Undergraduate / Humane Environment; Northwestern U TRANSFER/ UNIQUE QUALITIES [2]

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

A revised version
Again， thanks a lot: )

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

SPOT LIGHT 1: scientific spirit +humane accomplishment

--the harmony state I aspire to attain

Compared with other famous universities in the US, Northwestern University puts more emphasizes on the integrity of the modern elites. In China, many universities pay less attention to social subjects like history and psychology for Science major students. What they care most is about publishing papers on <<Nature>> and training job-hunters.

But I believe that a college student should learn to become a person with responsibility and good sense before craving for success. Thus the "balanced" education provided by Northwestern University becomes vital in shaping one's mind and thinking pattern.

From high school, I began to feel extremely hungry for knowledge in social science. From Jacques Derrida's decomposition to the capital market dynamics, I indulged in the world parallel to the grandiose structure of natural science. Even towards the days of National College Entrance Exam, I still spent hours on my favorite topics which have no relation to test scores. After class, when others were still striving in maths problems, I used to sit under the flourishing baian tree alongside the road to experience the pleasure of critical thinking myself.　But I found myself gradually losing this kind of impulse submerging in the atmosphere of studying for GPA in the university.

Thus, Northwestern University's extensive courses and the environment of humane flavor exactly support my indulgence in unrestrained thinking which will take the advantage to soar over the chasm among different subjects.

SPOT LIGHT2: Kellogg School of Management

---the place I want to chase the dream of my life.

Under my father's influence, an international manager with a finance degree, I have developed a strong interest in this area. When I was young, my father inspired me to think about the economic phenomena happening around. Those daily events which I used to take for granted shocked me by its "invisible" but orderly operation mechanics. After reading classical works in economics, I was began to construct my own theory to explain the world history and politics. But what attracts me most is the chaotic behaviors in the adventurous financial world. Regardless of the chances of making money in Wall Street, I'm determined to find out the truth of currency exchange trading.

Also, I felt great responsibility to devote to constructing the financial order of my country. Growing up in the time of peace, most of the young generations haven't realized the potential disaster behind the prosperous lives.

It is widely believed that "God's hand is clearly visible in the order of mathematics." In order to explore the financial laws in Kellogg School of Management, I'd like to major in mathematics in Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences first.

SPOT LIGHT3: Dance Marathon

--the activity I'd like to join in most

Besides the atmosphere of study, I was greatly fascinated by the exhilarating campus life in Northwestern University, especially dancing. I'm a diehard enthusiast of rock band and hip-hop dancing and most of my leisure time in junior high was spent in a noisy band room imitating "popping" moves from my peers. Thus Dance Marathon struck me as a crazy idea which I can't wait to try out right now. Also, I have a strong passion for public services and charity causes. From an early stage, I have become an active volunteer in the community. My friends and I used to sell festival decorations on Christmas Eve to raise money for the orphan nearby. And I was one of the sponsors to collect donations for the Tsunami in the south Pacific in high school. Therefore I hope to make my own contribution to coordinate the　donation festival which could be designed more attracting.

Undergraduate / Opinion to defend, in conflict with the majority - admission essay [4]

"thanks" cannot express my gratitude thoroughly...

Tell us about an opinion that you have had to defend or an incident in your life which placed you in conflict with the beliefs of a majority of people and explain how this affected your value system.

I have been considered "successful" all through my academic life for my excellent performance in scholastic tests and extracurricular activities. And now, I'm expected to continue to excel in Tsinghua University and to study abroad after graduation.

But one day, I suddenly realized that I had strived to become "perfect" only in others' eyes. Intoxicated in countless praise, I had been following the social expectation for all my life. Deeply, I began to ask myself whether to continue to follow the "well-designed" road or not.

After thorough analysis, the idea to transfer to MIT popped out. Not wanting simply to simulate others, I began to rebel the "expected pattern" of my life...

"Are you crazy?" most of my friends responded instantaneously when I told them that I'm applying for transfer to MIT. They warned me that I was risking my education in Tsinghua University for there was a danger that I might fail on both sides with the heavy burden of tests.

"Don't be so impatient, young man. You may enjoy a better chance to be admitted by MIT after the best fundamental education in the world here." I got almost the same answer from respected professors.

In my country, most people believe that students should study abroad only after college. But my aim is to become a global talent and I need to widen my view to build up my value system critical and open. Moreover, I found MIT's courses more flexible, which may release my pent up interest under the constant guidance here in China.

