Undergraduate / "Fatty Fadi (laugh now:)" - Stanford University: Letter to Roommate [5]

Hello all! So here's my essay!

Salam! My name is Fadi Saleh, pronounced "fatty." Laugh now. It's an Arabic name. I am 75% Palestinian, 25% Egyptian, and Muslim. I will have to say that my heritage, race, and religion all define me- they give me a place in life. I do not drink alcohol or eat pork. I fast in Ramadan, a holy month in the Muslim calendar, from dawn until dusk, so please think about that when your order a pizza in the afternoon! Oh, and I hope you like hummus-you'll be seeing that, along with olive oil and pita bread, occasionally.

I will not lie; I am a gaming addict. I play ping pong, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, and XBOX 360. I hope you like talking as much as I do! I am very social, and I love to get out at any chance I can. I ponder a lot about philosophy, making connections with the seemingly most unconnectable subjects. However, sometimes I will be thinking about something so deeply that it will not make sense when it comes out. Brace yourself!

When you meet me next year, you will notice my certainty about college. I go to the Tennessee Governor's Academy, a residential school 400 miles away from home. I am used to the college life, and I know what to expect, so I can help you out with that.

I cannot wait to meet you next September and learn more about you. It should be a great year at Stanford University!

(249/250)

Undergraduate / "I know I meet Stanford's standards": What Makes Stanford a Good Place for You? [5]

Why is Stanford good for me? I answered this with few specifics and more generalizations that have a personal effect on me. I answered by explaining that Stanford's student body matches the qualities of my small residential academy, a school that has taught me how to live and learn with others.

Do I make that clear? Is it a "good" essay? Thanks!

I know Stanford University meets my standards for quality education and-excuse my modesty-I know I meet Stanford's standards. I have passion for learning, I am diligent in my work, and take my future seriously. By the way, my favorite colors are crimson red and white. I know that any college I go to will be prestigious; this I am sure. All of the colleges I am applying to have nice looking campuses, a medium sized student body, and challenging classes. Stanford offers all of the organizations and opportunities I am looking for, but what make Stanford University different the most are its cohesive student body and its compatibility with my wants and needs.

I am ending my high school career at the Tennessee Governor's Academy (TGA), a prestigious residential school with twenty-six students from all over the state. We are all unique individuals with strong personalities, and we all brought something to the school. For example, I brought my heritage and religion to some who have never seen an Arab or a Muslim. I was able to teach them about my culture and religion. Here, I receive a rigorous, privileged education, like I will at Stanford. What makes attending TGA invaluable is my personal experiences with the students. The way we interact and live with each other have created precious memories and taught us lifelong lessons as a dynamic body. I know that Stanford's selection process focuses on the cohesiveness and uniqueness of the student body, and that is what stands out the most to me.