Undergraduate / 'USA - China: you can control your life' - Personal Statement [2]

I used to be kind of a too well-behaved girl with good grades and no reproachful performance at school.

Since I had gradually understand the chats among the grown-ups, I came to be aware that people took a totally different lifestyle from older generation, but what they still had, were the ingrained tradtional thoughts in their minds. In their deep inside, there was no better thing than the girls should get good grades, go to Chinese colleges, find steady jobs and finally have happy marriages----this was their simple idea of live as which they regard the "safe" way of living. Unfortunately for me, exposed to such an atmosphere full of conventional ideas, I found myself almost became one of them, thinking about how to fit in with the pattern of their lives with comfort and no challenge. Always feeling satisfied when teacher praised me for my high rank in the grade and content myself with the stack of hononrary credentials, I thought my simple happy life would carry. But suddenly something just changed my original values of life and evoked the most ambitious and curious me hided in the bottom of my heart.

It was a usual weekends at my age of eightïźŒI went to my grandparents' house when my grandpa was cleaning up some old stuff. He showed me a sealed old newspaper clipping of "The New York Times", which impressed me most was the big picture on it. A man with sunken eyes, big nose, obviously was not how a Chinese look. Grandpa pointed at this man and said," This is Richard Milhous Nixon, the thirty-seventh president of United States. And the man next to him in the picture is me." For a moment, I could not believe my ears. How could my grandpaian accept the president's reception in White House. Grandpa said, "I was an acrobat in Shenyang Acrobatic Troupe, and in 1972 I was sent to shoulder the mission of the establishment of diplomatic relation between the United States and Republic of China. It was my choice to decide whether take on this mission, because during the performance my life was likely to be threatened at any time by those who wanted to undermine the relation between two countries. However, I accepted this challenge and completed it successfully."He then talked about the magnificance of the skyscraper seemed to touch the sky, surprised at the advancement of the electrical applicances such as the television that he had never seen before, and praised that how warm-hearted, friendly and frank were the American people he met.

I was enchanted. As if all the words were turned into pictures painting the beautiful scene of my imagination of America. That moment, I decided to give up my safe lifestyle and ready for meeting every challenge in my life. I participated in the singing contest, though my parents didn't believe that such a shy girl could sing on the stage. I danced jazz, though someone said it made me not like a Chinese girl. I learned languages like Japanese and Spanish, though my some people said it may occupy my time of learning math and physics. I played basketball and billiards, though all of my friends thought these sports were too boyish. But I don't care what other think, just making my life more "dangerous". Now, I want to further my study in America, though people say it will be hard for me to live in foreign country alone. However, What I feel is not fear but excitement because I am about to meet a new challenge, which may bring me surprise, joy or disappointment. The most important thing is, not flow to the place where the simple life takes you, but you can control your own life no matter what you may encounter.

And now, I am a well-behaved girl with spirit of challenge and passion for life.

Undergraduate / 'desire to learn finance' - Illinois essay [NEW]

How have your past circumstances and experiences (such as your upbringing, community, and/or activities) impacted who you are, your future goals, and your choice of major?

All my desire to learn finace in the University started from a simple idea. When I was about five years old, my mother, an university teacher who taught P.E., first got to know the sport yoga and an idea just emerged. Having realized that the knowledge about yoga was too limited in the city we lived, my mother took me to other city for pursuing yoga's studies. Soon we returned to my home, mother decided to open the first yoga club. Although very little money mother had that time, a room she rent and the knowledge she learnt were enough for her to start the business. Times wore on, she changed the place, opened several new clubs and closed down some when the business was at the low ebb. When her business gradually became stable (she also added beauty salon to her business)and I was no longer a navie child, she asked me to work in the yoga club.

