Undergraduate / ookay okay, i was spitting some raps in my theory o knowledge class. W&M supplement [3]

They never believed anybody as introverted as I am could be capable of anything like it.
I was in front of my IB Theory of Knowledge class rapping and it was meaningful.
Their mouths hung open, and their eyes popped in a mixture of surprise and delight.
I started with sweaty hands and a foot that could not stop bouncing softly on the floor. The first words were a mix of rushed nervous tension and a stuttering tongue. I am not sure when, but at some point the connection was made between me and the class. This bond gripped us throughout the entire performance. As our souls interacted through my presentation, I swallowed my fears, and eventually my nervousness seemed to take a back seat to my growing confidence and passion I had in my presentation. I was hovering between earth and a plane of existence that captured the essence of my lyrics and soul.

I focused on the theme of perseverance and determination and had created a constant reference to empires and conquests. I projected ourselves as young Napoleons at the crossroads of our lives. I referenced the hardships we face; whether it is the extended essay, our internal assessments, our community projects, or even the stress we may feel at home and made sure they were presented elegantly. I introduce our common flaws, and encouraged the class to win over them. We all had the same feeling, as you could see from the expressions in our eyes. I finally ended it with lyrics that sum up where we are right now in our lives:

"My heart remains tranquil at a standstill
We are all kings but the question is
Will we rule kingdoms or sand castles?"

After I was done, silence boomed throughout the classroom for a strong moment, until the first clap tipped the domino set into a thunderous applause. It was more than a rap, or a presentation about the emotion brought from realizing perseverance, or a spontaneous chance to do something different. It was a unifying anthem that collected the dreams of everyone as a class, and reminded us just how possible they are. This is what we gained from the presentation and that was what united us. More often than not, we are faced with obstacles that seem immovable, but we cannot forget the rewards and goals that lie beyond them. These are what escalate and define our determination and what makes these, immovable, objects light as a feather. Determination and endurance are both virtues I live by that help define me as a person.

Undergraduate / My mom's lungs were about to get fried, Chemistry class (John Hopkins) [5]

okay so this is johns hopkins supplement

Johns Hopkins offers 50 majors across the schools of Arts and Sciences and Engineering. On this application, we ask you to identify one or two that you might like to pursue here. Why did you choose the way you did? If you are undecided, why didn't you choose? (If any past courses or academic experience influenced your decision, you may include them in your essay.)

here is my response:

Waking up groggy and dizzy on a Saturday morning, I sat up on my bed for a second to establish myself as awake and proceeded to walk to the bathroom. When I got there I found my mom in the bathroom cleaning the toilet. I was about to head downstairs, when my eyes opened wide as I glanced at my mom who was about to pour some bleach in the toilet after adding the toilet bowl cleaner. I ran to her and grabbed the Bleach, in the nick of time. She yelled at me for acting so strange and demanded I explain myself. I told her that she was about to mix together to chemicals that could damage her lungs. I learned through my studies in Chemistry class that bleach contains sodium hypochlorite, and that Toilet cleaners typically contain hydrochloric acid. When mixed these chemicals create an extremely strong Chloramine gas. This gas is so potent and damaging, it is heavily used in mustard gas. Hearing this, my mom apologized for being angry and thanked me for being a caring son.

It is the extreme versatility and usefulness of Chemistry in everyday life that makes it so appealing. As I look around the world we live in, it becomes clearly apparent the prominent role chemistry plays; from the pasteurization of milk, to the analysis of meteorite material, to the newly created Hadron collider. This role it plays is why Chemistry is definitely a major, I will study in college

Undergraduate / James my barber (determination and courage essay) [3]

James did it all but never stopped cutting.
An individual that has truly influenced me is, as unconventional as it seems, my barber, James, who spends no more than thirty minutes cutting my hair at a time. Although he is my barber, I think of him more as a mentor, and it may seem unusual to have a barber be your mentor but I suppose who we choose as our mentors in life is up to destiny.

What makes him truly significant is that, he does not force suggestions onto me nor does he just lightly advise me. He gives me the freedom and independence to make my own decisions, but at the same time he acts as my guide. When stumbling through the forest of countless decisions we make each day, He will act as a Little Dipper or North Star; that does not show the path but points me in the right direction.