The reasons above were not clichés which were commonly heard around. I arrived at my conclusion only after discussing with people who really know something about the difference between Chinese and American college education.

To seek support for my idea, I first went to ask my uncle Jesse, who graduated from MIT after college in China. He had deep personal understanding about my transfer decision and warned me that most Chinese may form their relatively narrow criteria during college and consequently will have greater difficulties to adapt to the global trend.

Also through the talk with many of my senior alumni doing research in US, I learnt that they often found themselves fall behind foreign students who had grown up in an education system which encourages critical thinking and multiplicity. As my Native American professor described, counselors here still carefully fed the knowledge to the "babies in the cradles", which greatly hampers the full development of independent personality

Instead, I discovered that my opponents' remark should be reexamined carefully. Intimidated by the seemingly insurmountable transfer process, most freshmen concluded that chances may be better after graduation as told. And the professors were just talking about the usual "safe" road, which most pioneers traveled by. Out of instinct, they were simply used to the present modes and were reluctant to examine it carefully.

Because of this conflict, I have become more critical in judging different opinions. I have learned to analyze information objectively and to accept opinions and viewpoints contrary to my own. Before, I was too afraid to stand out to defend for myself against the "authority" and only carefully followed the "well-designed" academic road. Intoxicated in countless praise, I had strived to become "perfect" for all my life only in others' eyes. Not wanting simply to continue to simulate others, I began to think out the "expected pattern" by myself.

Furthermore, unlike Mathematics, reality refuses certain formulae to succeed. There exits no absolute right answer and life is not all about success, but the taste of various kinds of chocolate. Defeat won't destroy me but the withdrawal out of fear will make me regret.

Undergraduate / Statement of purpose (objective, reasons, goals) for MIT [2]

Thanks a lot :)

Statement of purpose

Please make a statement about your educational objectives, listing your reasons for pursuing undergraduate work in your field of choice and explaining your long-term goals. Include specific interests and show, as far as you can, how MIT's programs support these interests. Feel free to elaborate on your academic work and work experience to date.

I would like to double major in applied mathematics and psychology. Although this choice might seem unusual, I think it will enable me to practice financial models with insight on human thinking. In addition to pursuing academic excellence, I also intend to participate in research and internship related to these fields. After college, I plan to work for a few years in a finance-related field in the United States and then to go to Sloan business school for further development.

Generally, this educational goal combines my genuine passion for mathematics and my curiosity in finance.
1 Sincerely I have the constant awareness of the beauty of mathematics. From an early stage, I have always found it an exciting exploration when tracing the history of mathematics and considered the process of cracking problems as a recreation for detective. The objective existence of the absolute beauty appears almost a religion to me. To trace what I thought, I wrote two papers on "the algorithm of solving mathematics problem" and "the beauty of mathematics" which are still displayed on the high school website.

2 Under my father's influence, an international manager with a finance degree, I have developed a strong interest in this area. I once read Doctor David Friedman's <<The Economics of Everyday Life>>, in which, he adopts popular and easy-understood cases and flexibly combines obscure economic principles with people's daily lives. Through reading the book, I had a good mastery of principles of economics, which were boring to others. In the same year, I read Price Theory, a representative work of him. Through studying this book, I fell in love with knowledge regarding currency and finance. Unlike the eternal mathematics, financial analysis concerns more about the reasonable choices of common people. The chaotic behaviors act like a black hole attracting my attention at the speed of light.

My long-term dream is to help the government create a more stable financial order. Under the trend of globalization, Chinese fledging financial market has become much more open, which brings great danger to be attacked. Growing up in the time of peace, most of the young generations haven't realized the great potential danger. I, with great responsibility, decided to devote to keeping the country, developing in stride, on the right track to avoid the financial catastrophe. Under the stable economy, China can invest more funds in the flexibility of traditional education which I reason is vital to help the majority court their happiness.

My special interest lies in the boundless imagination in mathematics and I prefer to make things as logic as graphic. After studying for a period of time, I'd like to make a map to find out the inner links and thought between the concepts. Whenever free on road or quietly eating meals, I take pleasure in tracing the routes from different angles to help me cover the materials learned. Also, I discover that dream does help to release the pent up creative imagination. In the dimly understood world(which may involves more dimensions), I not only sometimes worked out "insurmountable" homework problems but also formed transient outlandish progress in mathematics (which more often were quickly forgotten though I keep a notebook beside the pillow).

