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Posts by makman09
Joined: Nov 23, 2011
Last Post: Jan 1, 2012
Threads: 9
Posts: 86  

From: United States of America

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makman09   
Dec 29, 2011
Undergraduate / The intention is a vital factor - Princeton Supplement [9]

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

As I entered the parking lot that would be held for the Muslim Student Association (MSA) Homeless Feeding, I had a smile on my face and my task of the day was to coordinate the homeless to the tables where they would receive their hot meal from MSA students. I gave myself a goal today, and it was to show leadership in front of the homeless and MSA students. I tried to achieve this by offering aid to anyone who needs it since the purpose of a leader is to serve those he/she is leading.

Through this event, I noticed something peculiar. Many MSA students were timid to the homeless and the only reply they ever gave was "Happy Holidays!", yet they were comfortable talking amongst themselves. Even the MSA presidents of their local schools exhibited the same behavior. Even I failed to develop interaction with the homeless as I offered aid by answering simple questions followed by an awkward moment of silence. But one man came out and shattered the quiet atmosphere. He was the coordinator of humanitarian aid and when he spoke out loud, he didn't need a microphone to capture people's attentions. He effectively showed himself as a leader as he connected with the homeless and received their full cooperation. He did all this with few simple words that he spoke. He didn't employ any rhetorical device nor did he have charismatic appeal.[..]

Tell me what you think about the essay. Is there anything I need to cut out? Anything I did wrong?
makman09   
Dec 29, 2011
Undergraduate / "The Captain" - Harvard Supplement- The prompt is write about anything [32]

If this is the Common App essay, you need to drastically cut out words because the word limit for an essay is 500, and you're over twice that. Cut out details that you don't need because if you're applying to elite university which you are judging by your Harvard Supplement, then this essay will make you look really bad in front of the admission officers.

I understand 50-100 words above the limit, but when you are at a 1,158, that is just beyond crazy. When I read your essay, I noticed that were many clauses that you don't and you can still convey the same meaning. You got a lot of cutting to do tonight.
makman09   
Dec 29, 2011
Undergraduate / 'The urge of success and satisfaction' - Standford: What matters to you? [2]

I don't like the ending because it sounds too superficial. Maybe change it something abstract about challenges. But that's just my suggestion.

But overall, the essay is good as you try to show your determination and refusal of failure and that you have a mathematical and engineering mind, but it doesn't wow me and separate you from the other applicants. You can make it stronger by focusing on one example instead of two and elaborate deeper on how that example made challenges matter to you. Most of the strong essays don't go all over the place, but focus only on one example and connect it to themselves at a deeper level.

I hope my advice helps.
makman09   
Dec 29, 2011
Undergraduate / Johns Hopkins Supplemental Essay -Origins [4]

Your essay has potential to be stronger. When I read the first paragraph, you tell me your fascinated by evolution and you want to know more about it. Why are you fascinated and why do you want to know more/ You don't answer those question in the essay. T

The second paragraph offers no purpose. Your just listing evolutionary concepts to make yourself look intelligent.
Address your passion for evolutionary biology and don't list evolutionary concepts without reason.
Good luck with it!

Could you return the favor by giving my Yale Supplement Essay a read?
makman09   
Dec 29, 2011
Undergraduate / Youth2Youth organization. Short Extracurricular activities essay - for you critique! [2]

I like the intention of your essay to show that you have an impact, but one thing that I would do is cut on the detail of the activity such as

We convene at least four times to have honest, open, and profound discussions while bonding with one another.

and focus more on how you impacted the lives of the children and how this appeals to you. That will make your essay more strong and meaningful.

I hope this advice helps. Good luck with it.

Could you return the favor by giving my Yale Supplement Essay a read?
makman09   
Dec 28, 2011
Undergraduate / " Why Columbia? ". Several factors combined. [8]

The essay is well crafted. You explain why the university appeals to you without kissing up too much in an eloquent manners that shows you as someone who is intelligent with words.

