Undergraduate / RICE university mini essays (intended major is Computer Science) [2]

What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field - such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities - and what you have gained from your involvement.

With the understanding that the choice of academic school you indicated is not binding, Explain why you are applying to that particular school of study. Characters available 2000.

My intended major is Computer Science. I played Pokemon games on GameBoy during childhood and graduated to playing computer games as age advanced. I quickly grew passionate about the artistic value of video games and the logical nature of computers. My parents discouraged me saying that it would not help me earn my bread. Yet, one day unable to resist my pestering, my father took me to watch the World Cyber Games being held in Bangalore. Watching the games was sort of an eye opener for both of us - we both had a change of heart. He realized the potential of the cyber games and I realized my deficiencies -there were far too many good players. He intelligently asked me why I should not design a game of my own. The suggestion, coming from a person who was all along discouraging me, but who I love and respect, made an impact on me. In right earnest I started on my maiden computer game project. In no time I realized what a gargantuan task it was and ended it, but by then it had kindled my interest in computer programming (science).

I keep hearing that one must do what s/he enjoys doing. I love computer games and if I can design them, I will also get to play on them. What more do I want from the profession that will pay me to play! Not just pay any salary but a fairly decent one too per U.S. Labor Department statistics with which I will be able to take good care of my family.

I did seriously consider taking up an animation course offered by private training institute, but dropped the idea as I would end up being a one-trick pony and was no match to a university education. And, I could not pursue it in India because there are no University academic programs that offer training in this field and also the private tutorials were too expensive and could not afford. Also, it would not be a good life strategy to just learn one skill as I would be a one trick pony.

I have the basic stuff that can mould me into a good software engineer. I love math and I am good at it. My math scores in SAT and Subject SAT are a testimony to this fact. But, I don't want to learn math for sake of math, though. Since computer science is built on the foundations of mathematics I believe I can become a good computer science person and apply myself to developing effective ways to solving unique game (computing) challenges.

I have lived in Bangalore and I have seen how IT works and have been strongly influenced by the way IT cuts across various verticals giving me an opportunity to acquire a skill and knowledge.

Undergraduate / Free afternoon, a compliment, history witness, better, question - Yale mini essays. [4]

1) What would you do with a free afternoon tomorrow?

I would be at my friend's house,listening to some music and playing with him on his PS3.Then we,along with some other friends, would go to a local mall and watch a movie.

2) Recall a compliment you received that you especially value. What was it? From whom did it come?

My grandfather said "good job" after I finished building my first robot when I was 12.I draw inspiration from this compliment whenever I find it difficult to do a tedious task

3) If you could witness one moment in history, what would it be and why?

One of the most important moment's in the history of space was Apollo 11's landing on the moon.It marked man's ability to achieve the impossible.I want to witness this event.

4) What do you wish you were better at being or doing?

I have enjoyed playing the tabla since I was 13 and I practice it during my precious free time.However I feel that it's not enough so I wish I was better at playing the tabla.

5) If you were choosing students to form a Yale class, what question would you ask here that we have not?

Who is your favorite character on television/movies

Oh yeah i also wanted know what the admission's office learns from asking these sort of questions.

Undergraduate / "Confessions Of An Over Anxious Teenager" - Common App General Essay [4]

Confessions of an Over Anxious Teenager:

*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*

The slow, monotonous, abhorred yell of the alarm clock ended an important meeting with my associate, sleep. We were discussing the highly controversial topic of deprivation. I slowly turned towards the clock as though daring myself to look. Through my groggy eyes, what looked like 01:24am was actually 6:30 am. The first rays of light came shining through the window. As I lay down on my back and I slowly understood that it was time for school.

I always hated going to school. No, it was not because of the studies, not because of my parents but because of my very intense anxiety.

I could tolerate any amount of work, any amount of studies but the one gaping hole in my personality was my anxiety-the monster. Never realized, when it creeped upon me like the symbiote in the movie Spiderman. The feeling of being chained to my lacunas made me more miserable.

Not knowing about one's problem is one thing and knowing about it and not being able to do about is another thing. Knowing fully well that I was restricting myself from not enjoying my teen years had a negative effect on me.

With no friends and no group activities, I was stuck up in my little shell, unwilling to come out. I was a loner. The only course of action was to study on my own,(which was easier said than done) As a result my grades took a nice beating.

Added to this, to cover up my shortcomings, I put up a façade of stubbornness, refusing to listen to my parent's advice on human-human interface. So as a result the relationship with my parent's got strained (which was sad, because my mom makes great food). I felt I was being judged by the whole world.

The only solace I felt was, when playing with my little brothers, the unjudgemental beings who looked up to me as their role model and loved me for what I was. I would shed all my fears and inhibitions and be the person I wanted to be.

