Undergraduate / I love to devote myself to the adventure... Columbia College Why School Essay [7]

I love to devote myself to the adventure that transcends the ink on those yellowed pages, shuttling from the train that carries Malcolm X to the dismal estate in England of the 19th Century. I tested cases in my daily life according to Categorical Imperative as often as I meditate on a profound line in The Republic. Both Kant's and Plato's words give me delightful mental challenges as well as enlightenment. I enjoy the journey and inspirations of exploring the realm and ideas beyond space and time.

That's why I found the rigorous Core Curriculum most intriguing. The unique experience gives me a "big picture" of the work and philosophies of those brilliant minds. Furthermore, I could quickly generate new perspective, discussing Virgil, Dante, Keynes and Virginia Woolf with students from totally different backgrounds and majors probably once in my lifetime.

Moreover The World Leaders Forum and the tradition of political activism in the most diverse campus could let me stand in the frontier of this constantly changing society rather than in the ivory tower. In Columbia, virtually facing and listening to the icons I admire such as Aung San Suu Kyi, joining all kinds of debates, intellectual discussions, and surrounded by the most dynamic metropolitan, I would inevitable perceive the pulses of this world at any time.

Thus, I'm craving to become a Columbian who possesses the unrivaled outlook to become an academically competitive individual as well as a visionary.

Would it be better if I replace paragraph 3 with some aspects like fitness of NYC and sociology which is my major ?

Undergraduate / Walk on the Wild Road;Personal Statement [11]

Walk on the Wild Road

There was a freeway which was visible through the window of my bedroom. Every day, the ceaseless stream of traffic was moving straightly from the same direction, on the same road, permanently dull and grey.

I watched the rushing cars attentively, thinking about the question that was just raised once more by them.

"What do you want to do when you grow up?"

"I don't know." Again I answered perfunctorily, afraid of being mocked like my friends did when I told them hip-hop was the thing that I would pursue for life.

One year later, I was standing on the stage, grasping the mic tightly with my sweating palm. The auditorium was filled with restless audience yelling. I lifted the mic slowly.

A shrill of feedback.

My own verses exploded in the house, describing the walled cubicles we live, the polluted air we breathe, the censorships we meet... Some students were quietly sitting down there with strange and confused countenances, but the impatient clamor was louder, so I began to shout. Now, sprouted in my mind was the scornfulness in the eyes of the dean skimming my proposal, the bewilderment on the faces passing by the hip-hop club's poster...The words were subconsciously flowing out of my absent mind, my voice quivering, my head bobbing awkwardly on each downbeat vibrating with my eardrums.

I had known that the performance would turn into a disaster. This is China, after all. And I am too much an idealist anywhere in the world, rapping about those sensitive topics, worshiping and lecturing on the style of obscure foreign music, reggae, funk or bebop, which was out of fashion decades ago. But when I read about the white hip-hop devotees such as Jonathan Shecter, the Harvard graduate who established the magazine to promote the positive spirit of the culture with meager payback and Rick Rubin, who produced the creative rap music out of his dorm room as a film major at NYU, I found out the idealists the mainstream never touts. I realized though this increasingly materialistic world is forcing individuals to get on the fast lane, what I want to do deep in my heart is to hold on to my enthusiasm and ideal, regardless of my complexion, others' recognition and final outcomes.

So, why would I give up my voice right now in the blessing of hip-hop, because of the upcoming harangue of the dean in that Ideological Education Office? Why would I compromise my principle, my stage and my rugged road because of being a weirdo perceived by people on that level "freeway"?

Now, I just enjoyed my fleeting moment. I was shouting with all my efforts, clutching at my school uniform, squeezing all my energy, soul and indignation into my hoarse voice. The dazzling spotlights scorching my forehead made the scene surreal. I felt like a warrior fighting with the storm. More excitingly, I felt like living first in my lifetime.

Barely hearing any applause, I turned into the backstage, smiling.

"He's insane." I heard a contemptuous tone faintly.

Maybe.

For me, I just happened to step into another road rather than the jammed freeway. I am walking steadfastly on my wild road, along which I walk alone in the unknown, in which nothing is guaranteed in the other end, neither a respected job, nor boundless happiness, but becoming myself, one of a kind.

This is a essay that I rewrote just a few days ago. And there is an another version of PS about hip-hop giving me the courage to express. Which topic do you think would be better? If you leave some comments to mine I will also comment on yours. Please be harsh. Thanks a lot! :)

Undergraduate / The white banner; Common app short answer [5]

The white banner hanging between Plane trees was now painted with fluorescent watercolors reflecting the colorful lights dangled in the tranquil night. It was covered by names of hundreds of students from all over Beijing. Amid those, there was mine.

Last several months, from informing representatives of participant schools to conducting the rehearsal of ceremonies, from purchasing colorful balloons for decoration to coming up ideas for "Global Village", I never really slowed down my pace. Despite leading the organizing committee and a legion of volunteers, I was also busy with writing papers for the meeting that I had to sleep in the classroom for several times.

However, Beijing Model United Nations is an invaluable experience. Now I know leadership is about service, coordination and communication. It is about equality rather than priority. I learn to regard mine as a common name in this white banner, yet silently take biggest share of responsibility at the same time.

If you leave some comments to mine I will also comment on yours. Please be harsh. Thanks a lot! :)