Undergraduate / Chamber Music - Common App Short Answer [2]

For the past seven years, violin has given me the opportunity to participate in a variety of ensembles. From school orchestra to MYS to pit orchestra to performing at Carnegie hall! Out of them all, I enjoy playing in chamber music the most. While chamber is a small group, we still make a big sound. Composed of the top string players, we present an array of pieces for different occasions year round. Whether we are playing Christmas music at hospitals and nursing homes, or accompanying the senior concertos, we find the pleasure to entertain. While we are not performing, we are competing. To challenge our "inner music geek" we participate in the annual solo and ensemble music festival. For the past three years, we have received a 1st division rating in both the region and state. This year, my goal is for our ensemble to be selected to play at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival in the spring. While this qualification will require rigorous preparation, it is a challenge I welcome.

Undergraduate / 'My experience with forensics' - Common App [2]

Like typical Asian American parents, mine were quick to expose me to variety of extracurricular activities when I was young. Part of my childhood days were spent shuffling from tennis courts and soccer fields to piano and violin lessons. While I was becoming average at each, my parents weren't satisfied with the results, and I eventually gave up all but violin. Then, in my sophomore year, I discovered a new hobby. It was an activity I found the most meaningful to me and I joined out of my own interest. Forensics.

Having no previous experience in acting, speech, or debate, I initially struggled with forensics. With an unmotivated team captain and busy coaches, I was left to coach myself. I spent hours standing in front of a mirror practicing my speech, hand gestures, and movement to near perfection. I even developed a post-tournament routine to study why certain competitors did better than others. There were countless times I analyzed judges' critique sheets, revised my speech, and rebuilt my visuals. I yearned so badly to improve my performance, and through the progress, I fell in love with forensics.

Everything about forensics is invigorating. I love the energy that flows through my veins as I burst into the opening lines of my speech. Wearing a suit and four-inch heels for eleven hours at tournaments is uncomfortable, but in the end it's all worth it. By the end of my first season, I was the second in the region and the seventh in the state for Sales Speaking. I even won first in Novice State Competition in the same year. Nothing beats the feeling of accomplishing goals driven purely by passion. When I was younger, I never felt the urge to hit my tennis racket harder or practice piano longer. There was no passion and no will power inside me. But when I lift my head to begin my speech in front of the judges, competitors, and audience members, I feel it.

My experience with forensics has been not only meaningful, but also rewarding. Before I joined, I was timid and insecure. Forensics has given me the opportunity to share my voice with the world and along the way, taught me social skills, and further solidified a state of self-confidence. Additionally, forensics has taught me how to manage failures. Standing on stage at the state tournament this past May, I prayed to win the first place. Although I was crushed when it was announced I was the fourth, I have since taken my disappointment and turned it into motivation. As captain this year, I am determined to work hard and prepare not only myself but my team for the upcoming season. Although we are moving up a division, I am more confident than ever to continue Andover's legacy as forensics state champions.

Undergraduate / 'the Youth Action Board' - UNC Supplement [2]

When everyone around you is making decisions that don't coincide to your beliefs, it's easy to feel lost, alone, and out-numbered. This is how I felt my freshmen year of high school when my classmates became involved in drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. It was how I felt when six of them were charged with a "Minor in Possession" for illegal alcohol consumption after a high school dance. One of the students charged was my best friend Ellen.

It has always been a personal decision of mine to stay away from drugs and alcohol. I value my school work, my future, and my body. I thought it was obvious that being under the influence created a greater marginal cost than benefit. But Ellen couldn't see this, even though she was an all-A student, ran varsity cross country, and played in the Symphony Orchestra. At the start of the year we promised each other we would stick together through high school. The MIP incident, however, caused her stray away. I vowed not lose her. But in this attempt, I was loosing myself.

Ellen felt as though her mistake cursed her with a hopeless future. Her dream of attending a selective college vanished, as did her passion for learning. Thus she turned to self medication. Although my parents prohibited me to associate with her, I did my best to help Ellen.

My incessant reminders of the consequences were futile; she refused to heed my advice. Her family's decision to move to Oregon only weakened our relationship. My confusion and distraught led me to join the Youth Action Board my sophomore year. The YAB is a group of teens who come together to raise awareness about teen substance abuse, and promote substance-free choices in the community. We meet on a regular basis to discuss substance abuse trends, create prevention messages, and plan safe, alternative events for teens.

The YAB taught me how to make positive, healthy choices. More importantly, it allows me to share with others my experiences, and what I have learned. By connecting with other YAB leaders, and organizing YAB events, I am constantly encouraging other teens to make positive decisions. Additionally, the YAB has also given me the opportunity to further develop my leadership skills. As Vice President, I represent the YAB at board meetings, PTO conferences and other community-based events. Last summer I attended a leadership seminar which benefited me immensely.

Mostly, the YAB has taught me how a community of teens can work together to represent a positive voice and presence. Although Ellen moved, I have been able to keep in touch with her through Facebook. Through Facebook pictures, events, and status updates, she has seen my involvement in the YAB. At the end of sophomore year, she sent me a detailed Facebook message, saying that my involvement in the YAB influenced her to cease substance abuse. It even led her join a youth led anti-drug coalition in her community.

With the YAB I am no longer outnumbered, alone, or intimidated. I am confident, positive, standing up for what I believe in, and inspiring others to do the same.