Undergraduate / Why Northwestern? (exemplary professors and many research investigations) [5]

What are the unique qualities of Northwestern - and of the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying - that make you want to attend the University? In what ways do you hope to take advantage of the qualities you have identified?

Northwestern University has exemplary professors and is at the forefront of many research investigations such as finding a new approach to treat hypertension using the enzyme ACE2. Northwestern is one of the best research universities in our nation and it even publishes its own research magazine, the CenterPiece. For a biology fanatic like me, Northwestern is a haven.

During my internship at Stanford University's Neurology Department, I immersed myself in a fascinating world of molecular biology. I was given the opportunity to participate in many engaging and illuminating experiments such as pre-clinical drug trials on in vivo cells and I participated in a research project regarding Spinal Muscular Atrophy. My interest in the research persuaded me to propose my own research project to the supervising professor on the effect that the increase of SMN proteins might have on the quality of life in normal individuals. The research provided an excitement for discovery.

Northwestern's Undergraduate Research Grant, URG, an undergraduate program that allows students to explore a research topic of their interest, is a superb opportunity for me to continue my scientific endeavors and to learn from outstanding faculty members. It is an opportunity where I can become a part of a scientific community eager for discovery. The chance to work alongside outstanding professors of their respective fields is an exhilarating possibility.

In addition to the research opportunities, Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences offer an outstanding curriculum for biology majors. The school not only offers a breadth of biology courses but each course the school offers is geared specifically towards one of the many biology studies such as the course 326-0 on Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.

From experiences provided by programs such as URG and the comprehensive undergraduate curriculum provided by the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, I feel that I will be prepared, if not over prepared, to enter my graduate studies and join the scientific community as a learned and aspiring scientist.

Besides being a research citadel, Northwestern has a goal that I share: to aid the poor. Clubs like Habitat for Humanity have similar goals to those of my organization, SHINES, and the opportunity for me to combine our efforts in lending a helping hand to the poor is an exciting possibility!

In addition, the school's liberal environment gives me the courage to open new doors, and the competitive student body gives me the motivation to pursue my dreams. At Northwestern, I will not only be learning from the professors but also from the talented peers around me.

Being able to attend Northwestern gives me hope of seeing myself down the road becoming a prominent figure not only in the field of science but also in society. This is why I want to attend Northwestern University.

Please criticize thanks!

Undergraduate / interest for biology - Rice, why this major. [6]

With the understanding that the choice of academic school you indicated is not binding, explain why you are applying to that particular school of study.

I always thought that there was something magical about animals and life itself. Chameleons changed colors, porcupines changed shapes, and parrots talked. How these animals accomplish such tasks fascinated my childish mind. Unlike many of my friends, I never seemed to have outgrown that childish curiosity I had for animals.

As I grew older and learned more about animals, I found that what I have learned was a gateway to even more mystery. Yes, I understood that chameleons change colors because of the pigments in their skin, but how do pigments function?

When I first took the accelerated biology course, I learned more about the process of life. It seemed as if I just uncovered the inner workings of a watch and discovered the thousands of intricate pieces. I was introduced to a whole new world, the molecular world. It was confusing to learn about a world that I had never seen, but that made biology more novel and attractive to me. Biology and I clicked.

In my Advanced Placement Biology course, I learned more about these intricate pieces and how they worked together to make life. Biology was a vast subject. What could be more fascinating then studying life itself?

My interest for biology turned into a passion, and I began to look for opportunities around me so that I could further immerse myself into this fascinating world. Fortunately, I found an internship at the Stanford Neurology Department where I participated in a research project on the neuromuscular disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Currently, I am writing a grant for my own research, which I proposed to the professor I worked for during the internship, on how over-stimulation of SMN proteins on in vivo cells can improve the quality of life.

Biology is so vast and unexplored that there are infinite opportunities to discover something new. Just the thought of making a new discovery excites me. However, in order for me to continue on my journey to future discoveries, I need to be more acquainted with biology and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the subject, and that is why I am applying to the Wiess School of Natural Sciences.

The Wiess School of Natural Sciences offers an outstanding curriculum for biology majors. Its department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology offers a breadth of courses. In addition to the breadth of the courses offered, many of the courses are also geared specifically towards one of the many biological studies such as the course BIOS 464 on Extracellular Matrix.

The school's mission to provide the students with the best possible education, and the opportunities conduct research alongside outstanding professors is the perfect combination to aid my intellectual growth and understanding of biology. I believe that the Wiess School of Natural Sciences will prepare me to enter my graduate studies and join the scientific community as a learned and aspiring scientist. This is why I am applying to the Wiess School of Natural Sciences.

I know that the last paragraph is really brief about how Weiss can help me. Any suggestions of what I can add?

Anyhow please revise thanks!

Undergraduate / Rice University is ranked for best quality of life and fifteenth for happiest students. I wonder why [10]

What motivates you to apply to Rice?

Rice University possesses many engaging research projects such as the project on creating a cancer killing nanoparticle that can be tracked by a MRI. For a biology fanatic like me, Stanford is a haven.

During my internship at Stanford University's Neurology Department, I was given the opportunity to conduct illuminating experiments, participate in a research on the neuromuscular disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and propose my own research investigation to my supervising professor. The grant marked the first time I have been involved in a scientific endeavor of this high a caliber and the excitement for discovery makes research opportunities invaluable to me. Rice's Undergraduate Scholars Program (RUSP), a one year research program, is a superb opportunity for me to continue my scientific endeavors and to learn from the faculties in the respective field.

Rice also has a goal that I share: to aid the those in need. Clubs like Partnership for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees, PAIR, have similar goals to those of my organization SHINES. The opportunity for me to add value and to combine our efforts in lending a helping hand to those in need is an exciting possibility!

At Rice University, I will not only be learning from the renowned professors but also from talented peers. I would be honored to attend Rice University as a Class of 2014 student as both an intellectual sparkplug and a social community leader.

Please criticize thanks!

Undergraduate / INSPIRE & SURE - Emory Univeristy Supplemental [7]

1. Many students decide to apply to Emory University based on our size, location, reputation, and yes, the weather. Besides these valid reasons as a possible college choice, why is Emory University a particularly good match for you?

Emory University has exemplary professors and is at the forefront of many research investigations such as finding a cure to the fragile X syndrome. Emory is one of the best research universities in our nation. Being a biology fanatic, Emory is a haven for me.

During my internship at Stanford University's Neurology Department, I immersed myself in a fascinating world of molecular biology and earned the opportunity to propose my own research investigation, to the supervising professor, on the effect that the increase of SMN proteins might have on the quality of life. The research provided an excitement for discovery. Emory's Interdisciplinary Science Program for Integrating Research into Education (INSPIRE), an undergraduate program that allows students to work with Emory faculty and graduate students on cutting edge research projects is a superb opportunity for me to continue my scientific endeavors and to learn from outstanding mentors.

In addition, Emory's community is ideal for me. Its liberal environment gives me the courage to open new doors, and its competitive student body gives me the motivation to pursue my dreams. At Emory, I will not only be learning from the professors but also from the talented peers around me!

I wish to start a fruitful friendship with Emory and become a part of its dynamic community. With Emory's intent to nurture its students with research opportunities and my desire to continue my scientific endeavors, Emory University is the perfect home for me!

Please criticize, thanks!