Undergraduate / "playing lacrosse" - Boston college short essay [4]

Short Essay: In five or six sentences, tell us how you first became interested in BU and what steps you have taken to learn more about us.

I like to play lacrosse. Lacrosse is a combination of almost all sports; there are aspects of soccer, hockey, basketball, and many others. When I looked into Boston University I saw a school where I could do anything, a school that could give me a place where all my options were open. I saw it as a place in which none of my hidden talents would be wasted, and a place where all my talents would be improved upon. I like Boston University because I like playing lacrosse; I get to have a little bit of everything. I previously contacted Boston University enclosing a brief letter, showing my interest in the school, and a resume.

Undergraduate / I lost 2 boys.... common app essay [3]

Q: Evaluate a significant experience you have faced and its impact on you.

Any feedback would be helpful! also If you can find a way to help me cut it down that would be great!

2 boys lost

In the summer of 2010, I had the most significant experience of my life. I successfully planned and carried out a curriculum for a group of twenty-one Italian high school students at Madison English as a Second Language School (MESLS). My ethnicity, and the culturally diverse environment that I was raised gave me multicultural fluency that when combined with my strong education and talents in mathematics and communication made it possible for me to accomplish this challenge. This experience was the affirmation - the culminating point where I identified myself as a multicultural leader. I would be an excellent addition to the increasing multinational academic and professional environment because of the leadership and technical skills that this experience demonstrates.

I am mixed. My mother is Thai and my father is Japanese-American. Having three countries from all over the world mixed within me I was always shy to tell my story. Whereas other students could proudly say their ancestors belonged to a certain heritage. I didn't always know what to say, so I opted to say nothing. Being mixed with these three nations, I can look like almost any nationality. When I was younger I was always unable to find a "group", hopping from "lunch table" to "lunch table". I first sat with the Latinos, as my European nose and dark hair made me look Latina. Then after switched to the Asian table and then to the Caucasian table. Everyday I would want to sit with all my friends, however the make up of school cliques made it undesirable. It all boiled down to one question, which "table" do I belong to? At first, I couldn't pick one table without hurting the others. I realized that I was the one person who could join them all together, and I did so. I was able to sit with all my friends. I found that while being mixed made it hard for me to fit in by default, I am lucky enough to fit in everywhere because I can identify with everyone. When I was able to eat lunch with everyone, I realized I had something not many people had, an ability to be multicultural. People may see being mixed as crutch; at times you aren't fully accepted, but I see it as an opportunity to bring people together.

I started to see myself as a multicultural person at my mother's workplace, Madison ESL school. My mom started working at the school when I was three, and since then my best friends were international ESL students. I heard the world through their language and saw the world through their cultures and stories. I would watch the students become frustrated with each other and revert back to their first language, unable to push their English skills any further. Their unwillingness to communicate with each other stood in the way of them from reaching their common goal of getting and 'A+' in English communication. By watching the students struggle to communicate with each other, I learned how important communication is. I became a translator for almost every language, translating their movements and expressions into sentences. It was here where I started to approach the world as an international individual. I was so used to being in a diverse environment, students were able to congregate around me and understand one another. I became their bridge. Growing up in such a diverse environment has given me a strong skill in communication across cultures with my presence.

I took the lessons learned at Madison ESL School with me, and achieved strong academic performance in my high school career. Teaching free English classes to international students improved my communication skills, which were further honed in my high school public speaking class. I learned how to convey emotions into my speeches, which I used often with my teammates in lacrosse as the JV Captain Team. In addition to my strong ability to communicate, I have strong skills in mathematics. I went on to the AMC10. I am currently dedicated to mastering the concepts of calculus and voluntarily attend all calculus classes possible. I also am learning about the concepts of probability and computations in statistics.

Special meaning came during the summer of 2010. I was in charge of planning the curriculum for a group of twenty-one Italian high school students at Madison ESL School. A new task concerning others my age made me hesitate, however I decided that our common age could become an asset rather than a burden. It wasn't until I started that so much was at stake. I learned that in addition to connecting with students my age, I also needed to earn their respect to be a successful group leader.

I planned a trip to show the students what an American high school was like. After that, we went to a public park next to a beautiful lake to discuss. Everything was going well as I had planned. Getting ready to head back to school for class, I took a quick trip to the rest room, and when I got back for a head count, I noticed that something was wrong. Then I saw it - two Italian boys stuck sitting in a sailboat in the middle of the lake on a windless day. At first I didn't understand why the other students were so casual about this. They didn't seem think it was a "big deal" because of the more independent culture they have. It would have been a cultural misunderstanding to stand at the side of the lake yelling causing everyone to be late, instead of respecting the independent choices of my Italian peers. I brought the other nineteen students back to the school, and told the two boys that I would come back for them. I realized that being a leader doesn't always mean having total control over a situation, but making the right call so that everyone wins, even when your plans go afloat. At the end of the day, I felt like a true multicultural leader because I was able to communicate, and adapt a plan through cultural understanding.