@Strawberry78
I think he's just mentioning that university to show that he had experience with engineering there while doing research. It's not going to make him look bad.

I can't find anything else wrong with it. This is a strong essay.

I hoped I helped.
makman09   
Dec 28, 2011
Undergraduate / 'Lugogo, Uganda' - Common app essay [6]

Language was a big barrier to our relationship as he could speak very limited English and I spoke broken Lunganda we still managed to

Language was a big barrier to our relationship as he could speak very limited English and I spoke broken Lunganda, yet we still managed to

Despite the fact that his mother died while giving birth to him, his father was murdered when he was six and he is affected by HIV; he has managed to put all all these problems aside

Despite the fact that his mother died while giving birth to him, his father was murdered when he was six, and he is affected by HIV

the other kids at the training camp celled me names

the other kids at the training camp called me names

There was a day after training where he had got injured and was unable to walk, being his close friend I had taken the responsibility of taking him home.

here was a day after training where he had got injured and was unable to walk, being his close friend, I had taken the responsibility of taking

In mid 2010 my parents sent me off to India

In mid- 2010, my parents sent me off to India

Spending time with him has showed how to appreciate and individual

Spending time with him has showed how to appreciate an individual

me into a perfect human being but he has a had a huge

me into a perfect human being, but he has

This summer I went back home

This summer, I went back home

Overall, the essay is strong and has a deep emotional voice. You impressed me and you caught my attention at the start. One thing I suggest is expand more on how the boy has had an influence on you because you don't address that enough. I'm saying this because the purpose of the essay is to talk about the influence of a person on you, and while you did that, you didn't give enough about how he impacted you. Maybe 2-3 more sentence about this impact will make it stronger and more aligned with the prompt.

I hope my advice helps and good luck with your college application essay.

You're a really writer, and I hope you could give my Yale Supplement Essay a read!
makman09   
Dec 28, 2011
Undergraduate / 'high Calcium concentration' - JHU Supplement [9]

The anecdote really captured my interest, but in the second paragraph, you go all over the place. You first connect to your grandfather's death, and then you list techniques can concepts you learn in biology and say the interest you. You demonstrate why you want to chose the major, but not strongly enough. Try to specify on one of the qualities of Biology that appeal to you the most to show a deeper image of yourself instead of a bigger picture.

I did the same type of essay that you did, but for Cornell and specified one thing to give a deeper image of myself and why I love biology.

How Is Life Structured - Cornell

But that is just my advice, you don't have to follow it if you think it's wrong.

Could you give my Yale Supplement Essay a read?
makman09   
Dec 28, 2011
Undergraduate / 'Perfect balance' - Fun and Rigor - Why Northwestern Education? [2]

You effectively talk about what qualities of the college appeal to you and give it in great detail with a strong and personal voice without even kissing up too much. This essay is well done, but there's one thing that cross my mind.

Try to eliminate the paragraph about the fine arts and performing live and expand more on the engineering passion you have because I'm really interested in that. By expanding more, you give me a a deeper image of you instead of a bigger picture with the fine arts paragraph, but that's just my advice. You don't have to take it.

Good luck with NWU!

You really are a good writer and must be a good reader so could you reader my essay on Cornell Human Ecology?
makman09   
Dec 28, 2011
Undergraduate / Speaking Through Walls - Harvard Essay [4]

Your essay is fluid and coherent, but content wise, I'm jut not impressed. You talk about a theme that many people write on: Overcoming weakness and becoming a success. I want to hear something about you that strikes you as strong and confident such as ,"I destroyed these invisible as I develop a stronghold of confidence and coax myself to speak the romantic language of Spanish with master in fluency."

Now that is more impressive. Now isn't the time to be humble, but be big.

I hope my advice helps.

Can you give my Cornell Human Ecology essay a ready?
makman09   
Dec 28, 2011
Undergraduate / Cliche image of kids holding hands under a rainbow - Yale Supplement [6]

What would do with a free afternoon tomorrow?
I want to climb to the top of the green hills and sit there alone and quietly while thinking about how I see the world.

