Undergraduate / "ingredients of my life" - Rice Perspective [2]

The quality of Rice's academic life and the Residential College System are heavily influenced by the unique life experiences and cultural traditions each student brings. What perspective do you feel that you will contribute to life at Rice? (Most applicants are able to respond successfully in two to three double-spaced pages.)

Many of my childhood memories take place in the kitchen, where I diligently practiced Chinese calligraphy at the worn table as my mother simultaneously kept an eye on me and worked her culinary magic. The aroma of creations that couldn't have been anything less than heavenly permeated the whole house daily while the colorfulness of the vegetables kept me surprised with every bite. Still, I was never able to catch her using any recipes. Her practiced hand never wavered, adding a dash of salt here or a couple drops of oil there, using anything needed to suit the dish. It seemed as though with a few deft chops and stirs, another delicacy was ready for the table.

Just like my mother seasons her cooking with whatever is necessary to make it delicious, I find that a little variation in my own life can sometimes provide the perfect combination. Of course, there are the main ingredients, like my zest for learning, which drives my academic motivation; then, there are those final touches that really make the result pop, the lemon slices and sprigs of thyme or, in my case, the extra traits that wrap up my presentation. Like the slow bubble of beef stew, the ingredients of my life have spent a lifetime simmering together in a creation of my best traits:

A two heaping cups of perseverance is always a base value, one that applies to every situation. Without it, I would never have been able to reach that highest note in the violin concerto, nor complete that last push-up in Taekwondo. The same discipline shaped through years of climbing over obstacles has carried me through many nights of impossible calculus problems and maddening writer's block.

A few dollops of pride season determination, ensuring a tasty success. Whether I encounter a hefty exam or difficult recital, I celebrate the journey as well as the destination. My measure of success through the trials and tribulations of each passing year is not the material reward, but rather the knowledge that I have always given unwavering chase to the commitment of excellence in my pursuits.

My favorite ingredient is a couple curls of abstract thinking to spice up the way I look at things. From seeing cursive letters as the loops and hills of a roller coaster to breathing life into my paper menagerie of origami, I have never had trouble thinking outside the box. Having always been told that I have an active imagination that is only bolstered by vivid dreams and a tendency to doodle, I am sure that my ability to think innovatively will guide me as I carve my own paths in life.

Finally, what is life without a sprinkle of beauty? Life without music and art is like an evening without sunset; a calming warmth spreads through my body as I watch the last rays radiate through my family's west-facing windows. Some of my favorite places in the country are art museums and concert halls, not just for their beautiful architecture, but because they're also home to the most visually and harmonically pleasing works that mankind has managed to produce.

Of course, the best recipes are the ones that you make up yourself. There is never a set recipe to life; I am constantly adapting myself to new situations to form my own masterpiece, my personality. College life at Rice will be a whole step up from any previous experiences that I have had, but I'm prepared to leaf back through my recipe book, learning from the past to create a better future. Taking a moment to reflect now is merely a halfway point, a brief taste test, for there is always more to add to my masterpiece, my pièce de résistance, my life.

Undergraduate / Rice supplement - "linguistic area of cognitive science and psychology" [NEW]

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. Max. 2000 characters

Born into a family of medical scientists, I have frequently been asked if I would follow their footsteps. It didn't take many years of dinner-time conversations to realize that I spoke more eagerly about the newest books in Language Arts than the latest owl pellet dissections in Science. Through various high school experiences, two areas I have most interest in exploring are the linguistic area of cognitive science and psychology in the School of Social Sciences.

Growing up in a Chinese-speaking home, I quickly developed bilingual and bicultural aptitudes. Later opportunities to learn French and understand English etymology through a summer course showed me that I actually loved all facets of language, including how the brain perceives knowledge of language. Within the School of Social Sciences, my first stop will be the Department of Cognitive Science, focusing on the acquisition and development of linguistic universals. Research at Rice's Center for the Study of Languages will also allow me to simultaneously keep strong ties with both the humanities side of linguistics and the neurological side of cognitive science.

In a broader sense, my interest in language is not so different from the questions I ask in psychology, such as how sounds and lights shape learning. As a research assistant in a psychology and neuroscience lab, I have been studying the role of certain parts of the brain in lab rat learning and behavior. Considering that what makes humanity special is its ability to think logically and coherently, my findings, if I am given the opportunity to continue my studies as an undergraduate, may be applicable to human learning in recognition of everything from objects to languages to musical instruments.

