Unanswered [5] | Urgent [0]
  

Posts by ZhoeK
Joined: Dec 18, 2011
Last Post: Jan 6, 2012
Threads: 5
Posts: 173  

From: Jamaica

Displayed posts: 178 / page 4 of 5
sort: Latest first   Oldest first  | 
ZhoeK   
Dec 24, 2011
Undergraduate / 'Love&MD' - Common Application Essay [4]

Here goes, and thanks for stopping by.
I would like feedback/critique on my common application essay based on content, grammar and overall readability. Was it terribly boring, ordinary, good, bad, whatever - I would really like to hear your opinion of it, so don't hold back. Also if the title is okay as is, or if you have any suggestion, feel free to mention it. Thank you!

PROMPT: 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. [250-500words]

POTENTIAL TITLE:'Cynical Love'

It was love at second listen.

I was shocked by my profession and how glibly it had rolled off of my usually guarded tongue. For a dedicated cynic who believed naught of 'love' and its follies, I was confounded by how instantaneous and inexplicable the sensation was. In a snap, my once utterly cliché and lacklustre life, as varying as a scratch record, transformed into sheer brilliance. I was forcibly wrenched from the mind-numbing depths of boring and uninteresting melodies with shallow and meaningless lyrics and submerged into beautiful and enchanting music, the likes of which I had never encountered before.

In popped Marina Lambrini Diamondis, my very own prince charming who, under the alias Marina and the Diamonds (MD), has liberated me from the drudgery of pop music and its pervasive nature, one intense song at a time. It seemed more than coincidental yet downright impossible that one musician's lyrics perfectly epitomized my idiosyncratic thoughts and ideas but I found myself relating to every MD song I could find.

Always one to introspect when posed with a predicament, my gut reaction was always to stifle all emotions. I associated emotions with weaknesses, but through Marina's profound lyrics along with the catchy yet erratic beats and, the sharp, unexpected lilt of her voice, I have come to the realization that emotions should be experienced in their entirety: unrestrained and unreservedly. The emotionless void that had consumed me, no longer had its steely grip on me and I am now better able to handle my own emotions as well as others.

READ BELOW
ZhoeK   
Dec 23, 2011
Undergraduate / 'a four letter word' - Why Yale- 500 ch. essay [7]

Astor

Much, much better! I really like the opening statement, makes it seem like Yale is special to you.
No grammar mistakes that I can tell. Nicely done!

Hope this helps & Good Luck!
ZhoeK   
Dec 23, 2011
Undergraduate / 'a four letter word' - Why Yale- 500 ch. essay [7]

Astor

Well, I think that you can spend more time describing why Yale is for YOU. It doesn't really sound personal.

Hope this helps. & if you don't mind, could you check out my why Lafayette, Gambling essay. Thanks!
ZhoeK   
Dec 23, 2011
Undergraduate / Two different Common App essays -- love for reading & my father [6]

Nimitha

Okay I see, smart move. I think you should use the first essay because it paints a more rounded picture of you as an individual while the second essay though well-written, is pretty one track and only highlights one aspect about you.

First essay:

Ah, I loved the ending sentence! I think it was rather perfect for an ending. I also love the last paragraph, lovely way to close out. Overall it was a well-written and interesting essay, the Bond part was funny and lightened the mood of the essay. I agree with Denise, maybe you shouldn't use argumentative maybe just stubborn and opinionated.

My father has probably shaped me as a person more than anyone else I knowinto the person I am now more than anyone else . We are very similar in personality - stubborn, strongly opinionated, and argumentative - and so clash very often.

Suggestion: We have similar personality traits -we were both very stubborn and strongly opinionated and would often get into clashes.
Don't know if this is any better, but I tried.

Hope this helps.
ZhoeK   
Dec 23, 2011
Undergraduate / 'travel to anywhere I want' - Extracurricular Essay [25]

Ha, Nimitha no you didn't but thank the persons who corrected me. I like semi-colons too, there just so nifty.

Mikaela

I think that through poetic I have explained my extracurricular well.