Thus, the extensive courses and the environment of creativity exactly support my indulgement in unrestrained thinking. I will take the advantage to make ground-breaking discoveries.

Moreover, I was greatly fascinated by the oath to "make a difference in the world, solving real-world problems for the betterment of mankind". The promising cause for financial stability stirs my imagination and I can't wait to be part of something big.

Undergraduate / What issue of local, national, or international significance concerns you? [2]

I often find my words awkward...
Thanks so much :)

voluntary project to help the young children

What concerns me most is the voluntary project to help the young children. I once volunteered in a poor mountain village primary school for a month and in the community children soccer team for two years.

The childhood，in one's life, is memorable but fragile. There are still countless children who live under the shadow of poverty, diffidence and dishonest. It is not that we volunteers will bring radical changes to their lives but our own help will give them hope to continue to believe in the unselfish love in this world.

Young children's naive ness and curiosity constantly remind me of the origin of life. With them, I have nothing to hide and purely enjoy every minute in the world of genuineness. Consequently, my heart will hurt whenever I see them helpless in despair. As a result, I captured every chance to contribute my own effort to the program helping them, which makes my life much more meaningful to be filled with love.

Furthermore, I realize that the stability of the economics is the basis for the promotion of the programs. And I decide to devote myself in financial areas to help the government build up the financial security system. As the most developed country, US has the perfect financial system and the mature researching teams, which is the reason why I'm seeking to transfer.

Undergraduate / Why leave Tsinghua University and go to UVA? [2]

Thanks again, again, again and again:)

I have been considered "successful" all through my academic life because of my excellent performance in scholastic tests and extracurricular activities. And now, I'm expected to continue to excel in Tsinghua University and to study abroad after graduation.

But one day, I suddenly realized that I had strived to become "perfect" only to meet the social expectation. Intoxicated in other's praise, I had been simulating others for all my life. Suspicion ensued and deeply, I asked myself whether to continue to follow the "well-designed" road or not.

My aim is to influence the world to make a better society. Under the trend of globalization, I need to widen my view to build my value system critical and open. My uncle Jesse, who graduated from MIT after Chinese college, has deep personal understanding about it. He warns me that most of us may form our own criteria after college and consequently will have greater difficulties to adapt to a new culture. Though I joined the international student group ASEIC in campus, it was not enough for me. Thus US college education is vital to me to become in harmony over the great chasm.

Also, I felt myself confined by the traditional Chinese education which leaves little space for independent study. I was often told to do this after finishing that and the pressure of compulsory work often kept me in a certain academic enclosure. As my Native American professor described, counselors here still carefully fed the knowledge to the "babies in the cradles". Many of my senior alumni doing research in US told me that though they had better understanding of the knowledge, they found themselves far behind foreign students who had grown up in an education system which encourages critical thinking and multiplicity.

Moreover, I believe the new challenges in a totally different place would excite my nerve and contribute to my growth of personality. My similar experience may help me adapt to the new environment quickly.

Uva's definition for liberal art stirs my imagination and I'm really tempted by the independence provided after thirteen years' living under the constant guidance. My pent up creative energy can't wait any more to find an outlet in the world of diversity and change.

Above are the main reasons that lead me to leave Tsinghua University and to pursue my dream in Uva.

Undergraduate / FINANCIAL EXPERT; Educational or career goals & their relation [2]

My genuine passion is for philosophy, especially natural philosophy (mathematics and physics), and nothing can appeal to me more than exploring the world with original curiosity.

I intend to become a financial expert and my long-term dream is to help the government create a stable financial order. The plan I envision would keep my countryïźŒdeveloping in stride, on the right track to avoid repeating the financial tragedy in 1998. With a stable economy, my country can invest more funds in the equity and flexibility of the education cause which I believe is vital to help the majority court their happiness.

To achieve this goal, I would like to major in applied mathematics while taking finance and psychology courses. Although this choice might seem unusual, I think it will enable me to practice financial models with insight on human thinking. Therefore, I find Uva particularly exciting and perfect for me. It not only provides me the solid foundation of mathematics but allows me to extend my interest in the other two fields. In addition to pursuing academic excellence, I also intend to participate in research and internship related to these areas. I will have advantage in multiplicity in the finance world by virtue of Uva.

