Undergraduate / 'Ambiguity ' - University of Virginia (favorite word) [2]

What is your favorite word and why?

Ambiguity seems to bother some, and understandably so. The lack to understanding and a clear vision is, at times, threatening to me, too. Yet, I find a strange peace in the word. I am aware the world is still ambiguous to me, as I am still too young to understand it. But in this murkiness, in the uncertainty of my future, I find the excitement of possibilities and opportunities. This fits well with my academic and personal ambitions, as it leaves room for me to explore different fields of knowledge, especially in a university level, where ambiguity is inevitable.

In fact, the considerable ambiguity in great pieces of literature is what draws me to them most. I like that there are many layers to find and interpretations to consider. This ambiguous nature of literature also allow me to make wrong assumptions and generalizations, as I have often and still often make, and learn from them. I believe ambiguity on various subject matters does not expand the gap between distinctive people, but narrows it, as it allows us to be open to discussion and acknowledge the various viewpoints, which I often take part of in English classes. These are the experiences that allow me to connect with others and grow as a student.

I hope to continue my intellectual pursuit in the University of Virginia, in which there is no ambiguity in its ability to provide the opportunity I need to do so.

Please give suggestions. thank you!

Undergraduate / Common Application Short Response(Activity-Cambodia trip) [2]

In the space provided below, please elaborate on one of your activities

A little more than a year ago, I was a part of a trip to Cambodia. There, to contribute to their society, we built houses for the many who were in need of decent shelters. In the process of the construction of these nine houses, I had the opportunity to interact with the people of the village, which I found to be fascinating and impacting. As a girl from the cities, to see the place they dwell in came initially as a shock, as it was hard for me to imagine living in such extreme conditions. But through my interactions with them, I found myself envious of their joy in the simplest gifts I often took for granted and realized the immense value in the opportunity in education I had been given. This trip's and the people's contribution to my growth as a student is something I would never forget.

Please check for grammatical errors and give suggestions. thank you!!

Undergraduate / NYU short answer+common app (Cambodia, English book) [5]

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.
The first English book I recall reading is "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss, more than ten years ago. That led me find other authors with similar writing style, which led to numerous other books and chain effect took place until eventually I started to read short stories like "The Black Cat" by Edgar Allen Poe and novels like "Perfume" by Suskind this year. It is also this seemingly infinitely vast, yet linked, world of literature that excites me most about choosing the major of English.

In the space provided below, please elaborate on one of your activities
My experience in Cambodia revealed to me a world I knew about, but didn't truly understand. In the couple of days I was there, I saw some striking images I knew would never leave my mind. I saw dozens of children fighting violently over a can of beverage with just a few drops of juice left. I saw the large crowd of people gathering around a garbage can that contained the body of a dead infant. I saw the glow in a small girl's eyes outside the market and the smile on a crippled old man's face inside the killing fields when I handed them each a dollar. And yet every night, I was able to settle comfortably on the bed in the decent hotel. It is through this contrast that I found the need to explore and take action for global issues.

Please comment and give me suggestions..feel free to criticize! I feel like they're missing something, thanks!!