Undergraduate / Michigan Essays (diversity, economics, setback) [9]

Hi,

I'd appreciate your help to proof-read these! (: Thanks for you time and effort!

Short Answer 1 (approx. 250 words)

"We know that diversity makes us a better university -- better for learning, for teaching, and for conducting research."
(U-M President Mary Sue Coleman)

Share an experience through which you have gained respect for intellectual, social, or cultural differences. Comment on how your personal experiences and achievements would contribute to the diversity of the University of Michigan.

It amazes me how people in this world can lead such simple yet happy lives. An overseas community service trip to Khao Lak, Thailand lent me a fresh perspective.

Coming from a fortunate background, I had little idea how the poor actually lived. After spending a week in Khao Lak, I realized that the sea gypsy community desired very simple things in life, making happiness very easily achieved. Although the people lived in small, cramped attap houses, their close-knitted community bonding allowed them to lead happy lives. Simple acts of sharing farmland and equipment and their occasional traditional dance gatherings defined their happiness.

Their strength and joy despite their dire plight touched my heart and gained my respect for their social and cultural differences.

Aside from that impactful experience, coming from Singapore with an Asian identity and culture, I hope to contribute to Michigan's diverse student body by sharing our way of life.

With my experience in the Singapore Armed Forces, I hope to share my views from a different perspective and add a creative spark to student discussions. As a Chinese, I will also embark on a cultural exchange with the students at Michigan, by telling them more about festivities such as the Chinese New Year and Mid Autumn Festival. Having been very involved in community service, I hope to spread the spirit of volunteerism in Michigan by organizing a volunteer festival. I also intend to infuse into the Michigan community some of the scouting values that have been inculcated in me, that of trust, consideration and courage.

(259 Words)

Short Answer 2 (approx. 250 words)

College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA): What led you to choose the area(s) of academic interest that you have listed in your application to the University of Michigan? If you are undecided, what areas are you most interested in, and why?

It was love at first sight. I fell in love with economics from the very start. I have a passion for economics which was ignited in Junior College.

I am particularly interested in economics because to me life revolves around economics. Every day, we see and make use of economics, whether in making choices bearing in mind opportunity costs or in purchasing goods and services involving demand and supply. Economics is a beautiful subject which forms the foundation of how we work, live and play.

However, what's really driving me to pursue economics in college is my passion in community service. Economics can positively change people's lives through its influence. Economics is powerful; good economics can bring nations from poverty to prosperity while poor economics can cause huge financial turmoil. Drawing inspiration from my community service experience, I acknowledge and seek to reap economics' huge potential of uplifting the living standards of people.

Looking at the dire state of the less developed nations, I hope to find sustainable solutions to kick start some of these collapsing economies to alleviate them from long-term poverty. I also intend to look into improving the widening income disparity within some of these nations and amongst other nations in the world. Given the opportunity, I will apply what I have learnt by pushing for sound policies, thereby creating positive socio-economic change which could improve the lives many people.

Given my passion for the subject and for the community, coupled with my aspiration to enact positive change, I intend to major in economics in Michigan.

(259 Words)

Essay (approx. 500 words)

Describe a setback that you have faced. How did you resolve it? How did the outcome affect you? If something similar happened in the future, how would you react?

One of the major setbacks that I had as a student in Junior College was that of not being elected into the Board of Directors of the Interact Club. I was severely disappointed, because deep down, I held great passion for the club. Throughout the course of the election, I had put in my best and had come up with many great ideas which I wanted to implement through the capacity of board member. The thought of not being able to contribute as much as I would have liked to saddened me greatly.

Over the course of the next few days, I pondered over the elections and nailed down the key reason for my running. I was running because I had passion for the club and wanted to serve others. I realized that, even without being a board member, I could still do what I wanted. I told myself that if I were truly passionate, I would still continue to contribute as eagerly despite the setback. My passion motivated me by telling me to follow my heart and do whatever I really wanted to do - - and that not being a board member should not restrict how much I could contribute. During the next few weeks, I continued to actively contribute to the club just as much I previously had. Over time, the club realized that I was not doing it for anyone- I was doing it out of passion, the passion which burnt in me. Not only my peers but also my seniors and teachers were inspired and touched by my positive attitude.

