Undergraduate / Carleton Essays (teacher, subjects, career plan, development) [16]

Carleton Supplement
Name the secondary school teacher who has most influenced you and briefly explain why. (RUTBERG, PHILOSOPHY AND US HISTORY) (this is written on another part of the application)

He/She has influenced me because (200 Characters):
Our philosophical debates fed my passion to discover my true beliefs and her contagious love of the material excited her to always help and answer my many questions - an environment in which I thrive.

What subjects most interest you and why? (Note: This is not a commitment to major in this area.) (400 Characters)
The way the world works is an enticing mystery to solve. As I learn the basics of mechanics and atomic behavior, I find myself with a plethora of unanswered questions. Using the clues that past physicists left for me, and the math I have been waiting to apply, I will test unpredictable electrons for logical explanations. The thrill of finding a lead on science's enigma is the root of my success.

Do you have a tentative (or firm) career plan (or dream)? Please describe it. (400 Characters)
As a person who knows that learning is one of the most important aspects of life, I see myself ending up as a professor. Feeding my insatiable hunger to learn, my teachers have been the most inspiring, humble, and enthusiastic people I have ever met. Sharing my immutable passion with others and being to students what teachers have been to me, excites me for a future of utter fulfillment and pride.

Why are you interested in Carleton College and how did this interest develop? (300 Characters):

In the progressive and free-thinking environment I dream of, the intelligent and open minded Carletonians smile whether they're debating free will, snuggling with cocoa in a snow storm, or studying sleeplessly during finals, creating a warm college environment conducive to my learning and growth.

From your reading, whether children's books or classics, what books or authors have particularly impressed you and why? (500 Characters):

Dave Eggers' "What is the What" opened my eyes. Reading novels was always an activity I dreaded. However, after I found myself at 3am bawling, still reading, I felt shameful and disgusted for looking at books so negatively. The powerful emotions aroused as Valentino and I took on endeavors side by side, removed me from English. Eggers changed the way I see life and how I take mine for granted. I think of Eggers gratefully as I now open a book excited to escape reality and enter another world.

Undergraduate / "liberal arts education and a tight-knit community" - Reason For TRANSFERRING. [7]

This is for the application to:

Vassar, Wesleyan, Carleton, Wash U, Macalester, Oberlin

Prompt:

Please provide a statement (250 words minimum) that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve.

As I find myself rapt in hollow thought, my mind travels on an infinitely increasing path, racing toward the universe's limits. I open my eyes. My physical self is surrounded by lost souls in overwhelming darkness, causing my trapped body and opened mind to diverge as separate units. My skin cells and DNA deteriorate in the conformity and materialism around me while my mind is in a foreign world. This is a world of opportunity and inspiration, and a world where stigmas, stereotypes, and limits do not exist: a world I call "Void."

Ignore "void's" negative, misleading connotations. Void is not empty and emotionless. Void is where I am the person I want to be, unfiltered by standards, rules, and ridicules. Void is freedom. However, the lack of happiness and motivation my physical self is surrounded in brings my voided mind negative energy, repelling my mind from my body. The repulsion turns me grey and the two parts of me cannot coexist. I become a lonely body misplaced in a cell, conforming and ignorant, like the other robots around me. I tediously and impatiently wait for my mind to take me with it and become one.

Fall quarter at the titanic and bleak university I thought I wanted, helped me appreciate how imperative it is that my physical and metaphysical self coexist. It is time to give my mind the positive energy it needs to take me with it. This coexisting self I speak of will no longer be hidden in crowds, or taught from a distance. I will be educated eye-to-eye. I will know the names of professors, and they will know mine. I will become enveloped by others with the same yearning for knowledge and wisdom as I. Most importantly, I will be part of a community of learners, teachers, and contagious smilers. For once, I will stand naked and proud, excited to show the world my true self.

