Undergraduate / 'the Ashes and Snow exhibition' - photography (intended major) [2]

Prompt 1:What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field - such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities - and what you have gained from your involvement.

The moment I saw this photograph, I was hooked. During my sophomore year of high school I visited the Ashes and Snow exhibition by photographer Gregory Colbert in Santa Monica, California. A sepia tone photograph of a boy reading a book to an elephant in the desert held my gaze for what seemed like forever. It was then that I knew I wanted to pursue art. I convinced my mom after much debate to fund my art classes in the Saturday High program at the Pasadena Art Center College of Design. I took three classes in drawing, then four in photography. My small interest snowballed into my passion as I spent every Saturday for the rest of my high school career learning and creating at the Art Center hillside campus alongside other high school students. My constantly growing penchant for art eventually led to my decision to major in Photography and Imaging at New York University and now my intended major in art.

I currently work for New York University's Photography and Imaging Department at "The Cage"; its nickname is somewhat misleading. Located on the photography floor of the Tisch building, the Cage is an 8x20 foot room lined with equipment overflowing from each wall. I, along with a co-worker, sit facing an open counter where photo students come to rent out camera gear and darkroom supplies, or seek photo-related assistance. Last Spring, I got this job on a whim. But now working nine to fifteen hours a week, this part-time job has become a major component of my college life. I was terrified at first. There is no formal job training, so a new Cage worker has to become knowledgeable of all the equipment on their own time. Even to this day, I'm still discovering gear in the Cage I didn't know existed before. However, co-workers and upperclassmen helped me through the learning curve.

Now my responsibilities vary, from changing chemicals in darkrooms to helping a peer print a picture in the digital lab. This is why I enjoy my job so much: I'm fully immersed in my department focusing in a major I am completely passionate about. The Cage is my platform to interact with fellow photo majors as I've become friends with students of all grades. My job as a technical assistant allows me to evolve each day as an artist through involvement. With a small student body of 130, my favorite aspect of my art education is being able to collaborate with my student peers, teaching and learning, and ultimately growing together.

I learn something new everyday through the Cage; it has allowed me to become proactive about my college career and pursuing my passion. My experience has developed from merely checking-out camera equipment to fully integrating myself into the artistic community.

Undergraduate / 'Rejection has become a close friend' - Personal talent, quality Prompt #2 [4]

Prompt#2 Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution, or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

In the last three years I have auditioned for five different dance crews, two dance companies, and one back-up dancer position; I didn't get into any of them. Rejection has become a close friend.

Four years ago, Fanny Pak, a hip-hop/jazz-funk dance crew, inspired me to start dancing. Their style was unique and unlike anything I had ever seen. They had a quirky, refreshing approach to hip-hop dancing, which sparked my infatuation not only for hip-hop dance, but dance in general. Still, I wish I had started dancing when I was five years old, as did my peers in the dance community. It was because of this handicap that I strived to work even harder to catch up. I stretched everyday after school. I took three dance classes a week and got a part-time job to fund them. I watched dance videos on You Tube compulsively. Dance became part of who I was.

Just this past September, I tried out for a renowned hip-hop dance company in New York City. I was one of about seventy dancers crammed into a tiny third-floor dance studio without air-conditioning. There was so little space that I was constantly apologizing to dancers adjacent to me for accidentally hitting them when we were all learning the choreography. When the hour teach was over, I felt relieved and confident; I felt comfortable with the choreography. All I had to do was wait for my number to be called.

I was in one of the last groups to dance. But, as soon as I walked into the studio, I wasn't myself. I saw the five directors sitting behind a table and I instantly forgot everything I had just learned. I lost the confidence I had minutes before, which became brutally apparent in my performance. It didn't come as a surprise when I received an email later that night saying that I didn't get in.

Naturally, I moped. I felt that I was good enough to be in the company, but just wasn't able to perform to the best of my ability when I needed to; my nerves had gotten the best of me. I was so sure that this was going to be my time to make it, and this certainty made it even worse when I failed. That was my eighth rejection. But, my mindset shifted once I realized how much insight I gained from this incident. The audition wasn't a failure, but rather a growing experience that showed me that I needed to work on controlling my nerves at auditions. I kept going to classes, and even talked to the dance company's director to receive feedback.

This most recent rejection helped me realize why I dance and why I pursue art. I have only been dancing for four years, and I'm proud of where I am and how much I have progressed. Dance represents my perseverance. I fully commit myself to my passion, and I keep going, no matter the setbacks. Apart from any logical meaning, I simply keep dancing and photographing because I love it, and I go forward with all my ability to fulfill my passions.