Undergraduate / 'Music has life' - Stanford: Intellectual Vitality [2]

Thank you ahead of time!

Stanford students possess an intellectual vitality. Reflect on an idea or experience that has been important to your intellectual development.

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Plunk. A sound of dissonance crossed my ears - the sound of a misplayed chord. The notes abruptly end. My eyes narrowed as they tried to scrutinize the notes. I saw the problem; the note I should have played was an F# not an F. There passed a moment of awkward silence. Then, my piano teacher, Ms. Clavijo, casually asked why I had stopped. To me, it seemed so obvious - a played the wrong chord - but I didn't respond. She looked at me for a second before explaining to me that music has life and emotions. I sat there stunned, trying to grasp the concept. The rest of my lesson was a blur.

Music has life. I realize now that it isn't a stagnant piece of paper with black ants covering it. Instead, it is a multi-faceted being, waiting to shine. This is evident in a piece called Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla. If the song is played at a leisurely pace, it gives off a somber tone, but if played just a tiny bit faster, it becomes much more like a dance. Playing the piece with a cello, a violin, and a piano gives off a feeling of sadness. Add in an intro with an accordion and it somehow seems much more romantic. Lengthening the ending and letting its vibrations fluctuate endlessly can convey a somewhat chilling feeling. Sometimes, I find this hard to grasp because my scientific mind still gets the better of me. However, I can at least feel the music, and not simply play it. With some imagination, I realize that this holds true for almost everything. I now see that biology class in high school isn't just a lesson. It's more like a romantic union of science, from the smallest cell to the largest sequoia tree. I understand how Calculus isn't justa group of difficult numbers. They too, are not still and impersonal. After all, how better to express motion? With this type of view, everything has become much more unique. Interesting.

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Be as critical as you want! Thank you very much!

Undergraduate / 'Failure is evil' - Stanford: What Matter most? [11]

What matters most to you and why? (I apologize ahead of time if this should've gone under the other thread. I couldn't edit it)

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I am a culmination of failures.

Failure is like the evil twin brother of success. It is a mistake, something almost no one wants. The words "I'm a failure," are said in despair. Most people hate failing. Even society hates failing. When was the last time the media praised figureheads for their failures? However, I value failure for what it is and it has become increasingly important to me. I can now say with conviction that it is something I value the most. When I tell others of this, they are often surprised. After all, who wants to try their hardest only to fail? Well I assure you that none of the screws in my brain are loose. I never strive to fail. I simply utilize my failures.

Failure is what I make it to be. It gives me choice. I can see it as an opportunity or a dead end. I can view it as my arch-nemesis, waiting to prey on my when I am weakest, or I can see it as my good friend, critiquing me and lecturing me as I go about my daily life. Not so with successes. Successes can only be a victory and they end at that. When I was younger, I believed that I could be anything I wanted to be and succeed in anything I did. However, as I grew up I realized that such a thing was impossible. I had my limitations. So I choose to learn to discover from my failures and make it an extension of myself. Failures have taught me to follow my passion, to solve problems in new ways, to express myself, and to care as much about others as myself. I find it hard to imagine myself to be the same had I not chosen to learn from my failures; My failures defined me. However, I still strive to succeed; it shows that my hard work has paid off. But, I embrace failure like an old friend, who has walked with me throughout my life. After all, who else would critique my every action? Not only that, but it also makes success oh so sweet.

I am a patchwork of failures, and this has made me a success.
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Thank you very much!

Undergraduate / 'a child of science' - Cornell: CAS Supplement [10]

Do you think it's a good idea to only write about biology, my intended major? I do say that I love other subjects as well but my true passion lies in biology. I also need to cut down by about 90 words. What do you think is unnecessary?

Thank you ahead of time!

Describe your intellectual interests, their evolution, and what makes them exciting to you. Tell us how you will utilize the academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences to further explore your interests, intended major, or field of study.

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I am a child of science. Doubtlessly, this is due to my exposure to the sciences. My extended family includes a pathologist, surgeon, chemist, nutritionist, cardiologist, and researcher. Science dominates my life. Talks about the nutritional benefits of tofu, the hazardous affects of chemicals, and the inner workings of the heart pop up as casual conversation over my dinner table. And in one way or another, this has significantly influenced my love of science. In particular, biology is my lifelong partner.

