Undergraduate / Stanford--why a good place for you? ("stereotypical Asian parents") [9]

Any comments or critiques are greatly appreciated
thank you so much!!

Ever since I was young, my parents, like stereotypical Asian parents who wish the best for their children, would often hint at top universities which of course includes Stanford. Despite their firm ideals, I have also realized the importance of listening to myself to find out what I would be happy with, particularly during my college search. Therefore when I first started there were a wide range of possible colleges that I was interested in including both public and private and both near in California and far in the East coast. However as I researched each college one by one, I came to realize that Stanford is a college that can satisfy both my desire for a challenging curriculum and personal content.

My first observations of Stanford were the beauty of the campus itself, the small city location, and its relative proximity to my home, all of which, to me, are inviting characteristics my perfect college.

However more important than Stanford's outer appearances, is its strong academic program. The importance of a good education paired with hard-work has always been a strong emphasis in my family. When I reached high school, my parents encouraged me to go to a highly academically oriented college-preparatory school. Despite my initial reluctance, I finally came to make one of the best decisions in my life. I admit there were times at 2 or 3 am when I wondered if all the hours of lost sleep was worth it, however with the support of friends and the satisfaction of successfully completing another "challenge", whether it was writing a 12 tone composition or analyzing themes in Pirsig's The Zen and Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, made everything worthwhile. In a college, I hope to find this same kind of rigorous yet rewarding education. With Stanford's top professors, research labs, and diverse and inspiring students, I know that Stanford can offer exactly this along with strong programs in my current interests in biological sciences and foreign languages, two interests which I hope to one day combine into studying comparative medicine.