Scholarship / 'Despite my interests...' (engineering / architect scholarship) [3]

This a scholarship essay I am writing to get my Standardized tests' fees and other kind of fees waived. I just need to show that I am unable to pay the fees and if it's convincing and written in a good way they will just give it.

I am Abdullah. I am currently a 12th grade student at my school intending to pursue my higher studies in the US. I am now preparing for my SAT and the Subject tests and researching for colleges. In spite of my great interest and enthusiasm my father is unable to pay for my test fees and college application fees. His income lasts only paying the household expenses and my school fees. He is trying his best to support my plans while I am trying my best with my School studies and the SAT stuff. I was thinking of joining college in the US when I was 14. Before that I with my family were to go to Canada. My uncles are there. They were supposed to sponsor us for immigration there. But for some type of family problem they didn't do that and all our plans didn't work out. One of my uncles is a Civil Engineer and another one is an Architect. Whatever position they are now in is all by their hard work. They all did their higher studies in abroad with full scholarships due to financial hardships. Hearing their stories I was also planning to get full scholarships for my higher studies as it's an honor to get them; but now it's a must for me to get a full scholarship because of my present situation. My father's now working double shifts and overtimes to earn a little more. Still he isn't able to get enough for our expenses, because gradually the expenses are just increasing. And thus he isn't able to pay for my test fees and other stuff. I am really in need of the opportunity because that's the only way I will be able to pay for my pre expenses to study in the US and fulfill my dream of being an Engineer.

Undergraduate / 'The EducationUSA adviser' - answer to the Dickinson Supplement [7]

From my very childhood I was fascinated with engineering. Since then my goal was to be an engineer. Understanding my interests in engineering I figured out that Physics is the only way through which I can reach my goal. But then I didn't understand the vastness of Physics which I do now. Now I know that I have way more opportunities than just engineering through Physics. As my interests have expanded I have also figured that studying Physics along with Astronomy expands my possibilities. Because a lot of things interest me only a liberal arts education can meet my requirements.

Sitting with the adviser at the EducationUSA and after a lot of research of my own I found out about Dickinson. I figured that I need a college that is small, private, diverse, and of course it has to have a good community. In Dickinson I would also get the opportunity to choose courses flexibly, one that excites me most and one that I would like. After meeting all the first hand conditions Dickinson meets one of my major requirements, it provides research opportunities. In Dickinson I can do my research in the Britton Observatory or in Plasma Physics or I can just start a project of my own! As my goal is to be a scientific researcher I just had to start all this from the beginning. Moreover I would have the laboratories to work in with state-of-the-art facilities and it just goes on. In Dickinson I also have the opportunity of 3-2 Engineering through which after getting a strong background in Physics I can go into studying Engineering, which is my dream. I have participated in a lot of community service programs here and I hope that at Dickinson I will also be able to involve myself with community service as it has a great community. I need a community that would be warmly welcoming me as I will be very far away from my home and Dickinson meets this requirement too. I am happy that after a lot of searching here and there, I have found a college that really meets my need and here I will be able to contribute with my leadership and volunteer skills. That is why I have chosen to apply to Dickinson and thus my interests, talents and goals fit with Dickinson's distinctive character.

Undergraduate / (Meliora experience?) - meaning of Prompts [NEW]

I know that it might sound crazy but I am not just getting the thing what they want out of it. Couldn't make out some of the meaning at all.

The University of Rochester is one of two universities listed by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as arts-and-science focused, medium-sized, and highly residential, with comprehensive PhD programs, medical schools, and very high research activity. Both offer undergraduates an unusual degree of freedom in their curriculum. Which of these characteristics (or others) are leading you to apply to Rochester? In this Prompt, it's stating that both offers undergraduates facilities. But I can't make out which are the two!

Meliora: ''Ever better'' - The University's motto directs our focus toward continual improvement through learning, discovery, creativity, and enterprising collaborations among people with different points of view. Describe a ''Meliora'' experience from your life. Didn't get the meaning at all!

