Undergraduate / Common APP Short answer - Guitar; Don't forget about that B flat or the C sharp [2]

Please elaborate on one of your activities (extracurricular, personal activities, or work experience)(150 words or fewer).

"Don't forget about that B flat, or the C sharp in the fourth measure. Make sure you pick correctly on those eight notes," my guitar teacher instructed. From the age of twelve, I have played guitar continuously, taking weekly lessons and practicing daily. When I first began, I read basic notes and chords, but upon discovering tablature after two years, I slightly ignored my past teachings. I assumed faster meant better, and after a few years of shredding to Metallica and As Blood Runs Black, I realized my presumption was incorrect. Within the past few years, however, I have branched out within my genres of music, playing mostly classical and folk, and constantly learning new scales, arpeggios, and songs. Six years of guitar has taught me discipline, appreciation for all types of music, and motivation to improve. To me, guitar is a life-long passion that does not have a limit.

How does it sound? It's exactly 150 words, so to improve it there must be removing of words as well, i suppose.
Would it sound better to say "... and motivation to progress" or should I just keep improve?

Anyway, tell me what you think! :)

Undergraduate / 'accidental discovery of Boston Univ. was through a popular college guide' - BU [2]

Hi :) the prompt is " In five or six sentences, tell us how you first became interested in BU and what steps you have taken to learn more about us." with only 750 characters. I have 802.

As I curiously flipped through the "Fiske Guide to Colleges 2008," the phrases "funky, artsy, youth-oriented urban setting" grabbed my attention. Without hesitation, I vigorously read the review, in between paragraphs asking myself, "Is it possible this school actually exists?" Instantly, I researched more about BU and Boston in general, and discovered that a friend's godfather had previously attended. His words of wisdom; bring a parka for the brutal winters, save your cookies or get a scholarship, and try to get Professor Caine for Psychology. I visited BU this past September. (?) Although my accidental discovery of Boston University was through a popular college guide, the sense of relief I feel when I realize I have found my first choice school completely outweighs that fact.

Anyway, thats it. I want to change the " I visited BU..." it sounds so boring the way I wrote it. Feel free to give any critisism! :D

Undergraduate / Common App Diversity-Moving [2]

The prompt is something along the lines of "share an experience that illustrates your diversity..."
Do you guys think I'm on the right track? Leave some feedback! :)

Here it is:

To be completely honest, I am not your typical high school senior. Sure, you could say that I, like the other six hundred and thirty-two students in my class, have work experience and extracurricular activities. You might take one look at my application, strap me on the "College Applicant" conveyor belt, and stamp "Average Student" right across my forehead. In addition to tossing me into that particular category, you could call me the pizza maker, the on-the-side pastry chef, the Chicago native, or even the crowd surfer at the last show in Houston. I have more to offer than good grades and perfect attendance, but a personality that hovers over the fine line of quirky and creative rather than "just plain crazy." However, I have not always been my present self. Who I have become today is a direct result of two significant moves across the country from my hometown of Chicago, Illinois to Boulder, Colorado, and to my current place of residence, Houston, Texas.

I have never been a stranger to the word, "relocation." From the ages of four to eight I had already moved from the sleepy town of St. Charles, Illinois to multiple high rise apartments in Downtown Chicago. Although one might assume that the city is not much of a safe haven for a child, I instantly fell in love with the chaos of the metropolitan area. Taking the "L" to school, or even holding my mother's hand while we walked along State St. to the Harold Washington Public Library were common activities at my young age. My idyllic life was interrupted when my father lost his job at the Chicago Board of Trade. Our new home was now the working class neighborhood of Jefferson Park in a tiny basement apartment. After several difficult years, my father began going to school to finish his college degree and traveling to Colorado and Wyoming on oil rig projects. To keep his job and give my family a future, my dad relocated us to the artsy town of Boulder, Colorado.

I began my new life, trying to adjust to the new faces and scenery. I figured this was the time to try new things, meet new people, and change my life for the better, with a more positive outlook. Years before, if someone told me I would love hiking and snowboarding, I probably would have rolled my eyes and sarcastically added a "Yeah, sure I would..." I began to have plans on the weekends, and became involved in all sorts of activities outside of school. I studied Spanish and worked to become fluent, as well as continuing guitar lessons to improve my skills. It seemed as if this simple relocation had completely transformed my life. After two years, as I was just getting comfortable with my new lifestyle, we were obligated to move once again.

Upon moving to Houston, my positive attitude began to fade. I lost my ambition, and had a hard time fitting in with my new classmates, while struggling to keep up in school. However, in the past year my attitude did a one-eighty. Joining clubs, working part-time, juggling school and creating and playing music have had significant influence on my character.

To say my life has changed is an understatement. Moving around Chicago was difficult enough, but across the country? However, as I look back on it today, I am thankful for all of these changes. I spent two unforgettable years in the Rocky Mountains, and currently I'm enjoying life on the Gulf Coast in Texas. My perspective on life has changed dramatically, including, but not confined to education, politics, music, and society in general. I have become a more open-minded individual, rather than the sheltered person I was in the past. I have learned to adapt to my surroundings, including picking up local slang or street smarts, as well as conversing with some incredibly eccentric and intellectual people. I have realized that intelligence is multifaceted, and learning is not confined to books and classrooms. My multiple interests, creative spirit, and aspiration to succeed have been direct results of these moves, and will greatly contribute to the diverse student body which is essential in the experience of attending a university.