Writing Feedback / What was your biggest challenge adjusting to college like as a freshman? [3]

QUESTION: What was your biggest challenge adjusting to college like as a freshman? How do you feel you can help others cope with this challenge?

As a freshman at Syracuse University, by biggest challenge has been adjusting to the work load, College us about learning., growing as an individual, making friend's, etc. My counselor always told me in college I had to dedicate a minimum of 3 hours of studying for every class a week. I had to be on top of my deadlines, schedule, testing because no one would be watching over me every step of the way like in high school, where I always had teachers reminding me of assignments and exams.

I've learn this year, how to manage my time wisely, making time for both fun and work. I learned to motivate myself to do everything that had to be done. I think I could share my knowledge with other freshman, hopefully so they don't make the same mistakes I made my first semester at Syracuse.

Writing Feedback / Art Self-Evaluation piece: the process of creating your art portfolio [3]

The Art works you have selected for your profilio reveal yourinvestigation of a specific art discilple. In an essay of about 350 words, discuss the process of creating your art portfolio addressing the:

* development of a personal style
*exploration of a theme
* use of material and techniques.
This is my essay, do you think I addressed the things they asked of? It's for my art regents. My portfolio is pretty awesome, so it' all about the essay right now. If you find grammar mistakes I'd really appreciate the help, because I'm dyslexic and somethings i write things that are the complete opposite of what i wanted to write. Thanks!

In having to make a choice between my arts (to pick those that best represent my style, my skills & my improvement) I have had to take a long look at the last four years in LaGuardia & my art through the time.

Along the way I realized a few things about my personality as an artist, for one, my art is never finished, I find myself something's a year or two later going back to a painting or drawing & changing something here or there. I also found out that I enjoy the moment & that at one moment I might find it exciting to make a treasure chest but a few days later I will move on & create a portrait of my niece. So my art has many incomplete pieces.

Thing is, I don't need it to be complete, for me it's more about the process & not the finished piece (not that anything will ever be over & done with in my book). What I love about art is the chaotic part: the oil paint, the watercolor, the clay and the wood, the glue, the stains, the spills and the mistakes. When I look at my work I don't appreciate the finished piece as much as the effort I put into it, the fun I had creating it & the memories I have of it.

As time changes, so do I, and so must my art. I want my art to reflect my personality, I want the viewer to find the beauty in the object, the same beauty I found when I made it. When I paint something, or take a picture of something I don't think about the technical side, I don't really think about composition or the golden rule, or any of that. I just think, "I need to get you to see what I'm seeing," and I do my best to show just that. I think it's seen in my photography and that's why I choose it as my concentration.

My favorite art is the type I can rework, because I can go back, I can add, change, erase and tweak it. When I made my pinhole print "American Pride" I created my own Camera Obscura and the darkroom lets me burn, crop & do as I please with the picture. It's a process that eventually meets an end, I ultimately had to develop the photo, but even now I see things I'd like to go back to an improve on! When that times comes, it's an accomplishment, but I know that in a few years I'll come back and I'll say "OMG! I can't believe I didn't think of this!" and go back into it, so I never consider it complete, perhaps for now it is, but I know in the future there will be more work put in.

Undergraduate / My Syracuse CA supplement "why + experience + realworld apply" [3]

1) There are many aspects of Syracuse University that influence me to apply. At the begin of 2009, I began the process of viewing, researching and select colleges that I felt would be a good fit for me academically, financially and such. It was a very confusing thing, to pick colleges or universities that I would feel comfortable and happy with. My best friend, Carol, was going through similar problems and when she came across Syracuse University in her search, she immediately told me about it. Having conducted detailed research on the school, she believed it was perfect for me. The atmosphere, the location, the curriculum, and the school's many programs and opportunities all seem to fit my personalities and goals.

Having been raised in both New York City and the Dominican Republic, I've had the chance to experience many cultures, governments and ideas. I'm at ease surrounded by the energy and diversity that is felt throughout New York City. Having spoken to a current student and searching on the school's website, I know that in Syracuse I'll feel at home in it welcoming atmosphere.

