Undergraduate / "caring mother and a Good Samaritan" - significant experience, achievement, risk [2]

"Risk anything! Care no more for the opinions of others, for those voices. Do the hardest thing on earth for you. Act for yourself. Face the truth" as quoted by Katherine Mansfield. Coming from a poor family of four; a single mother, an elder sister and a younger brother and a poor village where the major occupation is peasant farming which ninety-nine percent of its populace were illiterate. Securing funds for formal education was intricate so children are uneducated like their parents. They resort to helping their parents on their small farms, which earn them a living. While, I was from a family where my mother was an illiterate and employed as a peasant farmer with no funds to send us to school, I decided to find a way of getting myself educated.

Convincing her about the decision of going to school was quite tedious. She agreed to pay a part of my school fees. I started school after tirelessly getting my educational materials together. My mother was worried that I may drop out due to lack of funds to support me. I spent more time after school on the farm supporting my mother and had little time to learn and do my assignments. I mostly finish them on my way to school the next day.

After so many years of continuous vicissitudes and an outstanding performance in my basic level examinations, I gained admission into the senior high school with the help of a family friend who was in the city and they offered to take care of my needs and higher education. I moved to stay with them in the city. My foster parents indeed provided me with everything I need and provide some things my family in the village needs. After four years of High School education, I graduated with excellent grades. I realized how my mother's fears of failure have turn into a success story. After all these struggles and determination, I realized I have not only been equipped with just the dexterity of knowing how to write, read and speak good English but has provided a large platform for me take new risks, open up to new challenges, ideas and how to face them squarely. Secondly, it has provided me the chance to educate parents and children in my village of the benefits of getting educated no matter their sexes, children to make it a dream to aspire higher and be ready to take risks if they want to succeed rather than becoming illiterate peasant farmers like our parents. Excepting educating people on the importance of getting educated, this opportunity has helped me to explore many aspects of my life pertaining to my weaknesses, strengths, abilities among others. When I look at how I can think, evaluate and create solutions to problems without having to consult or wait for them to get worse, then I know it is the ability of taking a risk, a good and caring mother and a Good Samaritan.

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Undergraduate / "ready to face life with determination" - a person who has influenced you [5]

Tell us about a person who has influenced you in a significant way.

Almost every day of anyone's life is experience. There is always a time in life, when someone comes along; someone with an extraordinary story to inspire you and help you to learn what sheer persistence and determination is all about no matter the obstacle. My story begins of a My story begins of a young man; Paul Anomakodie. This extra ordinary man is the fifth born to a humble family of six children. He was able to see but after suffering from measles at the age of four, his vision slowly started disappearing. Attempts to help him regain his sight were ineffective. Life since that time has not been easy but due to sheer persistence, determination and the backing of his wonderful family and friends, Paul has grown up and matured just as any able bodied person would. Getting water from the well to wash his clothes and doing general chores around the house were also part of his everyday life. . Paul's passion for journalism started at the cape coast University of Ghana where he worked at the Campus Student Radio Station. After graduating, Paul moved to happy fm a local radio station in the nation's capital. However, after his post program was suspended he decided it was time to conquer the world. Today he is the presenter of e-highlight a program on ETV Ghana that summarizes the day's news items at 11 am and again at 4:30pm. Most TV viewers have described it as groundbreaking and some even called it the "Night Wonder". Nevertheless, whichever way you want to see it Paul is the master of what he does. Paul wants to use his story as an inspiration to for all other persons who have the passion for what they want to do in life. His determination has shown as that if a young blind man was able to defy all odds to get to the top of broadcasting career then living with a disability is not an obstacle in life. Today Paul is a source of hope to many Ghanaian youth out there, which I am not counting out. Call it a Vision in Progress or Story of Hope but whichever way you look at it this is the story of Paul Anomakodie.

Paul's story taught me that it does not really matter the problem you are facing or the troubles you are going through you will be able to do it and you have to be bold. His story taught me that the life is like a hurdle race. The small and big challenges or hurdles that we jump over are the steps to be closer to the finish line. Of course, we might fall down or, worse, injure ourselves but we can still fight on. It made me understand every person whether physically challenged or not has challenges one-way or the other, we should just believe in God and the plans He has for us. It has taught me to believe in myself and do everything to the best of my abilities. None is lost and there is hope for everyone who is ever ready to face life with determination.

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Undergraduate / "I never approach Mathematics differently" - Johns Hopkins [NEW]

Write a brief essay in which you respond to the following question: Johns Hopkins offers 50 majors across the schools of Arts & Sciences and Engineering. On this application, we ask you to identify one of two that you might like to pursue here. Why did you choose the way you did? If you are undecided, why didn't you choose. (If any past courses or academic experiences influenced your decision, you may include them in your essay.)