We are faced with challenges that drain the energy of our bodies and minds, and more often than not, we imagine our lives if we chose the easier path in the forest. When talking to James, I explain these issues, whether it be the Band concert, or the labs due in a few days, or the events my clubs are planning, or even the community project that I need to help finish. He understands the weight of the predicament and has always talked softly but with such meaning in his words, he may as well be giving a presidential speech. He will say, "Well listen! You have lasted this long so it shouldn't be a problem for you of all people. You made a commitment to them and, more importantly, yourself. Now you know I would never let you down, so don't let me down by letting yourself down. You're a bright kid and I can't tell you things will get easier from because they won't. they will definitely get harder but the question here is, will you stick with it until the end despite it all, or take the easy way out?". Even after the fact, his words echo through my mind to this day. His words are what have strengthened me over the years and made me so enduring.

Determination and Courage are two different virtues that can open a multitude of opportunities for our future; whether we act on them, or not, is a different matter. I've learned that these two virtues can determine the course of our lives, and that whether we reach our full potential, or not, is determined by them. When making the everyday decisions of life, we are always tempted to take the easy way out, even though we know it may not benefit us. When exercising determination, we are inspired to reach our goals and renew our conviction, and while realizing courage, we do not fear the obstacles that lie ahead but embrace them. The combination of these two, guide us to the path that we know we must take to better ourselves, and that we know is right. Although, James is not with us anymore, I still see the Little Dipper he left for me in that forest.

Undergraduate / IM TAKING HOMER SIMPSON TO CONGRESS (opportunity to bring any person) [2]

so this is for the NYU application and it asks:

If you had the opportunity to bring any person -- past or present, fictional or nonfictional -- to a place that is special to you (your hometown or country, a favorite location, etc), who would you bring and why? Tell us what you would share with that person.

I would bring Homer Simpson to Congress. I suppose it would a bit hectic, but perhaps his hijinks could show all our representatives that although, there is a virtue in being professional, we are all human and that they could all have an outburst of laughter together as a homogeneous legislative body rather than an outburst of anger and instigation that divides the government.

Undergraduate / "uh oh cliche! the actions of President Woodrow Wilson" - princeton essay [5]

okay so i am writing about an influential person to me and i decided...woodrow wilson i know iknow, but i really did pick him because i admire his idealism and those ideals represent what i value. so this is what i wrote please give me your critique and ty!

Question: Tell us about a person who has influenced you in a significant way.

Avoiding all cliché of my selected individual, I truly do admire the actions of President Woodrow Wilson. During his term as president, he had always acted in the utmost vigor to do what he thought was virtuous. Many had named his reactions to be idealist, in a negative connotation, but although I also view him as idealist, his idealism is what I try to model myself after.

During the Mexican Civil War, many historians have argued throughout time, that our involvement during that era in history, was highly unnecessary but, they do not understand Wilson's point of view. His purpose in intervening was not to seize new territories, or cause intentional harm to the people of Mexico, but it was to help them. In Wilson's point of view, Huerta did not deserve to rule so harshly over the people and was illegitimate. That is why he had intervened in Mexico; it was to create stability in a nation that was torn apart into factions against each other. Wilson did not see the Mexicans as unworthy of their help because they did not have much to offer due to the chaos. He wanted to help because they were fellow human beings and that they needed it. His selflessness shone as He did not view the situation as what Mexico could do for America but what America could do for Mexico. Although, his intervention was unsuccessful and was not popular in the U.S. or Mexico, just his will to solidify his determination in the face of outstanding opposition is an aspect .

In terms of American participation of World War 1, his commitment to his duty was what shone the most in this dark time. During his first presidential term, he was able to keep neutral from the war but what had caused him to realize that war was necessary was the threat his country was facing. Germany was conducting unrestricted submarine warfare, and had even sunk the cruise ship, Lusitania. This violation against the world and to U.S. commerce and the livelihood of his people was what made him realize there was no other option but to go to war. Wilson despised the idea of going to war but he knew that if this threat was not stopped it would be harmful to every nation, so he declared war in sorrow. He understands when he must set aside his own beliefs for the greater need of the people and this loyalty and selflessness inspire me.

Shortly after a year at war, Germany surrendered and during the Versailles meeting in France, and Wilson did not even hold grudges against Germany as a state. He pleaded that those heading the government should be punished, but by overwhelming Germany with reparation debts and seizing part of their land, they would be punishing the innocent bystanders. Even as the head of an entire nation, Wilson considers the every man.

It is his commitment to selflessness, conviction, tolerance, and his ability to forgive and think rationally that makes him my role model. His entire presidency is riddled with good intentions and a strong heart. He is truly a man of virtue and someone I try to model myself after.