Syracuse also offers many programs and courses that interest me. After speaking to a representative from Syracuse I learned that the L.C Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science had many opportunities. It's research curriculum span over many disciples, especially in biomedical engineering. It's home to some of the nations most acknowledged centers, and I hope that I can take part in this. Because of the diversity in programs, I can major in biomedical engineering, but minor in another subject of interest such as the fine arts or art history. L.C Smith College will the help me obtain the best preparation for a career in biomedical engineering.

Another feature that influenced me to apply to Syracuse is its vision. I'd love to apply what I've learned in school to my community. Learning through experience can sometimes be a more enriching experience then simply learning through a textbook. Syracuse allows it's students to grow as individuals with a great background, so that I'm confident I can go on to further my education or go into my career after college.

After hearing so many encouraging things about Syracuse University, I am certain that it will be a great fit for me and that I'll experience many great things whiled enrolled there.

3) The words scholarship and action are powerful words because they imply that only in action, only in an intense desire, can we grow as individuals. When we enter Syracuse University, we must crave a discovery of new knowledge, our scholarship. When we leave Syracuse University, we must integrate that knowledge in order to have a new understanding for how we can change our world, our action."

Syracuse University is a place for a person to flourish, to learn, to experience new things, I think this is what the Scholarship in Action is about. Syracuse's curriculum is an innovative way of teaching, allowing you to apply everything you learn to the real world. So that one can learn from experience and in school, and broad their knowledge.

As a student at Syracuse, I plan to continue pursuing my interest in science. Some programs that I'm interested in (and will likely pursue whiled attending Syracuse University) include Habitat for Humanity or International Student Volunteer, Inc, and other programs such as volunteering at the Carnegie Science Center. There are many possible ways that I might pursue my interest in the real world, hopefully in a way that will help the community.

I also hope to study aboard during my education in Syracuse University. Hopefully I'll be able to take part in some volunteer work during my visits aboard. International Student Volunteer is both a volunteer program and adventure program. After two or so week volunteering you then send one or two weeks exploring the country and such. So I really hope to be able to do this when attendin

Undergraduate / Ithaca Answer FOR WHY I'VE CHOSEN BIOLOGY MAJOR [NEW]

Here is the question:
Please note briefly the reason(s) you selected the academic program to which you seek admission. How did you become interested? Please upload an additional sheet if necessaryAQ.

I chose to major in biology for many reasons, among them is my love for science and the flexibility the major offers me.

My need to understand things was an important motivator during my childhood. I wanted to know fully why everything was as it was. These questions would pop into my head at night when I couldn't sleep. I'd imagine the solution, the answer to my questions; they were sometimes far-fetched or insanely wrong, but this is how it began.

The fact that we haven't figured everything out, that there is so much knowledge out there, waiting to be discovered, uncovered and understood. The best definitions I've ever come across for science is that it "is the concerted human effort to understand, or to better understand, the history of the natural world and how the natural world works, with observable physical evidence as the basis of the understanding " and "science alone of all the subjects contains within itself the lesson of the danger of belief in the infallibility of the greatest teachers in the preceding generation . . .As a matter of fact, I can also define science another way: Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts. "

In my case this quote is very true. As my first inquire into science came from a science fair. My teacher at the time told me that bacteria formed yogurt and I always thought yogurt was just another form of milk. Around that time we were also getting into science fairs, so I decided to use that as my science fair subject so that I could prove my teacher wrong. I researched yogurt and everywhere I looked I saw fermentation, bad bacteria, sterilization. My teacher was right; bacteria had a lot to do with developing yogurt.

My next question was 'what defined good or bad bacteria.' This assignment led me into researching, designing, experimenting, observing and learning all I could about yogurt, bacteria, and such. Eventually I learned about cell formation, cell division, mitosis, etc. It was a real boost, after learning all that and getting an A on my project I was more confident then ever. I began to research and explore anything that fascinated me; I even conducted my own experiments on the side, which sometimes lead to some interesting discoveries and other times lead to me just having random information. When I wasn't drawing, I was either reading a book or online researching something I might have thought or heard of.

