Undergraduate / about me - There are certain things that I care a lot about. [3]

Hi everyone, this one is for common app and i am not sure about the ending. also i need to shorten it.. so what do you think??

There are certain things that I care a lot about. Among them, family always come the first. Both my parents showed me the true love, taught me basic values like generosity and sincerity. I have learned to be caring and patient while helping my mother raise my sister. Most importantly, they have never coerced me into doing anything, thus enabled me to develop my own perspective on life.

I see school as a key to success. I assessed my time in school thoroughly, used my free time not only for my studies but also social activities. Starting from an early age, I have been joining drama activities, debates, and quiz shows every year. Compelling discussions, acting and advocating my ideas made me more confident and persuasive. Furthermore, I've been playing piano for eleven years and played in numerous concerts for thousands of people. The feeling of being alone on the stage and expressing yourself with music to such a crowd is incomparable. Although I like being involved in many sports like volleyball, sailing and swimming; volleyball is my great passion. It helps me to handle the pressure, be energetic and competitive. Above all, it enables me to enjoy my life.

I am also a member of the school's science team. Last year, we did a project on the effect of air pollution to lung cancer and entered a prestigious competition called TUBITAK. We were qualified to go to the regional finals where we exhibited our project and explained it to thousands of people in a week. Although we weren't selected to go to the national finals, we learned a lot along the way. The experience has showed me the importance of communicating, being patient, persistent and defending what is right no matter what the others think.

I believe that I have been raised with great values and done my best to educate myself properly. The activities I am involved in and the values I have brought so far will highlight me as an individual in everywhere I go and play crucial role on my future accomplishments.

Undergraduate / Common app elaborate one of your activities- my volleyball life [2]

I have played been a part of several clubs, met different types of people and savored every moment of my volleyball life. I have experienced great losses but also notable victories. I have learned to take risks while staying and also calm. I have learned to work as a team and also improve my individual skills. Apart from developing my technical skills, playing volleyball has undeniably affected my personality. All the tiring practices and endless matches have made me more ambitious, disciplined and focused on my goals. I have learned to allocate my time properly for my studies and also other activities like playing volleyball, acting and debating. Most importantly, I have learned that nothing is earned without struggle and I have to work hard to earn the success I aspired in my future endeavors.

Undergraduate / Princeton supp essay- why engineering? [2]

If you are interested in pursuing a B.S.E. degree, please write an essay describing why you are interested in studying engineering, any experiences or exposure to engineering you have had , and how do you think the programs in engineering offered at Princeton suit your particular interest?

Science has always intrigued me from the very beginning. Starting from forth grade, I loved doing experiments, observing cells, solving problems related with machines. My inclination to science in primary school has urged me to become a science student in high school. I have participated debates, competitions related with science and advocated my ideas clearly. I have also joined the school's science club where I learned the basics of doing a research and how to prepare a thorough science project. Especially my high school years have played an instrumental role on choosing my major. Since, I wasn't into studying medicine, I realized that engineering would be the best place to continue and develop my interest in science.

Starting from my childhood, I have been exposed to engineering in many ways. When I was about 10 years old, my father would pick me up from the school and take me to our factory. I would spend at least two hours a day scrutinizing the machines, running around the factory and putting my nose into the employee's work. After 3 years, I had a work experience in the factory for a month. I was in the packaging section, however I had the access to go to every department and observe the engineers. I would ask them many questions and try to understand their work-styles. Although it didn't last for a long period of time, I got the chance to see the real conditions of a work environment and decide by virtue of my observations.

This experience has thought me a lot of things. Besides showing me the importance of perseverance and hard work, it made me realize that engineering is my ideal major. I am a person who is a researcher and an investigator. I like questioning the variability of things before fully accepting them. I like to be a part of a contentious environment because it forces me to improve my qualities constantly. By studying engineering, I will be able to use my skills and creativity

to solve the problems. Furthermore, I will be helpful to the community. In order to get the pleasure I want from my profession, I have to be beneficial to both myself and humanity. Moreover, the liberal education I will gain with engineering will not only be useful for my profession, but also be momentous throughout my life. Since science and technology comprises a lot of our lives, studying engineering will facilitate solving problems because it will teach you to think analytically and systematically.

