Undergraduate / "a resident of Taiwan" - rice short supplement. why the school of study? [6]

why are you applying to the school that you are applying to?
As a resident of Taiwan, a beautiful, but overcrowded island country off the coast of China, I know the importance of space. With overpopulation and the pressure that comes along with it, I understand the potential and usefulness of nanotechnology. I believe nanotechnology is the future as the population increases and exhausts natural resources. It allows us to precisely create new materials with a vast range of applications such as medicine, energy production, and electronics.

Furthermore, as a badminton player, I know how nanotechnology can directly affect our lives. The best badminton rackets are built with nanotechnology to increase the precision of the manufacturing process and to reap maximum performance. Materials such as fullerene and carbon nanotubes are used in the making of a tournament-level racket. These materials allow me to control the shuttlecock with full confidence. It also allows me to swing my Yonex Nanospeed 7700 with ease and have a satisfying feedback when I hit the sweet spot of it. I have experienced the power of nanotechnology. Previously, I can only study the structure of objects; now, nanotechnology gives me the chance to manipulate atoms and particles. It allows me to further understand the composition of matter. I am very interested in the roots of things; therefore, I believe nanotechnology allows to explore the very foundation of matter. I believe that nanotechnology is the technology of the future; and I want to be a part of the future.

Undergraduate / the field of nanotechnology - why rice appeals to me? [3]

why does rice appeal to you?
Out of all of its strong programs, Rice University is especially renowned for its strong science programs, particularly its internationally-acclaimed nanotechnology program. Rice's dedication to nanotechnology can be seen in its establishment of the Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, the nation's first nanotechnology center. It is also home to CBEN and LANP, two other research centers focused on nanotechnology. With its abundant resources, I believe Rice will provide the best education possible for people pursuing nanotechnology such as myself.

While Rice's educational opportunities are excellent, its emphasis on community service also appeals to me. I was actively involved in the community during high school; and therefore, I would like to stay involve and have a positive impact on my community. I am especially interested in the English as a Second Language Tutoring Program at Rice because English is not my mother tongue and I benefited from programs similar to this when I was young. It would be a dream come true to pursue my aspirations in the field of nanotechnology while being able to continue being an active leader in my community at Rice University.

Undergraduate / the most significant challenge the world faces today, Stanford short answers [6]

what is the most significant challenge the world faces today? (300 characters)

The widening of the gap between the social classes makes people less understandable of each other and makes people more ignorant. Therefore, it would be harder to understand the hardships people face and thwart the efforts to solve these problems. The polarization of the classes will also lead to the polarization of resources.

what historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? (300 characters)

I wish I could have witness the Battle of Iwo Jima. I want to witness the Battle of Iwo Jima because it is one of the most crucial and bloody battles WWII. WWII changed the lives of numerous countries, including my home country, Taiwan, who was under Japanese rule.

Undergraduate / Columbia Engineering short answers [5]

Please tell us what you mind most appealing about Columbia and why. (600 characters)
I do not believe in consequences. Therefore, when I discovered that Erwin Chargaff, Martin Chalfie and many other pioneers in biotechnology went to Columbia, I knew Columbia was special for people pursuing a career in biomedical engineering like me. Furthermore, when I went to a Columbia event, the speaker emphasized the community service opportunities Columbia has to offer. As an immigrant and active community serving student, I believe the diverse Morningside Heights community will allow me to continue my history of serving the world one community at a time.

For applicants to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, please tell us what attracts you specifically to the study of engineering (600 characters)

As the only male member in a traditional Taiwanese household, I am responsible for fixing a variety of broken home appliances, such as the thermostat, and wobbly tables. Because of this and three years of wood shop, in which I designed and build the fastest wooden race car and a miniature house, I had developed a love for envisioning, designing, and building. The resulting satisfaction when ideas are turned into reality is unrivaled. Engineers change the world by turning people's dreams into reality; and I want to be a person who can change the world and bring smiles to people.

What did you do last summer?(300 characters)
My family and I took a 6000-mile road trip in which we drove from San Jose, Ca. to Washington, D.C. and back. During the trip, I abhorred the arduous task of driving eight or nine hours every day. However in retrospect, this trip opened my eyes to the different regional cuisines and customs.

What did you do two summers ago? (300 characters )
The gym was filled with young kids. They were shouting, and wanted to play instantly. I was very nervous and had to calm them down to teach them the basics step-by-step. After numerous repetitions of drills, I feel accomplished in seeing everyone dribbling with ease, even Tori, the youngest student.