Undergraduate / USC Short Answer Essay: Describe your Academic Interests [5]

Essay Question: Describe your academic interests and how you plan to pursue them at USC. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections.

As a child, I would ask people to tell me stories about their lives and write fake newspaper articles, distributing these stories among family and friends. My curiosity only evolved as I entered high school. I joined my school's news program, and each week I could broadcast someone's story to the entire school. I plan to major in journalism as well as psychology. The USC Annenberg School's curriculum for journalism has attracted me because of its location in a major media outlet. I believe that Annenberg gives a well rounded education in journalism by focusing on print, broadcast, as well as online journalism. I look forward to furthering my education in journalism as well as participating student productions just as Annenberg TV News and Impact should I be accepted. I would also like to pursue a degree in psychology at USC. Understand how and why people behave has always been a passion of mine, and I believe a proper understanding of people is crucial to great storytelling.

Thank your for your feedback :)

Undergraduate / 'Donna Noble, Doctor Who' - Common App: a character in fiction that influences you. [8]

Question: Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence. Limit is 250-500 words. My essay is exactly 500 right now.

When I enrolled in a high school of over 4,000 students and faculty, I was overwhelmed by the talent that surrounded me. I had always considered myself a skilled artist, whether it be drawing, writing, or music; however, at a school this vast, there was always someone better. I began to think that perhaps I was doomed to be only average, floating through the next four years without making a single mark on my school.

My mindset slowly changed as I found a role model in a fictional character from the BBC series "Doctor Who." The Doctor, the time travelling protagonist, always travelled with a companion, and his latest sidekick was Donna Noble. Donna did not initially stand out as a unique companion in any way. In fact, she was introduced as loud mouthed, shallow, and bossy. She did not believe she was special, and would remind everyone that she wasn't with her catch phrase, "but I'm just a temp!" I sympathized with Donna, who felt trapped by the billions of people surrounding her just as I felt trapped by the 4,000 who surrounded me. However, as she continued to travel, her interactions with the past and the future taught her compassion. She learned not only to value her own significance, but that of those around her also. Her sass, portrayed as annoying before, became a symbol of her strength. She saved many lives, and at the end of her journey she even prevented the destruction of the earth. I don't think I'll ever get the chance to stop the world from ending, but nevertheless Donna Noble has taught me that every human life is precious and unique. I've learned to trust in my own talent, and admire the talent of others. Before, the thought of sharing my drawings, writings, or videos with anyone would render me terrified. I was scared to look at others' content, lest it be better than my own. Donna Noble taught me that even though I will always have room to improve, my work is important, and has a purpose. I've learned that life is an adventure, and although I won't get to battle aliens or meet Agatha Christie, I can always try to write a novel in one month, or campaign for sponsors for a 5K race. Most importantly, Donna taught me that it's not the measure of your talent that makes you stand out, but the measure of your kindness. I think of her selflessness when I volunteer with the elderly, or organize clothing drives with my school. Throughout the next few years of school, I joined a plethora of activities. I began to report for my school's broadcast news program. Every time one of my news packages would air, I felt a familiar anxiety that the story wouldn't be good enough. My thoughts would turn to Donna Noble, the most important woman in the universe, and I would be reassured that my stories matter, and next time, I would do even better.

Thank you for your feedback :)

Undergraduate / UT Austin Essay B: An Issue of Importance to You- Censorship [3]

Question: Choose an issue of importance to you-the issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope-and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation.

Ever since I was a child, something about journalism has interested me. I used to "interview" my relatives about their daily lives and write newspaper headlines to distribute among my friends and relatives. "Laundry Day for the Nuyen Family," "What's For Dinner: Chicken Rice" and "Mommy's Favorite Movie" were among some of the more exciting topics my childish mind devised. As I grew up my passion for journalism never wavered. As I discovered many different forms of journalism my interest only grew stronger as I decided that broadcast journalism was my favorite medium of getting news out to the public. I'm taking a class on broadcast journalism, and I currently report for and produce episodes of my school's news program, Wildcat Weekly. This class has taught me the basics of how to tell a story, stay ethical, and battle against censorship. My classmates and I were practically a real newsroom, if not for the fact that we were also being graded on our work. The realistic nature of the class made it all the more shocking when I encountered censorship in my own show.

I never imagined as I sat through lectures about censorship in the media that we would ever encounter these problems as a school publication. One of my classmates, Andrew, produced a package about a newly formed spirit group, the "Blue Crew" and how it differed from our traditional spirit group, the "Gold Rush." Everyone praised his ability to stay unbiased with his story, never taking a side or suggesting one group was superior. However, when the air date for our show came, his story was mysteriously edited out of the show. I was confused as I walked into class that day, as my teacher explained that the assistant principal did not want that story to air because he was the sponsor of "Gold Rush." He had given her an ultimatum: Don't air the story, or don't air the entire show. I was appalled. Andrew's purpose was not to steer students away from the Gold Rush. He merely wanted to inform the student body of the new spirit group. Even though we were students in a journalism class, I had never seen myself as anything other than a real journalist. The fact that our shows could be so easily censored made me indignant. I felt as if he didn't view us as anything other than silly students that could be manipulated, rather than journalists.

I came to understand that in certain situations, school rules may differ from the general law. Nevertheless, after that day I didn't edit a single story without the thought of censorship in the back of my mind. I strongly believe in the first amendment, and the freedom of the press. One of main factors that drew me to a career in journalism was the journalist's ability to speak the hard facts and educate the public. Without that basic right, the foundation of journalism crumbles. The issue of censorship in the media was something that I didn't think I would worry about until I graduated and found a job as a journalist. However, my experiences with censorship, even just in high school, have opened my eyes to how important it is to maintain freedom of speech in the media.