Thanks!
ZhoeK   
Dec 23, 2011
Undergraduate / 'travel to anywhere I want' - Extracurricular Essay [25]

Nimitha

Why thank you. I took out the England bit for that exact same reason. & I already changed the last sentence. (check post #21)
Thank you again :) & I'll be sure to.
ZhoeK   
Dec 23, 2011
Undergraduate / (mess on my desk) roommate essay + (my apologies) five words that describe you [6]

Nimintha

LOL. I loved both of your essays, so perfectly comedic while still unfolding tidbits of your personality. I think the second one will be a better choice. Couldn't really find any major grammar errors.

Just brilliant I really love em! I'd like to be your roommate definitely.

allalso while asleepI sleep .

I like I might occasionally break the rules, but that could give the wrong impression.
Not every admission reader might know what Hogwarts is...so you probably shouldn't with that one either.
Does it have to the a clause or can it literally be five, independent words?

Hope this helps & Good Luck! I would love it if you took a look at any of my essays! Thanks!
ZhoeK   
Dec 23, 2011
Undergraduate / 'Flushed' + 'I am exhausted' - Extra Curricular activities essays [15]

Hello Menuka

First Essay:

Starts off with a bang, good attention-grabber with the use of shit. One thing I am uncertain of though, is who do you teach exactly? Because your list of students does not give me the impression that these persons struggle with English. Otherwise fairly good essay.

"Can I shit?" With a calm aura but flushed up red cheeks, I smiled and muttered, "Ya, sure." After a hustle and bustle of bag packs unpacking in the room,(very awkward sounding) I looked up at my student and said, "Next time, say, can I siiiit, okay?" After a puzzled look from everyone, I continued, "Well, shit means..uhm...something else" and yes,I went on to explain further. As an English instructor whose class consists of students from jaunty high school graduates to shy housewives, from modest ex-soldiers to upbeat media students, this incident is just another fun memorythis was just another fond memory I had of my students . I love my job. Not only because of my passion for teaching and the language itself, but also for the vital role I get to play in my students' transition to the new worldplay in my student's transition to the new world , a place where speaking English has become a ticket to liberation, thanks to globalization.(reword) The camaraderie I experience among the students trying to decipher English language is very valuable to me and something I feel lucky to have witnessed.

Suggestion: I smiled my cheeks flushed and calmly muttered
Something sounds rather off with that phrasing.

Suggestion: The camaraderie I experience while students try to decipher the English language is very valuable to me and something I feel lucky to have witnessed.

Second Essay:

Eh I rewrote it in past tense.

Suggestion: I was exhausted. I felt numerous drops of sweat travelling down my body, teasing and tickling me. I looked around and saw other people sweating equally as much as I was. Some hammered their thumb instead of the nail, the clumsier ones doing it more than once and while some were frightened to climb the roof others were horrified to come down. All of a sudden, I heard a loud explosion of Tim McGraw's song (you can probably state the name of the actual song here) starting at different intervals before a roar of laughter. I realized that I yearned for the wonderful camaraderie I experienced every time I volunteered at Habitat for Humanity. There was no hint of a problem on anyone's face and as I observed the jaunty students who devotedly worked on building homes for families they had never met, I was humbled. Habitat for Humanity provides compassion and hope to everyone involved and makes me all the more determined to be a part of this exhilarating project.

The last sentence still sounds a bit awkward to me, but I have no idea what you were trying to say. You used a lot of words that did not fit where they were. So my advice is to not embellish your vocabulary at all. It disturbs the flow of the essay and honestly I still don't get coherent thoughts or the gist of what you said form what I read.

Hopes this helps!
ZhoeK   
Dec 23, 2011
Undergraduate / 'immigrant parents in the US' - Pennsylvania(150 words max); Describe yourself [3]

Rohith

has caused me to becomefosteredinterestedmy interest in the rest of the world.

As a result,I n addition to taking French at school and being able to fluently speak two Indian languages, I have been learning Swedish and Dutch. I also take uphave also developed an interest in international issues and follow the actions of the United Nations very closely as well.