I must show I am qualified to join such a community. My mind's hunger for understanding is analogous to its continuous, increasing path. Uncovering why and how our multi-dimensional, constantly changing world works the way it does, leads me in all kinds of tangential directions where I find myself at 4am Googling dark matter and Pythagorean theorem proofs. I love learning and expanding my realm of knowledge. Despite the rush of blood to my face when I am in congested, cavernous lecture halls, I raise my hand dying to ask one of many questions my dancing mind is wondering.

A liberal arts education and a tight-knit community with an intellectual and progressive academic environment will open my doors to Void. My selves will travel on an infinitely increasing path together soaking up knowledge and optimism along the way. No longer able to differentiate two separated units, I will share with the world the limitless, intelligent, and happy person I am.

Undergraduate / "I can be the person I dream of" - Common App. Macalester Supplement. [4]

What factors have led you to consider Macalester College? Why do you believe it may be a good match, and what do you believe you can add to the Mac community, academically and personally?

Feel free to draw on past experiences, and use concrete examples to support your perspective.

"You are such a fag! You are so gay!" are words echoing as I enter the dorms at Cal Poly. Whether they are directed at me or not, that ignorance and lack of respect injures my mind. Those words originated by hatred. I was struck by how relaxed and effortless it is for these kids to say such offensive words.

Everyday, I enter my dorm confused and upset, put down my backpack, then lock the door. My thirst for knowledge is the all that keeps me encouraged and enthusiastic to learn. Early on college life became looking forward to nothing but calculus, physics, and chemistry. Even though my professors at Cal Poly are riveting and exciting, the disorienting 150-person lecture halls and competition for their attention in office hours made even learning a struggle.

My social and academic environment at Cal Poly became uninspiring and intolerant and I challenge the idea that living in the cluttered, and intolerant real world is at all beneficial to me. At Macalester, I will have the opportunity to join those fighting for acceptance and change while simultaneously engaged by small and interactive classes. My motivation and potential as a student and political activist will exponentially increase.

As the main common application explains, I will never accept limits to my potential. I will always pursue paths in life that will feed me more power to positively change the world. As "You fag!" diffuses in my mind, I now refuse to lock my self in my room feeling disgusted. Rather, I will unite with the 1800 Macalesteronians and battle bigotry. Given Macalester's political and academic environment, I can expect a new life of social equality, happiness, and success.

Undergraduate / Vassar offers what I need to be successful [2]

Vassar Addeundum
The Common Application Transfer Essay asks you to address 'your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve.' Please either tailor this essay specifically to Vassar, or else include an addendum that answers the following questions: *Describes your academic and other involvements to date and explain how Vassar would serve you better than your current school, or is the next logical step in your education.

My first attempt was the Jewish Fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi. Joining this fraternity helped me adjust to the college transition, and I met people I could relate with but Greek life, for the most part, revolves around partying, casual sex, and beer drinking; three things that hinder my soul search. I also became very active in Hillel and the Democrats Club - other opportunities to meet people like me.

Vassar's renowned and highly respected professors teach the lectures, grade the papers and test, and even invite students over for dinner. Professors who make themselves available to me and who share my immutable passion for learning, not only make a warm academic environment, but also greatly motivate me and give me someone to look up to. The core curriculum is insignificant because Vassar wants to challenge their students to steer in their own academic direction. I will have the freedom to create a major with the concentrations suited to my passions and goals.

Vassar's stereotypical open minded and progressive students lack materialism and conformity. Economic, religious, ethic and racial diversity on campus will encourage me to show off the quirky, philosophical, and nerdy person I am without hiding behind insecurity and attempts to "normal." Additionally, I will meet others who take of their "cool jackets" to show me what is underneath. My forced awkward, and insubstantial conversations with Media-followers will be minimized.

Vassar offers me opportunity enter an uninhibited, accepting, and open minded social community while simultaneously studying with top-notch professors. My unique and self-chosen major helps me easily become a well-rounded and sophisticated student. Vassar's enriching environment is one in which I will succeed.