Recall a compliment you received that you especially value. What was it? From whom did it come?
"Mustafa is so independent that his parents don't even know what he is doing. He is on his way to great things." My friend's dad said that when he was lecturing my friend.

If you could witness one moment in history, what would it be and why?
I want to witness Malcolm X making holy pilgrimage to see how he reacted to the white people worshiping peacefully with others of different colors.

What do you wish you were better at being or doing?
I wish I was better at understanding girls' feelings.
If you were choosing students to form a Yale class, what question would you ask here that we have not?
There is more than one function of a paper clip. How would you use it?
Why Yale?
#1
When I see Yale as a diverse school, I don't see that cliché image of every kid from every race holding hands under a rainbow. I see different worlds colliding, and Yale achieves this in a unique way. During the famous football game against Harvard, the Yalies don't compete in spirit against Harvard, but they compete amongst themselves with their residential colleges. With such a unique way, I want to be a part of Yale and interact with different worlds through peculiar and friendly competition.

#2
I haven't done #2, but it's about why I chose Yale because of the many opportunities it offers such as their faculty researching on concepts that I'm interested in like Ronald Breaker's work on Ribozyme and riboswitch analysis.

Which do you think will be a better topic for the Why Yale question and impress the admission readers the most?
makman09   
Dec 27, 2011
Undergraduate / 'the times I went to work with my parents' - common app [3]

I also like the ending. It's personal and you have a caring voice, but what kholmes said is true. Try to talk about a meaningful lesson you learned from it and elaborate a little bit more on how this whole experience impacted you with one more sentence.

Good luck with the common app!

Oh, and can you give my Cornell Human Ecology Essay a read?
makman09   
Dec 27, 2011
Undergraduate / 'seemingly prepared for the year ahead' - Perspective Change- Brown Supplement [2]

You talk very little about your change in perspective. Try cut out the detail about first day of school and go directly to the scene where you find the first perspective. Cutting out the detail might change the meaning of your essay, but don't cut out all of it, but only those that don't contribute to the meaning of the essay like this

However, the nine years of schooling with my 25 student class could not compare with the diversity roaming through the halls

Cutout "However, the nine years of schooling with my 25 student could not compare" and start your sentence like this "I was surprised by the diversity roaming through the halls."

That's more concise and simple. Don't try to be grandiose if you don't have to.

You also need to elaborate more about the change in perspective that you had because I didn't follow it that well.Elaborate and expand on it.

If you follow these advice, your essay can be strong.
Good luck with it Brown!

Can you give my Cornell Human Ecology Essay a read?
makman09   
Dec 27, 2011
Undergraduate / "I Am Chanadian" - NYU App [5]

I like the title. It's not clever, but it's humorous.
You answer the prompt and display the significance of the land to you. It's strong, and I'm, to be honest, impressed.

Just one thing that I would do is expand more on the significance of the land to you with one more sentence at the ending. I suggest this so the essay can an accurate picture of your personality

Other than that, your essay is strong.

Could my Cornell Human Ecology Essay a read?
makman09   
Dec 27, 2011
Undergraduate / Big zhou, my chemistry teacher [14]

I have to agree with sm09. Elaborate more about how she impacted you and condense on your intro because some of what you say at the beginning is unnecessary. Like eliminate the clause about you settling with your friends in a corner. You can get rid of that clause and still keep your meaning of the essay. The most simple essays are the strongest essays.

I hope my advice helps you.
makman09   
Dec 27, 2011
Undergraduate / Cornell "I like money" [4]

You repeat entrepreneurs many times in the intro. Try to use synonyms or condense it a bit.

ubiquitous

Don't use the word. It just looks incoherent with the rest of the essay. Find a simple synonym.

Your ending about how you'll utilize Cornell's resource it too superficial. I seen many students write about it in broad terms. Be more specific about the tools that Cornell has to offer such as you were intrigued by a professor's lecture on his insightful perspective on the market. Tell me how you want to utilize these tools to follow your aspirations.