Oh I like your concluding sentence: nice touch there. Overall this was a nice and delightful read, I believe you were focusing on how diverse you are & your interest, which describes you well. Nice work!

Hope this helps!
ZhoeK   
Dec 23, 2011
Undergraduate / I'd rather remain a chicken-hearted boy - common app activities essay [4]

Jonjo

Suggestion: When a fight broke out, I would always flee. They occurred quite frequently at my middle school: fights among schools, (I'm not sure what you saying here though) over choosing a leader, during games, (maybe you could mention a particular game/sport here) -and most of all, over girls. Since my stature is relatively smaller than most students, I preferred to settle arguments through peaceful means. But in the end, boys will boys and fistfights are inevitable. Fed up with being called chickenhearted, (is hearted a word? not sure, or is chickenhearted an expression?) I decided to take matters into my own hands and take Taekwondo courses. Through consistent training, I improved, and even won a medal at a National Taekwondo Championship. Taekwondo has helped me to develop physically but it also, completely changed my perspective of fighting. Now that I knew how to felt to being beaten despite my ability to fight, I was unwilling use the techniques that I had learned to inflict harm to others. Instead I opted to remain the chickenhearted boy who sought amicable methods to win a fight.

I think you have a basically good essay sketch right here though they were a lot of grammar issues. I have given my suggestion so, hope this helps!

Sorry if I pushed you over the word limit.
ZhoeK   
Dec 23, 2011
Undergraduate / Personal Essay "Nomad", topic of your choice [8]

Hello Wya

This was a wonderful essay. It shows so many things, your growth and maturity, how you assimilated to moving and submerging yourself into new cultures and also your hobbies and activities that you've participated in - without being obvious. I agree with the other comments in that you can provide a little more explanation/elaboration for the conclusion, but other than that I see no grammar that needs to be corrected (except probably taking out those contractions - but that's probably just me). Good essay!

Eh I couldn't help it.

It was thethat moment my five-year-old self understood the finality of my departure, and just how much I was leaving behind.

ZhoeK   
Dec 23, 2011
Undergraduate / 'First, you can relax' - Stanford Roommate Essay [7]

Hello there Pooreum

I liked your essay. It was genuine and revealed a lot about you with a touch of humour here and there that was neither overdone or cheesy.. I like the touch at the end about minimum tolerance, thought that was a nice unique touch (I've read so many Standford Roomate Essays). Good job, I don't recall any alarming grammar mistakes, but I'm probably too tired to notice, so I'll take a look on the morrow. Overall lovely.

Hope this helps!
ZhoeK   
Dec 22, 2011
Undergraduate / 'a new academic chapter' + 'why Lafayette' + 'Travel' + 'Equity' - supplements [19]

Tweaked Gambling.

I am addicted to gambling. The higher the stakes, the sweeter the win! Slot machines and poker chips however, were not the kind of gambling that got my blood boiling; taking risks were. The Cur Non spirit of Lafayette encourages students to take risks and create their own destiny. My first gamble at Lafayette will be choosing a major but I am not worried. I am a seasoned gambler and with my ability to analyze a risk and make informed decisions, I bet my time at Lafayette will be very rewarding.

Hurray, I am glad that you picked up on the pun.

Point taken kt94 I will make that change. Ahh, I really wish I could add more, but I am up to 500 words exactly and it would be really difficult to add in another particular attraction, even though I have several other reasons why I love Lafayette (tis my first choice). I could try but it would be quite a task and I would end up getting rid of another sentence..
ZhoeK   
Dec 22, 2011
Undergraduate / 'a new academic chapter' + 'why Lafayette' + 'Travel' + 'Equity' - supplements [19]

Tweaked Some More - Why Lafayette: Gambling Essay. Feedback required!

I am addicted to gambling. The higher the stakes, the sweeter the win! Slot machines and poker chips however, were not the kind of gambling that got my blood boiling; taking risks were. The Cur Non spirit of Lafayette encourages students to take risks and create their own destiny. My first gamble at Lafayette will be choosing a major but I am not worried. I am a seasoned gambler and with my ability to analyze a risk and rack up substantial winnings, I bet my time at Lafayette will be rewarding.

