Undergraduate / Biology science, Leprosy Hospital, CALS - Help with Cornell Essay [3]

How have your interests and related experiences influenced the major you have selected in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences? (Please limit your response to 650 words.)

I've lived in the sprawling, urban nations of Singapore my whole life. The words "farm" or "agriculture" are distant to me - I've read about them in books and attempted to grasp their visuals on a projector over mouthfuls of popcorn, but I've never really experienced them. As a city kid ready for something new, I'm hoping to trade urban for rural, to swap fast cars and cellphone ringing endlessly for an uninterrupted, research intensive, small college environment. It's the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell that seems to be the ideal embodiment of my needs, the ideal college to cater to my desire for a rigorous undergraduate program in the Biological sciences.

Here's why:

1.CALS emphasis on a particular academic area or goal

As a potential Biological Sciences major, I'm keen to throw myself into straight into the academic options at the college. The world of Biology fascinates me - everything from the visual exploration of a liver cell through a microscope to the study of antibiotic resistance attained by bacteria. Housing an unquenchable thirst for knowledge that the IB Biology curriculum could not satisfy, I chose to establish my school's first Biology society.

Aside from discussions on topics such as the pluripotency of stem cells, the society also explored the ethical issues associated with biology - how embryonic stem cells had the capability to cause tumors when injected into bodies for treatment, whether pain could be felt. In addition to Biology, I am also enamored by the field of Chemistry and its close links to the biological processes essential to plants and animals.

I anticipate undertaking the CALS concentration in Molecular Biology as it will allow me to mesh together my interests in both Chemistry and Biology and explore the links between their nuances and mutual challenges that face future scientists.

2.CALS focus on research for the betterment of community in terms of health

I've been an avid fundraiser and supporter of philanthropic efforts throughout high school. Personally chairing a Singaporean affiliate for the Bombay Leprosy Hospital, I've planned food sales, community fair stalls and other promotional efforts to raise fund and spread awareness for lepers. Yet the tangible connection I so desire eludes me - I've never quite been able to meet lepers, never been able to connect with them, to understand the social implications of their disease.

I look to CALS to change this. I'm seeking to participate in undergraduate research both in and away from the field - to conduct surveys and travel, seeking answers to the mechanisms of communicable disease spread, and working with the latest medical technologies in labs to provide cost effective, medical responses to health issues.

Having observed technologies such as the MRGFus - used for destroying benign tumours - I am now keen to venture further into the chasm between medical and community health research. I am certain my interest in researching the application of biology to global health will be aided by a solid foundation in the biological sciences at CALS.

3.The attention CALS pays to agriculture and sustainability

CALS emphasis on utilizing biology to tackle issues such as food sustainability and crop development have also caught my eyes. All my life I've grown up in a city. I've been to petting zoos and indoor laboratories, but never have I experienced biology in the agricultural setting. I am curious to examine the applications of biotechnology to the injection and activation of new genes for improved crop yield and growth. I value CALS utilization of its location to conduct research and hope to seek instruction in these aspect at the college.

Undergraduate / Brown/USC Undergraduate Essays by a Chinese speaking Indian in Singapore [3]

Why are you drawn to the area(s) of study you indicated in our Member Section, earlier in this application? If you are "undecided" or not sure which Brown concentrations match your interests, consider describing more generally the academic topics or modes of thought that engage you currently. (150 word limit)

My mind is in limbo. I'm the proactive scientist - weaving my own logic from my IB biology textbook. Then I'm the passionate humanist - going on about the incidence of Leprosy on the children of Mumbai, although I can't quite get the particulars down. It's perhaps this that led me towards the happy accident of discovering the Brown concentration in Health and Human Biology. Instead of being just a talker, I want to be someone who can back up my knowledge with hard fact and statistics. I want to be someone who can take Biology beyond its conventional science textbook setting and place it somewhere people can appreciate some of its uses - to explain the impacts of diseases on different races or to explore how legislation can be used to modify healthcare policy for the poor. My questions are vast and varied, the answers obscure. But with a little logic and the ability to challenge my mind to think beyond "Chapter 6 - Cells", I'm certain that this course will stoke my intellectual curiosity and will provide me with an internationalized outlook towards the health field.