Undergraduate / (the alien environment) PS for international transfer student [NEW]

Thanks again and again:)

I am no stranger to transfer.

Before I was twelve, my family moved our home five times inside the province for jobs' reasons. As a result, I was forced to transfer from one school to another constantly. At a very young age, I always considered myself as a newcomer who always tried to adapt to the new world of wonders.

The same story took place when I was in junior two that my family rushed nearly 30 degree latitude from the "north most" province to the "south most" in mainland China. The experience was not exhilarating at all for I authentically embraced the "cultural shock".

My first challenge was to understand Cantonese, the local language which made me a foreigner even in school. In class, some of my teachers were just too old to change their ways to teach in Cantonese which completely put me out. And after class when others were happily talking about Cantonese popular stars, I remained still and silent for I couldn't understand a word. Sitting back in the dark corner, I didn't know how to communicate with my new peers. Worse still, they thought I was as dull as an exam-machine and no one initiatively invited me to join their picnic or hiking trips.

In the first miserable month, I felt like a northern fir transplanted to the tropical areas. All the things I had previously taken proud in suddenly disappeared, and, I had to start all over again.

To tackle the language barrier, I actively asked for help from my kind-hearted desk mate who patiently endured my "crude" Cantonese. Shortly afterwards, I could even debate with my peers whether Manchester United was the best soccer team in the world. More importantly, I learnt to break my initial shyness and tried to behave as outgoing. It was an extremely hard time and I could still remember my first shot. On Teachers' Day celebration, every class was required to give a performance but few of my peers were interested in the drama designed by our monitor. I, however, decided to take every chance to challenge myself. In a hurry, we prepared for only two days and our "romantic tragedy" finally turned out to be a "farce". Lack of preparation, we had no music, no props and no heroine. I had to recite my lines alone on the stage like a clown. Despite the sensational effect, my classmates gradually began to accept me for my genuineness and passion. With them, I progressed to live more like a normal teenager boy in Canton and, later, was elected the vice president of the study body. It provided me with great experience to organize activities such as soccer league and English Evening. My pent up creativity and leadership broke out and I began to enjoy my "over-continent" transfer.

By adjusting to the alien environment, I learned, gained, and became more mature. With all the former experience equipped, I am ready to accept every potential challenge in your university.

Undergraduate / GLOBAL WARMING; What issue of international importance concerns you [2]

Hi! I need your help. Thanks a lot :)

Global Warming - More Important than Anything Else

My greatest concern is about global warming.

Facing the shocking figures, most of us showed great anxiety about the future of human race without doing anything about it. "Oh, global warming! Who do you think you are?" Most people may reflect on my concern, feeling it as far as the planet Sedna. It may be plausible to think that any individual effort may appear as trivial as a drop in the Pacific Ocean. "Something should be done but it's none of my business." But what if everybody on earth consider it like that? The Noah's Ark was sinking while we human beings are still waiting to death under the illusion that God will mend it somehow.

Worse still, people tend to overlook things which has "little" effect on their lives. In modern society, we are forced to win out the competition to make a better living. As is shown in <<The Little Prince>>, the children's bible, we gradually become too busy to care about the origin of living. We forget that all of our possessions would lose their meanings when the "Earth" dies. We forget that problems won't be solved by themselves. We forget that most people may forget as we do.

We are on the verge of extinction while most of us are still worrying about their own business. That is the biggest reason I'm concerned about it.

Inspired by the Oscar winner <<An Inconvenient Truth>>, my peers and I decided to actually do something about the global warming. And I was elected the chief executive of the project to propagate the urgency of the problem.

There are four components of the project: a film discussion inside class, a bicycle tour around Tsinghua University, a movie show in campus and a outdoor propagate.

Among them, the propagation outside the cafeteria received tremendous attention and about 30 volunteers joined us during the activities. One third of my peers were busy gathering signature on our "For A Cooler Future"banner while others were making quick Q&A with passersby. Standing beside the large propaganda pictures, I was explaining to the students the origin and the detriment of the global warming and the tips for us to do in daily lives.

Surprisingly, French president visited our university and gave a speech on global warming three days later. Though we tried our best to communicate with the organizers of the speech, they refused to offer us the chance to ask questions nor to display our achievements outside the hall, which was really a pity.

Finally, our project won the first place in the department project competition. However, the prize is not the thing we sought but the awareness among the students really ma