Undergraduate / A PERMANENT MARK; COMMON APP/Significant experience [3]

COMMONAPP choice #1: Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

A PERMANENT MARK

It was a Sunday morning-I clearly remember- when I had woken up completely mystified. I stood in front of the mirror, silently, staring at myself after a panicky attempt to rub off the big black mark that had grown on my face overnight. No facial cleanser could make even the least amount of difference. I tried every possible remedy, but the mark remained- glaring conspicuously on my left cheek. As if it deliberately wanted me to look ugly. I felt insecure, helpless, wondering what curse god had pronounced on me.

Trying to be pragmatic, I retraced my actions of last night, remembering that I had naively put some antiseptic on my acne, which had proven too harsh for my skin and the result was evident. A visit to the doctor revealed that the scar would go away completely, but its fading could take time. I was relieved that the damage done to my skin was not permanent, but the words "fading could take time" echoed through my nerves- mainly because the next day I had school.

School had always been a welcome haven for me and I enjoyed the company of friends and teachers. However, as we climbed further in High School, I became exceedingly conscious of how I looked. I made sure every morning that I was perfectly groomed. But this time, I had this big black scar standing out like a sore thumb that was the sole reason why I skipped the first two days at school. I was too embarrassed of what others would think of it - ugly, grotesque, perhaps even repulsive. I was sure that the scar would make me the laughingstock for the day.

But after two days of indecision, I finally gathered the courage to go to school. Not because the mark had faded in any way, but because I thought cowardice would not solve anything, and it was time I become a man.

The day I finally went to school, I saw a few heads turn, a few staring eyes. Some friends inquired what had happened. But nothing more. NOTHING MORE! No laughing, no verbal harassment. My friends did not change the way they treated me, even the girls. I was relieved as well as a little ashamed of my shallow considerations. I realized that I was valued for who I was, not for how I looked. That day, unknowingly, I had learnt one of the most important lessons of my life- that looks don't matter. They really don't. Somehow the cliché "Never judge a book by its cover" seemed to fit perfectly in the jigsaw of my life. The scar was temporary, but the lesson it had taught me would remain with me my whole life.

Undergraduate / 'Born in India' - Duke COMMONAPP: Why I want to be an Engineer [4]

Prompt: (For Engineering Applicants Only) If you are applying to the Pratt School of Engineering, please discuss why you want to study engineering and why you would like to study at Duke.

Being born in India to parents with purely business-related occupations, I used to believe business was my ultimate fortune; that I would finally land on what is currently my father's chair. But my experiences with science have completely changed what I thought I was destined to pursue in life...

I attended a school where academics were given prime importance. Science and math eventually turned out to be my favorite subjects. The notion of having the same laws rule everything: from the movements of colossal stars to defining the path of a tiny neutron was utterly fascinating. I used to read a plethora of science magazines and books, searching for answers not acknowledged in our regular syllabus. The Internet was also a prominent source of information: thescienceforum.com, Dr. Michio Kaku, Minutephysics...what not. But I have absolutely no idea who inspired me to make robots. I believe it was just my imagination bawling for an outlet. At home, I had my own laboratory where I would sit hours with a solder in one hand and a screwdriver in another, trying to make my own flying machine. In fact, I did manage to construct a quadcopter.

Once I had selected my stream as science, everything improved. I attended class with students of the same inclination. I was spellbound when I got my hands on calculus, and started thinking in different perspectives to the same problem.

I was once surfing the Internet when a tutorial about elementary Javascript on Khan Academy caught my eye. I became so engrossed in it that I saw all the tutorials in two days. I got to know how programming involved nothing else but logic, and on that day I finally decided that I wanted to develop a career in computer science.

When I came across the recent breakthrough in sixth sense technology by another fellow Indian Pranav Mistry, I was reaffirmed that I was in the right direction. That computer science was the foundation of new technological advancements. That programming was a reign in the hands of the bearer, and the ultimate power to manifest his own creations. That the computer would soon outwear all contemporary perimeters, and make space for seemingly incredulous possibilities.

I desire to double major in computer science and electrical engineering and minor in robotics. But why choose Duke? The reason is obvious. The Pratt School of Engineering is an abode for budding computer scientists. Their award winning faculty and rigorous academic programs ascertain companies that graduates from here are worth every penny.

Plus Duke has so much for me! If I become a part of Duke, I assure contributing in every aspect. Be a part of the Duke Robotics Team. Participate in the Duke Engineers for International Development program. Become a member of the Tau Beta Pi. Use my humor to write nerdy jokes for the DukEngineer. Perhaps even learn the Green Dance from Professor Astrachan!