Two months later, one of the elected board members relinquished his position due to personal reasons. The majority of the club and including the teachers then recommended me for the post. I was surprised yet glad that over time people had shown much greater support for me to be in the board. I was happy that my passion had increased my standing in the eyes of my teachers and peers; this passion had led me to influence others positively. I showed my sincere appreciation to the club and went on to serve in the best of my capacity.

Now that I have gone through such an experience, I know that if something similar were to occur in future, I would follow my heart wherever passion would take me just as I did so. I believe that nothing is a stronger motivator than passion; nothing is a stronger influence than passion; nothing is a stronger inspiration than passion. Passion gave me persistence and determination, subsequently creating wonders by turning the setback around.

Moving on, I intend to learn from my setback experience, take passion with me and have it applied to my time in college. May the lessons learnt in this setback help me overcome all other obstacles that I may face in college!

(478 Words)

Undergraduate / Common App Essay- 'Passion' [5]

Hello,

Please have a look at my common app essay. Thank you so much!

Please write an essay (250 words minimum) on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below. This personal essay helps us to become acquainted with you as a person and student, apart from courses, grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will also demonstrate your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself.

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

Nothing is a stronger motivator than passion. Nothing is a stronger influence than passion. Nothing is a stronger inspiration than passion. I have experienced the power of passion in my Junior College (JC) days. Passion gave me the persistence and determination and subsequently did wonders.

One of the major setbacks I had in my JC days was that of not being elected into the Board of Directors of the Interact Club. I was severely disappointed because deep down I held great passion for the club. Through the course of the election, I had put in my best and had come up with many great ideas which I wanted to implement in the capacity of board member. The thought of not being able to contribute as much as I would have liked to saddened me greatly.

Over the course of the next few days, I pondered over the elections and nailed down the key reason for my running. I ran because I had passion for the club and wanted to serve others. Then I realized that even without being a board member, I could still do what I wanted. I told myself that if I were truly passionate, I would still continue to contribute as eagerly despite the setback. My passion motivated me on by telling me to follow my heart and do whatever I really wanted to do, that not being a board member should not restrict how much I could contribute. Thereafter in the next few weeks, I continued to actively contribute to the club just as I have done so previously. Initially, people thought I had an ulterior motive in working hard despite my failure to get elected. However, overtime people realized that I was not doing it for anyone. I was in fact doing it out of passion. Overtime, even people who did not vote for me during the elections felt my enthusiasm and passion which burnt in me. Not only my peers but also my seniors and teachers were inspired and touched by my positive attitude.

Then came one day two months later, one of the elected board members relinquished his position as he suffered from severe depression and stress. To fill his place, the majority of the club and including the teachers recommended me for the post. I was surprised yet glad that over time people had shown much greater support for me to be in the board. I was happy that my passion took me to where I stood and that this passion had effectively influenced others positively. I showed my sincere appreciation to the club and went on to serve the club in the best of my capacity.

I am very thankful that I was given this opportunity to serve. It had opened up doors to close friendships within the board, a deeper learning experience and it also unlocked the great leadership potential in me. Coming back from a setback and then being provided with a rare opportunity, I am certain that I would have cherished the board position much more than the rest would have. It is only when something's lost that one realizes how precious and valuable the thing actually is. For me I do not regret going through such an experience. In fact, only with the failure of reaching my goal did I become stronger. Only with the experience did my character develop further. Only with this did I discover the wonders passion could do.

Moving on, I intend to take passion with me and have it applied to university context. I hope that this passion would be shown in my study of economics and in my participation of extra-curricular activities. May my passion provide me with the drive necessary to bring about positive change in university!

Undergraduate / New York Short Answers (family characteristic, new event, talent show song) [3]

Hi,

Please feel free to comment. Sorry to trouble you. This is the second last of my college essays. Thank you!

Describe a trait or characteristic that has been passed along to you by your family. Tell us why you like or dislike this aspect of yourself.

I dislike the fact that I have inherited the "short" genes that my family has passed on to me. At 1.68m, many people have teased me for being a short guy. Being short is a disadvantage in certain aspects of life, whether in sports or in presence. However, I take comfort in the fact that I am judged more by my character than my physical appearance. Isn't China's historic leader Deng Xiaoping short as well? If he can prominently bring positive change to people, I can do so as well.