One of my favorite pastime as a child was to flip open a gigantic animal encyclopedia and enjoy the breathing world, despite my inability to read English. I was not hindered by a language barrier. It could not separate life and me! It was during elementary school that I realized animals weren't static, that they interacted in numerous ways, whether beneficial or parasitic. I was amazed by the way ants worked together to carry an object far larger themselves. I also loved destroying ant mounds just to see them scatter and rebuild. Destructive, I know, but I think I was paid back in full by the numerous ant bites I received.

And then, I began middle school. I had never known the amount of diversity that existed in biology. My eyes shone as I thought about how a tiny seed can become a mighty sequoia. I was amazed by mutualism between animals of different species. Nature enamored me to say the least. On one end of the spectrum, molecular interactions within an organism never fails to impress. I am forever shocked by the accuracy and precision of DNA replication. The dreadful effects of Ebola fascinated me after I read a book known as The Hot Zone. On the other end, gargantuan animals always mystify me. How can they possibly become so large? But, I my love for biology was sealed in high school. Even though I had to learn terms that meant gibberish to me, I never lost interest in the intricacies of biology. My curiosity only magnified. To develop this, I spent three weeks every summer for the past two years working and observing in a lab that studied cancer and HCV cells. I wanted more.

And this interest has led me to Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences. My strong interest in biology has not hindered any of my other academic interests. I still enjoy a good book like any other literature buff and enjoy reading about the exploits of nations like a history lover. Thus, I am happy to find that Cornell's program requires students to take classes in both the humanities and the sciences. However, given that biology is my biggest interest, I am ecstatic to see that Cornell has world-renown professors teaching on campus. Cornell also has an extremely strong biology program which I plan to make full use of. Dare I also dream of studying biology out of the States through Cornell Abroad? With a 12:1 student: faculty ratio, I believe I will receive the personal attention I need to develop my interest. Furthermore, Cornell has a strong undergraduate research program, which I also plan to utilize; it's one thing to hear about things in the classroom and another to work in research projects with biology faculties, many of whom have earned national recognition. Cornell's commitment to realizing that each student is different also impressed me; I am not a number, but a person. I believe that I will thrive in this type of ecosystem.

Undergraduate / Brown: Long Answer [12]

Why are you going to college?

Comment: I don't even know if I should write of this topic. Everyone's answer is going to be the same. So, I tried to do something different. Even though I'm saying the same things, I wrap it in imagery and such. Be as harsh as you want. Do you think it works? Thank you!

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I stumble in a foggy, distorted world. As I crawl forward, I see an old bridge. I know little of it , but I know it leads me to a clearer world. I take this chance to move from one world to the next, moving plank to plank.

The first plank instills a sense of practicality. At one point, college is a means to an end. It is necessary to go to college to reach my final destination as a doctor. At a high school level, I cannot comprehend the immense complexity of the living world. I need to develop higher thinking skills and to gain more knowledge. I also need that bachelor's degree to enter graduate school. This plank is necessary, but least important.

The second plank offers a sense of delightful trepidation. College is a time of personal development. I am no longer sheltered. I can take responsibility for my actions and handle consequences through my own abilities. There are no parental safety nets. If I fall, I will have learned a valuable lesson that leaves a lasting impression. This plank molds me, and I need it to become successful.

The third plank broadens my vision. Only college can offer the unique experiences of learning abroad without worries of the real world. I have always wanted to see the world and its people and cultures. I care greatly about diversity and wish to use this time to make myself more worldly. This plank opens my eyes, and I will need my eyes to navigate in a brand new world.

The final plank gives a sense of closure. High school was a time of impractical knowledge. There is a disconnect between the student and the textbook. The working world is one of practicality, where nothing is ever done just because. College is the perfect mixture of the two. Here, the world of ideas collide with the world of practicality. This last plank connects me to both worlds and I truly need to tie the two together.

I have reached the other side of the bridge. Although short, it has led me to a land of opportunities and prepared me to face whatever the world throws at me.