Undergraduate / Hey! My name is ------ ; Babson College Sup/ Roommate [3]

Babson College Supplement:
Write a letter to your first-year roommate at Babson. Tell him or her what it will be like to live with you, why you chose Babson, and what you are looking forward to the most in college:

Dear Roommate,

Hey! My name is ------ and I am a 17 year old who shares the same business vigor like you do. Unfortunately, I do not know you name yet, but I am confident we will become sincere and honest friends. Before I begin writing about myself, I would like to firstly congratulate you for being accepted into an extremely prestigious college which we will be calling our home for at least four years. I think we deserve a pat on our backs and I undoubtedly expect the excitement which is growing within me is also growing within you. Almost everybody who I have met who has been to university, have said the that their university years were some of the best of their lives. Till this day they reminisce about these years. That's why I think it is extremely important for you to know the person who will be your roommate and your constant companion in the major part of these years.

If I had describe myself in a few words, risk-taking, friendly and motivated would be it. I am a person who loves new opportunity. I take risks academically, personally and in everyday matters. I feel excited when facing a difficult task, when doing things differently or simply when facing the unknown. When taking these risks I understand that failure is a possibility, but I like to think of it as, one less wrong method found on my way before I reach my goal. I am an optimist because I believe if you have the will and determination (and an ounce of luck) to achieve a goal the universe will conspire to aid you. With that, I acknowledge that I am a highly motivated and driven person, if I want to achieve something or reach a goal, I put all of my energy, knowledge, experience and determination into it. As your roommate and friend, I will try my best to be your foremost supporter as a listener, advisor and your constant companion. I will accept you without trying to change you. From those nights where we celebrate our recent test results to those nights where can't understand what's wrong between us, I promise to be there for you. We are about to embark on some of the most important years of our lives, a time where we can shape our future, a time where we open countless doors of opportunities and time when we will undoubtedly need each other. I also understand that you are a unique individual and your interests will not necessarily coincide with mine and I am prepared to face possible difficulties. I am coming from Thailand, a country which is completely different than USA. It will take me time to adjust to the new environment, new culture and new requirements. I hope you will understand my difficulties and support me as I strive to become a better student, a better roommate and a better friend.

I was recommended by a friend to apply to Babson College and while researching Babson College something clicked inside me. Of the numerous universities I had researched, Babson College stood out among the pack because of it's values, ideals, academic quality, international reputation, exceptional teachers and strong entrepreneurial culture (FME Program). At Babson College the students are being nurtured to be the future, to lead organizations and to create organizations. The passionate motivation in the faculty to help students be successful with Babson's strong vision, core values and it's emphasis on innovation, collaboration and sustainability make Babson College an excellent place for me to learn, grow and be successful in. Babson College will help me expand my horizons, my vision and discover new ideas and knowledge, for which I am ready to undertake with you, my friend. When we will graduate from Babson College we will be young and strong and on our way to create our own history, so why not start now?

Sincerely Your New Friend,
----------

Thank you very much for the help...

Undergraduate / I am a Jain ; Common App/ Significant Experience [3]

Please tell me how do you feel?

Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
I am a Jain and have been raised by two devout parent to follow - ahimsa, satya, asetya, brahmacharya and aparigraha - non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy and non-materialism. Jainism played a big role towards the development of my character and personality and thus I always wanted to go to Palitana, the holiest site of Jainism. However, it was not until December, 2010, that I seized an opportunity to travel to Palitana for a 35-day pilgrimage.

After I reached the sacred city and had formal greetings with my Guruji (spiritual leader), he explained that I would have to climb the 3600 steps to the summit of Palitana, to visit the most prominent Jain temple, 108 times. I would be allowed to eat only once everyday before sunset, subsisting on foods which were carefully prepared to serve simply for nourishment of the body, without taste. I could only drink boiled water and I had to wake up everyday at 4am to start my morning prayers before heading out for the climb.

Everyday, I climbed the holy mountain 3-5 times and most days ended with my legs in hot water for some relief. Hunger, thirst and sleep-deprivation were my constant companions. For a few weeks, I complained that these rituals were too hard and that I didn't understand the reasoning behind it. My Guruji would always reply in his serene voice, "The body is just a vessel for this life, you must strengthen your soul which will accompany you beyond this life." When I entered the temple on the summit for the 73rd time, at six in the morning, it finally dawned on me. The temple, which was never empty, was now deserted except for a handful of pilgrims. The chilly December morning, the chanting of centuries old religious verses by the elderly which I didn't understand but somehow felt attached to, the smell of sandalwood in the air transcended me to an oasis of serenity. At that moment, I felt infinite. I could become anything I wanted as long as I was determined. I felt ahimsa towards everything and everyone. I felt rising positive energy within me. I started seeing beauty in everything. I felt truly happy.