(484 out of 500 allowed characters)

New York City is an essential element of academic and cultural life at NYU. If you could engage in an activity or start a club or service organization at NYU, what would it be and how would you envision it impacting the larger community?

Having done so successfully for my community, I would like to organise a large-scale community service road show festival for the benefit of NYC. It would be a public event held in the centre of NYC with more than 50 participating Non-governmental Organisations. The event would help these needy organisations raise awareness for their causes and would serve as an opportunity for the people of NYC to understand the disadvantaged and take action by volunteering with their preferred organisation.

(497 out of 500 characters)

You have been selected to sing in a talent show. What song would you choose? Why?

Where Is The Love by Black Eyed Peas. I feel that the lyrics of this song reflect the harsh reality of life. I would sing this song to advocate for and spread the message of peace and equality globally. Like the BEP, I believe that there are many things fundamentally wrong in our world and that positive change is necessary to make the world a better place. Hopefully, with the catchy tune of this song, I would remind people to urgently address the issues mentioned in the song.

(480 out of 500 allowed characters)

Please tell us what led you to select your anticipated academic program and/or NYU school/college, and what interests you most about your intended discipline.

My love for economics developed from my first contact with the subject in Junior College. I am particularly interested in economics because to me life revolves around economics. Everyday, we see economics and make use of economics, whether in making choices bearing in mind opportunity costs or in the purchase of goods and services involving demand and supply. Economics is a beautiful subject which forms the foundation of how we work, live and play.

(452 out of 500 allowed characters)

Undergraduate / Unique jointly awarded Economics Degree ;Why Carnegie Mellon? [4]

Hi,

Sorry for posting so many essays within a short span of time. This is one of my last few. Thanks for your time (:

Please submit a one-page, single-spaced essay that explains why you have chosen Carnegie Mellon your particular major(s), department(s) or program(s). This essay should include the reasons why you've chosen the major(s), any goals or relevant work plans and any other information you would like us to know. If you are applying to more than one college or program, please mention each college or program you are applying to. Because our admission committees review applicants by college and programs, your essay can impact our final decision. Please do not exceed one page for this essay.

As a student who is very interested in business and economics, I have chosen Carnegie Mellon most importantly for the unique jointly awarded Economics Degree by the Tepper School of Business and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Being a student of both colleges would mean that there would be greater room for interdisciplinary learning. It is my belief that multidisciplinary learning would broaden one's perspectives and views and thus enhance the overall learning experience of the individual. As I am interested in immersing myself in an all-rounded education, drawing connections between subjects is very important to me. Hopefully having a holistic view would enhance my critical thinking.

I have chosen to read economics mainly because of my passion in the subject which arose right from my first encounter with the subject in Junior College (JC). I am particularly interested in economics because to me life revolves around economics. Everyday, we see economics and make use of economics, whether in making choices bearing in mind opportunity costs or in the purchase of goods and services involving demand and supply. Economics is a beautiful subject which forms the foundation of how we work, live and play. As such, I am compelled to pursue an economics degree in a university with an award winning economics faculty; Carnegie Mellon is thus a natural choice for me.

"My heart is in the work". My beliefs and values resonate with Carnegie Mellon's motto. As my passion is in serving the community, I intend to pursue an honours programme which would allow me do a thesis with meaningful research that would benefit society. I am interested in looking into the interconnectedness between human geography and economics, particularly in the field of socio-economic disparity. It is my hope that my heart would guide me well in my work for the benefit of others. Additionally, I intend to take the opportunities in Carnegie Mellon to study abroad to have a first-hand idea of economics in various parts of the world. This would definitely enhance my learning experience as international economics is integrated in our globalised world. It is naïve to think that it is possible to truly understand economics by studying the subject within the confines of one country. This programme would thus provide me with a solid foundation in the understanding of the growing interconnectedness of economies and prepare me well for the future.

Very importantly, I have chosen Carnegie Mellon because of the myriad of opportunities available to participate in various forms of student activities. Given my interest and experience in community service, environment and student leadership, I intend to involve myself in the student senate/student dormitory council and the Carnegie Mellon Eco-Reps programme. As I view non-academic activities as equally important as academics, I plan to commit myself to these student organisations and develop the character of others and as well as of mine. I hope to take these organisations to a higher level just as I have done so back in my JC. As the environment becomes an increasingly pertinent global issue, I hope to contribute within my capacity to raise awareness regarding the issue and urge others to follow suit as well.

