Undergraduate / Foxconn factory; UMICH- Extracurricular/Work Experience [2]

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below (1000 character maximum).
Surrounded by iron bars, the lifeless Foxconn factory was a scene I would never forget during the field study for my case study on Foxconn's suicide incident. In the study, I used my bilingual advantage to conduct field study and in-depth interviews with Foxconn workers. The case has been submitted to the EAM conference.

Through the study, I learned how China's economic structure caused exploitation of workers. As the president of two student organizations, I understand workers are a company's biggest asset. Hoping to run my own business in China, I changed my major to economics as acquiring a global economic perspective allows me to foresee challenges; I also wish to major in psychology as it teaches me how to motivate my future workers.

The case allows me to apply various knowledge and skills. In the future, I wish to conduct more studies on China's manufacturing sector; they will familiarize me with China's socioeconomic context and prepare me to guide my team toward success.

Thank you so much for your advices!

Undergraduate / curriculum-Economics, Neuropsychology& Chinese studies; Why Transfer? [4]

I was attracted to the focus of the educational system in the United States in both its breadth and depth. In my current college, however, the depth of major study is lacking. Offers of high-level and specialized courses are limited. The two economics classes I have taken focused on theories; real-life applications and discussions seldom took place. Although I got perfect scores in both classes, I felt like I was back in Hong Kong, where applying is the last thing of concern; I am equipped by the finest gun yet do not know how to fire.

After completing a case study on Foxconn's suicide incident for the research experience, I realized the large impact of a country's economic structure and policies on all industry. Since then, I was eager to learn specifically about China's economy as my career goal is to work, and eventually run my own business in China; however, my college does not offer studies that specialize in China's economy and policy. There is also no interdisciplinary course that relates economics to other disciplines. I am worried that my college is not able to satisfy my interest in economics nor can it prepare me for my career with strong, specialized analytical skills in economics. Through the research experience, I also discovered the lack of career opportunities in my college. As a small private college located in Reading, research funding and economics-related internships are highly limited. I afforded the travel expenses myself to Shenzhen in order to conduct a field study. My access to books and journals was also limited due to the small school library and material funding; my case study was therefore restricted in depth. Transferring to a university in a better location allows me to gain more access to resources and conduct research on a larger scale in order to expand and apply my knowledge.

Also inspired by the case study, I was interested in the role of our brains in decision-making, the keystone of economics. I realized economics could be viewed in both social and biological perspective. In my college, however, courses are limited in number and flexibility. There are no courses about neuroscience or biopsychology. As a non-biology major, I was not even allowed to take biology due to lack of seats in laboratories. Through transferring to another university, I hope not only to study in different disciplines, but also to connect different disciplines with economics in order to enrich my major study.

I realized that the curriculum of my college, in which generalizing knowledge is emphasized, is not the best fit for a pragmatic person like me. I am eager for opportunities to apply my knowledge and skills. By transferring to a bigger university, I hope to gain access to a curriculum that allows me to connect economics, neuropsychology, and Chinese studies; equips me with both theories and analytical skills; and prepares me for my future career by offering more opportunities and resources.

Undergraduate / Concept of Ying Yang in economics; Cornell TRANSFER, why economics? [10]

Please address the topics below in an essay of approximately 500 to 750 words total.
Tell us what you'd like to major in at Cornell, and why or how your past academic or work experience influenced your decision, and how transferring to Cornell would further your academic interests.

I have a strong belief in a Chinese philosophy, Yin-Yang; Cornell TRANSFER/ Major?

What do you wish to major in Cornell and why?

I have a strong belief in a Chinese philosophy, Yin-Yang. Yin-Yang suggests the interactions of contradictory forces will establish the state of equilibrium, which allows sustainability.

The resemblance of the concept of Ying Yang in economics strongly intrigued me. In the economics world, unlimited wants interact with limited resources, and finally reach a balance through people's choices. As a person who likes to maintain control, I am captivated by economics' power in allocating resources to reach equilibrium. To me, economics is a logical approach to process information and make wise choices. In the current volatile economics context, acquiring such analytical skill will allow me to foresee challenges, and thus provide me a strong ground for my career goal, running my own company in China.

My desire to major in economics sprouted after the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers. My family was one of the thousands victims who invested in its mini-bond. I could do nothing for my family. I was upset by the lost of control over my own situation. Although my family eventually came through the hard time, I was frustrated by one's vulnerability under unexpected changes. It was then that I admired how economics can predict changes and allow me to maintain control.

Having a great zeal for economics, I became especially interested in labor economics in China after conducting the research "Foxconn Suicides Incident: Job Characteristic and Management". My research product was a case study and has been submitted in the annual conference of the Eastern Academy of Management. After completing the case, I was upset by the inhumane militarized management in Foxconn. Facing both opportunities and challenges brought by the open-door policy, firms in China devastated its most precious resources, people, for unsustainable economic growth. My pride for " Made in China" was replaced by anger and grief. Despite my negligible influence, I hope to bring changes to China, or, at least, not induce another Foxconn suicide tragedy. To achieve my aspiration, I need to foresee and grasp the dynamics of China's economy. Also, being the president of Chinese Student Association, I understand how a good relationship with subordinates sustains an organization's benefit. Cornell's College of Art and Science attracted me not only with its world-class economics department, but also its same concern on sustainability as mine. I consider CAS the best fit for my academic interest in labor economics in China.

