Undergraduate / And the Next Idol Is... (Common App short answer) [4]

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

I was the new comer, not only to Orinda Idol but to performing itself. Having sung in choir for only two years I decided to compete in my community's "American Idol". The veterans looked on me as if I was a toddler and they were royalty, but my song choice was strong and my passion, stronger. With uplifting words from my colleagues I stepped on stage and drank in the sight of two thousand audience members intermingled with three judges, all expecting a masterpiece (so it seemed at the time). The piano began its smooth legato line and I began to sing. The words were not from memory but rather brought up by the pulling tension and soft release of the melody. My sharp tenor voice seamlessly married with the warm, rounded bass notes and I was in harmony. Reaching the ending climax I drew in a heavily supported breath, belted a magnificent high G and for a moment time was brought to a halt. The reverberations dissipated throughout the theater and I was left, beaming.

- Kevin D.

Undergraduate / "A Gift That Keeps Giving" - Common App Personal Essay [NEW]

Hey I'd love some feedback. Thanks!

A Gift That Keeps Giving

"Come on man it'll be fun". These words spoken by my good friend, though I did not know it at the time, had a massive impact on my life. Confidence, passion, personal drive and friendship were all results of this seemingly unimportant suggestion.

It was my freshman summer and my friend was convincing me to join the school choir. In the form of violin, guitar, and the video game "rock band", music had always been a minor part of my life, but I never thought of myself as the choir type. Nevertheless my open sophomore schedule, and my undirected sophomore mind lead me to the open doors of the choir room on the first day of school. "Ok guys lets start the year of with some warm-ups!" exclaimed the director, "Don't worry Kevin you'll catch up." She assured me. I had skipped to the second level of choir after my audition so everyone else knew the routine. Next to me were two senior tenors, the best and most intimidating singers in the choir. They seemed like celebrities, but instead of bodyguards blocking them, their senior manner repelled my awkward diffidence. Yet as the year flew by I found myself joking, and laughing with them as if they were my closest friends. Even rooming with them on our trip to New York. Their kindness, and support of me that year endowed me with the confidence to be myself.

By the time junior year started I had really hit my stride. I was an upper classman now and had grown into a dignified singer. Taking two choirs, music was a prominent part of my schedule, and my primary source of happiness and expression. I felt the songs in a way I never had before, and in every song performed or listened to, I found meaning. I even began composing various genres of music from classical choir pieces to infectious dance grooves. It was at this time, when I met another junior who had just entered the choir class I was in. He too had been touched by music recently and with only music in common our friendship took flight. It brought us together weekdays, and weekends. When we were apart, texting idea's back and forth, and emailing hundreds of song projects kept us together. With someone to share the excitement with, my zeal for the music world matured into a burning passion.

It is now my senior year and I am the co-president of the a cappella club along with my best friend that I met only a year ago. I have earned numerous solos since my junior year and expect many more this year along with a lead in the musical. Every day I come home and immediately finish my homework so I have plenty of time for guitar, piano, ukulele, voice, and composition. Music is now a fully-fledged and healthy obsession of mine, a gift that keeps on giving. "Come on man, it'll be fun".

Undergraduate / Mono, and Diversity. (Boulder Essays) [2]

Here's the first Boulder essay A

Since the very first days of kindergarten I have been told to be inclusive by almost every authority figure in my life. Whether it is a game of four square at recess or a group project the underlying theme has always been inclusion. Now that I am through most of my high school career I have met many interesting characters, especially from the theater and music world and I am confident in saying that I have been very open to those who aren't considered "normal" or "cool" in high school.

Regarding my contribution to the diversity of Boulder I have a deep interest in all the fields of biology as well as a strong passion for music and performing. In addition to school choir and musicals I performed for elementary students, convalescent hospitals, charity fundraising events, and even our local competition Orinda Idol. I am currently the vice president of my school's a cappella club with which we raise money for a dear classmate of mine who has suffered a terrible and unfortunate accident and is now in a coma. I hope to fully participate in the student culture of performing arts at the university with students and for the community. Visiting the beautiful campus at Boulder, I felt that the school and community provided a comfortable environment for me to pursue my academic interests and to foster my musical creativity.

And heres Essay B i chose the 3rd prompt about a obstacle i've overcome

Early in my sophomore year I was diagnosed with a severe case of mono followed by repeated cases of tonsillitis culminating in a tonsillectomy, the result being a massive amount of absences. I cannot recall ever feeling so mirthless. On top of the extreme exhaustion and persistence of my illness my absences brought weeks of schoolwork to make up and resulted in entire units missed leaving me frustrated and discouraged. When I was sick I was in agony and when I was "healthy" my school worked buried me. Every day became a struggle and I was tired of fighting. I reached for the strength within myself to keep going, past physical and mental exhaustion until finally that last bell rang and I was finished. Despite my diminished state I maintained a 3.5 GPA, participated in the concert choir, the spring musical and I received a silver award "Maxima Cum Laude" for my score on the National Latin Exam. I realize that many others have faced far more daunting challenges but this personal victory taught me the strength of perseverance and helped me realize the true power of will.

Any comments will be appreciated, thanks.