Undergraduate / A Reed education will transform me into a more erudite person - Why Reed Essay [4]

Please tell me what you think!!! I would love any suggestions/criticisms! Thanks in Advance!

When I moved to the United States, the education system here impressed me. While students in Korea take notes and listen to their teachers' lectures, the students in my high school were regularly encouraged to share their opinions in class discussions. Receiving a good education at my school, I plan to give back to the community all that I gain after I graduate from college. I plan to double major in environmental science and physics. And I want to make people in both Korea and the United States aware of the many future environmental issues that may occur due to future threats on our natural resources. Because most natural resources are limited and many countries have begun to use more and more natural resources for their economic development, protecting and preserving our environment is the area where someone's knowledge and ideas will be needed the most.

While adapting to the new teaching style in different area, I think the education at my school prepared me well for Reed. If I hadn't come to America and experienced its education, I suspect it would be very difficult to adapt to a Reed environment because I wouldn't be ready to freely express my opinions without hesitation. On the other hand, applying and attending to Reed will be another big jump for me. Reed's low student-to-teacher ratio will not only help me to build closer relationship with my professors, but also inspire me to engage in conference-style lectures in a more active discussion-based environment.

Besides my interest in environmental studies, Reed's unorthodox way of educating its students has made me want to attend. It is crucial for me to think outside of the box. Even though many environmental experts have come up with many creative solutions, the threat to our natural resources still exists. This is the primary reason why I would like to study at Reed; I have a belief that a Reed education will transform me into a more imaginative person. Reed's rigorous and creative courses that I have not experienced in high school will help me to push and challenge myself to explore new things and have wider views on the world--and instill confidence in myself that I can be successful during my future career and make a difference in the world. A Reed education will not only transform me into a more erudite person, but also will help me to fill a gap as I commit myself to responsible stewardship of the wider world.

Undergraduate / Common App essay- tell me if this is INTERESTING OR BORING. Thats all i want... [4]

While I was thinking about the topic of my college essay, I turned on the TV to take a break. The MLB playoff game between Oakland and Kansas City was on: Oakland was winning by four runs in the eighth. It seemed impossible for Kansas City to close the gap, but the Royals kept scoring, winning the game with the score of 9-8 in the 13th. While impressed with the Royal's efforts, this game reminded me of a similar game (though even more dramatic), I watched three years ago. People believe that miracles don't happen, which is why they give up easily. I didn't believe in miracles until I attended one fabulous baseball game that completely changed my mind. Even now, I shudder with excitement when I recall it.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Washington Nationals were losing to the Seattle Mariners by four runs. However, the first two batters got a hit and a walk, so there were now runners on first and second. The fans in the ballpark were all of a sudden jubilant, shouting, "Go, Nationals!" When the next hitter came up to the plate, a hush came over the stands: everyone stopped talking, putting their hands over their mouths.

The next batter was Ryan Zimmerman, a clutch-hitter. Unfortunately, he hit into a double play. The crowd grew so quiet that I wondered if the fans were really the same people from a few minutes before. More than half of them left their seats. Seeing no chance of winning the game, I thought about leaving, too. My mom's friend, who had brought me to the game, grabbed her husband's arm and said, "Honey, let's go!" He shook his head: "No, this game isn't over. We have one more out. Don't give up hope."

True, the game wasn't over, but who on earth thought they would score five runs with two outs? However, the Nationals showed their tenacity, hitting three consecutive singles. The score was now five to two, with runners on first and second. With one out left, Seattle changed their pitcher to their closer, Brandon League, but that couldn't stop the ignited Nationals. Danny Espinosa, the second baseman hit the first pitch and got an RBI single.

It was now a two-run game, but the Nationals still had a long way to go. With their eighth hitter, Wilson Ramos, up to the plate, the fans shouted, "Homer, Homer!" One more out or one home run: either way the game would be over.

The count got to one strike and one ball, and the next pitch was high. Ramos didn't miss. He smashed the ball: it kept going and going, then landed in the glove of a Nationals fan. The big screen glittered: Washington 6, Seattle 5.

When I reflect on this game, I think I learned what hope does for me. When I was younger, I was pessimistic and doubted myself and everything else. Whenever I tried to accomplish something, I would quit in the middle before I even tried my best. This one game changed my point of view. It taught me that it's never too late to try. If I had left, like most of the Nationals fans after Zimmerman's double play, I would not have this great memory. I witnessed this dramatic ending because I stayed. This game also, luckily, became my turning point-just before attending High School. Even though I knew that High School was going to be much harder than Middle School, I realized that nothing is impossible and it is stupid to give up before seeing the final results. This change even affects my process of college applications. I am applying to very good colleges that emphasize a rigorous education, are very hard to get in, and perhaps require better credentials than I have, but I believe that I have a shot if I still have hope.

Thanks in advance.