Undergraduate / "Small classes + the trust in students" - Why I am applying to Rice [5]

Here is the first in a line of many essays that I will need to post. Yay for applying to 6 schools.

Please be honest!

What motivated you to apply to Rice University? Please be specific and limit your response to 200 words.

I appreciate the fact that 82% of Rice's classes have a size of less than 30 people. From experience, I know that the easiest way for me to understand material is in a small classroom setting. I thrive in the sort of setting where I can ...

After edit:

In reviewing Rice's qualifications, two main elements pique my interest: class size and honor code.
To start, 82% of Rice's classes have a size of less than 30 people. It has an impressive 5:1 student to faculty ratio, causing a faculty accessibility that is unprecedented among universities of the same level. As a tactile learner, I can see the advantages of a learning environment in which a student can easily reach a professor for any questions, comments, or concerns they may have.

Another positive quality of Rice would be the trust that they place in their students. This trust can be seen in many manifestations throughout the school. For instance, most finals are allowed to be taken outside of the classroom without a proctor. The Honor Code that Rice has established proves that mutual trust can exist between the students and the teachers. With trust comes maturity, and I believe that with the Honor Code, Rice has succeeded in promoting the mature learning environment that is vital to any education.

This is 170 words.

Thanks in advance!

Undergraduate / Why Brown- "I'm like a T-ball player" [5]

Please tell us more about your interest in Brown: Why does Brown appeal to you as a college option? Who or what has influenced your decision to apply? (1000 characters max)

Saying "I want to study cognitive science" is basically the same as saying "I want to be a baseball player." Neither statement provides sufficient detail. Every baseball player has chosen a position in which to specialize. A small child new to baseball does not know which position is best suited to their likes and talents, so they need the freedom to try all of the positions before deciding on their specialty.

In the same way, a freshman first deciding on a cognitive science major does not yet know their field of specialization. This uncertainty is why I am interested in Brown. Like a T-ball player, I need the freedom to choose my focus on my own. In order to ensure that Brown would give me this freedom, I looked at the curriculum that is offered for a cognitive science student. While there are core, required classes, there is also an amazing variety of electives to choose from. I can try my hand at classes in psychology, neuroscience, computer science, anthropology, and even philosophy before deciding what area I would like to focus my attention on.

This is currently 1,079 characters. If you could please tell me where I could expand and where I can cut information, that would be great. I know this has a lot of work to do.

Undergraduate / Johns Hopkins outside of school essay- "Music is my life" [4]

A Typical student at Johns Hopkins spends less than 15 hours each week in a classroom, leaving lots of time for volunteer opportunities, clubs and organizations, athletics, social events, and other on- and off-campus activities. Aside from the academic interests you've already expressed, in what activities do you plan to engage as an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins?(250 words maximum)

I have come to the sad realization that music is my life. When I say this, I have two different definitions in mind. First, I mean that I have no social life because of music. We'll return to that later. Second, and more importantly, I mean that I basically live and breath music. I am the sort of person who can't hold a pencil without using it as a drumstick.

This is because of the fact that high school has formed me into a "band geek". Ever since freshman year, I have been involved in marching band, jazz band, and wind ensemble. To translate, that is two classes plus 18 hours a week outside of school. The great majority of my friends are in band and I spend a lot of time talking about music. It is little surprise that I have become practically unable to think of anything other than music and school.

Therefore, this is what I plan to do with my spare time at Johns Hopkins. Time permitting, I would love to participate in the pep band, jazz band, wind ensemble, and at least one a capella group.

I have 191 words here. I definitely have a LOT of space to , but I don't know where else to go with it. Does this make me look two-sided? What else should I talk about?