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Posts by Popcornasaur
Name: Alexander Lu
Joined: Jun 30, 2014
Last Post: Sep 6, 2014
Threads: 2
Posts: 5  

Displayed posts: 7
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Popcornasaur   
Jun 30, 2014
Undergraduate / Stanford Supplemental Essay #1: Towards a brilliant future [8]

Hi guys,

I am currently a rising senior who is practicing writing for college applications. My dream school is Stanford so I have been writing some drafts based on their supplemental prompts.

Please read it and critique it as harshly as you can. I want this essay ripped apart if possible!

Prompt: Stanford students possess an intellectual vitality. Reflect on an idea or experience that has been important to your intellectual development. 250 Word Limit.

Downtown was abuzz with excitement - the Clippers were playing that afternoon and it seemed like all of Los Angeles had turned up to watch. A short walk away at the LA Convention Center, the air too was electrifying. This year, over 1,700 students walked through the doors of the Los Angeles Convention Center for the 2014 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. For me, it was a sneak peek of what the future has to offer.

2014's keynote speaker was Mick Ebeling and his message to the contestants was that "Nothing is Impossible." "The Future is Bright!" he exclaimed. Strolling through the Grand Hall, I couldn't help but agree. I stopped in front of project MA032 and listened as the competitor spoke about Monte Carlo protein folding. Just 10 years ago it would have been inconceivable that a student could model amino acid interactions on their laptop, but then again, nothing is impossible. I suddenly felt a sense of belonging. Everyone here had a thirst for knowledge, and the determination to quench it. For one brief week, we were one entity, moving singularly towards a better future and transcending cultural and language divides. Our youthful energy drives us every day to break the bounds of possible, to stride boldly into the territory of impossible, and proclaim, "What's next?" Though I did not win any awards, merely attending ISEF profoundly changed my hopes for tomorrow. The Future is Bright with us at the helm. Scratch that. The Future is Brilliant.
Popcornasaur   
Jun 30, 2014
Undergraduate / Stanford Supplemental Essay #1: Towards a brilliant future [8]

Thanks for your great feedback!

How well do you think the topic matches with the prompt? The phrase "Intellectual Vitality" is pretty vague so I think what I have can mesh well with it.
Popcornasaur   
Jul 1, 2014
Undergraduate / Stanford Supplemental Essay #1: Towards a brilliant future [8]

If I were to go over it again (as I definitely will), how can I change this essay to better reflect on the developmental side of things? I think it would be a hard sell to go from the development of the mindset to ISEF in a few sentences.
Popcornasaur   
Jul 8, 2014
Undergraduate / Common App Essay: Scuba Diving, 80 feet underwater. [2]

First, I'd like to say that this is a very well written essay; I won't be able to correct grammar or syntax issues. However, there are a few things that I think you can change.

"By exploring the depths of the ocean, I unveil insight into who I am." - I think that you can change the wording of this sentence, maybe something like "... depths of the ocean, I explore the depth of my mind. " or similar to further play on the whole ocean/diving theme.

"...that argument with my girlfriend and that poor test grade didn't matter that much anymore." - This seems a bit negative. You want to present the best side of yourself to the admissions officers. Maybe you can say "... the trivialities of life seem to wash away like the images on sand." (Again, going along with the whole ocean theme)

"I made friends with an eel, I played tag with a school of angelfish, I found Nemo, and I had never been happier in my natural ecosystem: the ocean." - Love this line. It's very playful!

It's a very well written essay. I wish you the best of luck.
Popcornasaur   
Sep 6, 2014
Undergraduate / "Following my dreams" - Stanford Supplemental #3: What matters to you and why? [2]

Hi guys, please read over my supplemental essay and critique it!

What matters to you and why? - Following my dreams

When I was a small child, I used to look up at the starry night and tell my parents "One day I'll be up there... One day I'll be an astronaut". Years have passed since I first uttered those words but what they said to me afterwards has been ingrained in my mind ever since. They told me "Follow your dreams; you can achieve anything you want to if you truly want it." I may not have understood it back then, but it has become a guiding principle that I hold close to my heart.

I have not forgotten that promise. When I am tired beyond all belief, it's what gets me out of bed in the morning to face the world with renewed vigor. When I get a poor grade on a test, it's what drives me to study harder for the next one. It may not always be a smooth road, but every single pothole I hit makes me stronger when I come through. Along that path I will meet friends who share the same passion as I do, inspire others to follow their dreams, and make myself happy. That is what truly matters.

Dreams are intrinsic to the human spirit. We all dream, whether it's for world peace or a better job. What's important is what we do with that dream. Do we let it slip through our fingers, or grab on for dear life? I, for one, am holding on for dear life.

word count: 247

Thanks.
Popcornasaur   
Sep 6, 2014
Undergraduate / Harvard Supplemental Essay- There is no specific prompt in which to write about. [3]

What you have presented is a well worded essay, but I am a little confused as to what point you are trying to get across to the reader. From what I can tell, you are explaining why you would like to serve in the armed forces, but I only realized after you explicitly stated it. I think that it would be best for you to first start off with this idea. Maybe try something like "Military service has been in my family for a long time. They have served in ...." and then proceed from there.

As I grew older, I began to entangle by duty to serve with the love of my country. As a result, I began to realize my why... This part is not clear / Check for grammar.
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