Finally, Carnegie Mellon attracts me because of its diverse student body. As the world becomes increasingly globalised, it is important for us to be acquainted with the necessary skills set to effectively communicate with people of different cultures, languages and identities. By immersing myself in diversity in Carnegie Mellon, I hope to interact and learn more about other ethnicities and at the same time share with others about myself. As I am a firm believer of having harmony within diversity, I will strive to engage others to foster a sense of togetherness and unity. Carnegie Mellon provides an excellent platform for its students to develop into truly global citizens through the cross-fertilization of ideas.

Therefore, with these reasons and intentions in mind, it is hard not to think that Carnegie Mellon is my ideal university choice.

Undergraduate / Northwestern attracts me with its robust economics programme, renowned professors in the faculty [5]

Hello,

this is another essay of mine. Please take some time to help me look through. Thanks in advance!

What are the unique qualities of Northwestern - and of the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying - that make you want to attend the University? In what ways do you hope to take advantage of the qualities you have identified?

First and foremost, Northwestern attracts me with its robust economics programme with its renowned professors in the faculty. As I am deeply interested in economics, Northwestern would be able to provide a great platform for me to pursue my interest. I am particularly interested in economics because to me life revolves around economics. Everyday, we see economics and make use of economics, whether in making choices bearing in mind opportunity costs or in the purchase of goods and services involving demand and supply. Economics is a beautiful subject which forms the foundation of how we work, live and play. As such, I am compelled to pursue an economics degree in a university with an excellent economics faculty; Northwestern is thus a natural choice for me.

With that interest in economics, I intend to take every available opportunity seriously to pursue the subject. I intend to immerse myself in the wide array of programmes that Northwestern provides. The Kellogg Business Certificate, internships at various business institutions, the study abroad programme and the Undergraduate Leadership programme are just a few to name. As I hope to pursue an all-rounded interdisciplinary education, these programmes will allow me to further my academic interests and help to shape my character at the same time.

Next, I value Northwestern's student diversity as well. It is my belief that a myriad of cultures would add value to the learning experience in any institution. I excited at the prospect of being able to interact with students coming from all over the world and would want to learn more about them and their cultures. In the globalised 21st century, a knowledge of people from multiple nationalities would render one more aware as a global citizen and broaden one's global perspective. It is my hope that I would benefit from such a rich melting pot of cultures at Northwestern and would be eager to contribute to the diverse study body as an international student coming from Singapore.

Last but definitely not the least, the multiplicity of extra curriculars at Northwestern amazes me. Northwestern caters to the interests of all students and allows one to set up an interest club or society easily. As I believe in an all-rounded education, non-academics are as important to me when considering Northwestern as my choice of university. Student groups such as AIESEC, Alternative Student Breaks, Associated Student Government, Northwestern University Singaporeans and Friends, Operation Smile, Outing Club and Peace Project interest me. There are simply too many exciting student groups which allow me to pursue my interest in community service and student leadership. With my ready experience in these aspects, I hope to take some of these student organisations to greater heights in future.

With Northwestern's excellence in both academic and non-academic fields as well as the diverse student body it offers, I am certain that Northwestern is an institution which perfectly suits my interests and would be a learning experience for me that would be wholeheartedly treasured for life.

Undergraduate / College of Arts and Sciences- Cornell Essay (need advice on shortening) [4]

Please assist me by helping to look through this essay. I'm not sure where I should cut down on words. Your comments will be much appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Describe your intellectual interests, their evolution, and what makes them exciting to you. Tell us how you will utilize the academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences to further explore your interests, intended major, or field of study.

Ever since my secondary school days, I have been more interested in the humanities than the sciences. I find that in the field of humanities, I am better able to connect with what I am studying because the social sciences appeal to my senses and emotions. Social sciences are able to ignite a sense of familiarity, something that the technicalities of the sciences do not do so for me. I prefer to understand the world around me in a broader sense and prefer to look at things from various perspectives. The arts and social sciences allow me to view issues from diverse perspectives with no right or wrong, thus I am able to formulate my own judgement. My favourite subject in secondary school was geography, especially human geography. Human geography appealed to me because it appeared intuitive and logical. Additionally, Human geography can be observed in the form of daily phenomena and can be experienced easily.

