Undergraduate / "Bug Lover": Tufts University essay [4]

Prompt: Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa told The New York Times, "The only way of not generating conflict is to do nothing, and I wasn't elected to do nothing." What issue quickens your pulse and inspires you to join the fray?

This is an optional essay and the instructions said think outside the box and take a risk, so that's what I tried to do. Here it is:

I've never been able to watch someone squish a bug. As an insect-lover who believes that every creature deserves the right to live, the sight is too much for me to bear. I'm the girl who's always trying to rescue critters from undeserved death, and although people make fun of me for it, I'd rather stand up for what I believe in than do nothing at all.

My first memory of saving insects happened when I was in fifth grade. It was the year that marked the resurgence of cicadas in southwestern Ohio, and the winged, red-eyed bugs were everywhere-they swarmed sidewalks, covered driveways, and made it virtually impossible for people to get anywhere without some inconvenience. However, rather than trying to avoid the bugs, many of my classmates thought it would be fun to kill as many as possible. They marched through the middle of the sidewalks, bringing their knees up high and violently stomping down on any cicadas that crossed their paths. I decided to come to the defense of the bugs-in an act of childish valiance, I started scooping up cicadas by the handful and depositing them in yards, where I thought they would be safe from the rubbery wrath of my classmates' sneakers. Unfortunately, my plan did not work. As packs of fifth-graders saw what I was doing, they simply ventured into the yards to kill the bugs, despite-or perhaps motivated by-my incessant shouts of "Stop it!" While I was not able to succeed in saving the cicadas that day, the experience awakened in me a strange kind of fury. Who did these people think they were, taking the lives of innocent cicadas? What gave them the right to kill with such leisure? Angry at my classmates and lost in thought, I picked up a cicada and held it in my palm. The insect was not pleasant-looking by conventional means-it had a thick black body, spidery legs, and beady red eyes-but as I looked at the little guy, I realized that he was much cuter than people gave him credit for. He just needed some love.

Although I'm not quite as "gung-ho" as I was in fifth grade, I'm still quick to save a bug that looks like it's in trouble. If I'm inside my house and one of my family members notices a spider and tries to kill it, I yell "Wait!" Then, I coax it onto the nearest piece of paper, open a door or window, and let it outside. I know that "a bug is just a bug", but the way I think of it is this: aren't we all just creatures? What makes one living thing more important than another? And, if giant creatures existed that ate humans for pleasure, would we still feel the same nonchalance at killing insects? Maybe I'm just a sentimentalist, but when it comes to the battle of "Sneaker v. Bug", I'll always stand firmly on the side of Team Bug.

Undergraduate / "Lost at Barnes & Noble"--UVA supplement [2]

Discuss your favorite place to get lost.

When I was little, I could often be found lost in the worlds of books like 'The Phantom Tollbooth' and 'The Last of the Very Great Whangdoodles'. These novels were my escape, and they allowed me to experience a kind of adventure that never existed in my everyday life. As I got older, I began to explore a greater variety of literature, from classic novels to biographies to "bestsellers". My dad and I began making weekend trips to Barnes & Noble, where we would read for hours or simply explore the shelves of books. These "reading trips" further encouraged my love for literature, and going to Barnes & Noble became a weekend ritual that we continue to this day. During these trips, I'll sometimes wander in the nonfiction section, reading bits of a psychology book by Malcolm Gladwell or a biography on famous historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin. Others times I'll meander among the fiction shelves, poring over the latest novels by Lauren Weisberger or Jodi Picoult. The bookstore is one of my favorite places to go, because everywhere I look I'm surrounded by little worlds of fresh perspectives and knowledge. By simply opening a book, I'm able to venture into the unknown-I can join a traveling circus in the 1920's, learn about the hazards of bioengineered food, or try to piece together a murder mystery. To me, reading is the perfect way to get lost.

