Undergraduate / 'contradictions in my interests' - essay to my future roommate [3]

TOPIC: Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. 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 roomie,

I've been sitting here, thinking about what to write to you. I want to give you a good first impression, after all. I've been thinking to myself: "What should I tell her about myself? What do people like about me? What are my interests?" Two hours later, I'm still here, with no idea what to write.

I think my problem is that I do not have one, single passion. I love everything. Every small aspect of life brings me joy and excitement for what comes next. I try to see the good in life's situations and try to remain positive through the negative. If you are ever feeling down, just know that I will always be there to cheer you up and listen.

I love trying new things. My favorite foods are kimchi and Kraft mac n' cheese (not together). Just like I have tried so many different foods, I have also attempted, and failed, at several sports. I think my favorite would have to be running, though. I play the violin and enjoy classical Bach partitas, but my iPod is filled with underground hip-hop music, which I blast in my earphones on my way to school.

Maybe these contradictions in my interests stem from my clashing backgrounds: being half French half Japanese, I guess I was destined to be interested in a wide variety of things from the start.

Like I said, I like everything, so I know that I will like you, whatever your quirks might be.
So I don't know what next year's going to be like, but I have a good feeling about it and can't wait to call Stanford home.

Claire

P.S. I'm pretty messy- hope you're not too much of a neat freak!

Please give me feedback and let me know how I can improve my essay!
I'm at about 1500 characters, so I have room for additions

Undergraduate / 'Japanese technology didn't save Japan' - What matters to you Essay [2]

What matters to you, and why? (2000 character limit)

On March 11th 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake shook Japan. This earthquake, along with the tsunami that followed, proved to be devastating for this small yet powerful country. What hit hardest, however, was the nuclear disaster. This was no longer something that they could not control. Japanese technology had failed to keep the Japanese people safe. For a people whose values are founded on honor, this catastrophe was a devastating loss of pride.

My grandmother is eighty-five years old. Her name is Kazuko Ohara and she lived through World War II and the bombing of Tokyo. She was one of the few women who went to college in her time and became a Russian/Japanese translator. "Babashu" was a very strong, independent woman. As a child, I remember her as a great grandmother: she would visit us here in the U.S. regularly, and one of my most memorable experiences with her was the day my little brother was born and my older brother and I were waiting in the hospital with her. Anxious to meet our little brother, but still needing to wait, Babashu bought us both beanie babies. I still have mine and am reminded of this moment whenever I see it.

Today, we call her regularly, but since the earthquake, she has slowly been losing her memory and her health problems have been increasing. She lives in Tokyo, two hundred miles away from the epicenter, but she tells me "it's still shaking". Nine months later.

Kazuko Ohara is one among many. The earthquake and what followed were obviously disasters on their own, but they caused yet another one. They had a huge toll on the psychological state of the Japanese people, especially seniors.

So, if you were to ask me what matters to me, I would tell you that many things do, but for now, what matters most is my "Babashu" and the pain that the Japanese are going through. Although there is not much I can do for these people and I cannot claim to understand what they are going through, what I can do is help out my grandmother who has always been the sweetest to me. I would really like to go visit my grandmother and take care of her before it is too late and I am planning on doing so next summer.

Undergraduate / 'the positive aspects of living in Paris' - Intellectual vitality essay [4]

Stanford students possess an intellectual vitality. Reflect on an idea or experience that has been important to your intellectual development. 2000 character limit

When I was twelve, my family relocated to Paris for my father's job. My first reaction was one of anger and resentment for my parents who were making me leave behind my friends, my house, my home. As soon as we arrived, I was determined not to like Paris. My school made that pretty easy for me. The people, even the teachers, were so rude compared to what I was used to. I even got in trouble for not saying "Bonjour, Madame" to a teacher that I passed by in the hallway (Even though I smiled at her). Everything was so different, I was not used to being treated in this way; if you aren't following or need help, you won't get it- you have to figure it out yourself. And don't even get me started on the school bathrooms.

Slowly, however, I began seeing the positive aspects of living in Paris. Obviously, it's culturally rich, but on a personal level, it was formative for me. I grew up. Concretely, I learned to be more independent, taking the metro on my own and not needing to rely on my parents for every little thing. But more than that, I developed intellectually as I had to learn to adapt and, as the French system required, fend for myself. I learned that there wasn't always going to be someone there to help me every step of the way. As a result, I have come out of this experience a more accepting, independent and strong person.

Today, I attend a French school so it is the same, yet I have gotten used to it, and I use it to my advantage rather than let it hinder me. I actually appreciate the way it encourages the autonomy it requires to succeed because I know that this skill will come in handy in my future endeavors.

As I look back on the two years I spent in the city of light, I am grateful for this opportunity for intellectual development I was given. I would make a great Stanford student as my intellectual vitality comes from the power that I possess to overcome difficult or unfamiliar experiences and challenges.

please give me feedback and i will give you feedback on your essays as well! thanks