Majoring in biology allows for a certain degree of flexibility. I'm not sure of what career I might have in the future, but I do know that it will involve the sciences. A degree in biology will prepare me for the study of living organisms. It'll provide a broad background; so that I could possibly continue in one of many different careers. I could specialize in biomedical engineering, biochemistry or go on to medical school. There are so many possibilities and paths I can take by majoring in biology. So I can do something I love and know that I have many choices available.

Ithaca College will enable me to follow my goals. Everything about Ithaca, from its state-of-the-art laboratories and small classes, make it the perfect school for me. I know with Ithaca's curriculum I'll be able to learn and explore new subjects. I'd love to feel support from the professors and faulty, and Ithaca can offer me just that. When you get to know your teachers, the learning experience is always much more enjoyable and interesting.

Undergraduate / elaborate on one of your activities (150 words) What are you writing about? [6]

I was wondering what topics you guys all wrote about on your CA for the short answer question

In the space provided below, please elaborate on one of your activities (extracurricular, personal activities, or work experience)(150 words or fewer).

I don't know what to write about... or how to write about it.
Like what are we to say about the activity?

Do we just write about what we did?

Example:"When i was in track I had to run everyday for 4 hours and stuff... etc"

Do we write about how it affected us

Example: "Being in the UN club allowed me to open myself up to new people and ideas."

Why we did it?

Example: "I joined the chess club because I'm passionate for it. I love logic and the assurance that there can be a right or wrong way.."

Please and thank you!

Undergraduate / Melinda's condition led to my interest in science; Why I choose Bioengineering. [8]

"Melinda! Come on! We are going to lose! Hurry up!" We were all playing cops and robbers, it was fun, but when Melinda was on my team we always seemed to lose. I did not know at the time that Melinda suffered from a heart problem. Her heart beat slower then everyone else's heart. Melinda's condition led to my interest in science. I ruminated for weeks about the mere fact that she had a machine in her heart, and that she was alive because of that machine.

She told me about it one day when she found out her mom was being sent off to war. I found Melinda crying, she was scared for her mom and her family. I reassured her that everything would be all right, that her mom would be fine, and that she would be fine. Who knows how long we sat there, I was chattering off as always, non-sense really, anything to make her feel better. Midway through talking about the newest episode of Spy Girls, Melinda sat up, wiped her tears away and gave a quick and quiet giggle. Truthfully, I felt a great weight lift had been lifted; as I would have started to cry soon, along with her, if she had not stopped.

She told me that her mom and dad were both soldiers and she rarely ever gets to see them both at the same time. She wanted to be a soldier too, but her heart would not let her. Her mom had explained to her one day, that her heart beat very slowly and that she did not get a sufficient amount of air because of it. When Melinda was younger, they placed a mechanism in her chest. The way she explained it to me that day was that "These tiny strings send lightening into my heart so it can beat just like yours." I was in the 5th grade, and I simply could not believe what my ears were hearing. For a second I thought she had invented the whole story, but she showed me a little scar she had near her collarbone. I could not wait to get home and ask my mom about it.

When my mom told me it was true, I got slightly paranoid. If it happened to Melinda, it could happen to me and I was hell bent to find a solution to this. I went to search online, eventually I came to a page that explained it all. I read and learned all one could understand at a young age about peacemakers and artificial hearts, lungs and legs. I read about kids of all ages that had to use these machines, just do the things I did every day. Just to breathe, walk and live.

I wanted to help Melinda and all those kids. I was not very realistic at the time and I attempted to make a pacemaker. I cut out some cardboard and attached a battery to it. I thought that would do. I gave one to Melinda on Christmas and she loved it. Although it was not real and although it could not help, I found myself very proud. It is hard to explain, but what I felt that day, when Melinda hugged me, was happiness. That is the feeling one might wish to feel every day.