In my junior college (JC) days, my interest in human geography sustained. However, it was in JC that I discovered a new interest, that of economics. I am particularly interested in economics because to me life revolves around economics. Everyday, we see economics and make use of economics, whether in making choices bearing in mind opportunity costs or in the purchase of goods and services involving demand and supply. Economics is a beautiful subject which forms the foundation of how we work, live and play.

Now, I see economics as a subject of influence. Economics is powerful, good economics can shape nations from poverty to prosperity while poor economics can cause huge financial turmoil, similar to that of the 2008 financial crisis. I am most interested in finding sustainable solutions to mitigate the widening income disparity with nations and amongst nations in the world. It is my hope that given the opportunity, I would do my utmost to master economics and apply what I have learnt by pushing for sound policies for my nation and beyond, creating positive socio-economic change which could benefit millions.

As I venture further in my learning journey of economics, I am certain that my love for the subject could only possibly grow. With passion for the subject, I intend to major in economics in university.

I am interested in taking up a double major in economics and urban and regional studies if possible. The Cornell double major programme would allow me to satisfy my intellectual curiosity in both areas of interest. In fact, I am eager to study in Cornell because of the interdisciplinary model that Cornell adopts. I believe that in an all-rounded education that should encompass multiple disciplines because our world is interconnected, especially in the 21st century. It is unrealistic for one to survive in this globalised world with a view that each subject should be separately studied. Links between each discipline should be explicitly discussed so that an integrated perspective can be nurtured.

Next, the Cornell in Washington programme is definitely one programme which I would not want to miss out on. Additionally, I will want to participate in the numerous internship opportunities that are offered by Cornell. Nothing beats studying the real world. This first-hand learning experience in Washington would add value to my study of economics by allowing me to see how theory is applied to reality in one of the most economically cities in the world.

Finally, I would want seize the opportunity to participate in Cornell's Study Abroad Programme as well. I hope to broaden my perspective of global economics through the programme by studying the economics systems in multiple nations. Only through the global exchange of ideas would I be able to sieve out the best practices and subsequently apply it to policy formation in future. Additionally, in the 21st century, international economics is integrated. Therefore, it is naïve to think that it is possible to truly understand economics by studying the subject within the confines of one country. Cornell's Study Abroad Programme would provide me with a solid foundation in the understanding of the growing interconnectedness of economies and prepare me well for the future.

With such comprehensive programmes in Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences coupled with my great passion for economics, there is no place better for me than Cornell.

(713 words)

Undergraduate / an intellectually stimulating environment - Chicago Essays [4]

Hi again!

I'd appreciate your help in looking at this. Thanks loads!

Short Essay (1 or 2 paragraphs)

How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to Chicago.

Most importantly, I am looking for an intellectually stimulating environment, one which Chicago definitely provides. Additionally, Chicago fits in with my interests, that of pursuing a degree in Economics because Chicago is well established with arguably the best economics faculty, having numerous Economics Nobel Laureates within the faculty. While I am deeply interested in economics, I wish to explore other areas in academia as well. Chicago's Common Core provides this suitable platform for me to have an all-round education. Furthermore, Chicago's Socratic method of teaching in small class sizes allows me to reach my academic potentially through close interaction with the professors and peers. I believe that having a close interaction with professors would steeply enhance the level of teaching and learning. Finally, the interdisciplinary approach towards learning would allow me to understand the relationship between subjects and complexities in life. Therefore, I am confident that a Chicago education will able to prepare me well as a global citizen for the challenging and uncertain environment in the 21st Century.

Chicago's strong emphasis on leadership and community involvement resonates with my personal believes as well. I believe that servant leadership is a key feature of any society and is crucial in bridging social segregation amongst communities. Serving the community is meaningful and fulfilling, and should worth promoting. I hope to hone my leadership and nurture my character further in Chicago and give back to society in future within my capacity. Just as Chicago's motto "Crescat sciential vita excolatur" (Let knowledge grow from more to more; and so be human life enriched) goes, it is my hope that my education in Chicago would allow me to develop greater maturity of thought and in turn I hope to apply my knowledge by formulating sound socio-economic policies to benefit my nation in future by enriching lives of many people. With the top-notch holistic education in Chicago, I am confident that my desires and wishes will come true.

