Undergraduate / ... imbued me with a drive to get out into the world to broaden my horizons and meet new people... [4]

Please check for grammar or any other technical mistakes and please suggest any improvements if any, thank you :)
Describe the world you come from; for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town. how has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations?(*) (200-250 words)

I have practically lived my whole life in the Fauji Fertilizer Company Township which is a small industrial community on the outskirts of a small city. Although growing up in a remote gated community has sheltered me from the rigors of city life, it has imbued me with a drive to get out into the world to broaden my horizons and meet new people.

My family means the world to me and I live every day to make my parents proud. My father has been an inspiring personality in my life. In 2001 he underwent kidney transplant surgery. From my father I have learnt that whenever life throws you a curve ball, face it with a smile on your face. My mother has taught me the importance of finding balance between school, friends and family.

My school is renowned for delivering academic excellence. All the teachers are very kind and supportive and the great thing is, all of them live in the locality, so you can visit them easily anytime you need help. What my school lacks in though is providing its students with the platforms to showcase their talents on national and international levels. Unfortunately that is why we haven't had any opportunity to participate in international Olympiads or any such competitions.

The world I come from has taught me to be hard working, perseverant and to always strive for excellence. It has made me realize that I alone am the master of my fate.

Undergraduate / ...lost in the world of digits, stumbling through the intricacies of numerical manipulation.... [3]

Any advice and/or correction would be much appreciated.

What attribute of your personality are you most proud of, and how has it impacted your life so far? This could be your creativity, effective leadership, sense of humour, integrity, or anything else you'd like to tell us about. (*) (200-250 words)

I was lost in the world of digits, stumbling through the intricacies of numerical manipulation when a shrill ringing broke my trance. "I need your help", the text message read. It was the night before our mathematics O-Level examination but I put aside my books and called my friend over. We studied late into the night but I did not care as long as I could help my friend succeed. The exam went great and when the results were announced, my happiness over my grades turned into elation when I found my friend also celebrating his result.

This compassion and selflessness is my most treasured personal trait. I am driven by a passion for helping others and a desire to bring out the best in them. I have recently taken up motivational speaking. I usually speak to small groups of junior class students. I encourage them to set their aims high and to strive for excellence. I managed to persuade a few of them to take the SATs and now many are following suit (I was first person in school to take SAT I).

The respect that I have earned from my peers and juniors has propelled me into leadership positions at my school. I am currently the Head Boy and also the House captain.

I feel a sense of achievement when I am successful in explaining any difficult topic to someone. I know that my hard work has been all worth it whenever I see the gratitude in my friends' eyes.

Undergraduate / 'Nano-revolution' - The possibilities that this holds for the future are endless..... [2]

OK so I wrote this essay and it is currently at 107 words and I can't decide how to trim the fat. Any help would be much appreciated and does anybody know whether MIT would allow 107 words when 100 are required? I heard they were lenient in this department.

Although you may not yet know what you want to major in, which department or program at MIT appeals to you and why? (*) (100 words or fewer)

I have a dream, a dream to contribute towards a positive change that has global impact and implications. And what best way to fulfil this dream than to be a part of the 'Nano-revolution' that is on the horizon. What fascinates me most is the concept of nano-factories, capable of producing complex products by assembling trillions of atoms together. The possibilities that this holds for the future are endless. With its Microsystems Technology Laboratories and Pappalardo Nanomanufacturing Facility, MIT is the best place for me to explore my dreams and I hope to do this by pursuing course 2-A (Mechanical Engineering) with a concentration in nano-assembly technologies.