Thank you kt94, I have revised again taking into consideration what you said and viola.
ZhoeK   
Dec 22, 2011
Undergraduate / 'travel to anywhere I want' - Extracurricular Essay [25]

Mhmmmm, well I did some research and reading (and practically anything else) can be classified as an extracurricular as long as its something your passionate about and its beneficial to others. So I will again spruce up my response just to highlight that reading not only benefits me, but also my friends - like Lynne mentioned.

I want to thank you all for your opinions and compliments, I really do appreciate them and if anyone needs help I'll be glad to!
ZhoeK   
Dec 22, 2011
Undergraduate / 'a much more exciting social world' - common app essay [3]

I think this is a really great essay, it shows how you overcame your fears and challenges over the 3 year span while displaying little tidbits about your personality and interests without being obvious. The use of figures of speech is nicely done as well. The experience is very realistic and does not sound contrived and I think the admissions officers will be just delighted and drawn in as I was with your success. I can't find any grammar mistakes so I'll rap up by saying you did a bloody good job!

Hope this helps!
& if you wouldn't mind checking out one of my essays I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
ZhoeK   
Dec 22, 2011
Undergraduate / 'My Inspiration' - Cornell Essay College of Arts and Sciences [8]

Armaan

Masterfully written! Everything fits, and your ending was excellent - going back to the dive - I LOVED it. Your use of figures of speech was not overdone but rather just the right amounts at the right places. What can I say, I cannot find anything wrong.

I aspire to becomingbecome a surgeon at Mayo

The College of Arts and Sciences is a dream come true for a student like myself.

Hope this helps & I would love it if you could critique any of my essays!
ZhoeK   
Dec 22, 2011
Undergraduate / How Is Life Structured - Cornell [5]

Mustafa

Overall it was a pretty good essay. I like how you started off with your fascination in the first paragraph and then expounded in the second paragraph how it developed. Not sure if the third paragraph contributes anything to answering the prompt, I see that you tied in Cornell with what you like about biology, but I'm not sure it fits. But then again I suppose it can work. Maybe you should rework the last paragraph something's just off about it to me, it could just be me though, or expound on how you intend to utilize the facilities.

because once the structure is known,

Suggestion: because once I know the structure,

To clarify,

Suggestion: For example, the

work temporairly before the next mutation occurs,.but if one can understand the mutation patterns of the HIV virus, then progress is made. If one can understand the mutation patterns of the HIV virus, then progress can be made.

With patterns, medication against the HIV can be more effective and longer termed as the next mutation can be predicted and countered against by drug control.

Suggestion: These patterns can be incorporated into medication design, making the medicine more effective and longer lasting as the next mutation can be predicted and countered with drugs.

Every fascination has a foundation,which is where it began and mine was 2ndbegan in second period Biology AP of Sophomore year.

When I first entered the class, I entered the class with fear from rumors of the heavy work load that college level biology will burden me with, but when I listened to my teacher's lecture, my fascination for biology flourished.

When a medicationmedicine is crystallized

it will take longer for ita longer time to dissolve in the body which allows the patient to take the medication at a lower dosage rate. From this class, my main intention for biology developedthrived (suggestion) , which is to create new applications out of the structure of life.

Hope this helps!
& if you would not mind, maybe you could take a look at any of my essays. Thanks!
ZhoeK   
Dec 22, 2011
Undergraduate / 'Scars become scabs' -Commonapp Main Essay [6]

Here's the funny thing about scars: they start as cuts or scrapes thatand eventually become scabs. When the scabs fall off, the skin is healed. However, while most cuts heal and vanish like fleeting ghosts, scars remain. I don't know why some injuries disappear while others turn into scars, permanently engraving themselves in the skin, but I get this feeling that scars are from the more important injuries and our bodies are telling us something when scars form. It's almost as if the scars are calling out to us, warning us against the foolish deeds that created them; scars serve as remembrances of our mistakes so that we may prevent making the same ones in the future.

I think this part is very confusing and you were just rattling on when it could be put more succinctly. I think I understand what your trying to say, that scars are permanent marks which serves the purpose of preventing you from making the same mistakes. So try and simplify it.