I found that now, as a young adult, I still want to help Melinda and others like her. Melinda's tears were catalyzing for the rest of my life, my deep passion for science and math, and my need to help others. This is why I have chosen a career in the biomedical engineering.

Thank you for reading and I'll gladly read your essays as well!

Undergraduate / Why Stony Brooks? "USB is the ideal school for me." [4]

All the information I've received and found has helped me choose Stony Brook as the idea university for me. I feel that the university will help me in pursuing my interest in mathematics and science. I aim to major in biomedical engineering, and the school's strong research centered curriculum would greatly help me gain the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue this major. USB will allow me not only to focus on my goals but also allow me to explore other subjects and interest. Its reputation as one of the best research universities in the nation, reassures me that this is the right choice for me. After speaking to previous and current students I have learned a lot about Stony Brook's courses. I know that the work can be demanding and difficult at times, but I'm eager to work hard and make the most of it. A school is what one makes of it, and I believe Stony Brook's will help me shape my college experience into something that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Not only does Stony Brook offer the major and courses that I am interested in, but it also has quite a diverse student body. The school's clubs will enable me to meet and work with all these students and teachers. The university holds many of the values I look for in a school and I hope that I can be a part of it. I also love its location. Family is an important thing for me, and attending USB will allow me to visit my family due to it's close proximity to NYC, where my family lives. The distance will also allow me to grow up and to start fresh. USB is just the ideal school for me. Its curriculum, extracurricular activities, location, price, student body, and the many possible opportunities Stony Brooks has to offer me make it the best fit for me.

What do you guys think?

Undergraduate / Polytechnic Institute of NYU: Spend a day with an inventor. who, where and why? [5]

If you could spend one day in New York City with a famous inventor, who would you like it to be, where would you go, and why?

The decision would be a tough one, as I'd love to meet many inventors and ask them thousands of questions, about their thought processes and how they felt about what they had invented,whether they regretted their creation or if they were proud of it's existence.

I'd love to spend a day with two specific inventors, Louis Daguerre and Joseph Niepce. Together, these two men invented a pinhole camera, (Camera Obscura), which was more convenient to use and made photographic images more durable. Images have always been part of our history; they represent a way of expression, which sometimes can't be expressed with words. Having taken photography classes in high-school, I've come to love photography and can appreciate its many contributions to our society. Photography has totally changed our world, for the better.

Due to advances in photography, people were able to see the devastation of war. Photographers like Mathew Brady brought the war home, they brought death and combat to our doorsteps. I think that when people saw this, something just clicked in their heads, and it stopped being something foreign and strange and became something personal, something serious. It's also served to show us world issues, like world hunger, poverty and disasters. It allows us to see things we might have never seen, it opens the world to us, so that nothing is out of our reach.

Not only am I amazed at the effects photography has had on society, I'm also amazed by the creating process. Niepce started with photo etching and with creativity and skill slowly developed that into the Camera Obscura. From there, he and Daguerre developed the physautotype and began to improve the time constraints and the developing process. After Niepces death, Louis Duguerre invented the Daguerreotype. He invented this by studying the science and mathematics behind image recording.Two years after Niepce's death, Daguerre had an accident that ended up being the solution to making images in less time. Instead of spending eight hours exposing with the camera, a person could spend 20-30 minutes exposing the photographic paper. He also modified the process and developed a way to fix the image, so that it would not disappear.

I'd go somewhere that was gritty and had used and unique objects, to see how Daguerre and Niepce would photograph these things with the modern camera. Perhaps to an antique store or aged and old fashioned home. Every artist has a different point of view, but because Daguerre and Niepce are from the 1800's, the way they see the world is probably very different from my own view of it. With any luck we'd spend the day learning about each others techniques and thought processes. Daguerre and Niepce would teach me how exactly they went about creating their cameras. We'd develop our photographs and compare and contrast them. That way we could see our interpretations or notion of every odd end we photographed. In the end I would hope to have gained a new perspective on how I see the world and incorporate that into my photography and into my life.