Undergraduate / "my first time at the flea market" - Cornell College of Arts & Sciences : Economics [4]

Cornell College of Arts and Sciences:
Describe your intellectual interests, their evolution, and what makes them exciting to you. Tell us how you will utilize the academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences to further explore your interests, intended major, or field of study.

I faintly remember my first time at the flea market. However, instead of a shopping spree, my father and I were vendors on a business trip. I was about six years old when I saw the wads of money he was holding. In reality, it was not that much, but at six it appeared to be millions. At age eleven, my father gave me my own stand. I had bracelets, lighters, lasers, and all sorts of goodies. I sat there admiring all these cool things, but I wasn't prepared for the bombardment of people that would storm my little stand. At first, it was too much for me too handle. I had to take the money from the little girl, make change for the lady, bargain with the teenager, and still make sure that the little boy did not take anything without paying. Each time was easier than the previous. I began to master the art of business. There were so many factors to consider in order to succeed: prices, appearance, weather, expenses, season, etc. I was fascinated by the preparation required to keep a successful business. I was also intrigued by how advertising affected sales so strongly. However, what was most interesting was the approach I had to take with each specific customer. Whether it would be pushiness, humor, or flattery, each customer's personality required a special way to persuade. I was hooked into the world of business.

At Cornell's College of Arts & Science, I will major in Economics, the most popular major in the Arts College. Economics at Cornell is especially appealing because of the wide range of courses it has. I'll get to take classes like Game Theory, Economy of China, and Behavioral Economics. I am excited and hope to have a chance to learn everything I can from the 30 members of the Department of Economics. Experiences with the flea market began my fascination of business, and Cornell will undoubtedly carry on this interest into the real business world.

Undergraduate / "Not taking anything that didn't belong to me" - Lehigh Supplement (Challenge) [NEW]

(150-250 words)
People face challenges every day. Some make decisions that force them beyond their comfort levels. Maybe you have a political, social or cultural viewpoint that is not shared by the rest of your school, family or community. Did you find the courage to create a better opportunity for yourself or others? Were you able to find the voice to stand up for something you passionately supported? How did you persevere when the odds were against you?

My father once told me an old Chinese proverb: "Laws control the lesser man, but right conduct controls the greater one." The idea floated around in my head for days, but the meaning was still unclear.

During my sophomore year, I was on my first varsity team. I was nervous, but very excited. However, the biggest conflict was not actually the games we played, but the things that went on in the locker room. During away games, seniors took clothes, electronics, and anything else left unlocked. They told me it was impossible to get caught and it seemed true. No one had even been accused of stealing. At some points I was tempted. I saw the cool things teammates walked out with. Although the seniors tried persuading me, I decided I was not going to take anything that didn't belong to me because it was just not right. Those seniors did not end up getting in trouble, but I did not regret my decision.

For my whole life, I have been a strong person. My actions are not based on what my peers do. I do what I believe is right and no one can affect an opinion that I truly believe in. I thought about what my father said way back when. Finally, I figured it out. A weak man will do immoral and selfish things when there is nothing to stop him. A strong man will have self-control because he knows the difference between right and wrong.

Undergraduate / "First an accountant, now an engineer" - Cornell Engineering Supplement [2]

College of Engineering:
Engineers turn ideas (technical, scientific, mathematical) into reality. Tell us about an engineering idea you have or your interest in engineering. Explain how Cornell Engineering can help you further explore this idea or interest.

At first when I thought about my future I pictured myself as an accountant. I would have my little office and work with numbers day in and day out, and be able to live a comfortable life. Then I thought to myself how much I would enjoy that vocation. Do I really want to sort of waste my intelligence and potential towards a boring everyday routine? I thought to myself, "I'm better than this. I can be something more." I began to look into different fields for my future profession. I want a career that will let me think creatively and outside the box. I put the list of career paths in front of me. I looked up and down the list again and again. Then I saw engineering. I wondered if I could find a cure for cancer or maybe be the next Bill Gates. The ideas flowed through my head. Engineering allows me to take any potential idea and turn it into reality.

As I thought more about engineering, I realized that I grew up with a father who basically raised me to be an engineer. Never in my life have I seen him call a professional to fix anything. When the car broke down, he fixed it. When the computer broke, he fixed it. When he was tired of the carpet in our house, he replaced it with new floor-boarding. I was always by his side every step of the way. At nine, it was not always fun watching him, but as I got older he began teaching me about what, why, and how he was solving these problems. I admired his thought process. It was amazing how he could figure out what was wrong and how to solve such a wide variety of issues. I actually enjoyed using my own knowledge and what my dad taught me to figure out how to fix different situations.

Cornell Engineering, especially, gives me the best opportunities I could have to create something special that could potentially change the world. I realize that Cornell Engineering is reputed as one of the top engineering programs in the USA. Without a doubt, I trust that Cornell Engineering has great facilities and teachers who love to teach. If I am admitted to Cornell's College of Engineering I would take full advantage of the doors it would open.

Looking back, I was raised around engineering by my father. With this experience I know that engineering is not only a career, but also a life skill that will help me solve everyday problems. Most importantly, it is a tool that can help people around the whole world. If I work hard enough to make one discovery, even just one, it could save millions of lives. That motivation alone is strong enough to drive me to accomplish something special. Cornell Engineering will give me great opportunities to accomplish these goals.

Undergraduate / "People judge you based on what they want you to be" - experience Common App [3]

The Topic
Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

My grandma used to tell me, "People judge you based on what they want you to be. But it does not change who you are and who you can be." When I entered high school people that did not really know me doubted my abilities, both academically and athletically. However, I always knew who I was and how hard I would work each day.

During my sophomore year of football I was placed on Junior Varsity. My head coach never gave me shot, telling me I was too small. Throughout my life I was always the smallest player on the field, so I had to play especially hard to have success. My sophomore year did not present any opportunities, so all I could do was continue to work hard and be ready when the time came. There was another setback during my junior year. My mom had lost her job and I was unable to play that year. Senior year began the same as sophomore year, and quite frankly, it was frustrating. The coaches dismissed me for my size, but I kept telling myself this time would be different. During a preseason tournament at Rutgers, the starter in front of me struggled to cover a wide receiver during a crucial game. I was called in to replace him. I knew this was the moment and it might be my only chance to prove I could play. I went on to have several interceptions and many big plays. We won that game and finished in the top 16 out of 84 teams, which was a big accomplishment. I still fought hard to keep my starting position and ended up earning 1st Team All-League and All-County Honorable Mention. The Rutherford Bulldogs finished 10-1 with an undefeated regular season, but lost in the State Semi-Finals. It was Rutherford's first league title in several years.

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