Undergraduate / 'academic excellence, location, small student body' - Why Tufts? [7]

Which aspects of Tufts' curriculum or undergraduate experience prompt your application? In short: "Why Tufts?" (50-100 words)

Tufts University strikes me as a school that has it all: academic excellence, an unbeatable location near Boston, and a small student body size that fosters interaction and growth. I am drawn because of Tufts because it offers outstanding programs in engineering but also encourages undergraduates to explore subjects in the School of Arts and Sciences. As a student who has multiple interests, I believe that Tuft's quirky academic climate is the perfect place for me to grow as both an individual and a scholar.

Undergraduate / UVA engineering supp--"Food scanner" [2]

We are looking for passionate students to join our diverse community of scholars, researchers, and artists. Limit your answer to a half page or roughly 250 words. Engineering: If you were given funding for a small engineering project, what would you do?

For my engineering project, I would design a portable scanner that people could use to track the nutritional quality of the food they eat during the day. With this device, people would be more aware of their eating habits and would know if they were getting adequate nutrients, if they were overeating, etc. The scanner would consist of a handle and two plastic disks with enough space in between to place an item of food. Embedded into the handle would be an electronic screen used to display facts about the nutritional content of the food item. Located on each of the two disks would be both a transmitting and receiving antenna, which would send electromagnetic waves across the space so that information about the food could be processed. This information would then be sent to a small computer located within the handle, and the computer would display the nutritional information on the electronic screen. After a person scanned a piece of food, the scanner would store the new information in its database. At the end of the day, the person could press a button to view a record of their dietary patterns for that day. The screen would then display a comprehensive list of nutritional information obtained from every item of food over the course of the past twenty-four hours and would place red flags next to any numerical values that seemed unhealthy. By using this scanner every day, people would become more aware of the nutritional quality of their food and would likely be motivated to eat healthier. I can only imagine what would happen if every person in American had one of these scanners.

I know my idea is kinda "out-there", but tell me what you think.

Undergraduate / "Piano and Ballet": Tufts supplement. Very Short! [4]

''Let your life speak.'' Describe the environment in which you were raised--your family, home, neighborhood or community--and how it influenced the person you are today. (200-250 words)

My mother cultivated in me a love for the arts at a very young age, enrolling me in ballet and piano lessons when I was only a kindergartener. These lessons not only became a great source of pleasure for me, they also helped me overcome my shyness. In elementary school, I was incredibly timid because I never felt comfortable expressing myself; in the afternoons, however, I was able to break out of my shell a bit as I pirouetted across the floors in ballet or played harmonic scales with Mrs. Sutter during piano. While I had never been especially talkative, I learned that I could express myself in a different way-through music and movement. As I grew older and started middle school, many of my classmates quit their lessons. I, however, decided to continue. I truly loved piano and ballet and felt that the lessons had caused me to grow tremendously as an individual. No longer was I the shy girl that I used to be; I now had the confidence to speak my mind and reach out to others. Although I eventually had to stop taking lessons because of financial reasons, I appreciate the fact that my mother gave me the opportunity to be involved in piano and dance for nine years. These activities played a major role in shaping the person I am today-an outspoken, hardworking, gutsy girl-and for that I am truly grateful.

Undergraduate / "I'd rather just be myself"-Tufts Univ. essay :) [5]

''Let your life speak.'' Describe the environment in which you were raised--your family, home, neighborhood or community--and how it influenced the person you are today. (200-250 words)

I have often felt out of place in Greensville, the small community I've lived in for thirteen years. As one of only four Asians in my graduating class and as a student coming from a family of modest means, I don't exactly conform to the wealthy, overwhelmingly white atmosphere of Greensville. When I was in middle school, I attempted to blend into the culture. I shopped at Abercrombie, befriended a few members of the popular crowd, and, for a while, felt like I was on top of the world. But I soon came to realize that the person I was trying to become-the "typical Greensville girl"-was not me. As I grew older and started high school, I watched my classmates spiral down unhealthy paths of partying, drugs, and alcohol. Watching these transformations take place made me even more convinced that I did not want to be sucked into the mainstream Greensville culture; rather, I wanted to find a group of people with whom I could feel free to be myself. Gradually, I formed friendships with people I truly connected with; people who, like me, were individualists and who preferred a game of "Apples to Apples" to a round of beer pong. It wasn't easy and it took me a long time, but I finally found a group of people whom I could truly identify with. I still don't fit in at Greensville, but I've come to realize that I don't want to. I'd rather just be myself.

