actually believed that he was plotting to kidnap us all.

On arrival, everyone got off. I was relieved! My younger sister then asked me where my bag was. Terrified, I rushed back to the combie, but I bumped into the driver, who had my bag. He handed it back, but I figured all my money was gone. Regardless, I thanked him. Once I was out of his sight, I quickly checked my money, and everything was there! I felt awful - how could I judge a man because of his fellow countrymen?