Undergraduate / Oberlin offers what I need to be successful [2]

Oberlin Addendum
Please write a brief statement that addresses the following:
Given your interests, values, and goals, explain why Oberlin College will help you grow (as a student and a person) during your undergraduate years.

Any student can write about Oberlin's small classes, reputation of a remarkable education with amazing professors, and liberal and exciting college environment. However, it is more personal aspects about Oberlin that make it the right place for me.

Oberlin offers a 4-1-4 system, allowing me to experience an internship first hand as a part of my undergraduate requirements. Before I get my degree I will have interned at least 4 times helping me decide which career and academic path is right for me. By forcing me to apply class material to a job and a purpose, an internship also encourages students to learn regardless of a grade.

I have always had an infatuation with culture and societal nuances. With Oberlin's wide variety of study abroad opportunities I will be able to see parts of the world I have never been and study simultaneously continuing to stay on a four year graduation track.

Oberlin's rural location attracts students who care more about interacting and getting to know their professors and peers than fine dining or getting drunk at bars. On weekends, students do not go home or leave campus making Oberlin's campus a consistently social place to be. Greek life is nonexistent, removing social competition and superiority.

There is no question that between the academic opportunity and social environment, Oberlin is somewhere I will thrive and be happy.

Undergraduate / Oberlin Supplement: Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... [6]

I have always lived by the famous saying, "life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning how to dance in the rain." By finding more positive ways to look at negative situations, my life is filled with more optimism and contentment. Whether feeling insulted by the abundance of homophobia or distracted by being the only one studying on Thursday nights, I have resorted back to this quote several times in the last couple of months.

Time after time, I end up feeling disconnected from my college community. In the beginning, I just told myself, "dance in the rain Randy, find your niche," but I have grown restless dancing in a storm that seems to never pass. I need to feel inspired by my college environment and surrounded by kids as passionate about life as I am. When I found many colleges with small classes, passionate professors, and a liberal college environment, I challenged whether dancing in the storm is enough to be happy.

Oberlin's more personal aspects opened my eyes and verified that change was necessary. Oberlin offers a 4-1-4 system, designating a winter term for me to propose and carry out a project. I will leave the classroom to experience learning. Interning, traveling, and researching are just some of the endless possibilities that will lead to my discovery of which academic path and career is right for me. I will apply class material to a purpose and be even more encouraged to learn regardless of a grade.

Students are attracted to Oberlin for its academic opportunity rather that its rural location creating a vibrant community of students and professors who love intimacy and learning. On weekends, students rarely go home or leave college grounds making Oberlin's campus a consistently social and lively place to be. Having first hand experience in a fraternity at Cal Poly, Oberlin's lack of Greek life removes social competition and superiority from the community.

Oberlin's eclectic group of students with economic, religious, racial, and all around personality diversity encourages originality. I will feel comfortable and eager to show off the quirky, philosophical, and nerdy person I am without hiding behind insecurity and attempts to be "normal." I am excited by Oberlin's wide array of intriguing that will challenge my way of thinking, expand my mind, and feed my obsession to learn. In addition to its vast social and academic assortment, Oberlin has a variety of study abroad opportunities. My infatuation with other cultures and societal nuances will also be nourished by studying and traveling to parts of the world I have never been.

Now, as Cal Poly's storm continues, I will rethink my options. Oberlin's unique and diverse academic and social environment helped me to see dancing in the rain is not always the best way to live a fulfilling life. The choices are not always as simple as watching it rain or getting wet; sometimes when trapped in a storm that will never pass, escaping it to inquire the sun is the only way to be happy. Oberlin's environment is one in which I will thrive for it is the place my sun will come out.

