Undergraduate / "I knew that I belonged" - Why Brown? [10]

Why does Brown appeal to you as a college option? Who or what has influenced your decision to apply?

As soon as I stepped foot on Brown's campus, I knew that I belonged. The campus was charming and pretty, the tour guides were intelligent and funny, the information session, revealing. But to me, the unique educational experience that Brown offers is its most appealing aspect. The undergraduates' ability to choose courses based on their ideas of challenge, interest, and intellectual development without being forced to meet traditional 'core' requirements is special and very attractive. Furthermore, the ability of the undergraduates to obtain their uniquely designed education while learning from extremely knowledgeable professors, such as Mark Blyth or Michael Kennedy, is something I truely desire. This opportunity is something that only Brown offers, and therefore is the major influence in my decision to apply.

Thanks for your help!

Undergraduate / "Global Citizenship and Community Development program" - Brown: Why These Academics? [8]

I'm not sure about my answer, so any feedback I could get would be great!!

Why are you drawn to the academic fields you indicated in the questions above?

As a high school junior unsure of what I wanted to do with my life, I had the unique opportunity to participate in a signature program entitled Global Citizenship and Community Development. This program contributed to my initial interest in Political Science and International Relations. As a participant I was able to learn extensively about global interactions, leading to my budding interest in International Relations. My desire to learn more about Political Science began in government classes I have taken throughout high school. It is my hope that Brown will be the place where I can further delve into the intricacies of government and global associations

Undergraduate / "My team was in Guatemala" - Influential Experience: Brown Supplemental Essay. [8]

Tell us about an intellectual experience, project, class or book that has influenced or inspired you.

I picked Jacquelina up again, twirling her around. I returned her to the ground where she dizzily stumbled, causing her nearby friends to break into fits of giggles. They soon were asking for me to pick them up as well and I obliged, playing with them until the sun fell behind the mountain. This was just one afternoon out of the ten that I spent in Guatemala offering my time, hands, and heart to Las Granadillas, a village perched on top of an isolated mountain.

My team was in Guatemala for one reason - to teach. We taught the village's children, helping them understand math, body parts, and the occasional English word. I gained confidence in my Spanish capabilities, acknowledging that four years of learning from books would not have benefitted me without real world experience. We improved the living standards of the village, renovating the school building, and providing new equipment to the villagers. Our main objective was to teach and help the Guatemalan people, however, the villagers taught and helped us much more.

The ten days I spent in Guatemala opened my eyes to a new world. Guatemala was a country where poverty ran rampant, sanitation was basically nonexistent, and the government was inefficient. I saw firsthand the effects a poorly run government has on its citizens. Schools that were supposedly free were forced to make families pay for their children's education because the government didn't provide them with money to sustain educational programs. Some children in Las Granadillas couldn't attend school, and sat outside of the building, hoping to learn something from the carrying voices of the teachers.

This unfair and unjust world that I was in made me question things: why couldn't the government do its job? Why did its citizens have to suffer? It was because of this firsthand experience that I realized what I was passionate about: I was inspired by the people of Guatemala to learn more about government, so that one day I could work to improve conditions such as those that the Guatemalan people were forced to live in.

Undergraduate / Short Answer: Running, my heavy breathing [14]

Breathe in, breathe out. Pick up the right foot, now put it down. Relax. Remove the tension building in your shoulders. Work up this hill. These are some of the simple thoughts that stem from a simple activity - running. For me, running is the most basic and yet complex activity I perform in a day. As I propel myself over the dirt path and up steep inclines, I find my mind wandering, thinking about upcoming tasks or a nagging stress. As my pace falls into its steady rhythm I am able to discharge that stress, and prepare myself for the day. I turn at the mid-point of my run, noticing the changing leaves, and head for home. Only when I arrive do I stop, and upon hearing my heavy breathing I walk inside, ready for the day ahead of me.

What do you think?

Undergraduate / "unique environment" - Why Yale? Short Answer [7]

What in particular about Yale has influenced your decision to apply?

Yale's unique environment is why I'm applying. Yale's the only place where I can receive a Queen's education, and live in a castle at the same time. Additionally, only Yale offers afternoon teas with prestigious people. Consequently, Yale is unique. Yale is special. And that is why I am applying to Yale.

I'm not sure if I even like it...it sounds weird and awkward. Any help that I could get would be really appreciated!!