Undergraduate / Science and Society-Intellectual Vitality-Stanford Supplement [3]

Prompt: Stanford students are widely known to possess a sense of intellectual vitality. Tell us about an idea or an experience you have had that you find intellectually engaging. 200 words maximum.

In our Science & Society class, we are addressing the contentious issues of global warming, stem cell research, bioengineered foods, cloning, and nuclear power. We read texts to increase our scientific literacy and analyze conflicting data. I find the course engaging because unlike traditional science classes, Science & Society tells the story of science and its connections to history, economics, politics, and ethics. Instead of learning the black and white facts of science, I am expanding my vision into the gray areas. I have never before considered the cost and consequences of the energy we consume, prescription drugs we take, foods we eat, and potable water we drink. Each topic introduces new perspectives and sparks new thoughts, challenging me to broaden my understanding of its controversy and implications for society. We delve into and beyond the superficial conversation of each topic and explore the complexity of the issues that will soon require action, encouraging me to reflect on science's monumental influence on our lives.

Undergraduate / "the Danish Prince and the son of a murdered father" - Hamlet-Primary Advisor-CMC [5]

Prompt: Leadership is a constant theme and emphasis at CMC. In fact, one of the ways we describe CMC students is "Leaders in the Making." Choose someone, fictional or nonfictional, historical or contemporary, whom you consider to be a leader. Suppose you are this person's primary advisor. How would you advise this person and why?

Dear Hamlet,
I know I cannot sympathize with the depth of your afflictions, but as the Danish Prince and the son of a murdered father, you must take action and dethrone your cold-blooded uncle. Life has presented you with many opportunities to be decisive, to be a man of action, but you have failed to capitalize on them. The ghost who appeared before you was your father informing you that his own brother had killed him in his sleep, yet you doubt your metaphysical encounter. So you vowed to find natural proof to justify your vengeance and even after witnessing Claudias' guilty reaction directly, you still have not carried out your father-ordained revenge. My Lord, not only do you have the will, strength, and means to take revenge but you also have a mother stained by your incestuous uncle. Why do you hesitate to act? A king must be ready to act in the face of fate and must not be inhibited by indecision. You cannot allow your incessant questioning of consequence and meaning prevent you from reinstating justice to the Danish Court and honor to your father. Look at Fortinbras. Also a Prince, he did not delay, but rather acted upon hearing news of his father's death. He quickly gathered an army, marched into Denmark, and reclaimed, without any hesitation, the land that is rightfully his. Clear-headed, he remained faithful to both his filial and imperial duty, restoring honor to the Norwegian crown. Look at history. The great Trojan hero Aeneas. Though distracted by a love affair with the Carthegian queen Dido, he subordinated the emotions of his heart to the demands of duty. His fate was at odds with his free will, but he obediently accepted his destined and eventually founded the city of Rome. Are you not motivated to eliminate the person who is responsible for your misery and your madness? Prince Hamlet, you were destined to take back the throne of Denmark from you uncle. By the will of Providence, you escaped your death and miraculously found a way back home. Surrender yourself to your fate and become a man of faith and conviction. There is a divinity that shapes your ends so prepare yourself for whatever God thrusts into your life. Fate has called you to transform from an indecisive doubter to an honorable, resolute man.

Undergraduate / "how excited I am to venture into this new chapter of our lives" - Stanford Roommate [4]

Dear Future Roommate,
I sing in the shower, I'm very cranky when I wake up, I have way too many pairs of sneakers, and I am exceptionally tidy. But we'll get used to each other's quirks. Right off, you should know that I am passionate about sports and exercise. I work out religiously, play basketball, and make sure I consume two hundred grams of protein everyday. Warning: the cottage cheese and hard-boiled eggs will smell. My rigorous training has helped me balance academics, volunteer work, and family time. I hope my fitness-oriented lifestyle does not intimidate you but rather encourages you to exercise, too.

I am an only child, and I will be the first in my family to receive a college education in the United States. Though I've been brought up in a very traditional Korean household, I have acclimated to American culture, and frankly, I believe I am more American than I am Korean. I prefer oatmeal and scrambled eggs to fried rice and kimchi. With my mother, I speak "Konglish," a combination of English and Korean; with my father and peers, I speak English only. I never limit myself to Korean friends, as I am friends with everyone at school.

I plan to major in neuroscience and then attend medical school, a dream of mine since the 5th grade. I take school very seriously, but I won't make our room a study hall. I can't wait to meet you. I hope we can eat healthy foods, be workout partners, and play pick up games of basketball. Words cannot describe how excited I am to venture into this new chapter of our lives at Stanford.