Overall, your essay didn't impress me. You don't really define well how you came to love economics. All you do is mention concepts about economics, but you don't reflect deeply about them and how they appeal to you.

I hope my advice helps.

I'm also doing an essay for Cornell, but for Human Ecology, can you read my essay and tell me what you think about it?
makman09   
Dec 27, 2011
Undergraduate / A Holiday Gift (CommonApp Essay) [4]

This maybe a crazy suggestion, but change your essay prompt so something else while keeping the essay. Change it to this, "Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence." Your essay is better aligned with it then the previous prompt. You might have to do some editing like eliminate the ending and expand on how the small child impacted. But with the different prompt I suggest, the essay will become stronger.

Other than that, your essay is masterly created and coherent. Maybe that was an overstatement, but your essay is strong and good. You paint an image and show who you are.

Do you mind giving my Cornell Human Ecology Essay a read?
makman09   
Dec 27, 2011
Undergraduate / 'Thomas Jefferson' - Common App, historical figure [2]

It seems like a majority of the essay deals with kissing up to Thomas Jefferson and very little on what he did to you or impacted you. You don't show much about your personality, but only what happened to you. Try to condense on what Thomas J. did, and expand more on how he impacted you.

I'm doing the same prompt that you did. Mine is on a historical figure also. Give mine a read and tell em what you think.
makman09   
Dec 27, 2011
Undergraduate / 'volunteering in the Cardiology Clinic' - COMMON APP SHORT [13]

The essay has good intentions, but I think the point of the essay is to show your reflection on it. How did that activity appealed to you. Did it impact you. You're giving a chronological order of what happened from applying to what you did. Maybe elaborate more about your interaction with the patients because I'm interested in that.
makman09   
Dec 27, 2011
Undergraduate / Blind, Arrogant Eyes - Common App Prompt [5]

Tell my what you think about the essay. I'm willing to read your essays if you read mine. Just ask me if you want to.

Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.

My young mind was full of arrogance as I dominated every class with excellent marks in my freshmen year of high school. From my egotistic thoughts, I saw a high school education as an effortless path to success even though I never experienced an AP curriculum. I entered every class with the intention of leaving every class. I pleased every teacher to get an excellent mark from every teacher. I did every assignment to only avoid failing every assignment. It seemed this conceited spirit would follow me throughout my high school career and ruin my transcript once I started taking an AP curriculum. However, the latter never occurred because a man named Malcolm X uncovered the errors of my way.

As a young man, Malcolm lived a troubled life as a criminal even when he embraced Islam. He continued to see the white men as the race of the devil and spoke with animosity against them to his fellow Muslim companions. People might question how I could ever relate with El Malik when my flaw is only arrogance. My arrogance correlates with my perspective of my high school, and Malcolm's hatred dealt with his perspective of the white race. He truly believed that the right and good would prevail, but sadly Elijah Muhammad, his mentor, indoctrinated his mind with such racial propaganda of the white people. However, both his and my perspective changed when he made holy pilgrimage to Makkah. He saw white people worshipping peacefully with others of different races. The indoctrinated thoughts of Elijah Muhammad clashed with his current sight. In a moment of epiphany, he began searching for a different meaning of righteousness, and it was promoting humanitarians rights to Middle Eastern parliaments. He eventually concluded that the change in his perspective impacted the course of his life and that education was the tool that changed our perspective with the quote "Without education, you are not going anywhere in this world."

From this valuable lesson he Malcolm X learned, I realized my own arrogance and saw how I was neither strong nor intelligent, but a weak soul that would have been shattered by an AP curriculum. I realized that high school was not a path to effortless success, but a source of change in viewpoints which can completely impact any situation. I study now in every class with only the sole purpose of changing my view of the environment around me, locally, nationally, and globally. I desired knowledge, but not for fulfilling my intellectual curiosity- only to develop new viewpoints of concepts, thus allow me to advance toward progress. When I studied AP Environmental Science, I was granted many insightful perspectives that gave me a new sight of humanitarian policies especially with charity organizations. They use donated funds to aid the suffering of third world countries in forms of food, blankets, and water. This form of charity has noble intentions, but it also has ill endings. To realize this, one must change one's perspective from those suffering to the farmers of the third world nations. Since those who are suffering are getting free food and aid from charity organizations, the farmers have no demand for their crops and they go out of business which negatively impacts the nation's economy which in turn will make the suffering more dependent on aid from charity organization. With this in mind, more effective policies can be made toward humanitarian aid.

