Scholarship / Questbridge Prep Scholarship - Short Answers [2]

List and describe three unique factors that have most shaped who you are (any obstacles you have faced or passions you have developed are especially relevant).

Factor 1 - Bodybuilding

Aesthetics are what comes last when I think about bodybuilding. For me, bodybuilding requires a set amount of discipline and commitment which shapes how I am as a person in other aspects of life. While almost unrelated, bodybuilding reinforced my decision to become a software engineer. To see significant results in my body, I had to devise personalized workout programs and diets through constant trial and error. The enjoyment that comes off of creating something successful after tedious work is unmatched. As a software engineer, knowing that I will be creating programs which significantly effect someone's life is wonderful.

I don't know if it's good enough or what errors I had or how I can improve it, thanks!

Scholarship / Bodybuilding/ Asthma & Music/ Being a Muslim; Questbridge Prep Scholarship [NEW]

The questions are:

List and describe three unique factors that have most shaped who you are (any obstacles you have faced or passions you have developed are especially relevant).

1. Bodybuilding:

For me, bodybuilding has little to do with aesthetics. Bodybuilding requires discipline and commitment, which shapes who I am in every aspect of life. While almost unrelated, bodybuilding reinforces my decision to become a software engineer. In order to see significant results in my body, I had to devise personalized workout programs and diets through constant trial and error. The enjoyment that comes off of creating something successful after tedious work is unmatched. Likewise, as a software engineer, knowing that the dedication and discipline it takes to create programs which will significantly impact someone's life for the better is wonderful.

2. Asthma and Music

With chronic asthma, my lifestyle choices had to be carefully chosen out. Being introduced to Clarinet, it was difficult to use my full breathing capacity. Every few measures, I found myself gasping for breath, whereas my fellow clarinetists easily played through full sections. However, if I could thank asthma for one thing, it would be for teaching me persistence. Had I quit playing clarinet due to my conditions early on, I wouldn't have been able to appreciate the theory behind music, or start practicing on a new developed interest... singing!

3. Being a Muslim

"Do you have C4's?" One of the many slurs I endured through in school, desperately wishing I could alienate myself from the rest of the world. It struck me odd as to how I can become the inadvertent object of racial slurs and discrimination for my skin color and beliefs I hold. It was only recently, however, I realized I shouldn't blame anyone other then myself. My attempts to conform with other religions hoping I could escape prejudice only ruined my own self image. I find it easier to be open minded and accepting of who I am and others.

It'd be great if you can point out any errors or things on how I can improve them, like sentence structures, style issues and etc?

Undergraduate / I say with conviction that my neighborhood has helped me grow;COMMUNITY/App [4]

Prompt: Describe your neighborhood and how it impacted who you are.

Ducking through the flurry of college flags hung within spitting distance above my head, I rush to greet a familiar face known by my colleagues as the "college counselor". With the intentions of ignoring all the billboards and articles around me, I plan my steps carefully hoping not to immerse myself in all the information surrounding me fearing being late for my next class. For some, walking into the college office abundant with paper scribbled with mundane details about college is akin to walking into somewhere foreign, but for me, I call this place my neighborhood.

My neighborhood has been far from easy to adjust to as a newcomer. Being introduced to radically different viewpoints and attitudes in life were discouraging. I was Yang but all my neighbors were a combination of Yin and Yang. I was in my own bubble of ignorance, while my neighbors were ever willing to pop that bubble and my own perception of reality. My neighborhood has shook the very foundations of what I deemed success and turned it over its head. Being taught that success was deemed by my own personality, goals and drive rather than my own GPA and test scores was a smack in the face by reality itself.

"I have a x% average, thus I should be in the program becau-" cutting me off mid sentence, my "college counselor" immediately responded with a "so what?". From that day on, I couldn't call her my "counselor" blurred in formalities. I considered her to be my mentor, and a close neighbor with whom I can exchange experiences exceeding the realm of college. Ignorance was bliss and my bubble was waiting to popped by my mentor. No longer could I deem myself to be the center of the world, but a contributor and leader in changing the world. No longer could I just wait for opportunities to show its face, I had to make my own opportunities in a place where opportunities can be scarce and competitive. But most importantly, I learned the effectiveness of having an open mind.

As a long term resident, I can now say with conviction that my neighborhood has helped me grow as an individual. Walking across the room, I now no longer duck to avoid hitting the flags, I embrace it. To an ordinary person, it might seem awkward to see the flags brushing against my head, but for me, it symbolizes the turning of a new leaf.