Undergraduate / Roommate to learn from + Intellectual "Environmental Engineering" Essays [3]

These are due soon so any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I think mainly I'd need help to check with the flow and how well I answered each question. Thanks a bunch!

Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate - and us - know you better. (250 words, 1800 characters)

To Future Roommate,
I hope you don't mind a bit of noise. Yeah, you're looking at your aspiring one-man-garage-band right here. I'm in the early stages, of course, but who knows what one could accomplish with a guitar and keyboard. Oh, did I mention I'm a music fanatic? Call me a concert jockey if you will, but having San Francisco nearby is like a musical haven to me.

A few of my hobbies may seem a little, well, unique. I used to be a bit of a techno freak and I still enjoy to tecktonik. You probably don't know what that is, but it's a French electronic dance movement; quite the crave over there. Also, I'll admit it; I'm your pitch-crippled shower singer, so tune me out in the mornings.

Don't take things too seriously around me. I'm laidback and always optimistic, but I know how to throw in some good laughs. Most importantly, I'm not afraid to laugh at myself.

Here it comes, brace yourself. I'm proudly Lebanese so be prepared to learn some Arabic and experience some Mediterranean flavors. That is if I can ever learn to cook properly. My mother is an incredible cook though, and I'll promise to bring some of her homemade falafel, koosa, and shawarma back from San Diego.

The opportunity of having a roommate is a meaningful experience in itself, and I hope to learn from your culture and knowledge just as I shall share mine.

Stanford students are widely known to possess a sense of intellectual vitality. Tell us about an idea or an experience you have had that you find intellectually engaging. (250 words, 1800 characters)

I adjusted the projector, attempting to pick up a few recognizable words of Spanish peripherally. I was assisting the BioShaft representatives in presenting the wastewater technology to the executive of the Mazatlan International Center. The green technology offered the center the opportunity to treat its wastewater to the point where there is no sludge, no smell, and the gold mine to the executive, a useable effluent water. The potential to use the treated water as irrigation became an effort to save money from expensive, pumped-in city water. The problem: the convention center only had enough waste to run the system during events with sporadic amounts of people. The solution: why not extract wastewater from the city line and use the treated water to irrigate the entire property.

I am inspired by the power of such green technologies to seemingly reverse the trend of modern degradation patterns. Instead of augmenting environmental problems, they empower the concept of creating sustainability, a crucial aspect to repairing and preventing further damage to the world. Such technology additionally provides environmental and humanitarian solutions, ultimately satisfying economical endeavors.

My internship experience also exposed the power of nature's self-provided solutions, for the BioShaft treatment system itself mimics a river's natural process. Nature and its cycles are driven by an eclectic mix of interactions, creating a harmonious sustainability. Human activities have disturbed these cycles, but by studying natural processes, mankind may one day discover nature's resolutions to alternative energy and global, environmental problems.

Undergraduate / MIT Help: "Self-motivation"; "Being Lebanese"; "Overcoming an Injury" [2]

Hey, I really need to touch up on all of these and make sure they flow nicely. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

What attribute of your personality are you most proud of, and how has it impacted your life so far? This could be your creativity, effective leadership, sense of humor, integrity, or anything else you'd like to tell us about. (*) (200-250 words)

As a young child, I purchased books with my allowance and assembled Legos without instructions. Growing up, I have not changed much, simply replacing my books with musical instruments and Legos with internships. I have always been propelled by my self-motivation with a sense of independence. Decisions I make and paths I pursue are centered on my interests and aspirations.

My academic self-drive started with the GATE program in Elementary school. I would then take part in a new Academy program in which 4th and 5th graders would spend an extra hour a day and two weeks over the summer. Subsequently, I would continue on as the first generation to complete a 6th-8th grade Academy featuring a month of extra summer classes. In high school, I continued my diligence by taking multiple AP, extra Arabic and after school classes while also partaking in three sports.

My love for music would take hold my sophomore year. That passion fueled by my motivation would bring me to the six strings of my Father's old classic guitar. I was determined and continued to teach myself how to play the guitar and a year later, the keyboard. Currently I have augmented that fervor into learning song production.