From the lesson Malcolm X taught me, I formed a doctrine that I heavily believed in: How one sees will impact how one succeeds. With the doctrine, I analyze my environment for deeper nuances with hope of seeing something new. This is done with intention of refining the news perspective into progress. The doctrines, intentions, and lessons exist in my possession because Malcolm X granted vision to my blind, arrogant eyes.

Just some concerns. Should I eliminate the parallelism in my first paragraph?
And is there is any unnecessary clauses that should be condensed?
makman09   
Dec 27, 2011
Undergraduate / 'creating a welcoming, diverse community' - Why Columbia? [6]

Your first paragraph is better than your second paragraph. Cut out the second paragraph, and expand more on the Columbia's nonexistent classroom boundaries. The first paragraph catches me and shows something that Columbia appeals to you that many other students wouldn't write about. It's bold and unique. It's strong essay. I'd be happy to read it again if you want to rewrite it.

Care to give my Cornell Human Ecology essay a read?
makman09   
Dec 27, 2011
Undergraduate / 'Curling' - Extracurricular Common App [6]

While joining a sports team may seem banal to most people

Change it to "While joining this sport may seem banal to most people..."
It makes more logical sense.

To be honest, I'm not impressed. At the end, you showed me that you accepted failure because of the wise lesson it taught you. Your telling me that you're willing to accept loss for the rest of your life. This isn't a time to be humble. It's a time to be big and strong. I'd be willing read it again if you can rewrite it.

And do you mind giving my Cornell Human Ecology Essay a read?
makman09   
Dec 27, 2011
Undergraduate / 'successful business' + 'stock market+ 'listing off renowned artists' NYUs [5]

I like your first essay. When I read it, you showed yourself as determined, strong minded, and confident while appealing to the university also. It's strong and it's good. I can't anything wrong with it.

The 2nd essay, it really impressed me on how your knowledgeable about market and economics. You effectively display your passion, and you never waste a word. Everything is coherent. I like it. You also show how much you studied about the university and what programs it has that appeal to you. You got another strong essay. I can't find anything wrong with it.

Other than that, the only advice I have is what the others above said to me, don't use contractions.

Hope this helps.
and would care to return the favor to my Cornell Human Ecology Essay?
makman09   
Dec 27, 2011
Undergraduate / "taylor ham" - Common App [4]

You don't have to write about academic history or any other experience, but you have to show who you are. Admission readers want an essay to know about you, not about a bagel. Maybe expand more about how the bagel influenced you to do something you never did before. Write something about the bagel having an impact on you. This whole essay shows me that you had an impact on the bagel, the bagel didn't have an impact on you. To be honest, this essay is not going to get you anywhere.

I'd be happy to revise it if you can rewrite it.

Oh, and I'm in the same boat as you for SAT scores. I guess essays are the only key admission.
makman09   
Dec 26, 2011
Undergraduate / "Diversity in kids" -Describe the world you come from MIT [7]

I love your essay. The beginning made me LOL. I was also hooked when you said you were united by Gameboy and Pokemon. The essay is great!

that the relationship between cultures is not as simple as

add "different" before cultures to make it logical

Other than that, the essay is unique. I really like it. You have a fine blend of reality and fantasy on cultural boundaries: How an innocent child sees it and how someone older sees it.

Good luck with college app!

Oh, and can you give my Cornell Human Ecology Essay a read?
makman09   
Dec 26, 2011
Undergraduate / "I'd rather just be myself"-Tufts Univ. essay :) [5]

The essay is good, but to be honest, I'm not impressed. You show yourself as someone who is insecure, and then show yourself conquering your insecurity. You writing what many people write. Overcoming weakness and becoming a success. Try to portray yourself as strong minded in the essay. That will definitely capture me. Don't be humble, be big.