Leading a group of Italian students challenged me in unexpected ways. I learned how to plan, how to problem-solve, and how to sell my ideas. I learned how to give authority and not be disliked. This experience proved to me that I am able to overcome any obstacle and achieve success, as a true leader. I see that these qualities had been building for my entire life, and I owe my success to my unique heritage and background. I am eager to use my skills to solve problems, organize events, and bring coherency to the increasingly diverse academic environment by bringing students with many different backgrounds together. I hope that I can have the opportunity to use my academic and leadership skills to achieve success at your school.

Undergraduate / "Successful people graduated from Northwestern University" - Northwestern supplement essay [6]

Do you think I should add any ideas/desires about the student environment and location?

One of the most successful people I have ever met graduated from northwestern university; I would like to do the same. This man is beyond successful when it comes to intelligence, graciousness, and ambition. He became my role model as he described how he landed million dollar contracts and studied with acclaimed professors. Northwestern soon became a fantasy, the first stepping-stone in my journey to becoming just like my role model. After sending a letter expressing my interest in the school I was awarded with brochures and pamphlets sent by undergraduate admissions. These pamphlets are the beginning of my northwestern experience.

So far my Northwestern experience has been full of hopes of dreams of attending the McCormick School of Engineering. McCormick has smaller classes providing students with a more personal teaching, and it also boasts an amazing first year course load. The Engineering Analysis and Engineering Design and Communication courses allow me to communicate with a real client and a real team it also allows me to learn from both objects and ideas. The quarter system has really won me over with its flexibility and ease to learn more and double major. With the quarter system I will be able to test out new areas and really see if I am interested in that specific field. The system will allow me to have a full schedule with ranging subjects. Unlike many schools, Northwestern is dedicated to its students rather than its own research funding. Northwestern's want for their students to succeed academically and civically is shown through their co-op programs and engagement in community. Working at PharmaSeek I have interlinked with many Northwestern professors about their current drugs or medical creations going through clinical trials. Professors who are able to create life saving medicines simply want to teach the most competent and determined students, these professors obviously see something of value at Northwestern. Not only is Northwestern a great place to educate the minds of students, it is also a great place to mold the moral character of students.

With so many people from such diverse backgrounds, there is no doubt in my mind I will pick up some good habits. I plan to join Northwestern's Thai Club and participate in the many diverse cultural activities available. I know at Northwestern I will still be able to keep in touch with my diverse upbringing. I will gain more leadership and self-reliance skills through discovering my capabilities from Northwestern's club sports such as: boxing, sailing, ski racing, and lacrosse. Chicago is one of the "smaller" big cities in America giving it the ability to have kinder and less distracted citizens. The Chicago area will become my own personal observational business course; where I will watch and learn from skilled business associates. I believe Northwestern has correct academic and social setting for me to grow to my greatest potential. I hope my Northwestern experience will continue off of paper into real life so I may experience intangible joys that could never be obtained by a rankings list.

Undergraduate / "to succeed academically and civically, business" - ideas NORTHWESTERN [3]

So far my U Penn experience has been full pamphlets and brochures, which have created my hopes and dreams of attending the Wharton school of business. Watching both of my parent's businesses in action I have seen the business world, however I have not yet learned about business, Wharton can teach me. Wharton has smaller classes providing students with a more personal teaching, and it also boasts an amazing first year course load. The concentrations at Wharton are so flexible allowing the student to take multiple courses. I see myself in multiple concentrations, such as Global Analysis/Multinational Management and Business & Public Policy. There is an endless supply of education at Wharton, allowing me the opportunity to take part in interdisciplinary studies. The system will allow me to test out new areas and have a full schedule with ranging subjects.

Unlike many schools, U Penn is dedicated to its students rather than its own research funding. U Penn's want for their students to succeed academically and civically is shown through their career events and engagement in community. Working at PharmaSeek I have interlinked with many U Penn professors about their current drugs or medical creations going through clinical trials. Professors who are able to create life saving medicines simply want to teach the most competent and determined students, these professors obviously see something of value at U Penn. Not only is U Penn a great place to educate the minds of students, it is also a great place to mold the moral character of students.

With so many people from such diverse backgrounds, there is no doubt in my mind I will pick up several good habits. I plan to join U Penn's Pan Asian American community house and participate in the many diverse cultural activities available. I have never encountered the multicultural residential programs until U Penn, the program will give me the ability to take my world learning outside the classroom. I know at U Penn I will still be able to keep in touch with my diverse upbringing. My leadership and self-reliance skills will be tested through partaking in many of the club sports U Penn boasts. Philadelphia is one of the "smaller" big cities in America giving it the ability to have kinder and less distracted citizens. The Philadelphia area will become my own personal observational business course; where I will watch and learn from skilled business associates and average buyers. The city in its self will teach me wondrous amounts of citizenship and resourcefulness. I believe U Penn has the correct academic and social setting for me to grow to my greatest potential. however my parents cannot teach me I hope my U Penn experience will continue off of paper into real life so I may experience intangible joys that could never be obtained by a pamphlet.