Undergraduate / a class taught by a historic figure-living or dead - Writing sample [2]

Prompt: If you could take a class taught by a historic figure-living or dead, who will you choose? And why?(3-5pages)

Among the countless respectable figures in the history of human civilization, the one I adore and admire the most is Baron de Coubertin, known as the founder of the International Olympic Committee. It shall be a good fortune in my whole life if time could flow back so I could be his pupil

As known to all, Olympic Games started at the sacred Olympia more than 2,800 years ago, and were a precious spiritual and cultural fortune contributed by the ancient Greeks to human history. However, the ancient Olympic Games were once, for various reasons, stooped. The magnificent part of Coubertin was that he has played a critical role in the revival of the Olympic Games, from the vanished ancient Games to the Modern ones, as well as has laid the foundation for the Modern Olympic movement to become a cultural and physical activity that is attended by the most people and has the most profound influence in nowadays.

I was, as if, standing on the land of the birthplace of the Olympic Games - Olympia, and feeling the spirit, which Baron de Coubertin carried out to push forward the idea of international sports. In 1894, at the Sorbonne in Paris, Coubertin proposed a revival of the ancient Olympic Games at an international congress that led to the establishment of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), of which de Coubertin became the general secretary. In 1913, he designed the emblem and flag for IOC. The flag is white patterned, five rings- blue, yellow, black, green, and red-symbolize unity of five continents around the world, as well as athletes in a fair and friendly competition together in the spirit of the Olympic Games. In determining the International Olympic slogan, he advocated and affirmed the "Faster, Higher, Stronger" slogan embodied the great spirit of continuous improvement. I was also moved by his perseverance. In 1896, in the situation that the first modern Olympic Games was almost impossible because of the cost, Baron de Coubertin personally went to Athens, met with Crown Prince and Prime Minister, tried their best running day and night, and finally led to a success. During the time of the second Paris Olympic Games, which came into conflict with World Expo event, he was ridiculed and reviled from time to time, but bear with the situation and never discouraged. Moreover, Coubertin was not only an outstanding international sporting activist, but also a highly successful educator of science and history. He composed many famous articles; particularly, in 1912 in Stockholm, Sweden at the 5th Olympic Games, Baron de Coubertin delivered a well-known speech- "Ode to Sports" for sports in a number of disadvantages at that time, and won the Olympic gold medal for literature and art competitions.

Baron de Coubertin's spirit of far-sight, perspicacity, and persistence, as well as his courage of challenging difficulties, are what I especially value; his efforts in the combination of the Olympics with culture and education, the propagation of "peace, friendship and progress" and his remarkable contributions to development of sports should forever be respected and appreciated. And this is why de Coubertin is great in my heart. I even have a thought if that Baron de Coubertin could be my teacher.

We are making social progress as time goes by. Suppose that Coubertin does teach me in a class, I would like to discuss with him on how to carry forward his Olympic spirits in today's world and how to persist in advanced Olympic concepts to create a marvelous future for all humans through joint efforts.

Mutual understanding，tolerance, and cooperation are what needed to grease the relationship among different countries today. By gathering people from different countries, nations, and cultures, the international Olympic is playing an increasingly critical role in promoting the understanding and friend, as well as peace and development of all human beings. The Olympic Games mean an opportunity not only to host country, but also to the world; it is a distinguished sports show and a platform for cultural exchange. As a civilization relic and cultural festival, a common wish and expectation of all humans, as well as a process of blending and interaction between eastern and western civilizations, the Olympics have become significant representation of the cultural development of humans. That is the first modern Olympic concept which I want talk with Coubertin- Humanistic Olympics or People's Olympics.

Then, I would like to discuss with Baron de Coubertin about High-tech Olympics. Just like "Faster, Higher, Stronger", there is a slogan to indicate the spirit of High-tech Olympics also-faster, more convenient, more accurate, and more secure. For faster, it is necessary to use a large number of broadband networks, multimedia, and high-definition technology; become more convenient requires to make all information, transportation, and competition intelligentized; to be more accurate needs time, geographical location and the progress of Games to report out or to be checked well; more secure, one of the most important issues in every Olympic Games, contains security, identity authentication, etc.

I would like to take a class taught by Baron de Coubertin. His foresight, sagacity and persistent efforts have brought the Olympic Games back to human lives; his eminent contributions have won him extensive respect and supreme honor in the world Olympic family. I believe Coubertin too would be very pleased if I can share with him my opinions on how to carry on the modern Olympic spirits, persist in the concept of People's Olympics and High-tech Olympics, as well as make the Olympics and human society grow higher, faster, and stronger.

Undergraduate / 'the beauty of mathematics' - California exchange student [4]

As an exchange student, I went to Santa Paula High School, California, US, in 2006. It was a totally different environment from my home country; English filled up my day. No matter what I would do on campus, listening, reading or communicating, I must use English. Not only my writing skills improved but my oral English went on to an upper level. Moreover, I got a chance to take Calculus, which was only taught in universities in China. I kept constant awareness of the beauty of mathematics. Learning calculus was an exciting exploration, taking the process of cracking problems as a recreational form of detective work. The objective existence of the absolute charm appeared almost a religion to me. As one of my significant academic experiences, having attended Santa Paula High School helped develop my English, which is so much useful in the modern world, and fulfill my passion for mathematics.

Undergraduate / teleporting mentally to a different world [4]

Prompt: If you could spend a day as a fictional character,who would you choose and why?