This is my first draft. What are your thoughts?

Undergraduate / 'the pro at relaxing' - the world within-Tufts supplement [5]

The prompt: Consider the world within. Taste in music, food, and clothing can make a statement while politics, sports, religion, and ethnicity are often defining attributes. Are you a vegetarian? A poet? Do you prefer YouTube or test tubes, Mac or PC? Use the richness of your identity to frame your personal outlook.

So you want to know who I am, huh, Tufts? Well, to start off, I am very energetic person by nature and am often engaged in random, spur-of-the-moment activities: baking muffins in the middle of the day, inventing crazy dance moves, occasionally even bursting into song. When all my energy is burnt out, however, I'm quite the pro at relaxing. I love going to Barnes & Noble and plopping down in a fluffy chair with a good read in one hand and a caramel macchiato in the other. My favorite things to read are periodicals-anything from Time to People to Psychology Today-though I'm also a good fan of the "bestsellers" section. If there's one thing you ought to know about me, it's that I'm a knowledge freak-I love to feel like a sponge, absorbing as much information as I can. I enjoy reading textbooks for fun (yeah, I'm a nerd), and I have copies of The Duke Encyclopedia of New Medicine and Psychology 101 in my room. I think they're interesting, but maybe that's just because I'm weird. Another thing about me is that I have a knack for English movies. Have you seen An Education or Notes on a Scandal? If you haven't, you absolutely must! They are wonderful movies, and I think that they're best enjoyed with a pint of Ben & Jerry's (ice cream makes everything better). Anyways, that's about all I can tell you in 250 words. Hopefully you think I'm "Tufts-y" enough!

Undergraduate / "The Core Curriculum": my Why Columbia essay [3]

If there's one thing that appeals to me to Columbia University, it's The Core Curriculum. By serving as an intensive introduction to topics ranging from western literature to philosophy to frontiers of science, The Core would broaden my perspective on the key questions facing our society and our world. I have always been a curious person, and learning about such a diverse set of subjects would introduce me to all sorts of new ideas that would further encourage my spirit of intellectual inquiry. What's unique about The Core is that it integrates all students, no matter what their major, in the pursuit of shared knowledge. Being in an environment where everybody is thinking from different angles and contributing their individual thoughts appeals to me because I would learn about the subject in a personal, multi-dimensional way. The way I see it, The Core is about learning on the deepest level. It's not just about learning about a subject, it's about developing the knowledge and skills to make a difference in the world; about interacting with others and being part of a community, and about exploring the most important questions we face as humans. The Core Curriculum represents the kind of educational experience I am looking for; one that will lead me on a journey of intellectual exploration and transformation, and that will equip me to live a meaningful life long after graduation.

Undergraduate / Columbia Univ.-"Why I love English class" [3]

Please tell us what your favorite academic class has been and why.

Having been an avid reader my whole life and sporadic writer for part of it, it's only natural that my favorite class is English. When I am truly impacted by a work of literature or writing about something I'm passionate about, my mind opens, and I begin to see myself and the world from all sorts of new perspectives. It is this reflection, this personal involvement, that has caused me to love English class so much. Reading allows me to escape the confines of my own mind and see the world from another person's view for a while. The words of the text come alive, my world becomes intermingled with the world of the novel, and my mind enters a state of total receptivity. Writing, similarly, takes me into a zone of introspection and analysis; a zone where I am forced to evaluate my personal ideas and beliefs or reflect on the words of others. Like reading, I have to actively think in order to accurately express myself through words-a process that is sometimes tedious, but ultimately fulfilling. English class helps me develop these two hobbies of mine-reading and writing-in a way that, for me, has been truly enjoyable. Sure, there have been a few books I didn't enjoy reading and papers I didn't like to write, but in the end, every book and every writing assignment has taught me something. Through English class, I've learned to truly appreciate the diversity of literature and human thought.

