Undergraduate / The "Good Will Hunting" Common App Essay- Is it a little risky? [6]

Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.

The night before the start of my exam week freshman year, I stared out into the dark quiet night and pondered why the universe was punishing me with all these exams being hurled at me. To put it into much simpler means, I was procrastinating. Then, from the corner of my eyes, a DVD case of the movie "Good Will Hunting" caught my eyes. I had been curious to see that movie ever since my older brother had given it to me before I left for boarding school in Virginia. Feeling rather burnt out from studying, my roommate Joe and I both idly laid down our semi-broken couches eagerly for the story of the handsome MIT janitor to unfold. This newly-created tradition still continues today where Joe, my friends, and I come together to watch "Good Will Hunting" before ever exam week, similar to how warriors sharpen their swords before a battle.

Though I'm unable to relate to Will's intellectual gift, as many would say that I am above his intellectual prowess, the movie presents us with questions that has dragged around my mind since middle school- 'Where am I going?', 'what is my purpose?', and 'who do I live for?' Will, like everyone else on earth, is hindered by fear, expectations, and history. Though the talent one may possess might not be quite the size in magnitude that of Will's, each and every individual is blessed with dreams but are often afraid to run towards what he or she wants. Will Hunting's transformation to a purpose-driven man never seems grow old on me, Joe, and all my friends as this tradition has come to be ingrained in our lives at Episcopal.

Born in the states but quickly moving back to Korea as an infant, I have never had any experiences in authentic American culture before when my family decided to temporarily move to the U.S. as my dad took an exchange professorial job at Northwestern University. From the homogenous culture in Korea to that of heterogeneous culture in America, the change shell-shocked me at an early age of ten. As I grew older in Evanston, the prejudice and the expectations began growing on me little by little as my friends of various races turned their backs to exclusive friend groups of their own races. All through my elementary and middle school years, I was just one of two Asians in my grade. Although I still had my friends then in Evanston that are brother-like to me four years later and separated 300 miles away, I was missing a sense of self-identity. I was confused as to where I belonged. I believe that the actions of Will Hunting have taught me to believe that one's core identity is shaped by one's purpose. This movie, watched seven times so far, inspires me to keep aspiring for what I want- not the desires to fulfill what other people want of me nor the prejudice in America expects me to be.

Any suggestions or corrections on spelling, grammar, wording, and etc. would be greatly appreciated!

Undergraduate / (The Episcopal High School's soccer) - Penn Supplement Essay [2]

Required for all applicants: Considering both the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying and the unique aspects of the University of Pennsylvania, what do you hope to learn from and contribute to the Penn community? (Please answer in one page, approximately 500 words.

The Episcopal High School's soccer program is a newly-born tradition in itself. Domination in the highly competitive Interscholastic Athletic Conference (IAC), three Virginia Division I championships in the last four year, and ten NCAA Division I soccer players bred since my years here hold a testament to not only the current strength of the program, but also the confirmation of our continued success in the future. Episcopal High School was created in 1839 and is the oldest institution of secondary learning in the South. The idea of the honor code that the school was found upon is still regarded as the most crucial principle that holds and propels this tight-knit community together. The honor code is our proud tradition.

Before attending Episcopal, I believe that tradition was expectation. However, after four years spent on what we call the "Holy Hill," I could not have been any more wrong. Tradition is what motivates you. Tradition is what empowers your passion. Tradition is a part of you and your legacy.

In my senior year rivalry soccer game against Woodberry Forest School, I suffered a hip contusion that would leave my right side of the body entirely blue. I jumped for the ball and the opponent unfortunately went for my body as I completely lost my balance and hit the cold mid-November ground. I stayed conscious through all through this as the excruciating pain, in which the trainers later described to my coach, "being hit by a truck," quickly took over my body. Five minutes later, when the tears had just finished drying, I was right back out on the field and finished the game half running cringing with pain and the rest limping with fear of being hit again . I was not expected to finish the match, but rather I aspired to- the tradition gave me the courage to push myself to a high level. Likewise, the strong tradition of the honor code has impassioned my drive for intellectual development by allowing me to be truly proud of my achievement as a student of a prestigious school.

