Undergraduate / 'the piano for the freedom' - Commonapp: Elaboration activities [3]

Hi everyone, this is my essay for the elaboration on an activity.
Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below (1000 character maximum).

I enjoy playing the piano for the freedom it allows me. Throughout the piece, I can experiment with the little nuances that shape each phrase or the effects created by pedalling, while still remaining faithful to the character of the music. As my fingers dance on the keyboard, my emotions rise to the surface as I live out the story of the piece in my imagination. It is during these moments when I feel completely free from any burdens and allows me to reflect and think calmly. When I was younger, I used to loathe the endless hours of practice. But now, I enjoy putting in the extra effort for that upcoming performance. Indirectly, my approach to music has translated to other aspects of my daily life, and has benefited me. I believe that I am a more creative and disciplined person today, and I have music to thank for.

(827 characters)

Please comment and help me improve.
Thanks.

Undergraduate / 'enjoyed puzzles and solving problems' - Stanford intellectual vitality [4]

As I had always enjoyed puzzles and solving problems, mathematics had always been my favorite subject. Mathematics was logical, and always made sense. However, my curiosity towards mathematics heightened when I learned about proofs. A complete proof meant that the mathematical statement was true and could not be refuted. I was even more intrigued by what constituted a valid proof as I learnt the basics of induction and contradiction. More questions popped into my mind as I pondered over the concepts I learnt. Armed with a new mathematical tool, I found great joy in proving basic formulas like the arithmetic summation formula. I could finally rest at ease knowing that the derivative of sin(x) would always be cos(x) and understanding the principles behind it. When I saw how seemingly difficult questions like why there were an infinite number of primes could be solved with a simple yet creative proof, I was enchanted.

The concept of proof gave me insight as to how applied mathematics stood on the basic fundamentals which could never be shaken. When I was young, I had dreams of creating the next revolutionary gadget. As I realized that mathematics provided the foundation for a wide range of complex functions from optimizing production processes to devising a music composition program, I knew that I wanted to be able to be involved in various fields. To be able to use mathematics to shape the world around us would be a dream come true.

The concept of proof has not only established my understanding of mathematics, but has also made me more inquisitive about why things work in a certain way. My motivation to obtain a university education is driven by my desire to learn.

Undergraduate / Stanford Roommate ('tidy person') and What matters ('I was chubby') [3]

Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate - and us - know you better.

Dear future roommate,
It's great to finally meet you!
I have been anxiously waiting for today to arrive. Coming from Malaysia, living overseas will be a new experience for me. For starters, I'll be experiencing the four seasons for the first time. I cannot wait to teach you all about Malaysian lingo. But for now, I'll try to not let my 'lah's and 'lor's slip out.

I'm a generally tidy person, and like positioning my things at right angles. During exams, I may be a bit of a workaholic (aren't we all?) and go completely into study mode. I need my 8 hours and am normally in bed by 11, so I guess I won't be bothering you with late nights of cramming.

Being a huge fan of music, you'll probably find me humming a tune most of the time. I especially enjoy the vocal stylings of Mariah Carey, but also enjoy Beethoven's piano sonatas. If you play an instrument, I'd love nothing more than to make music with you. If not, we can have wild karaoke sessions if you're up for that. Apart from that, I'm also a pretty decent tennis player and am looking for a partner to practise with.

I have an inordinate amount of stationery. I especially love pens that also have a mechanical pencil function. If you need a pen, I'll lend you two - one to use, and the other as a spare. I may be shy at first, but I become an aggressively loyal friend later on.

Tonight, how about we go for a meal together? I believe that people g. If you see me drooling at a picture of curry on my laptop screen, just know that my mind has wandered off to a happy place.

I probably will be Skype-ing with my family to show them the room, and if you don't mind, I'd like to introduce you to them as well. I cannot wait to read your note and meet you in person. Oh, in case you were wondering, I don't snore. I hope we have a great year together!

P.S. Let's eat at somewhere you like.
(1846/2000 characters)

What matters to you, and why?
A few years back, I was chubby, had unruly hair and was one of the unlucky ones with bad skin. I used to get snide remarks about my appearance. Most of the time, critics are honest about their opinions. Although their words were demoralizing at first, I have learned to take them in a positive light. My experience has taught me that beauty is only skin-deep. When I look around, it is not difficult to find beautiful people who have a completely opposite personality. I realized that a person's character reflects the beauty in his or her heart, and that outward beauty is not indicative of inner beauty.

However, I know that the criticism was meant to make me feel inferior. And yes, I did for a while but I didn't let it bring me down. I started exercising regularly, got better haircuts and took better care of my skin. I saw it as a wake-up call that perhaps I needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle and practise good habits. Although it may sound superficial, I believe that looking presentable goes a long way. Yet, it is always a pleasure to receive constructive criticism from people who have my best interests at heart. They have always guided me and been supportive.

Criticism is ultimately inevitable. It has taught me a lot about myself and the critics themselves. I welcome criticism with open arms as it gives me an opportunity to improve. As I reflect back, I am grateful to all the critics for motivating me to strive for the best and for shaping my moral values. In the end, what matters most to me is having the strength to accept and grow from criticism.

(1573/2000) characters

I had a tough time writing the what matters essay. Please be harsh with both of them.
Thanks!