Thus, I come to Rice University like Alice in Wonderland chasing the White Rabbit. I see the future as my date with research and interdisciplinary study opportunities galore. I'm not late after all; the journey down this rabbit hole is just beginning.

Undergraduate / A day in the life of (to create a global linguistic phenomenon) - UPenn [3]

Considering both the specific undergraduate school or program to which you are applying and the broader University of Pennsylvania community, what academic, research, and/or extracurricular paths do you see yourself exploring at Penn? (500 words)

It's early Thursday morning, and my alarm clock shrilly beeps, jerking me awake. Groaning, I force myself out of warm sheets to grab a snack and trudge down to the Linguistics Lab for my first class of the day. Even though I dislike getting up this early, the perfect opportunities that Penn provides for me and my budding interests are definitely worth it. I still can't believe that I have the chance to take a course with Professor William Labov, the frontrunner in the introduction of sociolinguistics to America. Ever since I first took a summer course on Etymologies, I've been captivated by how language, culture, and history come together to create a global linguistic phenomenon.

After class, I find myself caught up in a debate about the merits of linguistic anthropology with several of my fellow students, and it is only until my stomach grumbles in protest that I remember it's time for lunch. During lunch I bump into some friends that I work with for the West Philadelphia Tutoring Project. My experiences in high school with volunteering at a homework club showed me how enjoyable helping others can be, and I wanted to find an activity in college that would allow me to further my sense of civic responsibility. A couple hours a week is a small price to pay to spread a wealth of knowledge and opportunity among the underprivileged.

My roommate texts me to remind me of rehearsal for the Penn Symphony Orchestra tonight, so I meet up with her and we head off to the Irvine Auditorium. Although I don't intend on pursuing a degree in music, it's been a huge part of my identity for more than half of my life. So, when I discovered that Penn offers music opportunities like ensembles, classes, and lessons to nonmusic majors, I was thrilled at the chance to further my musical talents as I explore my academic self as well.

As the day winds down, I remember a time when mention of the University of Pennsylvania only invoked memories of high rise dormitories, the Button, and New Deck Tavern's fantastic burgers, things that defined my family's visits to see my brother as undergraduate here. There's a picture propped up on my desk of my brother in his commencement gown and I, a tiny beaming sixth grader, leaning against the Love Statue; I can only imagine the paths that I will take to lead me to my own graduation from a school that has prepared me for a brighter future.

457 words

Undergraduate / "Volunteering is enlightening and enjoyable" - CommonApp Short Essay [NEW]

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below or on an attached sheet (150 words or fewer).

The only thing more frustrating than trying to persuade four antsy, excited first graders to do their homework is trying to do that with taco-sauce-covered fingers and a glitter-glue-smeared face. Fortunately, my young charges are compliant with me and settle down quickly. To be honest, I wasn't always a people person (much less a young-people person), but there was something that drew me back to the tutoring club, week after week, then year after year. Maybe it was the thrilled tone in their voices upon finally figuring out a difficult question, or the wondering admiration in their eyes when I deftly performed magic tricks with a pack of cards. More likely though, it was the sense of appreciation and pride that gradually settled over me throughout my transformation from student to teacher. As someone who spent the last ten years of her own education getting used to being taught by someone else, it was a definite change for me to find myself on the other side of the spectrum. However, I find it enlightening as well as enjoyable, as being around innocent and laughing children for a couple hours a day really does wonders for one's stress level.

198 words. dangit.

Undergraduate / "Probably dreaming about his future Pulitzer" - good for CommonApp? [6]

I paced the well-worn tracks in the carpet, a frown set on my face. "Inspiration," I scowled, "late again, as always." The old-fashioned grandfather clock tick-tocked away, as if only to remind me of my time crunch.

"Probably dreaming about his future Pulitzer," Resolve snickered nonchalantly, lounging in the corner. "told you you couldn't depend on him. It's always me doing the work around here." A voice spoke up mournfully from under a pile of blindingly bright light: "Of course you do, but can you ever really do it right?" Worry, the eternal pessimist, appeared, clutching her bag of nervous butterflies tightly. Seeing my dismay, Resolve came to my rescue before I could succumb to Worry's infectiously apprehensive tone and doled out some more light from the end-of-the-tunnel. "Not to worry, we'll get this done and over with in a jiffy!" he reassured me. I knew I shouldn't have let him dip into Inspiration's collection of 18th--- century British literature, but Curiosity, little mischief-maker that she was, led him to it.

