Undergraduate / I am not exclusively Caucasian or Black ; My diverse lifestyle and culture [7]

Please write an essay of at least 250 words. This personal essay helps up become acquainted with you as a person and student, apart from courses, grades, and other ojective data.

Prompt: Topic of Your Choice

Let me know what you think about the concept, grammar, etc. Thanks!

7:46 AM. Beads of sweat roll down my forehead from the fluorescent lights radiating upon my skin. I have only been seated for several minutes, yet already my palms are clammy, my lips tremble, and my nerves consume me. An intimidating patrolman paces back and forth in front of me, offering no escape. My captors have forced me to surrender my name, address, and social security number. I am unaware of what the next few hours hold, but I know the answers I give are crucial. Then, like a deer in the headlights, I am blindsided. I have been asked a question, which feels like a ploy designed to make me falter. In order to defend myself I grab my weapon of choice...a Ticonderoga #2 pencil. I turn back to the bubble sheet in front of me and look over the question again.

Since my first standardized test I have always been asked, "How would you describe your race/ethnicity?" I have always understood the question; however, each time I am only given three plausible options: A. Caucasian, B. Black/African-American, and C. Other. As I look over each option, none of them ever seem to fit. I am not exclusively Caucasian; I am not exclusively Black; and I would hate to describe myself as an "Other". Rather, I would prefer to say that I am a blend of cultures, background, and experiences. Unfortunately, this has yet to become a bubble space on any test.

My race and ethnicity have been molded and formed by the cultural experiences I've encountered from both my Caucasian mother and Black father. My father was raised in the third-world country of Guyana, having to work at a young age to support his family. At the same time, my mother attended a predominantly white private school in urban Seattle. They were raised in drastically different countries, family structures, and financial situations, yet found a way to work together. This partnership has given me many quirky characteristics which distinguish me from my peers: a yearlong tan which sticks no matter how cold Seattle weather may be, an eye color which even I cannot identify, and a first name which is unheard of now, but will soon become a universal symbol of success.

While my parent's cultural backgrounds are the predominant influences in defining my ethnicity, I have still been shaped by other experiences. I have had the opportunity to watch a Broadway production and discuss politics with a gay republican, all in one night. I have gone down to the Podunk town of Fortuna, California with relatives for fun days filled with watermelon eating contests, hay bailing, and a good ol' rodeo. I have even spent a night attempting to sing traditional Korean karaoke to celebrate a friend's birthday. And I can't forget to mention the customs passed on by my Guyanese relatives. I have seen them tie string around their toes to remedy an upset stomach, make soup out of a root to ease pregnancy, and make juice from the bark of a tree.

While it may be frustrating that I can never full-heartedly answer the question "How would you describe your race/ethnicity?", I am elated to know that my ethnicity doesn't have to be assigned to a bubble. No bubble will ever express the depth or authenticity of my life, and I'm perfectly fine with that. I will always continue to learn, grow, and shape this piece of art which I call my culture; making it only harder to pinpoint. I know that this journey throughout college will further immerse me in unique experiences. So as I sit here writing with my Ticonderoga #2 pencil I can only wait in anticipation for what lies ahead.

Undergraduate / As my roommate, I think I should warn you; Stanford Supplement [2]

this is my first draft. Let me know what you think. Dont be afraid to be critical! Thanks.

Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. What would you want your future roommate to know about you? Tell us something about you that will help your future roommate -and us- know you better.

From the moment I stepped foot onto the Main Quad I've pondered endlessly about what my future at Stanford would have in store for me. I've done play-by-play analysis of my first day as a Cardinal, and even mapped out my first course of fountain hopping. This excitement I hold has only grown exponentially, to the point of where my fingers tremble just from the thought of it. It's funny, but even as a 17 year old male, I imagine my feelings match those of a 6-year old child fantasizing about her wedding, only to grow up and realize the day is finally upon her.

As my roommate, I think I should warn you - I'm the kid that's always a surprise; just like the prize in a cracker jacks box, you never know what you're gonna get. It's not uncommon for me to holler and shout at a football game, break out into a random dance, and see how many marshmallows I can shove into my mouth all. On the other hand, I'm also known as the student who can start a conversation about racial relations in Native Son, perform a statistical analysis on the swine flu vaccine, and still make time to put on an assembly.

As nervous as I am to move out on my own for the first time, I am ready to venture into this new chapter of my life. I know that you will be the one to make this transition easier, to help make new memories, and to make Stanford my home. I promise, in return, to be not only a roommate, but also a confidant, ally, and fountain hopping partner.

Undergraduate / Stanford Supplements-Guinea Pig & Thought process essays. [5]

These are two of my stanford supplement essays. Please feel free to critique them and I will do my best to return the favor . Thanks

Please describe an event or experience that you found intellectually engaging.

Only two weeks into summer and I was at a place being avoided like a plague - school. I had simply come to visit my AP Literature teacher for some ideas concerning The Green Mile; I wasn't planning on staying long, only ten minutes. But as I sat down in Room 268 I could tell by Mr. A's character that this wouldn't be my average lecture.

Mr. A was a straight shooter, so without delay he asked, "Why do you think Edgecombe is so conflicted?" At first I was caught off guard; I had been expecting answers, not more questions. But, I composed myself, and replied "Well I think as an executioner he's conflicted by morality and duty". I figured Mr. A would either affirm or deny it. Instead, I was questioned, "Well, why do morality and duty conflict?"

This was the way the rest of my session with Mr. A went. At first I was slightly annoyed, but then I began to relish that I was being challenged. No longer was I a translator, forced to transform my notes into an essay; on the contrary, Mr. A was daring me to derive my own theories and defend them.

On that day I aroused my thought process and learned a new way to think. Rather than seeking out an answer, I began investigating the different routes and analysis which led me there. I've since applied this logic to not only literature, but also sciences, social studies, and foreign languages. With this new perspective of learning, I am certain that my mind can explore possibilities never imagined. I could conduct ground-breaking research on the transformation of undifferentiated stem cells or unearth why multiple sclerosis is more predominant in the Northwest. There is promise to any endeavor which I commit to at Stanford University, as long as I keep asking questions.

Please write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate -and us- get to know you better.

You may not know this, but being the oldest child in a family is somewhat like being a guinea pig. On May 17, 1993, by whichever mystic force selects birth order I became that guinea pig. I'm always the first to try a new experience, and once complete, to offer my brothers advice. I've been the one to ease their transition into high school, a first date, and the act of shaving. I've always cherished this position in the family, but as my move-out day quickly approaches, I now look for the counsel I have so often supplied.

It's not that I'm unwilling to enter this new chapter of my life; my hands tremble just from the excitement. It's the dark abyss of the unknown which frightens me. I will begin with no network of friends; no familiar face in sight. But overtime I will have the control to choose my new support system of professors and colleagues. The biggest question mark of all though is who I will first embark on this journey with; in other words - you, my new roommate.

I'm eager for you to become a companion of mine, as I venture away from my life in Washington. We can follow my strategically devised fountain hopping course, belt out Don't Stop Believing with accompanying air guitar, and discuss our latest lecture notes. Most of all, I hope that as my partner in this voyage we can share memories, deep insight, and a love for Stanford University.

So as the first inductee to my Stanford network of friends I promise to not only be a roommate, but also a fellow fountain hopper, study partner, and ally. In turn, I hope you are willing to put up with my ramblings regarding health care, stench of chlorine, and ability to clean out the refrigerator. If so, then I know you will be the perfect roommate, and maybe being the guinea pig won't be so bad after all.