At first I could not see where this was going, but I rather liked the last two paragraphs and the message. The last sentence was pretty good (took me a while but when I got it it was impacting). What is the topic of this essay? I feel like you can spend less time about the scab and put a little more oomph in the earlier body of the essay and that that would make it a better one. The hint of humour at the beginning of the second to last paragraph was a nice touch.

Hope this helps!
& if you wouldn't mind, maybe you could take a look at my Gambling Lafayette Supplement. Thanks!
ZhoeK   
Dec 22, 2011
Undergraduate / 'the piano for the freedom' - Commonapp: Elaboration activities [3]

Kel-Vin

I enjoy playing the piano forbecause of the freedom it allowsed me. Throughout thea piece, I can experiment with the little nuances that shape each phrase or the effects created by pedalling, while still remaining faithful to the characterintegrity (suggestion) of the music. As my fingers dance on the keyboard, my emotions rise to the surface as I live out the story of the piece in my imagination. It is during these moments whenthat I feel completely free from any burdens that might plagued me.and allows me to reflect and think calmly.I am also able to reflect and think calmly.(think calmly still sound pretty awkward to me) When I was younger, I used to loathed the endless hours of practice I had to endure . But now, I enjoy putting in the extra effort for thatan upcoming performance. Indirectly,mM y approach to music has translated in to other aspects of my daily life, and has benefited me. I believe that I am a more creative and disciplined person today, and I have music to thank for that .

Overall a nice essay.
Hope this helps!
& if you wouldn't mind could you take a look at my Gambling Lafayette Supplement. Thanks!
ZhoeK   
Dec 22, 2011
Undergraduate / 'students doing community' Stanford: Extracurricular or Work Exp- Kiddies and Violins [5]

Sarah

Suggestion:
Students for the Arts, StARTs, is a group of high school students who dedicate their time to educating children less privileged who suffer as a result of budget cuts of programs in their schools. Every week, the members of StARTs carpool to an inner-city elementary school to teach these kids how to play musical instruments and art. The children are always vivacious and bursting with energy, but are also undeniably passionate to learn to play the violin. They have so much potential despite their lack of resources, and I try to impress upon them the importance of the Arts. I joined StARTs because I wanted to give those that want to learn the chance to. I am now the co-president and I organize each weekly class. I love expanding the classes and volunteers, but the real reward is seeing my peers, even those who dislike school, mature into more responsible and purpose-driven individuals around the children they are attached to.


Some statements are still awkward sounding, & I couldn't quite fix them. It was an okay essay overall.

Hope this helps. If you don't mind would you take a look at my Gambling Lafayette Supplement. Thanks!
ZhoeK   
Dec 22, 2011
Undergraduate / 'brought up and raised primarily in Beirut, Lebanon' - STANFORD SUPPLEMENT [17]

Jawad

No worries. It is not bad, however you could probably still add more of you and your feelings about the club and what it does. Maybe you could focus on ONE particular project that the club carried out and elaborate further than mentioning so many helter-skelter-ly. The concept isn't bad you just need to spruce it up and it'll be ready to go.

Hope this helps.
ZhoeK   
Dec 22, 2011
Undergraduate / 'brought up and raised primarily in Beirut, Lebanon' - STANFORD SUPPLEMENT [17]

Jawad

I think you should make it more personal, about YOU instead of solely/majority about the club. Why did create the club? Why does it matter to you? Why do you think its important to help your country? That might take away the generic sound of the essay. Generally nothing you've mentioned is answering the prompt of what matters to you so you definitely should work on that.

Hope this helps!
ZhoeK   
Dec 22, 2011
Grammar, Usage / (Can't they still be influential in their absence?) - help with word choice [4]

Taylor

My sisters' support, although precious, was no longer enough; it was my turn to be my own motivation -to be my own spirit.

I don't think this sounds any better, but maybe it would be easier if we had the rest of the essay to get a better feel of what you are trying to say.

