Undergraduate / TEDtalk conference contributed to my development on mathematics and other sciences [2]

Stanford students possess an intellectual vitality. Reflect on an idea or experience that has been important to your intellectual development.(100 to 250 words).

better focus for reaching goals

I remember a class in the Math Olympiad where the professor projected a TEDtalk conference called "Marshmallow test and instant gratification". It had nothing to do with math; however, it's been the most important thing for my development on mathematics and other sciences. The video talks about how people look for immediate pleasure instead of sacrificing it for obtaining a better reward in the future. From that day, I learned that if I wanted to be successful I needed to work hard and left the leisure on a second plane. But instead of making a "sacrifice" I combined the time of hardworking with my passions, that way I'd always be having fun while striving for my future success.

The work ethic I acquired since that class has been the fundamental key for reaching my goals. I narrowed down my activities and focused on the Math Olympiad and School's Science Club. My results on the contests changed considerably and a few months later I passed the state stage that I had failed the previous year.

I also knew the importance of making a balance between working and distraction. Surprisingly for me, I became better in my hobbies too. I forgot everything about math and my competitions and put my entire concentration either on playing soccer or learning magic. Now every time I do something I ask myself if it is going to make me achieve what I want, not only in the mathematical Olympiad, but also in any personal aspiration.

Thanks in advance for your feedback, in my firsy essay I don't mention my awards in the olympiad soccer and magic because that's on another part of the application so i thibk that shows the rewards of my work ethic. I hope this two essays reslly talk more about my voice and are well developed for the stanford application.

Undergraduate / Baseball and my grandfather matters to me. [3]

Stanford supplemental essay: what matters to you and why?(250 words)

My grandfather's baseball passion shaped me

I love witness a double play. I get up from my seat to celebrate a stolen base. I even revel in the smell of hot dogs around the stadium. But what I most love is watching baseball with my grandfather. I was 5 years old when he took me to my first game. Since that day, the sport became an obsession and I watched every Dodgers game with him. Baseball allowed me to make a strong connection with my grandfather. I loved our long conversations and his stories about when he was a professional player.

Unfortunately, my grandfather developed Alzheimer his last year. He also lost the mobility of his body and became a reserved person. I started to take care of him and watched baseball with him even knowing he wouldn't pay attention. I just wanted him to recover his passion that made him feel alive. Until one day, he surprised me celebrating a Grandal's Home Run against Chicago Cubs. My grandfather died a week later but at least he smiled again and watched the rest of the series with the same passion I remembered.

Though he'd love me to follow his steps and become a professional player, he told me to embrace my passion for mathematics. "A talent always comes with a responsibility", that's what he always said. I want to be like my grandfather and use my interest for mathematics to change other people lives, just like my grandfather used his baseball passion to change mine.