Undergraduate / 'the psychology section' - Columbia University-what are your interests? [4]

For applicants to Columbia College, please tell us what attracts you specifically to the field or fields of study that you noted in the Application Data section. If you are currently undecided, please write about any field or fields in which you may have interest at this time, but have not yet selected as a major interest. (1500 character max)

During frequent trips to Barnes & Noble with my dad, I often find myself in the psychology section, reading the latest book by Malcolm Gladwell or flipping through an issue of Psychology Today magazine. My love for psychology began in the summer of 2010, when I picked up my brother's Psychology 101 textbook and read it to see if it was interesting. To my own surprise, I quickly became fascinated by the complexities of the human psyche and ended up reading the entire volume. Questions raised by the textbook piqued my interest and forced my mind to analyze from new angles-How come so many people believe in ESP? Why are average IQ scores rising with each decade? As the textbook discussed the role of human thinking in explaining these phenomenon and others, I began to realize the significance of psychology in our everyday lives. Ever since then, I have been fascinated by the complex world of the human psyche. There are so many interesting books and articles on the topic that I enjoy reading, and learning about psychology helps me better understand both myself and those around me. As a subject, it is something I would definitely be interested in exploring further at Cornell University. Cornell offers several facilities for psychology majors, including large research spaces, laboratory equipment, and an extensive computer complex. I believe that The College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell is the perfect learning environment for me to pursue my passion of psychology.

Additionally, I am very interested in the medical field and am considering majoring in biology as well. In my bedroom lies a copy of The Duke Encyclopedia of New Medicine, a reference book containing detailed descriptions of medical conditions such as pharyngitis and sleep apnea, as well as descriptions of the methods used to treat them. Reading this book and learning about the various disorders and diseases are what sparked my interest in biology. I am filled with wonder at the everyday processes that occur in our bodies, and believe that there is so much more information scientists have yet to discover on the subject. I am especially intrigued by the biological origins of infections and disease and want to major in biology to gain an in-depth understanding of the field and use that knowledge to make a difference. One day, I hope to become a medical doctor so that I can treat people with health conditions and help them lead better, healthier lives; studying biology at Cornell would help me reach this goal. All in all, these two subjects-psychology and biology-are ones that I am very passionate about. I would love to study them intensely at Cornell University, and am excited for the all the knowledge I have yet to learn.

Undergraduate / 'My love for psychology' - Johns Hopkins--tell us about yourself! [3]

Tell us something about yourself or your interests that we wouldn't learn by looking at the rest of your application materials. (While you should still pay attention to sentence structure and grammar, your response is meant as a way for us to get to know you, rather than a formal essay.)

My love for psychology began in the summer of 2010, on an otherwise uneventful day. Propelled by natural curiosity and an aversion to summertime boredom, I picked up my brother's Psychology 101 textbook and read it to see if it was interesting. To my own surprise, I quickly became fascinated by the complexities of the human psyche and ended up reading the entire volume. Questions raised by the textbook piqued my interest and forced my mind to analyze from new angles- How come an upside-down picture of George Bush photoshopped with creepy-looking eyes looks the same as a right-side up picture of an un-photoshopped Bush? Why are average IQ scores rising with each decade? As the textbook discussed the role of human thinking in explaining these phenomenon and others, I began to realize the significance of psychology in our everyday lives. It is something that guides every action we take and shapes every thought that we form. Basic psychological principles can be used to explain much of our behavior, and learning about the subject can help us better understand both ourselves and those around us. These days, during frequent trips to Barnes & Noble with my dad, I often find myself in the psychology section, reading the latest book by Malcom Gladwell or an article on the latest breakthroughs in the field. Though I don't intend to pursue psychology as a major, it is a subject that truly fascinates me, and I plan to continue exploring it as much as I can.

