Undergraduate / 'uncertainty about my future' - Common App Essay, Philosophical Passions [2]

Sinking grades, mounting academic pressures, and uncertainty about my future...when I was in middle school, my first taste of life's ups and downs filled me with doubts about the world around me.What is success? What is happiness? What is virtue? Gradually I learned that predecessors who had faced the same questions, and that there are written records of their life-long research left to me to explore. I thus turned to voracious reading of philosophical books, the secret retreat in which I was free to let my mind flow with the wise counsel of the greatest thinkers. As time and circumstance allowed, I began to take a more tangible hold of philosophy.

I prided myself as an apprentice of philosophers like Confucius and Laots, studying and even memorizing their texts. I noticed that there are different schools of explanations for a same philosophical phenomena. I was caught up in the dilemma of not knowing whether to go with one school or another. Who is right? Which is nearer to the truth? I spent hours and hours rereading and comparing the philosophical works, searching for the ultimate answer. Slowly I learned that there isn't any absolute right or wrong, and that every plausible theory has to be seen within its specific context. Casting aside my previous narrow-mindedness, I thus started to approach everything with an open attitude, welcoming diversity of opinions and opportunties of learning something new.

I took the class Ancient Philosophy at UC Berkeley this summer, which enabled me to approach philosophy in a more systematic way than my private readings would allow. I was the youngest participant in a class composed of mostly Berkeley and Stanford undergraduates.We spent two hours each day engaged in intense discussion and analysis of classics like "Apology" and "Crito". Previously, I was involved mostly with the reading of Chinese classical philosophical pieces, which prized brevity so much that they are generally full of conclusions but void of processes by which these conclusions are achieved; I caught shadow and form but not the essence of the philosopher's ideas. Socrate's dialectic form of investigating a philosophical problems presents to me his full intellectual processes and allows me to follow his threads of thinking. I also found humility and caution in Socrate's efforts in finding the truth, which often ends in aporia, a state of unsolved mystery, after he uses the elenchus,a method of eliciting truth by asking questions, to find the flaws of every plausible argument or answer. I often imagine the scene in which Socrates and Confucius are having a conversation and I would play the role of Socrates applying elenchus to test Confucius' claims about proper order and manners in society .

Occasionally, I would encounter an idea in my philosophy reading that seemed familiar to my own. To know there are records of predecessors' thoughts on the same question that align with mine gives me hope and encouragement. Once I even had a faint concern as to whether reading the works of others would taint my own original thoughts or restrict my imagination, though afterwards I laughed at my hubris, remembering my shallow experience and provincial outlook. Socrates said that "All I know is that I know nothing"; such intellectual humility would guide me through my philosophical exploration. With openness and humility, I am now ready to embark on the adventure of seeking the truth.

I am most concerned with my grammar errors and awkward expressions because the deadline is coming. But of course, any suggestions to the overall structure of the essay is welcomed.

Thank you guys, and good luck to all!!

Undergraduate / 'continue my passion for philosophy' - USC Supplement, Why Essay [4]

I believe there is no better place for me to continue my passion for philosophy than USC College School of Philosophy. I want to go to law school after graduating from college, so I will major in Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Law in USC, which could provide me with the unique opportunity to apply the abstract philosophical concepts to real-life problems of civil and poltical case. A successful philosophical study requires free intellectual exchange, diversity of opinions and the understanding of the philosophical research's context. Through USC Study Abroad Program, I could go to places like Athen and enroll in Ancient Greek Studies, retracing the cradle of the western civilization. The small class size and department workshops in USC could ensure free and close intellectual exchange among students and faculty, which would open me to many possibilities of understanding philosophical problems. At USC, I could have the access to best philosophy library in the whole country: Hoose Libray of Philosophy. Most importantly, I would be able to take classes taught by not only great professors but even great philosophers in USC, such as Andrei Marmor and Gary Watson.

Overall, USC School of Philosophy would be a dream come true for me.

Undergraduate / 'tutoring other people since eleventh grade' - Oberlin Why essay [4]

Please just take your time and help me to check my grammar errors,
Given your interests, values, and goals, explain why Oberlin College will help you grow (as a student and a person) during your undergraduate years.

Oberlin is the hub of civic activism where I could engage in numerous public service activities; it is also the cradle of human knowledge where I could learn, think, and study.