Like many Ghanaian students, I never approach Mathematics differently. I had grown up to dislike the subject greatly. If you are wondering if he dislikes the subject so much, then why is he intending to major in it? Well, a lot changed when I gained admission into the senior high school so did my abhorrence for Mathematics. As many others had already planned what they will be doing in the higher institution, I did too but not mathematics. Until my acute interest in Mathematics, I had always planned of studying medicine in the university until my dreams were shuttered when I got into high schools as an Arts student with my intended majors as Elective Mathematics, Economics and Geography. Unlike many others who were able to bolt away from the subject just to escape it, I could not. During my four years as a high school student, I developed a severe interest in the subject that aside economics I will major in mathematics. The presence of good teachers and serious study offered me the necessary skills to approach the subject, which helped me to overcome all mathematical obstacles with ease. With spectacular performances in all my mathematics examinations from the first year indicated so much. At last, I knew I have gained grounds for offering mathematics in the University with extra hands. Looking at how mathematics is needed in so many other courses such as Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Geography and several other to mention a few to solve several problems of inconsistencies, differences, comparisons among others, I can conclude that truly it forms the basics of several other subjects or courses.

Ever since I had the idea of how mathematicians form a significant part of the society, in which I live I have develop a strong passion for the subject and plan to take it as a major in the university. The logical, analytical, inventive and the mere fact that every problem equals an exact figure or variable around the world make the subject so exciting for me to pursue. The outstanding skills acquired from studying topics like geometry, statistics, probability, calculus, trigonometry among others in mathematics, which helps to pose a stand for any mathematic student to blend into several job opportunities has inspire and rekindle the desire in me to offer mathematics as a major in the university.

With the aid of mathematics, I have been able to blend into several other courses like Economics, which is one of my favorites that I would also like to offer, geography, physics and chemistry. The study of Pure Mathematics as a course in the High School has also helped me to tackle problems from different perspectives; hence, equipping me with problem solving abilities.

Considering a university like this which possesses good academic programs, feat and facilities such infrastructural facilities, research departments, serene environment for studies, extracurricular activities, a large platform for diversity which can foster good interpersonal relationship between students and an array of astute lecturers will provide me with the necessary ingredient I need to become what I want to be. I believe it will also provide a firm foundation for future accomplishments and much difficult problem solving abilities. With the skills I will acquire at your school, I believe I will be able to enact solutions to both academic and economical problems faced. I will also be able to fit into many job markets after four years of great knowledge impartation from astute professors in your university.

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Undergraduate / "Mathematical breakthroughs" - intellectual interests, their evolution [NEW]

As far as I can remember, I had always enjoyed working with numbers. I love mathematics and I will like to pursue Mathematics in the College of Arts and Sciences. My keen interest in this major begun when through research I was able to discover the benefits of offering math as a major in the university. In my research, I was able to discover that offering Mathematics as major will provide a variety of career paths; also a study that was organized in 2009 indicated that the top three best jobs in terms of income and other factors were careers suited for math majors. Another recent survey shows that the top fifteen highest-earning college degrees have a common element: Mathematics. This research really inspired me to offer Mathematics as a major in the university. The mere idea of the opportunities/benefits, working with numbers and doing what I like best is an inspiration for me.

Tackling mathematics problems wherever I meet it was something many people did not really understand. I had a strong desire to confront any mathematics problem I find in any book and this sometimes feels so exciting when I finally make a mathematical breakthrough. Although trying to solve a problem does not always come with a success it helps me to know where I am and encourages me to do more.

Although there is no university possesses a faculty for success, I strongly believe that Cornell will serve as a large platform on which I will be to engage in research, study and other extracurricular activities that will also help in my intellectual development as a student. It will also provide a platform for me share my ideas with both teachers and students from all lifestyles. With the standard of diversity in the school, I will enable me to socialize, learn and participate in several other cultures, which will help others to learn my cultures. Secondly, with Cornell having a good professor and student ratio will serve as an opportunity for me to get extra assistance in area of study. With good counseling department and counselors, I can be corrected when I make wrong decisions, seek counseling in my area of study and teach me how to foster healthy relationship with other students. The mere fact that the school provides an opportunity for one to undertake a double major will help one to acquire knowledge and skills other majors as well.

Apart from my keen interest in mathematics, I am taking this major because I believe I will be able to fit into variety of careers. After four great knowledge and skills impartation from Cornell I hope to overshadow several other mathematics graduate from other institutions, secure a reputable career of my choice, help solve economic, social, make Mathematical breakthroughs and become a proud Cornell student.

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