Undergraduate / $$$ Why Columbia University? Short Response $$$ [3]

First Draft

Any suggestions? constructive criticism?

The most appealing aspect of Columbia University is the availability of leadership opportunities that take place about the campus. It goes without saying that your core curriculum and diversity in courses and students is highly sought after. With this, there is no doubt you have one of the most diverse, creative, intelligent and passionate student body a college has to offer. Acknowledging this allows me to further appreciate your programs in student development, such as the Emerging Leaders Program. Not only does the Emerging Leaders Program embrace the idea that Columbia students are leaders. It also provides unique skills, leadership assessments and leadership labs to help develop ones leadership ability. I am fascinated by this program which I believe demonstrates how at Columbia, regardless of your achievements, you are encouraged to improve and discover there is never an end to your potential. This resonates with my own belief that there is always room to do better. It also excites me to know at Columbia I can continue to passionately develop my intellect and leadership potential.

Undergraduate / 'Exciting economics' - Columbia University Economics short [2]

Fav Class and Why .1500 characters

The class that's currently exciting me the most is economics. I'm enjoying learning about the various theories of supply and demand, and incentives. These concepts make me realize that the complexities of human behavior are products of us trying to better ourselves morally, economically or socially. Not only do I like this new perception, I find humorous relief in knowing that theoretically everybody makes rational decisions. Moreover, I'm fascinated by how economics addresses and provides potential solutions to externalities and market failures. I'm learning that manufacturing pollution exists because there's a higher economic incentive to pollute vs. taking costly steps to reduce emissions. Also factories don't have to pay the higher health expenses pollution causes in residential areas. With problems such as this, economics allows me to identify the factors causing the divide between factories production costs and social impact. Once the cause is revealed, it interests me to know it's possible to rearrange and strengthen certain incentives through laws and taxation. Though easier said than done, doing so could provide solutions to major problems we face today such as pollution. Put simply, I enjoy discovering the logical way economics analyzes and reveals the driving force behind human behavior and industry. I'm also inspired by the effect economics has and can potentially have on environmental policy and poverty issues.

Any advice/ Revisions?

Undergraduate / Columbia MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER short essay [3]

Please tell us what you found meaningful about one of the above mentioned books, publications or cultural events. 1500 characters

"How does he do it?" I pondered as I intently watched motivational speaker Bill Poett pace back and forth. For the past forty-five minutes he'd been depicting the damaging conditions of doubt and discouragement and the potential it has to quench ambition and self-esteem. As he continued, I sat there shocked. He wasn't at any point telling me something I didn't know but simply defining the components of my motivation I felt unable to articulate. As he stressed the importance of enhancing your self-worth, I smiled. I believe the most detrimental condition facing society's youth is the idea you're not worthy or are incapable of doing something. Once you determine you can't achieve, you don't try, guaranteeing that you won't. A fact he confirmed after proclaiming "self worth is the determining factor for everything that happens in your life". Later, he told the audience the importance of subjecting yourself to physical, emotional and mental negative resistance. A concept I had unwittingly discovered this three years earlier. I recognized accepting challenges forced me to improve, leading to a perpetual spiral of self improvement. At the end of the lecture, Bill's explanation of what I felt left me with the confidence in knowing my beliefs are commendable.

First draft 1273 characters (with spaces)

Any advice ?

Undergraduate / 'Pivotal Decisions ' - Too Deep or not Deep enough? Adoption Commonapp essay [2]

This is my first time doing this and I'm not entirely sure what to expect. At any rate any recommendations, insight or constructive criticism is welcomed. As of now I'm determining if my points of emphasis makes the essay as effective as it could be.

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

To help aid with context, at my school, Midland, the Prefect System gives seniors tremendous responsibility for the well-being of younger students. Each year, the faculty selects 12 senior Class Prefects. These prefects teach their prefectees about Midland's philosophy and traditions, and they act as positive role models, counselors, and guides. Two Head Prefects oversee the Class Prefects and the Job System (assigning jobs and making sure they are done well), and they are the primary liaison between the Headmaster and the students. Head Prefects also play an important role in disciplinary matters, working together with teachers through the student-faculty council.

Pivotal Decisions

At thirteen years old I was plunged into a world of revelation when a student at my school joked about how he couldn't see me in the dark after we got out late from a school play. Word spread quickly prompting seven more of my classmates to jeer at me as I struggled to appear nonchalant. The comment stung more than I anticipated given I was coming to terms with an identity I'd been oblivious to before. For the first time in my life I was left feeling alienated as I noticed how my own dark complexion contrasted with the lighter ones around me. Since that moment I became in increasingly sensitive to being an African American adopted into a Caucasian family and growing up in a white community. Not knowing my biological parents created the painful experience of not being to identify with my roots. As a result I felt so insecure, I isolated myself from everybody except close friends. When my grades and confidence began to wane, my parents enrolled me at Midland School, a change that was disorienting and difficult to adjust to. By the end of freshman year, I had deep reservations about being there and it showed in my performance.

The following summer, my parents and I got into an argument about my lack of motivation. With fists clenched and struggling to keep composure, I escaped to my room. There I knew my sanctuary of thick walls would muffle my parent's angry comments as I reflected my predicament. I sank onto my bed, weighed down by the accumulation things leading to the argument and the deep, paralyzing feeling of not knowing what to do. Looking up, I noticed a short list of proverbs my mom placed on my wall. One said "You can't change what you don't acknowledge". I realized then taking responsibility for my welfare gave me the power to change it. The idea was so simple and insightful I thought it just might work. Besides, I was tired of my insecurity, my carelessness and how my behavior affected the people around me. I made the conscious decision to improve my grades and feel secure being who I am.

Last summer, I was in my room again when I received an email from Midland's Headmaster. It read, "It's my honor to tell you you've been chosen by the faculty to be a Head Prefect in addition to being Junior Prefect for this upcoming school year". "No way," I muttered. Moments later I became aware I'd stopped breathing. I tore my eyes away from the screen with my heart beating fast. Hesitantly, I turned back in disbelief and re-read it. Then I read it again out loud, slowly, just to make sure. There was no debate. I had been awarded two of the most prestigious positions a leading senior could receive. Being so focused on improving myself over the last two years, I had paid little attention to what people thought of my actions since freshman year. I guess everyone else had noticed. I sank down on my bed, like so many times before and glanced up at the old proverb list with a smile.