Any comments/critiques? Also, do you think it is okay to talk about psychology for this essay even though in my other essay, I talk about how I want to major in computer science?

Undergraduate / Rice supplement--unique perspective/piano [3]

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?

During the holiday season last year, I got a bad case of the volunteering itch. It was close to Christmas, and those "warm and fuzzy" feelings had infiltrated my system, leaving me wanting to engage in yuletide camaraderie and spread my child-like cheer through my love of music. Luckily there was a place nearby where I could satisfy my hunger for volunteering: Graceworks, a residential home for people with developmental disabilities. I decided to find out if they had any music-related volunteer opportunities. When I went there, I asked one of the workers, Mrs. Hill, if I could play Christmas songs on the piano for the residents. She was immediately enthused about this idea and scheduled a date near Christmas when I could come in; it was the day they would be having their annual Christmas party. She then showed me around and introduced me to all the people who lived at the home. All of the people had some type of disability; some had multiple. One man had OCD and was afraid of doctors; when I met him, he walked circles around me while carefully looking me up and down. Mrs. Hill told me he was making sure I wasn't somebody who would stick needles in him. I also met an elderly lady who refused to go anywhere without her baby doll; curiously, she also had an extremely hoarse voice that resembled a man's. Mrs. Hill told me that her voice often scared people; whenever she went out and tried to start a conversation with somebody, they would get frightened and distance themselves. I met a few more residents, but the time soon came for me to leave.

As I said goodbye to everybody I'd met that day, I couldn't help but feel a little depressed. I'd never met so many people with disabilities in my life, and the experience was both eye-opening and sad. While most of the residents appeared happy at the home, they also seemed extremely isolated, both psychologically and physically. They were all limited by disabilities they had no control over, and most of them rarely got to see their family and friends. Despite all the differences that stood between us, I felt a strong desire to connect with these people. I felt that they deserved a happy holiday just like everybody else, and I longed to make their day a little bit brighter. At the holiday party, I had a chance to do that.

The next week arrived quickly and I was back at Graceworks, this time setting up my keyboard and music. Once I had set everything up, I placed my fingers on the keys and started playing my first song, 'The Christmas Song'. Initially, many of the residents didn't seem to notice; they were all sitting around the room eating dinner. But as I continued to play, a few adults moved themselves in their wheelchairs to where I was playing. They were quiet at first, simply watching and listening, but after a few songs they started to make strange noises. It started when one of the ladies, Lucy, started grumbling something that sounded like, "Mmmm, Mmm". Then someone else started grunting. At first, I didn't know what it meant, but I kept on playing. My next song was a bouncy, jazzy version of 'Feliz Navidad'. The residents really responded to this one, as I heard their voices getting louder. After I'd hit the last note of the song, Lucy cleared her throat and said, "I liked that one." When I heard those words it finally hit me-the people were making noises because they were happy. The grunts and groans were their unique ways of saying that they liked the music. Lucy's words encouraged me in that moment, because I realized I was beginning to truly connect with the people at the home.

Thirty minutes later, I had finished playing all my songs and it was time for me to go home. The people who had come up close to watch wheeled themselves back to the dining room and started making cookies. The people who had been eating dinner before slowly finished up. Although nothing had really changed, inside me I felt uplifted. Seeing the people respond to the music made me realize that I could make a difference, even if it was through something as simple as playing Christmas songs. Although I did not have the disabilities that the residents at Graceworks had and would never be able to fully understand what they had to go through, I was able to connect with them in deeper way than I had thought possible.

Every day, I have come to realize, brings with it many opportunities for me to help others and potentially make someone's day a little brighter. As I move forward in life and prepare for the next step-college-I want to continue to take advantage of as many of these opportunities as I can. At Rice University, I would bring the perspective of somebody who seeks to truly understand others as best she can; somebody who realizes the importance of love and empathy in the 21st century, and somebody who is committed to using music and service as ways to make the world just a little bit sweeter.

I know it's long, but it too long? This is my first draft, feel free to be critical b/c I appreciate any help. Thx!!