Undergraduate / I have become best friends with a stationary saw - I feel great working on my tiny house. [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?

BIG / TINY HOUSE

I have become close personal friends with a stationary saw. I am an expert in the art of applying construction adhesive. My weekends have been consumed by tape measures, two by fours, and drill bits. I am building a tiny house, a 128 square foot home on a trailer. So far, the house is only a frame, but I have already made many proud accomplishments. The project has challenged me and helped to expand my horizons. It reflects myself and my values, and it relates to the future life I want to live.

The secluded yard that acts as my building site is enclosed by trees exploding with bright red apples, their branches barely revealing the snow-capped Rockies in the distance. The crisp air has a lingering scent of sawdust, and the occasional owl can be heard just after sunset. Within this picturesque setting, I am able to build to my heart's content. My building materials consist of my dad's dusty power tools, a few stacks of lumber and windows, and my sixteen foot long trailer. Here, I have learned construction jargon such as "header", "joist", and "sinkers." I have hauled countless pieces of lumber with inexperienced muscles. I have used some particularly frightening power tools. It is utter heaven.

Why on earth would I build a house in my backyard? My parents skeptically asked me the same question several months ago. Last year, I spent hours pouring over tiny house video tours, blogs, and floor plans. Around the same time, I was searching for an idea for my Senior Culminating Project, a requirement of my high school. I made an ambitious decision- to build a tiny house. I knew I had all the resources on the internet at my fingertips. I had the time, the space, and a summer job to help pay for the materials. I eagerly began my plan, oblivious to what lay ahead of me.

What originally started as a challenging project has taken on a much larger meaning. While knowing how to use a nail gun is certainly useful in modern society, the process of building a tiny house has already taught me infinitely more. I have budgeted my own precious funds, communicated with potential donors, and persevered through mistaken measurements and splintered thumbs. Tiny houses also embody all of my interests. The simplicity and mindfulness involved in tiny house living is perfect for my environmentalist philosophies. The design elements of my house correspond to my fondness for art. The architectural principles of weight distribution, structure, and precision in carpentry all involve my interest in mathematics and engineering.

My tiny house has been a series of small accomplishments. I have reaffirmed my interests, and I have opened doors to new ones. I have challenged myself and learned unique skills. Building my tiny house, surrounded by apple trees and breathing in sawdust-scented air, is an experience that I am sincerely proud of.

Undergraduate / "Eat Veggies, Not Friends" - Vegan Roommate - Stanford Essay (Supplement) [4]

Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate-and us-know you better.

Dear Roommate,
From the moment you enter our room, one thing will be blatantly apparent to you. I am a vegan. My tee shirts bear vegan sayings such as "Eat Veggies, Not Friends," and you will notice my own vegan poster art and animal sketches on the walls. The mini fridge we share will be stocked with hummus, quinoa, and coconut milk ice cream, my favorite vegan essentials. I have been a vegan since I was sixteen years old, and veganism is an integral part of my personality and character.

I am excited to share my passion for veganism with you. However, I understand that not everyone has the same principles as I do, food or otherwise. I will never bash your favorite foods, but when you order pepperoni pizza I will stick to my cheeseless mushroom and spinach thin crust. They both taste equally delicious during late night study sessions. If for some reason you have an eternal hatred for vegans, never fear. I am also a spirited Ultimate Frisbee player, a recreational artist, and a dedicated environmentalist. I would love to throw a frisbee with you, draw you a portrait, or go on a nature hike with you. These are just a few of my values that I am excited to tell you about. I will be happy to share my dark chocolate with you if you will share your opinions and passions with me.

Sincerely,
Lucy

Undergraduate / I believe in laughter. Stanford Supplement Essay [6]

What matters to you, and why?
I believe in laughter. From the humble giggle to the uncontrollable, out-of-breath crack up, laughter can change the course of a day. Laughter has the power to heal, to calm, and to accentuate the joy of life.

When I was in fifth grade, my best friend was a short, freckled, red-haired ball of energy named Jeremiah. He was the antithesis to my serious shyness, but he was my perfect fit. Jeremiah found humor in anything, from bouncing on the trampoline to the concussion he got from wrestling with his dad. Perhaps my fondest memory is laughing with Jeremiah as our bare feet scurried through the green summer grass, soaking up the fleeting bliss of childhood.

When Jeremiah passed away five years ago, I found it difficult to laugh. The shock of his young death was utterly heartbreaking. My perfect fit was no longer in my life. My serious, introverted side took me over.

Once my grief began to subside, I realized I couldn't let Jeremiah go. I had to embrace his joyful, energetic spirit and learn from his infinite childhood wisdom. Laughter is the ultimate example of living in the moment. With laughter, worry melts away. Genuine joy takes over. Laughter is the visible embodiment of happiness, a state everyone strives for.

Jeremiah taught me that laughter is a requirement for a happy life. While I now have many qualities of seriousness, composure, and thoughtfulness, in the end what matters to me is enjoying the present.

Undergraduate / "What's the flow rate?" asks my coworker - "28.32 seconds" I replied - NOAA Internship - Stanford [2]

Stanford students possess an intellectual vitality. Reflect on an idea or experience that has been important to your intellectual development.
"What's the flow rate?" asks Chance, my coworker, hovering over the keyboard.
"28.32 seconds," I read from my calculator. He enters the number, and moments later the data appears in a neat line. I begin using the flow meter on the next ozone instrument, or "ozonesonde," preparing it for the lab conditioning test. When the ozonesonde collects air samples, the flow rate value helps determine the amount of ozone in that air. Measuring flow rates is one of my everyday responsibilities at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. My internship there has been key to my intellectual development outside of a classroom.

When I began working in NOAA's ozone lab two years ago, I had no idea where my broad interests in science would take me. Since then, NOAA has led me to discover my passions for engineering and environmental conservation. It has given me practical information about atmospheric science and climate change, reinforcing my fascination and curiosity with the new data we collect each day. Most importantly, my last two years at NOAA have revealed how important each and every individual is in the scientific discovery process. From the student intern measuring flow rates to the Ph.D analyzing statistics, everyone makes a vital contribution.

This lesson has followed me outside of the lab. In the larger scheme of things, one person may seem insignificant. However, my experience at NOAA has taught me that we each have the ability to leave a tangible mark on the world.

Thank you for reading!