Undergraduate / These are the few experiences that have motivated me to develop a career in STEM - 1st Caltech essay [3]

the question is:
What three experiences or activities have helped you explore your desire to study and possibly pursue a career in STEM?

my response:
When I was in class 5 one day my cousin asked me, when there is a storm why do we see lightning before we hear thunder. I didn't know the answer. I tried searching in all my books. At last when l found out the answer it gave me a joy that I had never experienced before. This is how I became curious to know more about the phenomena that happen around me and their causes.

At first I didn't like mathematics. But one day when my father was teaching me trigonometry he asked me to observe the symmetry that lay in every formula and graph. This helped me develop a gradual love for mathematics, in its easy to understand patterns that makes it so simplified.

A few days ago, my junior asked me why does like charges attract each other? I couldn't tell him the answer so while I was searching for it, I realized that however much I learn I could be intrigued by a simple question, one that I had never wondered about which is why I will never be bored.

This are the few experiences that have motivated me to develop a career in STEM.

Writing an essay for the first time please critique it.

Undergraduate / While seemingly simple, questions of ethics, honesty and integrity are sometimes puzzling. Caltech 2 [3]

Question:
Members of the Cal-tech community live, learn, and work within an Honor System with one simple guideline; 'No member shall take unfair advantage of any other member of the Cal-tech community.' While seemingly simple, questions of ethics, honesty and integrity are sometimes puzzling. Share a difficult situation that has challenged you. What was your response, and how did you arrive at a solution? (200 word max)

my response:
I remember a recent challenging event. I was unable to choose between following my values and doing what seemed to be the right thing at that time.

I needed the Indian passport to register for SAT and TOEFL, for which that I had to go through mandatory police verification. The inquiry officer demanded a bribe to clear the verification in time. I tried to convince him that I have clean social record. But he was adamant and warned that if not complied to, he would keep the verification pending indefinitely. I come from the land of Mahatma Gandhi and giving bribe was against our values. It was a choice between my principles and my career.

Initially I thought of following my ideals. But the exam registration deadlines were nearing and it was now or never. Finally I decided to pay him the bribe. Although it seems like a small decision, it left a huge mark on my belief system. The wrong I did cannot be undone in this case. What I can do is enlarge my circle of influence, so that one day my voice is heard and I can instil values of integrity and ethics in generations to come.