Hope this helps!
ZhoeK   
Dec 22, 2011
Undergraduate / St. Olaf Essay: Design a course of your own [2]

Le Hai

Interesting course idea. Overall your essay was okay.
Your introductory sentence was a little flat, especially the first sentenced that was just a regurgitation of the question.

Suggestion: "Genius is 1% talent and 99% hard work". Many talented persons achieve nothing significant because they do not put enough effort into their plans. If everyone on this planet was determined and worked harder, humanity could possibly have gone much further than it has today. Enter Determination, the topic of my Interim and my motivation to acquire in-depth knowledge about resolution and how it can improve the community. The course would be a combination of Neurology, Psychology, Sociology and Philosophy.

Not sure if the example was pertinent or well linked to the essay also it sounds abrupt.

Hope this helps!
If you wouldn't mind could you take a look at my Gambling Lafayette Supplement. Thanks!
ZhoeK   
Dec 22, 2011
Undergraduate / 'travel to anywhere I want' - Extracurricular Essay [25]

Thanks for stopping by. I would like feedback on my extracurricular activity essay for the Common App. on content, readability and grammar.
Not sure if the prompt was sufficiently answered and if the last sentence is effective or not. Any help will be appreciated.
I will critique your essays if you would like. Just indicate.

PROMPT:Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below [1000 characters]

I am able to travel to anywhere I want, within the blink of an eye. Preposterous some might think, but I can visit the grassy highlands of Scotland, the bustling streets of England, the dense jungles of Cambodia, the sub-zero mountain ranges of Antarctica, and even Olympus (the home of the Greek Gods) or, if I am feeling particularly devilish, I can pop into the Underworld and see what mischief Hades and Persephone are stirring up -all without leaving the comforts of my bed. My travels are not restricted to the latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates found on a map, instead extend to dimensions that are otherwise impossible to locate. Reading, to me is more than just skimming over the words on a page or a hobby. Books are the primary means through which I discover unchartered territory, fall in love with spellbinding characters, all while experiencing their adventures and adversities firsthand. I am an avid reader and my eyes greedily consume the material of any novel within my reach.
ZhoeK   
Dec 21, 2011
Undergraduate / Calculus-- What is your favorite class? [6]

Hehe, we meet again Brian.

I agree with Nicole in the sense that you shouldn't devote an entire paragraph to the teacher's style of teaching, more focus should be placed on why YOU love CALCULUS.

So if there is any special reason, maybe it challenges you, it tickles your interest - whatever you can elaborate on that more. Otherwise I think it was a good essay just delve deeper into the meat of the

matter & it'll be even better!

During a typical day in Calculus, I have a puzzled look on my face and I'm more than likely ripping my hair out, but somehow, I enjoy the challenge.

Suggestion: A typical day of Calculus would entail me ripping out my hair with that puzzled look on my face. But somehow, I enjoyed the challenge that Calculus posed.

Hope this helps & thanks for the critique!
ZhoeK   
Dec 21, 2011
Undergraduate / Introduce Yourself to Penn - TaCo Nickname [10]

Outstanding essay!

Every thing was tied together beautifully and it was very sincere.

Just a few grammar fixes:

with the discoveringdiscovery of TaCo

Who k new that some meat and a shell would be the source of a new me?

Hope this helps!
If you wouldn't mind could you take a look at my essays.
ZhoeK   
Dec 21, 2011
Undergraduate / 'a new academic chapter' + 'why Lafayette' + 'Travel' + 'Equity' - supplements [19]

Elena

Thank you :)

I was thinking the same thing that the adcoms will be more understanding.

I am definitely going to re-do the first one. I agree that it is very impersonal, and the second time around I intend to rectify that.

Your advice has been very helpful.

I am glad you picked up on that from my second essay, that is exactly what I was trying to bring across. Yay!
I will surely comment on yours in turn!

Do You Need
Academic Writing
or Editing Help?
Fill in one of the forms below to get professional help with your assignments:

Graduate Writing / Editing:
GraduateWriter form ◳

Best Essay Service:
CustomPapers form ◳

Excellence in Editing:
Rose Editing ◳

AI-Paper Rewriting:
Robot Rewrite ◳