We all exist within communities or groups of various sizes, origins, and purposes; pick one and tell us why it is important to you, and how it has shaped you. (150 word limit)

China.

I've never been there. Yet I know its expansive power. Its language. I'm able to converse far more fluently in Chinese than in Hindi, the language of my native India - my relatives still haven't given that a rest.

The Chinese speaking community is where I can be me. I've never really received a formal invitation - I've just strolled in casually. When I hear Chinese, I become an archaeologist, eager to excavate the cultural origins of the speakers - whether they come from xi an or hang zhou, whether they eat mooncakes, who their favorite Cantopop singer is. At times I feel reluctance rising through my chest. Do I really belong? With my lack of subtlety, my foreign accent.

But that's what being a part of this community is to me. It's about taking a proactive role, playing the devil's advocate, questioning yourself, growing as a member. You have to push forward - culture might come to you passively. But skill doesn't. That's what communities are for. You renew your membership. And you continue to thrive.

Why Brown? (200 word limit)

To me, Brown is a Ferrero Rocher - a gem with countless, nutty, chocolate layers just waiting to be explored, savored. Sinking my teeth into the crunchy, tough outer coating of the gem, the challenge of weathering out my first real winter in Providence comes to mind.

As I work my way through the coat and find my way into the comfortingly soft, biscuit shell, I feel closer to the Brown community - the warm, inviting Georgian architecture, the gender neutral housing, a realm away from conservative Singapore. I am at the silken chocolate sphere now. This melt-in-your-mouth feeling is as arousing as the discovery of Brown's open curriculum. Microbiology, molecular science, health policy - my eyes glass over as I scroll through the offerings.

But these are just layers. The build up to the tartan white, hazelnut core - the wholesome Brown undergraduate experience. It's at Brown where I feel I won't need to be pushed out of my comfort zone - I'll just naturally leap out. Hearing about the naked doughnut runs and nudity week activities relaxes me with the knowledge that I won't be scorned for tangling with the taboo. As does Brown's taekwondo kick-a-thon, which I'm eager to participate in.

Undergraduate / "Commentary on karate during a sparring match" - COMMON APP ESSAY [4]

Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?

My heart beats a violent tattoo, hammering against my chest. I turn from left to right, swinging my close fisted arms and feet out into whichever direction my instincts guide me, to defend myself from my opponent. I see him behind me and I lash out with a punch.

Go Ju Ryu karate is where I experience immense fury and passion. This has instilled in me a strong self-evaluative outlook that has helped me explore the twin emotions of rage and content. As I'm punching kicking my opponent, performing strikes correctly, I'm content. I'm smiling. All this time no one's pushed me into karate. I don't have any glorious narrative to tale for my discovery of karate, no shining mentor who has guided the way. I've stumbled upon karate, taken it up of my own free will, and never really looked back.

"Yame. Stop!" roars my Sensei as I finish with a roundhouse kick to my opponent. He's staring at me. Waiting for the master to give the command to attack again. Waiting for the chance to get back at me.

The most comforting aspect about karate training is how I have been able to explore the extent of my fury so infinitely, whilst being able to temper it with a healthy dose of strict discipline. Go. Ju. The characters stand for hard and soft respectively. Perhaps the one which best represented me was 'Ju' or soft. A 5' 2'' ragged teenager with about as much muscle as a bunch of twigs, paired with bad posture and myopia, I had received my fair share of teasing. But when I was in the presence of my sensei and peers, it made no difference. I was a single bolt in a well-oiled machine, wearing the same starchy uniform as the Norwegian girl or the Chinese guy next to me. Our punches and kicks were fully synchronized, with our sensei urging us to strike hard. When it comes time to spar, I do, channeling all my skill it into positive energy. I execute my kicks at top speed, like I'm doing now, with elegance and control. Fury is integral to the art of karate - I'm pouring my passion into the fight, but I'm controlling my emotions from going wayward. I'm getting bruised sometimes - there! He's hit me again. But I know I'm in that immersive environment which allows me to escape from everything else. It's here, while I'm facing my opponent that I'm really mastering my emotions and learning control.

