Undergraduate / "three unique factors" - Is my short answer response too weak? [7]

Prompt: 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).

Orson Scott Card
Reading has always been my passion. From The Pied Piper, a picture-filled book given to me as a child, to A Tale of Two Cities, a thick classic I recently bought, I have enjoyed several passages of literature. In my 7th grade, I found a dusty little novel, Ender's Game, displayed in the book-racks of my English teacher. As soon as I finished reading it, I fell in love with Orson Scott Card's work. I own 15 of his novels and a short story collection; his views have greatly influenced my political and global opinions.

Well, this is one of my "factors." I thought it might be a little weak and instead focus on my parent's socioeconomic situation [we're pretty poor] or my mother's ectopic pregnancy [though it was a bit early in my childhood]

Poetry / Save Me A Spot In College [7]

NOTE: I've already submitted this but I wanted any comments on it. It might alleviate, or exacerbate, my worries about the poem's message. After the deadline, I thought that the poem might have an overused theme: My friends are interested in stuff, I'm interested in stuff, so let us in!

Prompt:
"Why should California's leaders save you and your peers a spot in college?"

Title: One Day

I have a friend
She loves to look
Through telescopes
She says:
I'll be among the stars one day

I have a friend
He treats the strays
With bandages and love
He says:
Each animal will be loved one day

I have a friend
He's a bit odd
No electronic thing
Remained intact in his hands
He says:
I'll build instead of break apart one day

And then there's me
I love to learn
The workings of the world
How a dollar in America
Can become two dollars in America
I say:
I will move people one day

So, I implore you
Save a spot for me and my friends
So that one day
We will say:
The world is better
Not in spite of us
But because of us

Undergraduate / Short Response - to change one thing about my community [5]

Prompt:
If you could change one thing about your community, what would you change and why? (100 word limit)

Volunteering at the local library, I have observed an assortment of characters taking advantage of the services offered there. From high school students discussing the Monroe Doctrine to seniors lounging on the soft armchairs with a book or two, people from all walks of life are represented in the library. Unfortunately, due to the lack of funding, the library has had to reduce its operating hours: on Sunday, it is only open for four hours. If I could change one thing about my community, it would be to increase the library funding because everyone from toddlers to elders can benefit.

Does this seem compelling (shows I'm interested in my community, which I do)?

Undergraduate / Which essay idea seems to be best. [8]

This scholarship has two prompts and I have an idea for both; however, I cannot afford to create two essays. I'll have to evaluate each initial idea for its potential and some help in doing so would be much appreciated. These are NOT the intro paragraphs.

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

One significant experience I had was of an incident in the Philippines about 10 years ago. I lived in a fairly impoverished neighborhood and a house fire suddenly erupted in the middle of the night. The whole community roused up and fought the fire while also saving the victims and the majority of their belongings. And about 5 minutes after the ordeal, the firemen arrived (Fire Stations are corrupted in the Philippines). I would focus on the community though and its united effort to save a family in need.

Prompt #2:
Describe an experience that you have had or a concept you have learned about that intellectually excites you. When answering this question, you may want to consider some of the following questions: Why does this topic excite you? How does it impact the way you or others experience the world? What questions do you continue to ponder about it?

Ever since I've heard of the Laissez Faire policy, I've been interested in its impact on society and the economy. I would explain the how it allows the businesses to create their own identities and promotes healthy competition. I would also explain how it might benefit businesses for a little government intervention in poverty-stricken countries and during periods of recession (such as this one).

So which one sounds like it has more potential for not only showing my character to the reviewers but also displaying my intellectual curiosity.