Undergraduate / Iron Chef America, Skydiving, Why Notre Dame? [5]

I would be grateful for some feedback. Thank you!

3. Many people form a list of once-in-a-lifetime activities to accomplish. For example, individuals on the admissions staff hope to visit all the national parks, publish a fiction novel or waddle with penguins in Antarctica. What are a few of the items on your list?

A few items on my once-in-a-lifetime activities to accomplish include visit all fifty states, compete in Iron Chef America and trace my history. I first became interested in traveling to all fifty states while watching television. I would watch the travel shows featuring towns throughout the United States, tasting the flavors of the food at highlighted restaurants or talking to the residents. Visualizing a road trip to some of these places, I was intrigued by the sights each town had to offer. From the Petrified Forest in Arizona, Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, and Harpers Ferry in West Virginia, I want to experience the beauty of my own country. I love food, eating it, discussing it and most importantly, cooking it. I am always testing new recipes and creating my own which is why I would like to compete in Iron Chef America. With sixty minutes to complete five dishes and a secret ingredient, I could surely beat world renonwed chefs. I would like for Henry Louis Gates Jr. to perform genealogy search and find from which part of Africa my ancestors originated. Once I receive the results, my next step is to travel to that region of Africa with my family.

5. Why are you interested in attending the University of Notre Dame?
Why I have chosen to apply to the University of Notre Dame is simple: it is one of the finest institutions to study engineering, my intended major. As a student, I would have access to vast resources and a chance to interact with accomplished professors. From my first visit to campus freshman year of high school, I have been highly impressed by the charming college setting. The attitude of the students who attended Notre Dame piqued my interest, displaying a warm, friendly feeling. One of the best pieces of advice I received from a student was to apply for a research grant during my undergraduate studies. Not only would I be able to direct an engineering study but also travel abroad. Equally important are the various clubs and activities on campus. I like that I can be a member of the Symphony Orchestra even though I am a non-Music majors. Another aspect on my decision to attend Notre Dame is the extensive active alumni association.

I continually imagine myself eating in the delicious food in South Dining Hall again, at a Fighting Irish football game, praying to "Touchdown Jesus" or finally walking up the stairs of the Main Building after graduation. Everything I look for in a college is at Notre Dame and I do not want to miss the opportunity.

Undergraduate / I can't spell accidentally - princeton and harvard supplement [7]

Thank you for any feedback!

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance
My eyes darted out into the sea of parents, searching frantically for my mom. I knew she could not help me. Why did I not receive an easier word like bibulous? "Could you repeat the word?" "Accidentally." As many times I have saw, wrote, said this word, I cannot remember if there is one or two l's.

Three months before, I came home waving a list of words for the class's spelling bee. I desperately wanted to win. Not only would I be recognized as the best speller in sixth grade but also have the chance to compete against seventh and eighth graders. I soon understood spelling is beyond memorizing a bunch of words. I had to know Greek, Latin, Dutch, French, Arabic, German roots, suffixes, prefixes and homonyms. Committing to the spelling bee turned into more work than I expected.

Preparation for the competition began with purchases of Websters Third New International Dictionary and a pronunciation guide. From the spelling list, I created flashcards with the word, definition and pronunciation. The guide suggested learning the etymology and roots of a word. I had no clue what that meant. All of those foreign words intimidated me. But I was not detered; every day I pulled out the flashcards and study. I met a new friend: Merriam Webster's Dictionary Online. Sometimes my mother did not know how to pronunce the words so we used the Internet. Correct articulation of a word leads to greater chances of accurate spelling. I found out there is a format spelling bee participants have to follow. We have the options of requesting the judge to repeat the word, use it in a sentence, give the definition and the etymology.

A week before the class spelling bee, my classmates eagerly tried to figure who seriously was going to study. When I revealed my intentions, I received sideway glances. "Nia, are you actually studying those words? That's a waste of time." In their minds, studying for the spelling bee indicated intelligence which was not the epitome of "coolness." I did not care what they thought. Instead of giving in to peer pressure, I did win the class spelling bee. It was ironic that those classmates who did not learn the words were the most upset at losing. From this, I got the confidence that the right decision was made. Continuing my journey to the regional competition, I won the school's and district wide competition. The words became complicated and I soon realized that spelling bees require extreme dedication and stamina. Dedication to continually delve deeper and deeper into the English language, stamina to spell word after word in the actual contest.

The day of regionals brought on the sensation of boulders rolling through my stomach, down into my intestines. I never felt so nervous. Walking to the stage, I pleadingly looked to the judges table, telepathically sending a message to give me simple words. I advanced through several rounds, defeating each word with ease. At last, two contestants were left, another girl and I. It was a boxing match of words. The stage turned into the ring and I put on my ultimate fighting gloves, reaching into the deep valleys of my brain. I correctly spelled a word, then she did. The inside of my mouth and throat became dry as the Gobi Desert. "Your word is accidentally," said the announcer. "Accidentally."

I traced the word on my arm, tried to recall all the times I had seen accidentally while reading the newspaper. "Could you repeat the word?" "Accidentally." "Accidentally. A-C-C-I-D-E-N-T-A-L-Y." "I'm sorry, accidentally is spelled A-C-C-I-D-E-N-T-A-L-L-Y." I froze, the embarrassment snaked through my body and stunned my brain; I messed up a basic word. At that time, I only cared about winning. It was not until I reflected on those events did the significance of my choice register. Had I conformed to the nature of peer pressure, it would have been a missed opportunity to increase my vocabulary. Being myself in an environment of uniformness led to one of my most memorable accomplishments.

Undergraduate / Biotechnology, Isolation of DNA - Princeton supplement [5]

Engineering Essay
If you are interested in pursuing a BSE degree, please write an essay describing why you are interested in studying engineering, any experience in or exposure you have had, and how you think the programs in engineering offered at Princeton suit your particular interests.