Everyone has certain dreams they replay in their minds over and over again when they finish reading an interesting book, and I am no different. I often catch myself teleporting mentally to a different world, the Harry Potter world.

Hard to believe in the morning, with the big black rope on, I rode with flying broomstick--Nimbus 2000, and appeared in front of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I hastily passed all the corridors, rushed into classroom and finally settled down next to Ron and Hermione. Defense against the Dark Arts Class with Professor Lupin was exciting but thrilling, not because of all those dark creatures, but Professor Lupin-a werewolf, who would become a wolf every full moon. I was scared a few weeks before the truth came out clearly: a kind-hearted man had not only become a werewolf accidentally but not been trust or socially accepted as well. Seriously, have we taken their feelings into account when we put the alert eyes and acts to those unfortunate people? Just like Prongs' and Professor Dumbledore's understanding and assistance, my amity may be important to Professor Lupin. Therefore, I courageously walked up to him right after class. While holding his hands, I told him, "Professor Lupin, I will be your friend."

Soon after lunch, I involved in the Quidditch Game against Slytherin. I flew in the air and enjoyed the feeling of tremble. Suddenly, the Golden Snitch came across overhead; my super fast speed even made my hair stood up in the wind. Gryffindor broke out a roar of cheering because I just about to catch the ball. But I was down at the site one second later hit by a Bludger. Valorous enough to continue the game, I got up on my broom again and chased right after the Golden Snitch. Eventually, as I had expected, Gryffindor won.

Quiet at night, I watched outside windows, wondering when was the darkness of evil Voldemort going to get back...
As I snap back into reality, I take my time to savor my day as Harry Potter. I would like to choose Harry if I get to spend a day as a fictional character. Not only has wisdom and courage to the backbone in all those violent and dirty situation, but Harry do accept, trust and help others. What's virtuous about him is that he always has a kindly and pure heart. In addition, just like words in the movie "A Cinderella Story"-never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game, Harry Potter is always provided with perseverant volition no matter what kind of difficulties he is facing. He is both the hero and the model in my heart.

Undergraduate / For Conell, intellectual interests, their evolution [2]

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

Under the unique Double Majors Program, I would like to combine History and Economics. Generally, this unusual goal tied my passion for history and my curiosity in finance.

From an early stage, I have always found it an exciting exploration when learning the story behind cultural relics and considered the process of studying history as a recreational work of archaeological work. The objective existence of the absolute beauty appears almost a religion to me. Read history books just makes ma feel as if I am passing through the time tunnel back to hundreds of years ago to visit people and personally experience the development of society.

Under my dad's influence, a manager with a finance and management degree, I have developed a strong interest in economics. As a young girl, it was inspirational hearing about his business ventures, and meeting the varied and interesting circle of entrepreneurs. I once read my dad's book "Principles of Economics" by N. Gregory Mankiw. It is a young and fashion teacher who sits on student's tables instead of high platforms. Mankiw uses examples like popular movie stars, sports stars, and even the controversial TV series, but enough to create the impression of economics for us. In fact, facing the analysis of the practical problems, what people use most are the concepts and theorems still in primary textbooks. Through studying this book, I fell in love with economics and finance. Unlike history, which investigate former human beings, financial analysis and economics concern more about the reasonable choices of modern people.

After attending the double major program for a period of time, I would like to make a map to find out the inner links between history and economics. So I will take the advantage of excellent faculty and outstanding research sources in the College of Arts and Sciences to make some ground-breaking discoveries.

Undergraduate / Essay supporting an issue about which you are particularly passionate. [6]

For OSU

Question: write and essay supporting an issue about which you are particularly passionate.Explain why that issue is important to you.

The sun shined on the outdoor stage as it liked the show. One by one, students came up and exhibited talents. Although as interlude between two performances, I actually linked them to be a whole show. I am particularly passionate about being a compere. Having been a hostess of school festivals, contests, and talk-shows since primary school, I just cannot put this avocation down.

When I was ten years old, I took part in my first host of school festival. I somehow was chosen by our activity instructor to host the May Day Art Festival. To everyone's surprise, I pulled out an "A" time. I furthered my achievements by hosting all kinds of school activities, competitions, and radio broadcasting. I wanted to win in contests and yearned for getting better and better to a top hostess. Thus started another workout. I spent hours in specialized speech training, communication with audience, emergency-dealing ability and cooperation with partners. In addition, each new level brought extra requirements such as weekend training sessions, competitions with other hosts, shows in other schools and more travel from home. Time with friends is increasingly spent in the pursuit of the upper grade.

Sometimes, in the solitude of recite speeches, my thoughts transited to events in my personal life. My uncle has undergone successful stomach cancer surgery, but we were aware that a full recovery was not guaranteed. When I first learned that Uncle were struck with cancer, I felt as if my objective, to beat other hosts and become the best, seemed irrelevant, even ironic, given the urgency of their mutual goals: to prolong life itself. Yet my family has learned to draw on each other's strengths for support-their fortitude helped me overcome my struggles while watching me hosting a performance provided them with a vicarious sense of victory. When I shared my latest progress, they smiled with pride. My uncle's strength has shored up my determination to succeed. I have learned that, as in hosting, life's successes often come in small difference. Sometimes even a humor to active the atmosphere separates a great result from a failure. The difference between success and failure is defined by the ability to overcome strong internal resistance. I know that, by constantly working towards my goals, I can keep the journey of hosting and accomplish what I set for myself, both on and beyond the stage.