Undergraduate / Grinnell - Sunlight is my salvation out of being discouraged Transfer Essay [4]

The Common Application Transfer Essay asks you to address 'your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve.' Please either tailor this essay specifically to Grinnell, or else include an addendum that answers the following questions:

*Describes your academic and other involvements to date and explain how Grinnell would serve you better than your current school, or is the next logical step in your education.

I have always lived by the famous saying, "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning how to dance in the rain." I try to find more positive ways to look at negative situations to fill my life with more optimism and joy. Whether feeling insulted by the abundance of homophobia or uninspired by the lack of academic passion around me, I have turned to this quote on multiple occasions in the last couple of months.

Time after time, I end up feeling disconnected from my college community. In the beginning, I just told myself, "Dance in the rain Randy. Find your niche." I joined Hillel and the Jewish Fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi. Although these clubs gave me opportunities to meet people I could relate to, Hillel dinners are only twice a month, and Greek life revolves mostly around partying, casual sex, and beer drinking. Dancing in the rain became harder than I hoped and I was done getting wet in a storm that would never pass. It is time I feel inspired by my college environment and surrounded by peers as passionate about life as I am. When I found Grinnell, with its small classes, passionate professors, and liberal environment, I questioned whether dancing in Cal Poly's storm was enough to find happiness.

Grinnell's personal aspects illustrate sunlight. Its eclectic group of students with economic, religious, racial, and all around personality diversity encourages originality. I will feel comfortable and eager to show off the quirky, philosophical, and nerdy person I am without hiding behind insecurity and attempts to be "normal."

Grinnell's renowned professors teach the lectures, grade the papers and tests, and even invite students over for dinner, making a warm, encouraging environment in which I will feel comfortable asking questions. Professors who make themselves available to me, and who share my immutable passion for learning, not only make an intimate academic environment, but also greatly motivate me and give me someone to look up to. The core curriculum is minimal because Grinnell wants to challenge its students to steer in their own academic direction. I will have the freedom to create a major with the concentrations suited to my passions and goals.

Grinnell's wide array of intriguing classes will challenge my way of thinking, expand my mind, and feed my obsession to learn. In addition, Grinnell's variety of study abroad opportunities would allow me to pursue my fascination with other cultures by studying and traveling to parts of the world I have never been.

Now, as Cal Poly's storm continues, I rethink my options. Grinnell's unique and diverse academic and social environment opens a third path to choose from. The choices are not always as simple as watching it rain or dancing; sometimes when trapped in a storm that will never pass, escaping it to find sunlight is the only way to be happy. Grinnell's "weather" is one in which I will thrive, for it is the place my sun will shine.

Undergraduate / Pitzer Supplement: Finding Social Equality [8]

Pitzer Supplement
What factors have led you to consider Pitzer? Why do you believe it may be a good match, and what do you believe you can add to the Pitzer community, academically and personally? Feel free to draw on past experiences, and use concrete examples to support your perspective.

"You are such a fag! You are so gay!" These words echo as I enter the dorms at Cal Poly. Whether or not they are directed at me, ignorance and lack of respect injures me. Those words originated in hatred and I am struck by how relaxed and effortless it is for them to say these offensive words.

Every day, I enter my dorm confused and upset, put down my backpack, then lock the door. My thirst for knowledge is what keeps me in college and calculus and physics are all I look forward to. However, the crowded lecture halls allow students to comfortably use those words as well, so even attending class is discouraging.

At Pitzer, not only will small and interactive classes engage me, but I will also join those fighting for acceptance and change. I will contribute my passion to learn in an intimate environment and be eager to show off the quirky and philosophical nerd I am. My motivation and potential as a student and political activist will exponentially increase.

As the personal essay explains, I will never accept limits to my potential. I will always pursue paths in life that will feed me more power to positively change the world. As "You fag!" diffuses throughout my mind, I now refuse to lock myself in my room feeling disgusted. Rather, I will unite with Pitzer's student body and battle bigotry. Pitzer's political and academic environment excites me for intimate classes, originality, and social equality.