Extended Essay (1 or 2 pages)

The short film Powers of Ten begins with an aerial shot of a couple picnicking in a Chicago park. The camera zooms out ten meters. It then zooms out again, but the degree of the zoom has increased by a power of ten; the camera is now 100 meters away. It continues to 1,000 meters, then 10,000, and so on, traveling through the solar system, the galaxy, and eventually to the edge of the known universe. Here the camera rests, allowing us to examine the vast nothingness of the universe, black void punctuated sparsely by galaxies so far away they appear as small stars. The narrator comments, "This emptiness is normal. The richness of our own neighborhood is the exception." Then the camera reverses its journey, zooming in to the picnic, and - in negative powers of ten - to the man's hand, the cells in his hand, the molecules of DNA within, their atoms, and then the nucleus both "so massive and so small" in the "vast inner space" of the atom. Zoom in and out on a person, place, event, or subject of interest. What becomes clear from far away that you can't see up close? What intricate structures appear when you move closer? How is the big view related to the small, the emptiness to the richness?

My holiday trip to the Entabeni Safari Conservatory in the Limpopo province of South Africa gave me insight into the contrast between zoomed in (micro) and zoomed out (macro) perspectives.

One morning when I was on a morning game drive, I peered far into the safari grounds from the Land Cruiser. From an elevated ground of two hundred metres, I witnessed that the Savannah grassland was devoid of life. The stern looking mountains stood still, flanking the two far ends of the motionless grassland. No visible sign of animal life was seen. Even the grasses looked as though they had experienced a persistent drought, so dry that they were crisp. This was the result of the clear skies providing the sun with opportunity to beat down mercilessly upon the Savannah grassland. The sight of vast emptiness completely opposed my imagination and fell short of my expectations of witnessing a vibrant thriving ecosystem.

As the Land Cruise moved onto the Safari grounds, I turned my attention to the micro view instead with my handy binoculars. The binoculars presented me with an entirely different world. It zoomed into the biological system so vividly that I instantly noticed and recognised tremendous indications of life. I spotted the animals. At the far end of the horizon, deers playfully ran after each other. At another end, a bunch of rhinoceros' could be seen savouring on green grasses scattered amongst the dried ones. A hundred to probably a thousand variants of plants were seen to be thriving under the long "arms" of the Savannah grasses. Wild cacti grew and flourished with "flowers" amidst the partially sandy and warm environment.

Zooming in on my binoculars further, millipedes and fire ants showed up in front of me. As it was the warm season, the insects were frantically working themselves away, gathering stockpiles of food for winter. Here I witnessed the spirit of teamwork amongst the ants, where 10-20 ants carried away decomposing small animals for the survival of their very own community. A closer investigation showed mimosa plants closing and reopening each time an animal brushed past their delicate leaves. Freshly dug holes in the sand accompanied by other surface sand movements indicated that life thrived beneath the surface. This micro view gave me another perspective of the Savannah, one that is filled with tiny energetic life forms.

Reflecting upon such a sight, I realise that within apparent emptiness, subtle richness may be found. We have to look at things carefully in detail. Superficial glances may cause us to miss out on crucial details. If we put in the effort to analyse, we could make fascinating discoveries. Emptiness and richness do not necessarily have to be mutually exclusive; they do in fact coexist in the same habitat. In the case of Entabeni, the unattractive macro view imperceptibly masked the beauty of the smaller view. A lesson learnt would be not relying on first impressions to judge any person or place. The true beauty of a person or place may only be revealed with patient interaction and observation.

Undergraduate / Upenn Essays - the courses of study that most interest me [6]

Please help me proof read my essays. Your help is very much appreciated. Thanks!

Short Answer

Penn offers its undergraduates an eminent faculty and a wealth of research opportunities. Use the space below to name a Penn professor with whom you would like to study or conduct research and explain why. (It is not our expectation that you contact faculty directly to answer this question.)

I would like to study with Professor Fernandez-Villaverde, Jesus. Having studied both population geography and economics, I am interested in delving deeper into the relationship between economics growth and population dynamics. I am particularly interested in finding out more about his evaluation with regards to Malthus' population-resource theory. By equipping myself with such knowledge, I hope to be able to apply them in reality in terms of shaping sustainable economic and population policies for the benefit of our generation and beyond.

