Undergraduate / 'Macbeth and Socratic seminars' - Stanford Univ - Intellectual Vit. essay! [8]

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

"So for Macbeth, we will be having Socratic seminars!" Students looked at each other with questions posed in their eyes. The teacher explained that these seminars would involve each student sharing their thoughts on the assigned reading and their interpretations of the story. Reading itself had always presented a challenge in understanding to me, now I had to share interpretations? As I began reading the play, I noted key words, names and places. Taking notes on tone and mood, I focused vigorously. For the next week, chanting "Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth," my thoughts constantly drifted to the dark play, and I diligently wrote down each meaningful thought and meticulously reviewed my ideas and opinions on the play.

I had no idea what to expect. The teacher asked a compelling question at the beginning of class and after a moment of conscious thought, I raised my hand and answered the question. Another student offered his ideas and the discussion was off! I offered my views, defending them with quotes from my detailed notes. I knew what I was doing, and spoke confidently. As class drew to a close, my teacher approached my desk and applauded my critical thinking, analysis and ability to defend my opinion with fact. I walked around with a smile plastered on my face for the rest of the day.

I discovered my literary voice, and promised myself not to ever let it go. Discussions now appear to me as an opportunity to think and develop, and I have overcome my fear with a realization that hard work and dedication leads to confidence in addition to success. I have discovered more about myself through reading than I could have imagined and have acquired more knowledge by sharing my thoughts and opinions than any other way. The Socratic seminars in sophomore English class propelled my love of books and the development of my thought process.

Undergraduate / 'My father, a consulting engineer' - Stanford Univ. Roommate Essay HELP [5]

"I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better," Plutarch once said. I hope our relationship is about learning from each other. Roomie, here is a bit about me, just to get the ball rolling.

I'm quite vivacious and eccentric, always running around laughing and listening to music. I don't like sitting in one place for too long. Over the last summer, I spent hours exploring Stanford on my bicycle, and walked around campus, drawing inspiration from the beauty Palm Drive, the church, Green Library and Campus Drive for the long nights of study I had ahead of me. My sunglasses and running shoes go everywhere with me, because I like to get to know what's going on around me.

When not studying or exploring my neighborhood, I can most likely be found in a dance studio, practicing Indian classical dance, Bharata Natyam. Dance is the reason I am always listening to music, it has made me fall in love with and explore rhythm. Dance is also where I find my relationship with god who has given me so many blessings, so I find it only right to learn and practice a dance form that is known as the highest form of yoga and calls out to god, praising his many forms.

My father is my biggest role model. As a consulting engineer, he runs a small firm. Even though recent financial times have been tough, Papa continues to lead his company on, living by the phrase: "When going gets tough, the tough get to work". This motivation has pushed me to work my hardest and never give up. I throw myself into academic work, and spend hours perfecting homework and studying for tests. I spend precious energy re-doing dance moves until they are pristine. I spend time with friends who are having issues, listening to them, discussing how to resolve their problems, cheering them up and making them feel better.

Roomie, I am looking forward to meeting you, and hope we aren't exactly the same, because hey, that would be boring! See you soon! Be Well.

be helpful please :))
I WILL RETURN THE FAVOR!

Undergraduate / 'Slam and pointer finger' - Stanford Univ. - What matters to you and Why [4]

PLEASE EDIT?

"SLAM!!!!!!!" I'm not sure my parents thought anything of it until they heard me screaming.
When I was a year and a half old, the pointer finger on my left hand got caught in a door and the top was separated from the rest, hanging by a single nerve. My mother was in tears when she saw what had happened, sure that I would have to live with an amputated finger for the rest of my life.

Fortunately, the only doctor that was available in town was a plastic surgeon. Within minutes, his adept fingers had sewn my finger back together, comforting my family with the soothing words, "Anything is possible."

Today, those same words have become the mantra by which I live my life. In August 2011, I was faced with a large challenge: I had four weeks to complete a semester of Pre-Calculus. My high school counselor emailed me, completely convinced that I wouldn't be able to do. My father sat down and looked over the textbook, reviewing the necessary work, shaking his head. My mother was travelling, and when I spoke to her, she asked me: "How are you going to finish?" I sat with my head in my hands, convinced that I wouldn't. Then, I noticed my finger. Fully functional and shaped correctly, it had been completely fixed. My finger reminded me of something very important. I opened my textbook and got to work. Four weeks later, I submitted all the work, tests and the final exam with a grin on my face. My self-confidence had risen, and my sense of ability had grown. When I checked my grade, I found that I had received an A for the coursework. My pointer finger matters to me. It is a constant reminder that anything is possible.