Undergraduate / "Can I get a packet of cigarettes?" - common apps short answer [5]

hey just wrote this one up
took me two days lol

the ending is a bit awkward and i might need to fix that
any critique would be helpful thanks!

its the common apps question elaborate on one of your activities

"Can I get a packet of cigarettes?"

I was merely 13 when I asked nervously to a baffled shopkeeper who began questioning my age. He did not know that the cigarettes were not for myself but rather for my work. I was a part of a surveillance team in my local health department; my task was to attempt to purchase cigarettes from a range of retailers. When I was successful with a purchase, a health officer would serve the retailer with a warning. A second time meant a prosecution. The work was a considerable challenge, requiring utmost honesty (I was not to deceive the seller) but also an immense amount of courage, which made it particularly harder for an introvert like myself. However, ever since my first purchase, the work became increasingly comfortable and I gradually became more self-confident. Although this was of a great financial benefit, ($40 for 2-3 hours of work. Not bad for a 7th grader!) I found great joy and gained emotional maturity. But most of all, I don't get nervous talking to shopkeepers anymore.

Undergraduate / "photographs" & their benefits / Significant Experience [9]

Its a common apps essay
although I'm not entirely sure which category it would fit

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

or topic of your choice?

I just wrote this one up in 3 hours so its pretty basic
so sorry about the grammer and stuff in advance. Any corrections/advice would be helpful!

Thanks a lot!

"Smile!" Another 5 seconds of holding a fake smile and another photograph taken in front of this hideous statue. I never understood my mother's philosophy of photo taking. Sure, I recognize the value of taking a photograph of the picturesque view at the top of a mountain, but why of this hideous statue on the sidewalk? Is it really worth the effort of all of us standing side-by-side, forcing superficial smiles until she is satisfied with the result? Believe me, I would not be complaining with one photograph. But she has to take a second one with us in different positions and with bigger smiles and a third one just in case the first two somehow do not make it. Soon enough, our cheeks begin to hurt and we start to ignore our mother's calls to stop for, you guessed it, yet another photograph.

In Korea though, I could deal with it because it was the norm. Everybody took photographs everywhere and of anything. So there was no real embarrassment if you stopped in the middle of a busy street and decided that it was time for another photograph.

Things changed however, when we moved to Australia. As a part of a minority in this foreign society, every trip outdoors was filled with painful minutes of being self-conscious for this very shy boy. So you can imagine the humiliation and discomfort I would have to overcome as more people gave me 'the look' while I was posing for a photograph in front of an ordinary supermarket. I tried to argue with my mother that it is not normal for us to be stopping for photographs at every opportunity; that we do not have to take the camera with us everywhere we go because it is not the norm here. I was simply afraid of being dissimilar and wanted to fit into the Australian way of life.

Two years later, I went back to Korea for a holiday. I was keen because it was my first time going back since leaving for Australia, but I never thought I would encounter such a shock. One afternoon, as I was strolling down a street, a group of teenage girls was walking towards me, conversing very loudly. As they walked by me in mass, I was confused because the girls looked exactly alike. They all had the same haircuts and the same clothing! This was completely contrary to Australian teenagers who tried their best to look as much unique as possible. It was slightly amusing, but I took little notice of it. A Few days later, I visited a popular street for young Koreans. Here I was stunned. Once more, everyone had the matching hairstyles, the similar fashion and the same looks. I saw one person and soon saw another and another that looked exactly identical as the former. This was the Korean way of life. Everyone must follow everyone else. Everybody wanted to look different but they were in fact, ironically, afraid of "catching someone's eyes." It was rather comical that everyone looked similar. But at the same time, I had a frightening thought that had I continued to live in Korea, I would lose my identity just like them. I believed that I had escaped such conformity by moving to Australia.

What I did not realise was that I still was one of them.

One day, back in Australia, my group of friends began talking about a party from few years ago. I nodded in agreement but I could not remember the event at all. Slightly puzzled at this lack of memory, I found a handful amount of photographs I had taken over the years. I was bewildered when they triggered old memories that I thought were lost forever. I remembered the party and understood what they were talking about. Suddenly I wished I had listened to my mother more. I wish I had taken more photographs with my friends. But as I pondered more deeply, to my horror, I realised that I was a victim of outright conformity. I was scared of looking different and attracting people's attention. It was me who was in fact afraid of "catching someone's eyes."

My attitude changed. I began to follow my own senses and feelings. I no longer wanted to become a lawyer or a doctor because everybody else wanted to or told me to. I was no longer afraid of the fact that I was different. I wanted to follow my heart.

When senior years began at high school, I was no longer the quiet Korean boy at the back of the class. I got involved at every opportunity possible. I tried out for the leadership team, became the assistant coach for a rugby team and represented the whole school in Singapore and Melbourne. I was no longer a spectator but the main actor. I took control of my own life and I loved every minute of it.

I don't want to be one of them. I want to be myself. For the camera though? It's always here with me.

Undergraduate / why xxx university? [3]

for a person whos never visited a univeristy or even set foot in america
how do i write these sort of essays? (i have 3 of these to write)
like sure i can talk about their department and stuff but should i talk something about since i've never been before i may not know or not inspired as much as others are about certain universities?

in general, any tips to write such essays? thanks!

Undergraduate / why tufts? need to know if its specific enough [10]

Why Tufts? (500 letters)

As I began my search on the Internet for a university in a country I have never visited before, my expectations were simple. Decent international relations department, East Coast location and size big enough for diversity but small enough for engaging class discussions. Tufts satisfied my expectations and more. Staffs were easily accessible through emails, the homepage was simple yet informative and alumni's comments were nothing but full of praises. This "globally-recognized" university surprised me by making my heart yearn to begin my next chapter of life at Tufts University.

Now I just need to know if this is what everyone says is needed for why us essays.
Is this specific enough? I mean these are the reasons why I want to go to this school wholeheartedly but it seems to be too general.

and again, the last sentence needs some work

thanks!