Make a rational argument for a position you do not personally support. For clarity, please state your true opinion first and then argue the opposite position. Consider an issue that has affected you personally. Should I just state something and begin arguing as another person? How should be the pattern of writing? Should it write it as dialogue between me and someone else?

Undergraduate / 'Providing me with my needs' - Rochester 1st Prompt Supplement [12]

PROMPT:Why Rochester? - The University of Rochester is one of two universities listed by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as arts-and-science focused, medium-sized, and highly residential, with comprehensive PhD programs, medical schools, and very high research activity. Both offer undergraduates an unusual degree of freedom in their curriculum. Which of these characteristics (or others) are leading you to apply to Rochester?

The limit is 1000 characters. It's already 1623 characters! (Spaces are also counted right?)
There are many reasons for which I consider University of Rochester, the institution where I want to spend the next four-five years of study. I am really interested in researching and as U O Rochester is a vibrant research university I would get immense opportunities to pursue my research. In UOR I can take on research activities whenever I feel I have taken enough classes so that I can contribute myself to different research projects. Other than the research activities available year long, there are also summer programs for research projects. More amazingly, I can choose my research project or I can just join one under a faculty that interests me most. Thus I will be able do my research under a professional and gain both the professional and scientific way of working. This way I will be able to fulfill my desire for research, related to Astronomy and Physics. Also after contacting a student, Tanveer Arnob Karim, I got to know that, although I will be choosing Physics as major I would have the freedom to take any courses that I like as UOR has an open curriculum and I would have the till sophomore year to declare my major. I also came to know that there are many student organizations such as Astronomy Club, Alpine Skiing, Anime Interest Floor, Archery Club, Club Tennis, Outing Club and may more, of which many grab my attention. After getting confident that I will be able to gain all the experience and knowledge I want from a college I have finalized that University of Rochester is the university that will provide me with my needs and this is the institution where I want to do my higher education.

Undergraduate / MELIORA essay of Rochester. Meliora: ''Ever better'' - The University's motto [5]

PROMPT:Meliora: ''Ever better'' - The University's motto directs our focus toward continual improvement through learning, discovery, creativity, and enterprising collaborations among people with different points of view. Describe a ''Meliora'' experience from your life. (1000 Characters)

It's now 1,150 characters. Need to shorten it a little bit and of course further improvement is also needed. Please help.

Always amazed with celestial stuff I waited long to get in high school so that I would get the opportunity to study Physics and get hoards of knowledge in Astronomy. But alas our Physics course had very limited readings on Astronomy! Later on while searching in a library I found the book "For the Love of Physics" by Walter Lewin. I didn't know that this would be a life changing reading for me. So, coming back home I finished it as fast as I could with huge excitement. It was stuffed with so much knowledge on celestial objects and happenings that I felt, although my course didn't have enough astronomy topics I had gained enough knowledge through outside reading.

Later I discovered that even that wasn't enough because all there was in the book, was just the basics of a Astronomy and to keep myself improving in this subject I had to do further reading. From then I kept searching on the internet and kept reading what ever I found interesting, expanding the circumference of my knowledge. Still I am carrying out this endeavor of "Astronomy reading" to be ever better in my desired subject of study. That is the Meliora experience of my life.

Undergraduate / Why Rhodes? Answer with character; 'Research opportunities and fellowships' [NEW]

Prompt: Why Rhodes?
Character Limit: 1250

While in a session with the adviser at the EducationUSA I found out about Rhodes. Though I couldn't visit Rhodes, from what I have heard from my adviser and through my online research I think Rhodes is perfect for me. Apart from its academic reputation, diversity, generosity with financial aid and many extra curricular activities, the features that really make Rhodes stand out for me are its Research opportunities and fellowships.