(545 out of 1000 allowed characters)

Essay

Describe the courses of study and the unique characteristics of the University of Pennsylvania that most interest you. Why do these interests make you a good match for Penn? (do not exceed 1 page)

I am most interested in pursuing an economics degree in Penn. The study of economics arouses my interest because to me life revolves around economics. Everyday, we see economics and make use of economics, whether in making choices bearing in mind opportunity costs or in the purchase of goods and services involving demand and supply. Economics is a beautiful subject which forms the foundation of how we work, live and play. Penn is an ideal institution because of its strong award-winning economics faculty. I believe that Penn's economics faculty would provide me with possibly the most enriching learning experience given its strengths and I would seize all opportunities to actively learn in its conducive environment.

Penn's strong tradition and focus on enterprise, innovation and leadership strikes me as well. These qualities are ones that I aspire to acquire. Having been in several leadership positions in my high school days, I believe that my experience would add value and diversity to student leadership in Penn. I believe that enterprise and innovation is crucial in this rapidly changing global world. Enterprise entails flexibility in adapting to changing conditions while innovation seeks to reinvent and bring about improvements to technology and processes in the world. These are traits which I seek to embrace.

Penn's commitment to community serving resonates with my passion to community service. To me, community service broadens one's perspectives, allows one to reach out of his or her comfort zone to understanding others better and in turn bring happiness to others through one's actions. With my keen interest and experience in community service from Scouts and Rotary's Interact Club, I am confident that I will be able to contribute meaningfully to Penn and society.

Penn offers me true academic freedom, allowing me to reach my intellectual potential without sacrificing my personal interests. While I am most interested in economics, I intend to explore other academic areas as I am interested in a broad-based learning. I am also interested in the all-round development that Penn offers. I believe that one should not just focus on intellectual attainment, but should also focus on building character and honing life skills. This belief has been driving me for the past 6 years in the Raffles Programme, evident in my active participation and devotion to extra-curricular activities. Thus, Penn's education would be apt for me.

Penn's huge range of student organisations serves as a major attraction to me as well. With my great interest in participating actively in extra curricular activities and the buffet of exciting activities Penn offers, I foresee myself getting very involved in Penn. I intend to participate in organisations such as Alternate Spring Break, Class Board, Club Singapore, Penn Social Entrepreneurship Mentoring Programme, Penn Ping Pong and Penn Singing. These choices tie in with my strong interest in servant leadership and my milder interests in table tennis and singing. With my wealth of experience in servant leadership, I hope to contribute to Penn by taking some of these organisations to unprecedented levels of achievement.

Penn interests me in that it runs a singular campus concept whereby all faculties and schools are within walking distance. This enhances interaction between students of different faculties, fostering a closely-knitted community within Penn. In such a warm environment, it makes one feel at home when studying at Penn.

Finally, I believe that I would be able to contribute to Penn's diverse student body not only with the abovementioned, but also through being an international student. As a Singaporean, I would be able to share my views from a different perspective and probably add a creative spark to discussions. As Penn emphasises much on having a diverse student body, it would be ideal for people of different races and cultures to come together as one and strive towards a common goal. I hope to be able to instil even more vibrancy and dynamism into the already diverse Penn community.

(4115 out of 7900 allowed characters)

Undergraduate / Common Apps Short Question- 'A community service experience' [10]

Hello,

Please help me have a look at this. Thank you!

In the space provided below, please elaborate on one of your activities (extracurricular, personal activities, or work experience)(150 words or fewer).

In February 2008, my schoolmates and I organized a public community service road show cum volunteer festival for youths. The large-scale event aimed to expose youths to Voluntary Welfare Organizations (VWOs) and to foster the spirit of community serving. The event was held successfully, attracting about 1000 peers and garnering more than 500 signups from youths to serve at the VWOs. The resounding success of the event was heartening and helped me to realize that though many youths were eager to volunteer, they were held back by the lack of information on where and how to start. Through this event, I have managed to interact with the personnel serving at the various VWOs as well as the beneficiaries. Above all, I have learnt to appreciate life more deeply and this has provided me with even greater motivation to serve the needy with all that I have been blessed with.

(149 words)