I accepted with alacrity because I would have my first job in my life. I imagined I would put on the professional suit and assign tasks to the staffs. However, the fact was that my mother asked me to do the cleaning from the beginning. I was upset and didn't understand my mother would have asked her daughter to do the manual labour. But I wasn't shrink from this job, I worked harder and also learnt to observe---the behavior of the receptionists, accountant and my mother because she is so excel in communicating with people. Few weeks later, I was promoted to a receptionist. After taught about information about the products and courses of yoga, I began to work. Though felt little nervous when I received my first guest, the observation I had done worked. I couldn't describe how strong the sense of accomplishment when the guests and staffs approved my confidence and work. But my ambition was not reached. I read books about communication with the potential customers and management, trying to figure out better ways to run the business. Some ways I provided to my mother worked but a lot of didn't. I knew that I need more knowledge of fiance to realize my ambition---help the yoga club become a big, steablized and chain company. Not only prosper her business but also let more people know that a healthy way of keeping themselves beautiful, young, and vital.

Undergraduate / Notre Dame What do you never believe &difference between intelligence and wisdom [4]

1. What will you never believe?
I believed that nothing could pick up my passion for acquiring knowledge when I still immersed in the seemingly endless sorrow of losing my dog. Having heared the death of dog that gave me happiness for nearly 16 years, I felt the whole world collapsed and had no mood to study because the beautiful memories of the dog were full of my mind. What were the uses of so much knowledge I had learnt that even couldn't save my dog's life? I shouted with tears shed. That day, I changed the channel again and again to find anything could attract my attention. A little girl appeared on a TV show. She lost her sight due to a serious fever when she was just four-months old. When asked what was her biggest wish, the little girl said she wanted to read all the books in the world, with a sweet and innocent voice. Shame was the first word I wanted to describe myself at that time. The lesson I learnt from her were how precious that I could still obtain the knowledge but more important, I retrieved the passion.

Now, I will never believed that there will be a reason for me to give up embracing the knowledge.

2.In your opinion, what is the difference between intelligence and wisdom? You may cite a historical or fictional example, or offer an illustration from your own experience. ïźˆapproximately 150 wordsïź‰

Knowledge may be power, but the use of that intelligence determines wisdom. In 2004, a category 4 hurricane named Charley set down in Florida. Winds, which reached speeds of 150 mph (240 km/h), resulting in several deaths and causing damages to the state of over $13 billion. It was the second largest storm to hit the United States at that time.

Nearly two million people were left without electricity. Many now found themselves homeless. What made the crisis even more tragic was what happened in the aftermath.

Some businesses taking advantage of the desperate situation began to charge astronomically large amounts for the necessities that the people so desperately needed. With no alternative, people consented to hand over small fortunes to provide for their families.

Following the storm, however, those businesses who took such great advantage of those who were desperate would later find themselves in a very difficult situation. Those they took advantage of remembered and resented the greed that had been exhibited. When the storm had passed and life began to return to normal, these consumers took their business elsewhere. Those that had demonstrated excessive greed now found themselves struggling to make ends meet.

Had these business people used their positions in a more humanitarian way, they would have gained the respect of the people who so desperately needed their help. They proved that they had the intelligence to make a quick buck, but that they lacked the wisdom to earn a loyal customer.

Undergraduate / 'Rock-n-Roll / Smith college / Women's World 9-Ball' - short answers to revise [2]

1.Applying to college can be serious business; yet we're eager to get to know you in a less formal way. Have fun answering the following question: If you had a theme song - a piece of music that describes you best - what would it be and why? Please include the name of the song and the artist. (Limit response to 150 words)

I Love Rock-n-Roll is the piece of song that can describe me best and its artist is Joan Jett .Not only because I really love rock and roll but also I have become more like this song since the first time I heard it. After accidentally listening to this song, I felt the passion and challenge lingered in my mind. The rhythm, the beat and the melody excited me. Everytime I hear the different feelings from the song. It conveys the love and passion, which are my attitudes toward life; It expresses confidence, which I always have on the dancing stage and running track. The characteristic of powerful and enthusiastic that this song has reflects what the person I am. Nearly everyone who listen to it can hardly forget it and also its popularity lasts for long time. Just like me, impressive and easy to get along with.