Good luck with the essay!

Oh, and can you give my Cornell Human Ecology Essay a read?
makman09   
Dec 26, 2011
Undergraduate / 'My Indian origin' - Brown Supplement [6]

Your essay is good on explaining the importance of a community or group to you, but you don't tell me how it shapes you. What has the Indian culture influenced or shaped you to do? Pursue Higher education? Become a doctor?

And another thing I'm nervous about is the Indian Origin. The prompt asks you to talk about a community or group, but you talk about origin. If you can change origin to family, then you'll be well off.

Good luck!

Oh, and can you my Cornell Human Ecology Essay a read?
makman09   
Dec 26, 2011
Undergraduate / My Time Doing Debate - Common App significant experience essay [3]

I like your essay. It's really interesting how you felt during the whole competition and how you took it at the end.

Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

But there is one part of the prompt you don't effectively talk about. How did it impact you? It seems like majority of the essay is talking about your experience, but you only devote 2-3 sentences on how it impacted you. Condense what you have to say about your experience, and expand more on how it impacted you.

Good luck with your app!

Oh, and can you give my Cornell Human Ecology Essay a read?
makman09   
Dec 26, 2011
Undergraduate / How One Sees will Impact How One Succeeds - Cornell: College of Human Ecology [9]

Prompt: What do you value about the College of Human Ecology perspective as you consider your academic goals and plans for the future? Reflect on our majors that interest you as you respond.

Cornell's College of Human Ecology appeals to me because it nurtures one doctrine that I believe in: How one sees will impact how one succeeds.

As a student in AP Environmental Science, I was given many insightful perspectives on how the world truly functioned around human policy, but one perspective that surprised me was giving aid to third world countries. There are charity organizations that use donated funds to aid the suffering of third world countries in forms of food, blankets, and water. This form of charity has noble intentions, but it also has ill endings. To realize this, one must change one's perspective from those suffering to the farmers of the third world nations. Since those who are suffering are getting free food and aid from charity organizations, the farmers have no demand for their crops and they go out of business which negatively impacts the nation's economy which in turn will make the suffering more dependent on aid from charity organization.

With this new perspective, effective policies on aiding third world nations can be made. Instead of donating aid, microloans can be given in which there is no interest and the loan can be recycled to help other in needs. In the end, one microloan can improve the economy of a third world nation while 1 ton of aid given for free can do the opposite. With a change in perspective, policies can be more effective

Cornell's College of Human Ecology puts high emphasis on perspective especially in the major of Policy Analysis and Management. The school offers many opportunities such as Capital Semester, Urban Semester, and Exchange programs to allow students to collect insightful perspectives in order for effective policies and efficient management to become possible. The school provides experience that is vital to any policy maker. The school also values the doctrine that I practice daily: How one sees will impact how one succeeds.

Tell me what you think about the essay. Give criticism and advice.
makman09   
Dec 26, 2011
Undergraduate / Nelson Mandela; Common App- historical figure [5]

Your essay has the wrong focus. You focus on Mandela 70 percent of the time while you focus on yourself 30 percent of the time. The admission readers don't want a story about Mandela. They want a story about you. Condense on what you have to say about Mandela and instead of talking about all of his qualities, focus one of his qualities that is significant to you and then discuss how that quality appeals to you. How did it influence you. If you focus more on how he influenced you, then you'll answer the prompt and the essay will be strong.
makman09   
Dec 26, 2011
Undergraduate / 'the only junior flutist' - MIT- Biggest Challenge question [4]

I was really successful with everything I got involved in music-wise.

"...I was successful in every music related activity..."
It's more concise this way, and the word "really" is unnecessary.

I tried to hide my hurt

Replace "hurt" with "pain"

I like how you transition from your nervous about the audition to after the auditions being over. It sparked my curiosity.