Calling in some old friends, we hopped onto the train which was waiting right outside the door. Progress, tipping his hat, waved us on cheerfully, signaling for the gears to jump into action. "Finally," he said, looking relieved, "we hoped you'd join us soon!" As we made our way through the first compartment, scenes glimmered from all around us: me waving the first book I ever read (Spot Plays Hide and Seek), the judges congratulating me on my first-place finish in a music competition, the graduation ceremony from Chinese school. Looking around at my greatest moments, I realized that this was Pride's domain. The lady herself stood in the doorway, radiating confidence. Noting my surprise, she gently reminded me, "To produce a great work, you must first start with pride." As I pondered her words, I drew Strength and Ambition from within myself, companions to Resolve and good reminders of my optimistic beginnings.

We moved on, catching glimpses of more old friends here and there. Respect swept a low bow as we passed by, Tradition peeking out from behind, tugging on his coattails. Many images of me studying late into the night blurred by, and the twins Discipline and Diligence turned around, throwing us identical sharp salutes. I saw myself at five years old, sawing away on a tiny violin. The nostalgic view quickly moved on, but it turned into a sequence of pictures featuring my growth as both a musician and an artist. Momentarily puzzled at the lack of forward motion, it suddenly hit me that we were not preparing to meet another valuable friend but were already under his guidance. "Very good," Perseverance murmured from behind me, "You have watched yourself grow, holding on through all hardships over the years. Patience is most important in the pursuit of greatness." With that, just as I finished a concerto in his display with a flourish, he gifted me with a jar of his own Patience and we were swept out into the next compartment...

...and into something I'd never seen, heard, or even felt before. It was brilliant, it was powerful, it was raw, but most of all, it was beautiful. It was like a combination of every piece of amazing music I'd ever heard and every single golden sunset I'd ever watched, all bundled together in a twist of harmony. Simultaneously expressing ringing triumph and piercing sorrow, sensations surrounded us; I could taste the crispness of the air, see the colors of the music, smell the warm sunshine. Accompanied by a subtle waft of fresh-baked cookies and warm laundry, Aestheticism herself floated towards us. "Ah," her melodious voice rang out, "the final frontier. Here, you'll find everything that makes your own life worth living and everything that you've appreciated for its beauty." Looking around, I felt the cool swirl of the essence of pure me manifest itself into a solid form. Smiling softly, Aestheticism pushed it towards me, naming it Expression and describing it as the string to tie all my ends together in my creation.

There were no more characters to meet at the end of the train, but I took a final look back as we prepared to disembark. Everything that held me together glowed as a whole, reminding me that I already had everything I needed to carve my own path. Brimming with new knowledge already yet eager to continue the journey and meet new characters, I finally caught a glimpse of the train's exterior. Her name was Discovery and I was satisfied to realize that yes, that's exactly what I had just experienced. Progress beamed down at us, bidding us good luck and leaping back aboard, though leaving behind part of his essence for my collection of souvenirs. Looking down, my bag of gifts seemed to shiver in anticipation: Strength, Ambition, Patience, and Expression shone back at me, excited by the prospect of Progress joining us in the future. As the clock struck 3 am, there was a commotion just outside the door and it was flung open with flurry of motion. "Am I late? Did I miss anything?" Inspiration panted, wild-eyed and dazed. I merely rolled my eyes and smiled.

-preparing to get flamed- i turned this in for my EA school (deferred), written at 3 am two days before the deadline and i didn't edit much at all. is it okay for commonapp or way too risky? or needs more editing?

Undergraduate / "Taking to the Sky" CommonApp - Pick your own topic [3]

Swings have always been my favorite playground apparatus, but I've never been able to pin down the exact reason why I like them. In the beginning, I thought it was the sensations of swinging: the wind blowing against my face, the soothingly constant pendulum-like swoops, the rhythmic squeaks of rusty chains and protective plastic sleeves. After I started dreaming, I began to think that maybe it was the feeling of freedom at the peak, like I was about to fly up out of my seat and into the sky. My dreams were dominated by visions and sensations of flying high above the ground, swooping and soaring, never anchored to the ground.