That night, I sat with my Guruji, for a few hours explaining how my spiritual awakening had reinvigorated my life. He then explained that the reason behind this pilgrimage was to build self-control to be, "like a lotus, which although grows in dirt, is pure itself." I finished rest of my pilgrimage in complete bliss and returned back to Bangkok just in time to celebrate the New Year. That New Year symbolized the renewing of my life. This newfound energy inspired me to become more active in my community. From the trip, I realized what made me happy was helping and leading others. My hunger during the trip made me think of the millions of people who go to sleep hungry everyday, my strict diet reminded me of the sanctity and wonder of nature, the pain in my legs made me think of all the people who have to do hard labor just to make ends meet and my prayers reminded me that I only have a limited time on this planet. What I learnt on the my pilgrimage is now helping me as a leader. As the MUN club founder and president, I try to keep an open mind while discussing global problems and I lead by example. As the captain of the Chess team, I never let my team give-up until the tournament is over. As a young entrepreneur, I don't let anybody's doubts and discouragement hinder my determination. I have learnt that I can achieve anything if I have the determination and will to achieve it and for that I thank my Guruji.

"I am only one, but still I am one. I can not do everything, but still I can do something." - Edward Everett Hale

Undergraduate / First profit/ City & residents/ Chiangmai people; Academic interests/ Why NYU?/ Intrigues? [3]

Thank you taking your time out to help.

1. NYU's global network provides students with hundreds of academic areas of interest for students to cultivate their intellectual curiosity and to help achieve their career goals. Whether you are entirely undecided about your academic plans or you have a definitive program of study in mind, what are your own academic interests? Feel free to share any thoughts on any particular programs or how you might explore those interests at NYU on any of our campuses.

I still remember the day when I first sold a product for profit - Batman Sticker Collection. That day triggered this new feeling of excitement within me which has led me to write two business research papers, intern at a multinational company, attain a permanent job at a company and start my own firm. My passion for Business rises from its beauty of the possibilities and its far-ranging effects. I have spent my high school years putting what I learn in my business class to action and acquiring business experience by starting my own company to completing free online courses like 'How to Make a Business Plan' or operations management crash course on Coursera.com and SBA.com. Only at NYU, I will be living in the epicenter of America's economy (if not the world's) while studying under renowned professors such as Menachem Brenner and participating in programs such as the Innovation Venture Fund and NYU Entrepreneurship Challenge which will expand my intellectual horizons, further my knowledge in business and give me experiences which can be found nowhere else. As the MUN President at my school, I know the value of international experience and I look forward to taking advantage of NYU's study abroad programs and global alumni networks.

My passion for business symbolizes my dream to have my own successful firm which is helping push humanity forward, and NYU's liberal arts curriculum will allow me to expand by business and economic horizons as well as my horizons in other fields.

2.academic interests? - New York Campus?

I love how NYU's New York Campus is the city and all its residents are potential friends, advisors and business partners. I like how the university buildings are around Washington Square Park, but the residence halls, for example, are sprawled out thus allowing me to explore this diverse city where opportunities for entrepreneurial pursuits are unparalleled. At NYUNY, I will be able to study with around 39000 exceptional students, collaborate with intellectuals from different fields to launch companies and be nearby global firms, which will help me expand my academic horizons. Being from Bangkok, I am used to living in multicultural, liberal-minded community and at NYC I can feel at home.

3. Why NYU - Shanghai?

China is one of the pillars of the rapidly growing Asian Economy, and Shanghai is one the driving forces behind it. I want to major in Business - specifically Finance and Management and studying in Shanghai will put be in midst of one of the world's most important business cities. At Shanghai, I will be able to study alongside some of the brightest students who share similar passions like me, hone my Mandarin skills, learn about the Chinese culture and be able to manage by business which is based in Bangkok more efficiently. I believe China and India are the future of the Global Economy, as I already have India covered studying in Shanghai will also enable me to cover China as well.

4. What intrigues you? Tell us about one work of art, scientific achievement, piece of literature, method of communication, or place in the world (a film, book, performance, website, event, location, etc.), and explain its significance to you.

It only took a walk through the hill-tribe village on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, Thailand, to make me fall in love with it's people. I was here to build a school, from the money I raised, for the local children as the closest school was an eight kilometer walk through the mountains. The villagers lived in huts with limited to no electricity and water-supply. There was no garbage or human waste disposal method, therefore detritus was everywhere. There was little phone or internet connection thus making outside contact limited. Improvements were promised by all the governments of Thailand - past and present, yet little had been done. It seemed like these villagers had become all but forgotten in a rapidly modernizing country, like a distant past. Yet, midst all their difficulties, the community was one of the happiest and vibrant communities I had seen. Despite the lack of such fundamental things, I was dumbfounded by their equanimity. Their unconditional joy, resilience and their cheerfulness still amazes me. How could families who have so little be so happy? I am

left in awe when I consider how wholeheartedly the community treated us. Even though they had
so little, they taught me one of the most important lessons - to be contented with what I have.

People don't generally associate firms as community helpers or benefactors, but I want to run an organization which with it's economic leverage bring economic benefits to all.