"Hajime. Continue!" screams my Sensei as I prepare myself to block an oncoming left hook. My eyes are pressed tight and I'm waiting rock bodied for the shock waves. But he's anticipated it and my moment of weakness earns me a chop to my ribcage.

Karate has given me more than a black belt. It has opened my eyes to what a healthy environment for learning and self development really is, has given me the passion and indomitable spirit to one day pursue my own path as an instructor. More often than not, society considers the differences between us so pivotal - whether they are in appearance, income, race or academics - in every decision that affects us. Yet we forget our roots, where we come from, what similarities we hold as human beings, as people who can have their emotions run wild. It is in the dojo where these similarities are acknowledged and differences discarded. Where we allow not our prejudices to run wild, but our emotions. Where we learn to control them and find meaning in our successes and our failures. Where we learn to be content. Where I learnt to be content.

I launch into mid air and perform a flying side kick. The sole of my kicking foot aims at my opponent's face as I frown, my sweaty eyebrows furrowed with concentration.

Word Count: 641

Undergraduate / Yale Supplement - "Masters Teas", "Short Takes", "Family Dinner" (Deadline: 31st December) [NEW]

1.) What in particular about Yale has influenced your decision to apply? (Please answer in 100 words or less.)

Just as I have unlocked doors with "Yale" branded locks, I wish to unlock the doors to Yale's broad curriculum, to explore the economic aspects of health disciplines that Yale endorses. I am keen to immerse myself in these foci by attending Morse College's "Master's Teas". My thirst for studying Asian languages has led me to seek instruction in a multicultural, historically rich environment. Yale's magnificent, acid washed, gothic façade of Medieval - Middle Eastern architecture, its orange fall foliage and its strength in Chinese will provide ample opportunity for me to thrive academically and socially. Words: 95

2.) Please respond in 150 characters (roughly 25 words) or fewer to each of the questions below:

a. You have been granted a free weekend next month. How will you spend it?

I'd spend Saturday reading one of my favorite Khaled Hosseini novels and chatting with parents and friends over tea. Sunday would entail karate training and watching some high action Indian crime thrillers

b. What is something about which you have changed your mind in the last three years?

Science. Initially presuming it was purely factual, I now know it requires years of debate to establish a theory - arguing which I'm definitely interested in doing.

c. What is the best piece of advice you have received while in high school?

"Smile. Nod. Then do whatever the hell you were going to do in the first place"

d. What do you wish you were better at being or doing?

I aspire to be a better sportsman. Had I been more athletic, I probably would have had a more solid grasp on the concept of being team player.

e. What is a learning experience, in or out of the classroom, that has had a significant impact on you?

Three English teachers in three consecutive years telling me I was too verbose. It made me reconsider my approach to writing.

1E). In this essay, please reflect on something you would like us to know about you that we might not learn from the rest of your application, or on something about which you would like to say more. You may write about anything-from personal experiences or interests to intellectual pursuits. (Please answer in 500 words or less.)

A cool breeze flows through the flaky, white window grill and the crickets are already chirping. I look up from my Chemistry homework.

8pm. Dinnertime.

My helper ushers me out of the room as I struggle under the weight of my books. We both know what's coming. "Akshay, get your books off the table. It's time for dinner" yells my Mom from inside.

I help set up the plates as my helper stacks piles of familiar, steaming vegetables onto the table. My Dad's just arrived at the table. We both sit down. Sort of take a second to soak in the moment. Size each other up. He lowers his voice and twitches his eyebrows, narrowing his eyes at me.

"Fun-tastic!"

I berate him on the lame pun but I can't stop myself from smiling. We share a little light hearted moment and then my Mom arrives. "Let's eat!" she says giving me a beaming smile. My Dad tries a sneak attack on the salted cashews at the table but she's predicted his moves days before. My Dad has his hand slapped away before he even has a chance.

We're all finally at the table. My helper brings in hot chappatis (baked Indian flatbread) and I grumble as I get an extra serving of butter on my chappati. "Are you on a diet or something? Eat!" insists my mother.