After I learned more about research opportunities and fellowships I grew confident that Rhodes would provide me an excellent opportunity to enhance my skills in the scientific field through its research and fellowships as it is greatly needed to be a scientific researcher. Researching under Professor David Rupke would be an amazing opportunity for me to prepare myself for the vast amount of research I would have to do for graduate studies in Astronomy and Astrophysics. At the same time, I felt assured that if I got enrolled, Rhodes would welcome me wholeheartedly and it is greatly necessary for me very much being very far away from my home.

All of these qualities make Rhodes very distinguished and appealing compared to other colleges I know. They signal that Rhodes has new things to explore for each of its students. This is why I choose this college, and I believe that if I get enrolled Rhodes will truly change my life.

Undergraduate / I can accomplish my research interests in Physics and Astronomy ;Oberlin Supplement! [5]

The word Limit is 300 words. I have already reached 307.
I don't like the first sentence at all! Please help changing that and make any changes necessary elsewhere.

Prompt:Given your interests, values, and goals, explain why Oberlin College will help you grow (as a student and a person) during your undergraduate years. (300 Words)

I had to be very careful choosing a college where I would be spending my next four years. I had to made sure that I end up in a college not so big and not that small either, that has a very good community and has the option of research. I also found out I need to be in a liberal arts college because of the low student-faculty ratio. Amazingly I found out Oberlin; a place where I will be greeted wholeheartedly and will have endless opportunities to pursue my interests.

In Oberlin I can accomplish my research interests in Physics and Astronomy which will enhance my academic and scientific skills that is needed to be a successful researcher. I can also double major in Physics and Astronomy and that is a huge opportunity for me. Other than that I also have the opportunity to go to an Engineering school through the Engineering Program. I can also learn the piano and the guitar at Oberlin which has been my fascination for many years being confident that I will get the best music education from the conservatory. Other than that I can get into many clubs such as Astronomy, Coed Soccer, Cycling and Anime club. In Oberlin I can also engage myself in community service, which I have been doing for a long time here, through many programs available at the Bonner Center, I will have ample opportunity to show my leadership and volunteer skills.

At last what I can say is that at Oberlin I will not only be pursuing my intended major but also enjoying the college life through many activities available. It's the place where I will be able to thrive not only in academics but also I will be able to grow into a better human being by getting involved in the Oberlin community.

Undergraduate / EducationUSA adviser advised me to apply to Gettysburg; Gettysburg Supp/ Interest? [5]

Prompt: How did you become interested in Gettysburg College? (750 Characters)

I have reached 802 characters. Please help shortening and editing as needed.

After getting the Opportunity Fund Scholarship my EducationUSA adviser advised me to apply to Gettysburg, being a liberal arts college with low student-faculty ratio it will help me to get involved with academic as well as social engagements. While searching on the internet the biggest thing that attracted me towards Gettysburg, other than its academics, is the opportunity for the students to get involved in research through the summer research projects and other than that it has an observatory which is greatly needed to gain hands on experience before entering graduate school. I will also have the opportunity of engaging myself in community service, learning to play music instruments and play many sports that only I have dreamt of playing. That's why I think Gettysburg is a best fit for me.

Undergraduate / Teaching and volunteering; Gettysburg Supp: "Make a difference" [5]

Prompt: Gettysburg College students are engaged learners and 'make a difference' both on and off campus through their academic and extracurricular activities. Describe a situation in which you have made a difference in your school or community and what you learned from that experience. (750 Characters)

I have reached 842 characters. Please correct as it's needed! I think that there might be a problem with organizing, especially the last sentence I think I have placed it incorrectly.

Teaching and volunteering has been my favorite hobbies. Three years back I got the opportunity to teach in an orphanage near my home and that's when I got the most joy out of teaching. I have been teaching sciences and English to them. It's an amazing feeling when I see that these children have learned something from me and their eyes sparkle out of excitement. As well as my last project with slum and orphanage children I have managed to enroll some of the bright ones with scholarships in my last school. They are now excelling in their academics at the school. I have always seen that people neglect the orphans because of being illiterate so I think if they are given proper education no one will look down upon them anymore. That is why I am trying to engage more of my friends to teach them voluntarily and eradicate this illiteracy.