From my Bioshaft and upcoming Northrop Grumman internship to my desire to become an environmental engineer, I have the power to achieve. All it takes is to continue my means of self-motivation.

Describe the world you come from; for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town. How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations?(*) (200-250 words)

War had broken out in Lebanon. In the midst of the uncontrolled violence, my entire family was trapped in the capital of Beirut, but would be able to escape by taxi through Syria. Within me, the fear began to be overtaken by a disgusted hate towards my nationality.

All the while I felt more disconnected with my culture, wanting to become less Lebanese. I suppressed speaking Arabic and took "whitewashed" as a compliment.

Those feelings would only waver three years later, when I was taken to a Lebanese festival. Feeling like an outcast within my own self, I struggled with a language I had once been fluent in and could not connect with my people. No longer wanting that feeling, I flipped on my cultural switch, and followed my instincts: I grabbed the hands of the people in the Dabke line, nearly tripping over them with my amateurish steps; I savored the taste of familiar foods; and I became persistent with my Arabic.

Since the 2006 war, Lebanon has rebuilt its elegant downtown area and cities. My people have continuously defended themselves and their watan, or country. Their resilience is my aspiration. When I call myself Lebanese, a meaningful viscosity flows with my pride. My people inspire me to be proud of who I am and to carry on the resiliency of my heritage. I want to prove to others that being Middle-Eastern is not what is depicted by the media, but rather a modern story of a prejudiced people.

Tell us about the most significant challenge you've faced or something important that didn't go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?(*) (200-250 words)

I lined up, awaiting the Quarterback's cue. Two "huts" would rush me into a sprint; a cut; a leap; a catch. Then in mid-air, I was jerked backwards, twisting awkwardly and landing with all my weight on my left knee. I curled into a ball, pain racing up my leg.

Twice I would return to practice after that varsity passing league game, naively heeding the phrase, "Shake it off." A simple agility drill in August provoked the "pop" that would end my high school Football and Track career. After receiving the MRI results that confirmed a torn ACL, I began preparing for surgery. Thirty minute stationary bike exercises became a weekly routine.

Without three hour practices, I had time to pursue my hobbies and other extracurricular activities. Being a music fanatic, I spent more time teaching myself guitar and keyboard. Eventually I started learning song production. Yet, the most significant outcome became my increased involvement as a BioShaft intern. I visited the office in Anaheim more frequently, assisting with the financials and inputting data on Quickbooks. Additionally, I sat in on meetings with clients and prospective company mergers, observing and learning the environmental technology and the treatment process. On one occasion I was even able to help present the BioShaft system to the Mazatlan International Center.

I regarded my injury as blessing me with more leisure. It gave me an opportunity to pursue my interests, and ultimately to experience an internship that would inspire me to become an environmental engineer.

Undergraduate / "future energy solutions, diversy, abroad programs" - Why Stanford? [3]

Tell us what makes Stanford a good place for you. (250 words, 1800 characters)

Whether I would take the Caltrain to the heart of San Francisco or enjoy a day in the stunning college town, Stanford offers the premier educational and social collegiate lifestyle. Even more prominently, Stanford possesses one of the top environmental engineering departments in the country.

Even though I cannot declare a major until sophomore year, I am inspired to pursue environmental engineering by my experience as an intern at BioShaft. I would be intrigued to partake in the Atmosphere/Energy program and have the opportunity to study future energy solutions, such as algal fuel.

Stanford's study abroad and research programs are exceptional and complementary to environmental engineering. Traveling the world would not only be an exhilarating experience in itself, but it presents the chance to study different ecosystems and the variety of organisms on Earth. Additionally, the grant based and work study research programs are excellent for environmental and humanitarian endeavors. It offers a path to serve third world countries and also a medium to test and discover new environmental engineering ideas through studying and imitating natural processes.

The student diversity is a welcomed, home-warming attraction at Stanford. Being Lebanese and living in a diverse community has taught me the value of culture and the potential eclectic ethnicities possess. Subsequently, the ridiculously small student-faculty ratio blends and emphasizes the richness and value of diversity.

As a place to culture my environmental engineering interests and my aspiration to become a benefactor to others, Stanford offers the "home" of opportunities I yearn for.