Undergraduate / 'color strikes' - COMMON APP SHORT ANSWER- PAINTING [6]

Are my ideas clear? What do you think?
Please help! I dont mind if you're brutally honest =)

In the space provided below, please elaborate on one of your activities (extracurricular, personal activities, or work experience)

When I was young, I always watched my mother oil-paint. All the colors on the canvas hypnotized me: I had to try it. Swirling the different colors on the palette and applying it to the canvas, I found myself freely expressing my emotions. Since then, oil-painting not only became my passion; it became my therapeutic elixir. Just like the people who write in their diaries, I record my life on an oil-painted masterpieceïfilling it thickly with rich colors and feelings. Dark slabs when I'm sad; bright strokes when I'm happy. Although the color strikes in dissension initially, it slowly harmonizes after layers of paint. Through the years, I've noticed how closely related oil-painting is to the real world. The canvas is the world; the colors, the discordance in life. Just like how I blend the colors on my canvas, I hope I'll be able to harmonize the society someday.

Undergraduate / CMU SUPPLEMENT- CMU for Econ (why you've chosen the major) [3]

Please help me with my CMU prompt

Feel free to be brutally honest. Does my essay answer the prompt?
Please submit a one-page, single-spaced essay that explains why you have chosen Carnegie Mellon and your particular major(s), department(s) or program(s). This essay should include the reasons why you've chosen the major(s), any goals or relevant work plans and any other information you would like us to know. If you are applying to more than one college or program, please mention each college or program you are applying to. Because our admission committees review applicants by college and programs, your essay can impact our final decision. Please do not exceed one page for this essay.

Ever since I was young, my mother always read The Economic Digest-the Chinese version of The Economist. I was perplexed about the enigmatic numbers and graphs. I always wondered how my mom actually found this interesting. I mean, isn't it just like another math course?

By the end of our junior year in high school, we had to pick our senior year course selections. Seeing "economics" on the list, I signed up for it. I knew it was time to decode my mother's fascination.

A few months later when I finally had my first economics class, my teacher, Mr. Ong, passed out papers and asked us all to write down our own definition of "economics". I wrote down something like "the distribution of money between businesses...has to do with stock markets". I thought I would probably have the best answer, I mean, I have been watching my mother read about economics all my life! But when Mr. Ong read my answer, he shook his head and said "it's so much more than just that. It's a study of choices". What? I thought. How can it be? I've been making choices all my life, yet I don't know anything about economics!

From then on, even through difficulties of the course, I am absolutely captivated by economics. It explains everything in the market that I wasn't able to answer before. I remember asking my mother why retail stores hold sales since they'd lose money. She explained that instead of losing money, they would earn more than they would have otherwise. But no matter how well she clarified it, I still remained baffled. But after learning some economics, although I'm still confused and unknowledgeable in some aspects of the economy, I can finally understand how some markets work.

Wanting to further my knowledge in my new interest, I did some research on colleges and found Carnegie Mellon University. I was blown away when I found out about the Nobel Laureates in the faculty. What an honor would it be to be taught by such esteemed professors! And along with so many research opportunities and assistantships available, I know I'd be fully prepared to work in the real world to make a difference in society after such an education.

Particularly, I am attracted to the Green Design Institute. I always had passion to help our environment, yet I know contributing through a high school club wasn't enough since it does have its limits. I hope that in the future, I'll be able to play a more active role in helping the environment through this program.

What fascinates me most about the undergraduate economics in Carnegie Mellon University is that it is offered in both Tepper School of Business and College of Humanities and Social Sciences-meaning students are open to a variety of benefits. Unlike some colleges, Carnegie Mellon University would not hinder my education in French even if I choose to major in economics and business. To me, this advantage of the joint colleges is tremendous. It means that my choices of student organizations and study abroad programs are further expanded.

That is why I see Carnegie Mellon University, a university full of infinite opportunities in the future, as the right school for me. After my education in this school, instead of being the person who's always posing questions, I will be able to answer my own questions. Perhaps I can even be the person with the answers.

Undergraduate / NYU SUPP- 2050 MOVIE(Indian School)// SYRACUSE SUPP- Diversity of Options [5]

PLEASE HELP: THANK YOU!!
any critique will be helpful, so feel free to be brutally honest =)
Also, for the syracuse essay, did i follow the prompt?

In the year 2050, a movie is being made of your life. Please tell us the name of your movie and briefly summarize the story line.

Living a perfect life as HSBC's financial manager, Jen Chan never had anything to worry about. But one morning, a newspaper headline brought her the distress she hadn't felt in years-Gunmen Taken Students Hostage for Money in Indian Volunteer School. She panicked as her eyes widened at the photo adjacent to the headlines. Why, it was the same school where she has taught 40 years ago! Jen hurries and flies to India to save the children in the school. But will she reach them in time.

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1. Who or what influenced you to apply to Syracuse University?

3. Our mission of Scholarship in Action extends beyond the classroom to include engagement opportunities with our campus community, the City of Syracuse, and locations across the globe. Based on your academic interests, tell us what real world experiences you might pursue during your education at Syracuse University as part of this mission.

My friends always ask me, "Jen, what are you choosing for your major?" Well, it's not that I haven't thought about my choices of majors, it's just that I'm still unsure of what I want. There are just so many choices out there I still have yet to explore, why should I settle down on one so soon?

My swarm of interests comes from the most quotidian influences. That year when I was obsessed over Grey's Anatomy, I considered being a doctor. But one day when I gave myself a paper cut in the middle of class, and I couldn't help but cringe and cower by the sight of blood. That's when I finally accepted the fact that my dream of being a doctor could never come true. Then there was that year when I first started watching Legally Blond. Elle Woods just seems to lead the perfect life; she made the job of a lawyer seem so interestingly flawless. That then became my new wish-to become a lawyer. From then on, I watched court cases on TV, completely riveted by the excitement of the case. Over the years, my choices of future majors remained irresolute. But mainly, apart from law, I became interested in economics and international relations. After doing some research, I found Syracuse University's School of Arts and Sciences, a school that could fulfill my wide array of interests.

Unlike some of the other colleges, Syracuse University didn't put its course of economics under its school of business. I'm thankful, for I don't want to be confined under a specific school before fully exploring all my other interests of study. Consequently, I took note of the School of Arts and Sciences-a melting pot of a variety of subjects that suits my needs. What I love most about it is its iLearn program. I see undergrad research programs as an important aspect of a school since it can educate under a flexible, student-picked project. Moreover, instead of only watching court cases on TV, I can actually experience how it will be like as a lawyer in the mock trial program. Since I am still undecided for my major, these co-curricular opportunities are crucial to shaping my future career path. They allow me to fully experience the aspects of my academic interests before picking my favorite.

In addition, just like the iLearn program, the study abroad programs offered at Syracuse University allow me to learn from a global level. Fusing with students from foreign countries opens many more doors of ideas that would have otherwise been inaccessible. For me, I love travelling, and I love learning about cultures and traditions very different from my own. Why not learn AND travel at the same time? I can have my cake and eat it too.

Strikingly, my own personal mission overlaps with that of the school. Just like the school's belief of extending beyond the classroom, I believe that real-life experience is crucial to master any field of work. With such abundance in opportunities, Syracuse is a port opened to many different boats. And I do see it as the perfect dock to start my career.