Independently, I have been tutoring other people since eleventh grade. I am also an active writer on internet criticizing brutal treatment to animals. Knowing that there are many miseries and injutices in the world that need to be fixed, I aspire to better the world as much as I can. At Oberlin, beside joining the tutoring program and Animal Rights Club, I would also explore the wide range of social service and club oppornuties offered here. Though not a gay myself, I plan to join the LGBT society, which is the largest and most vocal subgroup in the campus. I feel its my mission and responsibility to help advance human civilization by broadening people's mind in issue like gay and lesbeian rights.

As a person who always stretches his potential, I would defintiely want to be challenged by the standards done by my peers and the professor's demand for the quality of works at Oberlin. At Oberlin, the professors are passionate about their teaching and in-class discussion is important in the class, both are necessary for an in-depth philosophical study. As a philosophy major student, I expect to explore the widest range of ideas and cultures as possible. Oberlin' study away program would allow me to broaden my horizon and incorporate international elements in my academic studyl. Because of Oberlin's diverse student body, I could be exposed to diversity of opinions at Oberlin. I've heard of Oberlin's fantastic library, a perfect place for me to enjoy reading books by sitting on the comfortable womb chair.

Coming from a high school with high percentage of international students and an international student myself, I have been used to engage in intellectual clash with different people and learn the exciting things about them. Oberlin, a place with mosaic of different cultures and values, is a perfect match for me. I am particularly fascinated by Oberlin's singular housing program, and I plan to spend at least one semester in each of its cultures-theme housing programs before graduation.

Oberlin is the place where I could achieve my goals: to be an intellectual, a activitist and a global citizen who dedicate his life to the welfare of mankind. Oberlin would be a dream come true for me.

Thank you!

Undergraduate / 'an active participant in small class discussion' - Emory Supplement [2]

"To create, preserve, teach and apply knowledge in the service of humanity." My understanding of the service to humanity is two dimensional. Materially and physically, I would contribute to the community and the world I am current living by offering my physical labor or material gains, which includes the forms of volunteering, community service, or direct monetary donation. Mentally, I wish I could be one of these greatest intellectuals who expand the human being's boundary for knowledge, truth, liberality, and toleration. Emory is the hub of civic activism where I could engage in numerous public service activities; it is also the cradle of human knowledge where I could learn, think, and study.

I have always been an active participant in small class discussion. The free intellectual clash with other students and joy of voicing my own opinions and being tested by other's ciriticisms elevates my study to a higher level. Emory's small class size could ensure me numerous opportunities for class discussion and close relationship with teachers, both of which I have been used to in high school. Who doesn't want to have a Scorates' dialectic form of intellectual exploration with his peers and professors in college? I could have such experience in Emory. For Philosophy major like me, the best part in Emory is the countless opportunities to attend lectures of and even work with the great philosophers and scholars, offered by Institute for the History of Philosophy through public lectures and workshop seminar. At Emory, I will be taught by not only great professors but also great philosophers.

Independently and voluntarily, I launched my own tutoring program in my high school. I saw students struggling with their grades not because of their talents but because of the way they studied, so I worked with them, boosted their grades and shared their joy of achieving success. I am an active and prolific writer in internet fighting for animal rights and denouncing abusive treatment done to amimals by human. For two years, I have been constantly involved in animal rights issues and recently dedicated my research results to my Environmental Science Class, a final project that, to my satisfaction, changed my classmate's view of animal rights and raise their awareness for relevant issues. I am always aware that there are also many miseries and injutices in the world that need to be fixed. I aspire to better the world as much as I can once opportunity comes. Emory is a community dedicated to public service. Beside continuing my passion for tutoring and fighting for animal rights, I will expand my ability to influence the world by taking advantage of opportunities offered in Emory. Volunteer Emory could provide me with numerous opportunites to contribute to the community. Though not a gay student myself, I will join LGBT Life in Emory. I feel its my mission and responsibility to help advance human civilization by broadening people's mind in issue like gay and lesbeian rights.

Coming from a high school with high percentage of international students, I have been used to be exposed to diverse cultures, people and opinions. Emory again could provide me with an environment full of vibrant and diverse members who understand and learn from each other. For me, Emory's diverse community is a place of opportuntities waiting for me to explored and interacted with.

Emory' mission statement corresponds to my own and Emory is the place where I could achieve my goals: to be an intellectual, a activitist and global citizen who dedicate his life to the welfare of mankind. Emory would be a dream come true for me.