The newly reformed economics department combines economics faculty from the College of Art and Science and the School of Industrial Labor Relation. Additionally, senior professors of applied economics and management have also joined the department. With the guidance of the elite labor economist, my exploration in labor economics will certainly be facilitated. The management experts will also instruct me to apply economics skills on business problems. On the other hand, Cornell's economics department will also provide me a strong base of knowledge on China's economy by offering specialized courses on the country.

Apart from the economics courses it offers, I am also amazed by the flexible liberal art education of the Cornell's College of Art and Science. A liberal art education allows me to broaden my horizons and equip me with more knowledge to support my major. Although my current college also adopts a liberal art curriculum, the rigidity of major requirement narrows my academic opportunities. The relatively low number of courses required for an economics major at Cornell will allow me to persuade a second major, which I intend to be psychology, and numerous electives courses to enrich my perspectives.

While its liberal art curriculum bolsters my knowledge base, Cornell's rich research opportunities and top faculty allow me to innovate and utilize my potential. With Cornell's great resources, I hope to expand my case study on Foxconn into a study of China's economics policy and the manufacturing sector. I believe such research experience will provide me precious insight in China's future economics context. Noticing his dedication in economics of China through his publications and current researches, I am eager to work with Dr.Yongmiao Hong on my research through the Honors program or the independence study. Both being Chinese, I believe Dr Hong will be as enthusiastic as I am in research that looks for ways to improve China's economy.

At Cornell, I see opportunities for my passion and efforts to be recognized; being inducted into The International Honor Society in Economics is one of my goals to achieve at Cornell. Cornell, with its finest education and copious opportunities, captivates a community of future leaders. Joining such a top community, I expect myself not only to be transformed, but also, by my cultural background and unique research experience, to assert influence on the community.

Undergraduate / FUTURE OF CHINA'S ECONOMY; TRANSFER [7]

It was due today and I was desperate for last min advice, thanks!
Why transfer and objectives wish to achieve

After conducting an in-depth research on Foxconn's suicide incident, I discovered my passion in China's labor economics. I would like to grasp the future of China's economy and contribute to its improvement. Although I love the connection offered by my small campus, I realized would not support my academic interest.

In Albright, economics courses on labor relationships and China are lacked. Despite their expertise in economics, economics professors were unfamiliar with labor economics. I was frustrated when none of the professors were able to help me to further elaborate my Foxconn research in a labor economics aspect. Also, the scope of Asian study in Albright is limited in the language aspect; social reform, public policies, and cultural aspects are not explored. By transferring to a bigger university, I wish to combine my interest in economics and China's social reform.

Apart from the lack of courses that fit my academic interest, Albright's rigid curriculum also prevented me from a liberal art education that I aspired, one that contains both breadth and depth in study. In Albright College, I did not limit my courses choice to economics and math. I believed a diversified knowledge base would provide me a comprehensive perspective when analyzing the economics dynamics. As a result, I added psychology as my second major as it teaches more about labor motivations and decision-making. I was surprised when the course Motivations is only offered to education majors. I was also disappointed when my registration on biology class was cancelled due to the lack of laboratories. I understand Albright is a small college; however I was still frustrated by the lack of course choices.

Another reason for transfer is Albright's insufficient research opportunities. Although my research project was luckily accepted, Albright's research program has only accepted fifteen proposals in the winter due to lack of funding. The school was unable to fund for my visit to Foxconn factory in Shenzhen. Believing a field study would benefit my research, I had no choice but to pay for the trip myself. Also, I gained access to only small amount of data. Fortunately, my helpful faculty partner provided me the database from his graduate school. I was fascinated by the rich resources in a bigger university and hoped to utilize it in enriching my research experience.

Despite Albright's curriculum did not fit me well, I still enjoyed the unified campus. The college offered great support in student activities and allowed me to start a new club. However, I was dissatisfied with the study atmosphere. I remembered a complete silence during a group discussion, and a group project completed by myself.

By transferring, I wish to achieve an exchange of knowledge and perspectives among an academically passionate campus. I also wish to contribute and bring impact to the community. In Reading, the poorest city in the States, I was unable to reach outside the campus. I saw the necessity of transferring in order to pursue academic excellence, a vibrant college experience, and involvement in society.

Undergraduate / Research on Foxconn's suicides incident; TRANSFER/ Extracurricular activity [2]

Elaborate on a ECA

During winter, I conducted a research on Foxconn's suicides incident and went to Shenzhen for a field study. Introduced by my friend, I was able to interview Chan, a Foxconn worker. "This is what we made everyday?" Holding my iPad, Chan asked curiously. Chan's excitement upset me. I could not imagine one sticking labels for ten hours a day; I could not imagine one producing but never see the products. However, this is Chan's life. "There are more than reported." Chan whispered when I asked about the jumped workers. I was shocked.

In Foxconn's incident, I saw the flaw in Chinese people. We imitate foreign practices, such as division of labor, but never improve our foundations, such as laws and regulations. I blame this on our rooted ethnic dignity that avoids admitting and learning from failures. I question myself, "Am I also a victim of conservative and complacent, like Chan?" I'm not sure. But I'm sure about one thing: openness is the only way to my substantial personal growth.

All advices are welcome. Thx!