I was first introduced to engineering in my freshman algebra class. My teacher recommended I attend Illinois ELITES, a program to show how meaningful math and science are in our daily lives. During the Saturday sessions, I worked on a self-paced, computerized math program, Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS). After completing the sixteen-week program and becoming one of the top two freshmen, I earned a scholarship to attend the Illinois Aerospace Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a weeklong summer camp. This experience opened my eyes to the world of mathematics, chemistry, physics and engineering. Many factors went into my decision to study engineering, but the most important were the unraveling and development of answers to human problems globally.

As a member of National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Jr., I competed on a team in the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Engineering Academies Statewide Competition. In "The Long Way Home Challenge," we had to create a system to move tennis balls around detours and obstructions, build in less than 65 minutes with an assortment of office supplies and explain the system's capability; my team won second place. I did not know what discipline of engineering to pursue, but this experience eliminated Civil Engineering and free me to explore other areas.

A six-week program for rising seniors, Summer Academy for Math and Science at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) provided the opportunity to complete research project with CMU faculty members. For my engineering project biotechnology, I performed a biological investigation of organic dog food to determine if any genetically modified genes (GMO) had been inserted. GMOs are dectected by isolating deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), performing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyzing the yield using spectrophotometry and gel elctrophoresis. The project allowed me to acquire hands-on exposure with current techniques applied in a molecular biology lab.

As a student at Princeton, I will have access to vast resources and chances to study and work with accomplished professors. The engineering department's development of practical skills by working with equipment and learning more about analysis and real-life problems reinforces my decision. Additionally, incorporating global subject matter and viewpoint into the classroom will help my international studies. The Study Abroad and International Internship Program to research and establish worldwide links amazed me. Not only would I be able to direct an engineering study but also travel abroad. The best part is the encouragement for all students to take advantage of the options. For someone with very little foreign contacts, relations like these are inspiring. In fact, the universal vision, partnerships and lifelong learning initiatives were the deciding factors in my pursuit of engineering at Princeton.

Thank you for any feedback!

Undergraduate / Molecular Gastronomy - Stanford Intellectual vitality [4]

Thank you for any feedback!

1. Stanford students possess an intellectual vitality. Reflect on an idea or experience that has been important to your intellectual development.
Surrounded by strangers, I sat in the audience with no idea what to expect. With my love for food, I was instantly hooked after hearing about a lecture hosted by the Chicago Humanties Festival, "Deconstructing Dinner: Molecular Gastronomy." I craned my neck, seeking the origins of a mysterious, visible gas appearing from under a table. Thomas Bowman, executive chef of the pioneering restaurant iNG (Imagining New Gastronomy) walked on stage and the revelation began.

The latest culinary technology, molecular gastronomy, combines art and science, focusing on a deeper understanding of the chemistry and physics of food. Its goal is to change existing expectations of how food should look and taste. Molecular gastronomy also explores how new cooking methods, tools and ingredients produce various textures and flavors. Tools usually employed in the laboratory such as centrifuges, food dehydrators and laser infrared surface thermometers are moving into the kitchen. He explained how the molecular gastronomy movement utilizes "ingredients" like liquid nitrogen, hydrocolloids and food additives to form edible foams and gels. To demonstrate, Bowman "cooked" a waffle with liquid nitrogen, the mysterious gas. The waffle was fast frozen since liquid nitrogen's temperature at normal atmospheric pressure is -210 degrees Celsius. For enjoyment and aesthetic purposes, Bowman applied a blowtorch for completion.

In this program, he articulated how the miracle berry, native to West Africa, generates the perception that foods are sweet. The protein miraculin binds to taste buds, causing sour and savory foods to taste sweet, its effect lasting for one hour after digestion. When miraculin contacts acids, it activates the sweetness. Miracle berries contain no sugar introducing another alternative for diabetics and dieters. Attending this lecture not only increased my understanding of science in food but changed my perception of the conventions of dining.

Undergraduate / Mac Miller on my Stanford's app? - Question [7]

Should I mention Mac Miller under one of my favorite artists for Stanford's app?

Undergraduate / Cookie Dough Ice Cream&&Gossip Girl, Stanford roommate letter [8]

feed back please! thank you
2. Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate - and us - know you better.

What's up Roommate,

Congrats and let's get ready to make the best of our first year in college. The name is Nia, Nia McGill. As an "only" child, I am excited to have a roommate. My home is in Broadview, Illinois, a tiny suburban village outside of Chicago. I live with both parents and my older brother is married with four children.

As I unpack my bags, you will soon learn of my love for food. For a skinny person, I eat a lot! The microfridge will always be stocked with chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, Oreos, speculoos, Nutella and occasionally fried chicken. And now rejoice: your roommate can cook and not just a bowl of ramen noodles or Kraft macaroni and cheese. I can fry, boil and bake almost any food.

Warning: there will be days when you walk into our room and catch me fist pumping. I pretty much listen to every genre except hard rock and smooth jazz. Another warning: I am some what of a rat. The only trouble I have at home is keeping my room clean. Five times a year, my room has no clothes in a pile, papers on the dresser, shoes under the bed. But do not fret; I will try my best to keep my side of the dorm emmaculate.

Somewhere between doing homework and volleyball, I find time to watch Gossip Girl, Jeopardy, America's Next Top Model. Play board games, laugh at comedies and read the newspaper are some other interests. I have to be totally honest with you: I have an obsession with clothing and developing new fashion styles. People always compliment my outfits and think I pay extreme prices for fashionable, quality clothing. What they do not know is my secret weapon: shopping in thrift and consignment shops. So roomie, if you ever need advice on clothes or help cooking a cake, I'm on the other side!

Sincerely,
Nia