That would not last long. It would be back within no time - the creepy monster.

I was trying hard to break this imaginary wall I had built around myself, but of no use. Until I saw that my youngest brother was also heading in the same direction as me. He couldn't defend himself from the bullies at school, kept to himself at home, not wanting to go out and play with other kids. A mini-me in the making. I realized that my lifestyle had a major effect on my brother's upbringing. He looked up to me, and I failed miserably.

I believe that an event or an incident can change one's life to the worst or to the best. In my life the latter one took the precedence. Not being able to watch my youngest brother, a third grader, not able to give it back to a bully, but standing alone in a corner at his school, made me realize the consequences of my action and my responsibility as an elder brother (which we in India, give it a great importance)

It was on that day I resolved to change. I said enough was enough. Invoking President Obama's campaign slogan, after some professional help, encouragement and understanding from my parents, and mainly my determination, led me to change.

I began interacting with people I earlier saw everyday, but never had the courage to talk to. I soon found out that I had more in common with the rest of my class than I thought. I felt this euphoria of accomplishment. I felt what it feels like to achieve the impossible.

End Result: my grades improved(drastically), I made tons of new friends, I hung out more around the house(my friend's house that is), and more importantly my brother soon began to talk and play with the not only the same group of boys that bullied him, but also with the other students in his class.

After this there was no looking back. I was able to unleash my talents, by getting into the school basket ball team and went on to be the captain. Tried my luck at the school rock band and also participated at other social activities, which I could not even dream off earlier.

I felt being broken out of that chained room. My parents are proud of me, my brothers are more happy with the new Me. Moreover I am very proud of myself for facing my fears and taking one day at a time.

There are some days, like today, wherein the creepy symbiote harps upon me, but I have the antidote (face the fears) now, unlike my dark days and move on.

As these thoughts came racing back to me in bed, I got out of bed, got ready and walked to school told to myself "I have a duty". That duty is to stop being the shy, panicky, introvert I once was and to be a better person to my friend's, a better son to my parent's and especially a better role model to my youngest brother".

I entered the school gates.
In a few minutes I came to the classroom doors.
With a deep breath I entered the wooden doors to my new life.

Undergraduate / "a career in medicine, specializing in neurosurgery" - University of Chicago [3]

Question 1. How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to Chicago

I plan to take up a career in medicine, specializing in neurosurgery. I was told by my peers as well as my parents, that, in order to achieve my goal, I would have to trek a long and arduous path, draining every iota of energy in my body. I knew the moment I made my choice, that, the only institutions capable of providing me with the facilities and the knowledge base, I needed in order to accomplish my task were the Ivy League universities. But that was when I realized that there was one other university out there, that had an equally brilliant medical program and that was as qualified as the Ivy League Universities if not better. That university is the University of Chicago(UoC).

I chose UoC for one specific reason. Nearly everything in the UoC is centered on academics and knowledge. It has an atmosphere that encourages in-depth study and understanding. It provides students with a basic educational foundation. It also showcases a very competitive environment where students are vying for scholarships and other forms of financial aid. Most people say the competition would get to a person and demoralize them. I suggest that I can use the competition in a productive manner by motivating myself to achieve more whilst comparing myself to my peers.

In addition to this amazing educational complex, it also has a very advanced and promising medical facility. As a student hoping to major in Biomedical engineering, I need to be able to understand how the latest advances in medical technology function. Without this specific knowledge, I would probably end up as a mediocre Biomed. engineer. UoC provides its students with state-of-the-art technologies, enabling them to be the best at what they do. It helps students, such as me; with a medical dream recognize their aptitude for medicine and helps them achieve their goals successfully.

The student community in UoC is supportive as it is competitive. Comprising of some the top minds in the country and around the world, the community helps foster a sense of academic excellence. This diversity provides various insights, not only into their intelligence, but also an insight to their cultural heritage. UoC also has an outstanding faculty, where the professors aim to make the most out of their students. The staff comprises of some of the smartest mind's in recent history such as Gary Becker(Nobel Laureate), Janet Rowley, Paul Sereno.... and so on and so forth. With such distinguished and able professors working at UoC students are assured that they are in the right hands. The teachers are also kind enough to go out of their way, to help students such as I, accomplish our goals by providing in-depth knowledge coupled with a unique approach forming a winning combination.

With UoC's guidance and fostering, I hope to evolve into a successful person both in my profession as well as my personality. With my dedication to medicine and UoC's inspirational facilities, I will definitely be able to become something more, than what I currently am; succeeding in my endeavors with flying colors.

All in all, the road I face is difficult, composed of various twists and turns, with hardship lurking behind each and every blind turn waiting to catch me unawares and drag me down to misery. The only guiding light I have is UoC with it's outstanding facilities enabling any lost soul to reach his destination.

plz help me out with this
thanks