My Father, meanwhile, launches into his corny jokes. "x wants kaju (cashews)". My Mother gives him the Oh you wish look and turns to me to ask about school. I'm fairly quiet. Mainly because I'm eager to catch anything funny that might happen. My Mom stops. "Hang on! Let me tell x about that cheap joke!" and texts the joke to my sister in Sydney. Almost instantaneously, the room fills with loud beeps as my sister responds to the joke with a flurry of emojis rolling their eyes. Yes, we really fit that 21st century dining lifestyle.

Mom notices the clock. 8:30. "Oh my god. My show's about to start! Turn on the tv! Quick". The tv begins humming and a picture of a young 25 year old girl bedecked in jewels and citrus, orange fabric flashes across the screen. She goes to the hospital, to the bathroom, to the garden wearing all of that - unrealistic but then again that's what makes Indian television shows interesting.

It's a fun family bonding experience for me. Of course I'm far more absorbed by the furrow eyebrowed Inspector ACP Pradyuman who dazzles the screen with his ace crime solving techniques every Saturday evening, but I've found that men and women with slightly constipated faces and the accompanying ominous background music actually make for an animated narrative.

9pm. My mom unglues her eyes from the tv and glares at me sternly - ". Off to study young man. And put away your plate." I sigh. I have to pry my eyes off the quasi-disaster of a family betrayal that's just taken place onscreen.

Just another average dinner.

Undergraduate / "like mother, like son"; Yale Essay B (Mother vs Son) [3]

In this essay, please reflect on something you would like us to know about you that we might not learn from the rest of your application, or on something about which you would like to say more. You may write about anything-from personal experiences or interests to intellectual pursuits. (Please answer in 500 words or less.)

6:30am. I'm buried in my cereal. Forget cold water or a hot shower, the cold slush of creamy milk my lips is what really wakes me up. But I'm missing something.

A book!

Where is it? I'm sure I was protectively carrying around Chetan Bhagat's 2 States only yesterday. Underneath the sofa? Nope. Perhaps on the coffee table? Nope. I'm shaking and irritable. Frantically searching the table, desperation written all over my face. I'm cursing myself.

Then I see her.

She's standing in the hallway, giving me a triumphant grin. Her cunning eyes are hawk-like and at once I know she's the culprit. She's the mastermind behind this wretched plan.

It's not the first time though. This is a regular occurrence. A cat and mouse chase. The predator and the prey. Somehow, I always end up at the bottom of the food chain. Sometimes the phrase "like mother, like son" is used as a compliment. If someone were to say that to me right now, I'd lose it.

I'm glaring at my Mother. Figuring out what the bully in her is thinking. Trying to figure out where she's hidden my literary cuddly toy. She whips out her phone and ignores me, but she's suppressing her giggles. Meanie! I think

I run into the master bedroom. Dad's still snoring away underneath his thick blanket so I do my best to tiptoe. Nope not here! I return to my room and search all the cupboards. I'm slowly losing hope. Normally I can outwit her half-balked schemes, but it appears this time she's really outdone me. After another few hyperactive minutes of rushing around the house, it dawns on me that I've lost the battle.

I walk up to her seat at the dining table in, defeated. She's been peering over her newspaper for the past 10 minutes, enjoying my performance over some steaming hot, milk tea. I pretend like nothing's happened and resume my cereal although my frustration has killed my appetite. When I get home from school, she can't stop me! I think. After all, I have the entire day to brainstorm the many evil hiding places she's placed my book in. Along with the time to come up with an equally cruel revenge plan.

15 minutes ago, we were firing our cannons at each other, but now we just try to maintain some normalcy. She smiles at me and asks me what classes I have to attend today. I ask her which dyslexic kid she's tutoring today. Then we both snigger at the chainsaw noises my Dad makes as he snores.

I don't agree with the person who said you have to stand out from the crowd. In life, we are part of so many "crowds". Each crowd brings out a different faucet of our personality - all those differences are what make us...us. As humans, we fight. We make up. We hide it from others. It's a cycle.

Basically, that means the Mother-son war will continue when I get home.