This essay is good, but is it strong? It can be if you condense your essay and try to show yourself as strong because in the end, you showed yourself as weak and nervous, but later delighted. Focus more on showing yourself as strong and determined to conquer the challenge.

Good Luck with MIT!

And can you give my common app - extracurricular essay a read?
makman09   
Dec 26, 2011
Undergraduate / 'algebra II and trigonometry' - Common app- Elaborate on an activity [25]

The essay isn't really strong. I know your trying to show your dedication in conquering academics, but you don't show it well. If you want to make it stronger, I suggest writer your essay on a different extracurricular activity that is more significant to you.

But if you want to stay with this essay, give more detail about how you struggle and what motivated you to or how it appealed to you.

Good Luck with App!

Can you also give my essay Common App - Extracurricular a read?
makman09   
Dec 26, 2011
Undergraduate / 'tradition was expectation' - Penn Supplement [3]

I love the parallelism at the beginning of your intro with "tradition." It really adds the voice to the essay.

Your first paragraph is really strong especially with the first reference to Benjamin Franklin. You incorporated it into your essay well, but after the bragging about how many hours you contributed, talk about why volunteering appeals to you or why is it significant. I know you explain why with the Ben Frank allusion, but expand a bit on it in order to show yourself as with noble intentions.

This essay is really strong. You effectively show how you will contribute to Penn University and you end it with a strong finish. I'm not a grammar wiz, but this essay is really strong in content and ideas.

Good luck with UPenn!

Can you give my essay, Common App - Extracurricular a read?
makman09   
Dec 26, 2011
Undergraduate / NUS - 'Struggling from zero' [3]

I'm guessing you're an English learner because you need to organize your essay. I can't follow what you're trying to say. I really don't have a clue what you're working on so try to focus on something specific that is significant like how you developed your scientific interest.
makman09   
Dec 25, 2011
Undergraduate / 'not only legos' + 'life's unpredictability' - Stanford Intellectual Vitality [4]

I like your first essay. It's strong especially with the ending. It has an emotional impact and you effectively bring out who you are, but the beginning is kind of too grandiose where you say "My story is not one where the hero gets the girl..." Maybe you want to condense that a little bit.

The 2nd essay is confusing. You dwell on two things that matters instead of one because when I first read the essay, I assume your focusing one matter, but when I read the 2nd paragraph, I was confused on why you switch the topic to your grandfather with no clear transition. Try focusing on one matter instead of two and build specificity so you can effectively show the reader a clearer image of yourself, not a large image with low resolution. I hope you get what I mean.

Good luck with Stanford!

Oh, and can you give my Common App - Extracurricular Essay a read?
makman09   
Dec 25, 2011
Undergraduate / Common App main essay: "Out of the frying pan, into the fridge" [3]

Can you give the prompt, or is this a topic of your choice essay?

The essay has good intention in showing the reader that you're versatile. You can adapt into any environment with success, but in the beginning, you have me confused with the dates the first time I read it. I had to read it three times in order to get it. You should have the intro more organized so the readers won't have trouble understanding it.

In the body paragraph, you're everywhere. You talk about leaving Brazil, then Rugby, and then show how you're well adapted to a new environment. It's a good essay, but it's not a strong essay. Work on organizing your details.

One advice that I have for you is develop your essay into a specific theme. Instead of going over the place, talk about one element of the transition from Brazil to Montreal that was significant to you. Maybe Rigby.

Good Luck with the essay, and I hope you get into your choice of college.

Oh, and can you give my Common App - Extracurricular Essay a read?
makman09   
Dec 22, 2011
Undergraduate / 'people from different cultures' - Duke Supplement Essay - International Person [4]

Your first paragraph is superficial, but your second paragraph shows that you truly do want to be a party of this university because of its specificity. This is just a suggestion, but try to condense your first paragraph about diversity, and expand your second paragraph the programs of duke and how it interests you.

While your essay is too good, the beginning is superficial, and you don't want to risk being common in the application pool as many people will write like this.

Good Luck with Duke!

Oh, and can you check mine please?

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