I believe that University of Pennsylvania, throughout its 270 plus years of history, has established the tradition to propel its student to a higher level of learning and social awareness. The countless numbers of volunteering opportunities at Penn embody the principle that Benjamin Franklin exhibited in being the forefather of this tradition- "an inclination...to serve mankind." As part of the Penn Experience, I hope to be ingrained with the selflessness state of mind as well as the capability to serve others in the Philadelphia communities and the communities that I will be part of in the future. Academically, I know that the School of Arts and Sciences can provide me with the skill, knowledge, and fervor to be proud and purposeful of my future achievements. From being part of Penn's hallowed tradition, I want to leave a legacy in Philadelphia that empowers and motivates the future students' life at Penn.

A couple things:
1. I doubting myself if I am writing about my school too much.
2. I don't have a lot of specific knowledge about Penn, ergo general advantages stated.
3. Grammar/Spelling/Wording mistakes![/b]

Undergraduate / 'tradition was expectation' - Penn Supplement [3]

Required for all applicants: Considering both the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying and the unique aspects of the University of Pennsylvania, what do you hope to learn from and contribute to the Penn community? (Please answer in one page, approximately 500 words.

Before attending Episcopal, I believed that tradition was expectation. However, after four years spent on what we call the "Holy Hill," I could not have been any more wrong. Tradition is what motivates you. Tradition is what empowers your passion. Tradition is a part of you and your legacy.

I believe that University of Pennsylvania, throughout its 270 plus years of history, has established the tradition to propel its student to a higher level of learning and social awareness. The countless numbers of volunteering opportunities at Penn embody the principle that Benjamin Franklin exhibited in being the forefather of this institution- "an inclination...to serve mankind." Throughout high school, I have dedicated over 500 hours of serving the elderly, tutoring the struggling students, and guiding the underclassmen to have a better foundation for their academic and social life. Penn presents a multitude of unique volunteering opportunities- such as working at the Center for Advocacy for Rights and Interests of the Elderly, mentoring at the Birney Preparatory Academy, and teaching at the West Philadelphia school community. As part of the Penn tradition, I aspire to contribute to the passion in the volunteering for what I truly care about and share the experience that I have gathered over the last four years working in similar fields of service.

The proud tradition of the Honor Code, "I will not lie. I will not cheat. I will not steal. I will report the student who does.", that Episcopal was established upon is still regarded as the most crucial principle that holds the tight-knit community together. The Honor Code system has led me to be proud with honesty about my academic achievements and to constantly challenge me in my intellectual endeavor. In my junior year, I made a choice of taking a class that juniors do not usually take, AP Physics C. The class was extremely challenging and it was the first class that I really couldn't understand by myself. To be honest, the class wasn't my favorite, but working with my peers, it taught me to believe that cooperation produces something else, something greater. I never gave up and ultimately became a student tutor in the subject this year. Surrounded by passionate and hard-working students like myself, I believe that I can contribute the energy and passion into the classroom environment that enables us to challenge something greater than ourselves alone. I know for a fact that the School of Arts and Sciences at Penn will provide me with the knowledge through its prestigious faculty that care about its students. However, I believe that the connections and the cooperative atmosphere created among its students will provide me with the skill and fervor to be proud and purposeful of my academic endeavor.

Whenever delving further into my research on University of Pennsylvania, I can always feel the chills on my back from the excitement of how being part of this tradition may affect me. I can't help feeling excited about the volunteer work that is available and how I will be proud of my journey to a higher level of learning. I want to leave a legacy in the Philadelphian community that empowers and motivates the people that I help. I want to interact with my peers in a way that builds true friendship amidst academic obstacles. I want to be the part of the Penn tradition.