Undergraduate / Singing + perfect concert - SHORT ANSWERS FOR USC: MUSIC [4]

Tell us about an activity that is important to you, and why. Please feel free to talk about an activity other than one you may have discussed in your essay.

Singing was once just a hobby, occasionally done in the shower, but it has helped me to find an activity that I truly enjoy. Over the last four years of high school, singing has been the best way in which I have expressed myself. It has also helped me to become confident in the person I am today. The activity that singing led me too was joining the Advanced Chamber Choir at my school. Choir brought out aspects of my character that helped to define me as a person. Also, as a section leader I learned to become a leader and a role model to my peers. I had to be aware of my every action, as those who followed me would watch. But as in any choir, I also had to recognize that talent alone does not set you apart. Choir taught me how to work professionally with my peers. I also learned to take constructive criticism from those around me; taking their words in order to help myself improve. Most of all, singing opened up the doors to an appreciation for music; a field in which i plan to pursue.

Describe your academic interests and how you plan to pursue them at USC. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections.

Two years ago a gradual realization dawned on me, that I was different. I had a sense of hearing that was more acute than the average person's. While listening to music, I found myself able to pick apart the individual instruments in a song, while my friends could not. This acute hearing came in all aspects, and I could also hear the various defects and flaws within a song. I gradually became very pick about the quality of my audio files. Though 99% of people may not ever notice these flaws, I found myself wanting to correct them, even if it were for just that remaining 1%. As I began applying for colleges, USC caught my eye. I had known that USC has a great music program, and I always wanted to study in a reputable institution. Through the Music Industry program, I hope to expand my knowledge of music and grow as a musician. I hope to fulfill my dreams, which is to become an audio engineer. As an audio engineer I want to run a perfect concert, musical, or any show so that the audience may fall in love with what they hear. At USC, I believe I would be able to pursue my interests to the fullest, and achieve that dream.

Undergraduate / "My Family" - USC: WHAT MATTERS TO ME AND WHY [6]

the deadline is in a few days!!!

This was really rushed...and I really want to know if i am answering the prompt, and how much unnecessary things i have. I also need grammar help!

Thanks!!!

Write an essay about an event or experience that helped you learn what is imporatnt toyou and why it is important.

It was a typical Tuesday morning, I remember trying to get just a few more minutes of sleep when rustling disturbed me. I woke up annoyed as I heard a door close. I wandered around the cold empty house to see what was going on. I called my mom only getting her voice mail, which upset me because this meant that I had to rush and walk to school. Just as I was walking out my door, I received a call from my sister and I asked her what was going on. There was a moment of silence. "Hanbyul... Mom is in the emergency room." I was shocked. I immediately felt guilty for my selfish attitude. I thought about many things that morning as I walked to school. I imagined how the absence of my mom's presence would affect my life and my family.

Dinner that night was quiet. My family awkwardly began to speak, and slowly realized our importance to one another. I smiled, and thanked God that my mom was even alive, but I knew there was still a chance that that my mom might not be in the same world as me in a few years. I had to snap out of my selfishness and thought about the support I could offer to this family. I slowly stepped out of my comfort zone and pledged to support my family with simple tasks like doing the dishes. After that night, I started to think of others before myself and sought to take on more responsibilities.

My family and I hoped for the best, but it turned out that my mom had a late stage Large B-cell Lymphoma cancer. The news was heart breaking. I knew that this burden could not just go on my mom because we were family. It was my job as her son to go through the pain and hardships with her. Even though I had been babied all my life as the younger child, I knew I could not stay in the lazy lifestyle. I began to spend my personal time visiting the hospital, cooking, and doing chores around the house. It was a massive sacrifice for me and I was forced to grow up. I realized that no one stayed at home more than I did and I became aware of the responsibilities that I needed to take on. I would run home after school to make sure that there were no workloads if my family were to walk into the house while my personal tasks sat on top of my desk. As a senior, I was busy trying to get college applications done while actively helping out the family. I had to miss out on many of the "senior activities" like football games, eating out, or even just relaxing with friends.

I recognized that my priorities had changed. My passions and desires have adapted for what mattered the most. In the mean time, the selfish and childish part of me matured. I became a reliable and helpful member of the family. These small tasks helped the rest of the family relax after a stressful day and allowed for us to express problems and open up during the evenings. Each day I found our family becoming more and more dependant on each other in the face of adversity.

Almost three months have passed, and my family and I have gone through numerous ups and downs; however I feel that we have never been more unified. We spend more time together, and our lives are filled with genuine smiles. I have taken my family for granted for most of my life, but I realized how vulnerable and easily broken we are as human beings. Consequently, I learned to cherish every moment and smile that comes from the people that I love. In the midst of all this chaos, I was able to open my eyes to something that was really important: being a family.