2. How did you first learn of Smith College and why are you applying? (Limit response to 100 words.)

Having listened to the experience of my alumnae who had already entered in the Smith college, I was enchanted. I love the classic construction built by reddish brown brick. I love the plural college with different background students who are liberal and smart. I love the traditional house event and the strong sense of belonging. And I love the rigor but attractive courses. What I care most is the warmth I felt when the alumnae told me living in smith college is never foreign to her because there will always be someone to help her whenever she has problem. I love this feeling of being at home from which though , I am living far away.

I wish next year the above things I love will come true.

3. Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below (1000 character maximum).
International applicants

I was fortunate to get a chance to be the volunteer in the Women's World 9-Ball Championship. Because two things I love would have done---Watching games and helping people. First day, I met all the volunteer friends and started our works. We arranged chairs and tables for the open ceremony site and then dresses up as the ritual girls to welcome the 9-ball players. After that, the games started. I was assigned to the main stadium, solving people's problems and answering the their questions. Though so tired I felt, I was happy and fulfilled for helping others. Next day, my work changed to the players rest room. I got to know many famous players there, not only to serve them but also to take the advantages of English and Japanese that I learnt to talk with them about the exciting games, the countries they from and so on. After the quarter final, every player had to attend the news release, but there was no translator for foreign players. Then I volunteered to be. Thanks to the perivious talking with some players, I wasn't feel nervous when I faced so much reporters. This activity inspired me to help more people and also gave me confidence.

Undergraduate / Why can't I have my own choice? ; My personal Statement [3]

" Give up your American dream and go to a Chinese University like the other girls do!" My father uttered loudly.

" Why can't I have my own choice? You'd never understand my innermost thoughts!" I shouted back.

This was the million-times-debate between my father and I about my future plans. I had already treated it as a routine because once we mentioned the keywords of future, we would have a fiercely oral "fight". I thought my father was kind of too stubborn and vice versa. Although I considered my words as strong and persuasive, there seemed no effect on changing my father's determined mind.

"Bang bang bang." Several grating sounds pierced the silent night of the peaceful town where I lived.

"Ring ring ring." The hurried telephone rings woke me up. A trembled voice began to sob, " Your father got shot." Time seemed froze for a couple of minutes because neither I could figure out what had happened nor did I want to believe what my mother said was ture. Not until I saw my father lied on the hospital bed with a nail impaling in his hand to joint the broken bones and tendons, did I realize that I was not in a dream that I wanted to wake up at once. I felt limp, fell beside my father and bursted into tears. I was nearly fainted in that I was so afraid of losing my beloved father and also I was scared of the wound on his left hand which still stuck bloodstain. I have found myself get mild symptoms of Hemophobia since I was a child. Although my father told me thousand times that Hemophobia was just a easily-cured mental illness and I should be brave and strong because I am the daughter of a policeman, I still felt sick and dizzy when I saw the blood.

The next day, I packed some necessities and went to the hospital for looking after my father. For the next few days, I had no courage to look his hand or to ask him about the whole thing because either of them would remind me of the blood. Except for buying meals and calling nurses for changing the fresh dressing, I took the spare time on preparing my coming SAT exam. Reading the vocabulary book before bedtime made me have better sleep and doing some math exercises during the nap-time kept me awake. I became more capable of squeezing time from a busy day and using it efficiently. Simultaneously, many of my father's friends paid visits to him. From their talks, I finally knew that my father was wounded in a mission which was to arrest a armed criminal in a totally dark house. My father was the first one who dared to burst into the danger house. The sound of the shot which injured my father provided other policemen the position of the criminal. Suddenly, the wound on his hand seemed not so frightening and conveyed sense of bravery. Since then, I accompanied him every day's rehabilitation. No matter how painful were the reparative therapies, he never cried. His fortitude inspired me to overcome my mental fear. With this stimulation, eventually, I told my father I had conquered my weakness and in the same time he surprised that he agreed me to go to a American University. My father said he realized how serious I take on my own choice when he saw me study so attentively and he would fully support me. We both laughed, so cheerfully for the first time during a long-time stalemate.

Now, I am a little not used to the days with no debate between us. However, I am glad to experience " Actions are better than words".