Only recently, when I sat on a swing for the first time in nearly two years, did I understand precisely why I had always loved swings. Accompanying the familiar rush of wind and weight of gravity was a sense of accomplishment. Years ago, I did not understand the meaning of real achievement. When I was younger, my parents always gave me boosting pushes to help me rise in the air. They stood behind me, making sure that if I fell, they'd be sure to pick me back up; I did not know what it was like to be the only one responsible for my actions and the only one to take any tumbles. However, once I grew old enough for my legs to touch the ground, I learned to give myself starting scrapes and to work hard, pumping my legs to go higher. As I grew older and began to understand the importance of independence and self-motivation, I also took the first steps to take charge of my own decisions and to push myself on my own swings.

My parents used to push me sometimes to go to taekwondo practice two or three times a week. I didn't see how it was terrifically valuable, aside from providing some physical exercise. I never told any of my friends about it, thinking that it was something to be ashamed of, something that they would make fun of me for. I was sure that if I mentioned that I studied taekwondo, I would promptly find myself amidst a teasing crowd of kids making ninja noises and pretending to pick a fight with me, something that would certainly lower my "cool" factor.

However, over the years, my initial reluctance gave way to maturity. There was something extremely cathartic about a good physical workout, but our instructor, Master Khanh, made sure that we understood the deeper benefits of studying martial arts as well. Though we were an odd bunch, a mixture of the young and the old, we all came for the same thing: fortification of both our physical and mental health. Amidst the solid thuds of targets being struck were firm words of encouragement, steeped in belief and lending in strength. As I slowly realized the importance of the life lessons I learned and cultivated during each class, I cherished the brief time I had each week to learn about respect, discipline, and honor.

In the end, it's all my own work that carries me into the sky. During my childhood, someone was always there behind me, my parents or my brother, lifting, pushing, standing behind me. When my family encouraged me to start to make my own decisions, I have to admit I was scared. I didn't want to because I was afraid of negative consequences, mistakes, and failures. Nevertheless, I discovered the key value of self-motivation to help me overcome my fears and reluctance. Eventually, I learned to push myself on my own swings, to take initiative and to appreciate what I could do for myself.

615 words - to be honest, i'm not at all a huge fan of this essay. what do you think? it's the only commonapp one i have, but i think it needs a lot of work. the only other option i have is a ridiculously crazy essay i wrote for UChicago at 3 am. people love it but i think it's way too risky, it reads like i'm on an acid trip =___= super creative i guess...?

if you'd like, could you also take a look at my Northwestern supplement? it's titled Purple in the thread :)

Undergraduate / Purple - Unique qualities, Northwestern Supplement Essay (Why NU?) [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?

Purple is the color of royalty, but it is also the color of my favorite t-shirt, Professor Dumbledore's squashy sleeping bags, and Northwestern's rampant school spirit. The first time I visited Northwestern was the summer after freshman year and even though many students were still on break, I was impressed by the amount of purple everywhere I looked. Our tour guide certainly seemed passionate about her school, and I couldn't help but be roped in by her enthusiastic explanations of The Rock, Dillo Day, and everything Northwestern.

During senior year, I remembered the cheerful atmosphere of Northwestern and took a closer look at what the school offered, knowing that there must be something that kept students happy. As someone who appreciates the gentle nudging of guidelines without the severity of a core curriculum, I appreciate the broad requirements for fundamental courses; to me, college is not about the pursuit of the best-paying job but about the pursuit of knowledge. A variety of courses from all six of Northwestern's schools combined with the use of the quarter system, giving me more chances to take classes, would allow me to explore the horizons of academia. Seeing as my favorite subjects from high school range from Environmental Science to Psychology to Economics, I intend to make full use of the opportunities to help me narrow down my interests , and to define a major.

Although I do not intend on pursuing a degree in music, it has been a huge part of my identity for more than half of my life. When I visited Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music last fall with a Peabody violin ensemble, I was extremely pleased to hear of the multitudes of music opportunities available for non-majors. I eagerly look forward to the music courses, lessons, and ensembles that would help me further my musical talents as I explore my academic self as well.

And finally, of course, there is Chicago itself. A mere half hour away, Evanston provides the perfect atmosphere of a small town close enough to a large city to stave off boredom. Who could deny themselves the luxury of having Chicago as their playground, and their muse during their years of intellectual exploration? If attending Northwestern University means closer access to the famed Art lnstitute and Field Museum and some of the best deep dish pizza in the country (Giordano's, I hear), then I'm willing to brave a few frost-nipped noses and itchy wool scarves just for that chance.

412 words so far! What do you think? It's literally my first first draft, super rough. I'm considering adding something about the weather, the size of the school?