As a high school student, I do not yet know which field I want to work in. Although I opted on majoring in engineering, I can't decide which department. However what I do know is that I want to attend a university which is renowned for its success in engineering. As I did my research, I realized that Princeton University suits this description. Its dedicated professors and accomplished alumni certainly underscore the success of the university. Thorough studying Operations Research and Financial Engineering in Princeton University, I will be able to learn a great curriculum that provides all the fundamental lessons and embraces technology and science. Thus, I will make more specific and prudent choices later on and still have a comprehensive education.

If we ground on today's world, we will see that there is a great range of possibilities waiting for engineers when they graduate. I know that I want to be an engineer. I will not only express my ideas clearly and use my creativity, but also be ready for the life itself. Of course, I need a good education to become an efficient engineer as I wish to be. I am confident that Princeton University will give me the best opportunities to succeed in my future endeavors and furthermore, I am confident that my Princeton years will be an experience that I can use as a guidance throughout my life.

this is a very important essay for me so I will be pleased to hear your comments!! (:

Undergraduate / Columbia short answers; most appealing thing/ why the study of engineering [4]

[/i]Please tell us what you find most appealing about Columbia and why:

Apart from the worldwide eminence, the incredible location and the variable activities, Columbia University stands out by the oppurtunities it gives to its students to go beyond themselves and achieve their goals. I want to study engineering and become successful in my field. To achieve my goals, I have to attend a university which provides numerous oppurtunities for engineering students like great labs, efficient proffesors and an interactive environment. Columbia University has already proved itself in engineering and it provides all the qualities to become one of the best in my field.

[i]For applicants to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, please tell us what attracts you specifically to the study of engineering:

I am a person who is a researcher, scrutinizer and prolific. I like challenging myself and using my creativity. I have always been interested in science, hence I figured that engineering will enable me to improve my analytical skills.These skills will make solving problems easier and force me to use my brain in my life.Through search, I realized that Industrial Engineering is the ideal field for me. It involves both manufacturing and supervising and also a prevalent and promising major.I will not only fulfill my goals as an engineer, but also be able to improve myself as an individual.

I am going to send them in 2 days and I want to hear your thoughts. Thanks (:

Undergraduate / princeton my last two summers [3]

I try not to waste any time during my summer vacations. My last two summers have been both tiring and a lot of fun. We own a summer house in a small village called Foca and we have been going there since I was 2 years old.

Volleyball comprises a lot of my life. I don't get the chance to relax for a long period of time because I have volleyball trainings 5 days a week.

Also the Junior National League finals occur during summer. Last year our team has been qualified for the tournament which lasted for a week.After all the endless and contentious matches, we took the third place.

When I don't play volleyball, I like to relax and spare time for myself, friends and family. I go out and swim with my friends. I read a lot of books, especially detective science fiction. Since I don't have enough time to read during winter, I try to read as much as I can.

I also enjoy swimming very much. It is a life saving activity for hot summer days. Summer is a great time to socialize with people. Since Foca is a small place, I know a lot of people. We have known each other for a long time, and we spend many hours together. As a family, we like to travel a lot and experience different cultures. Besides going to summer places like Bodrum and Chesme, we choose to visit a foreign country every year. We went to Budaphest two years ago. We visited all the historic places, tasted traditional meals and inevitably enchanted by the city.

I also like being involved in sports activities during the summer. For instance, I sail and play beach volley at every opportunity. Sailing has always been my passion. The feeling of being alone in the sea and just racing with the waves eases me up. In addition I learned windsurfing last summer.It was compelling at first but Igot used to it immediately since water sports is the best option to spend a summer day. I also want to learn how to wakeboard and paracycle.

On my own, I prefer experiencing new things and widen my horizon, rather than just laying down and resting. As you can see, I like being involved in something mainly because it gives me the satisfaction and pleasure of knowing that I am spending my time properly.

*I couldn't handle the end of it. What do you think?