Undergraduate / Basketball Common App Essay - leave comments or grammar edits [3]

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

Holding the ball in my hands, sweat rolling down my forehead, I stared confidently at the hoop, ready to shoot my second foul shot. My teammates are lined up yelling words of encouragement, "You can do it Espo!" As soon as I release my shot, the ball flies through the air. After what seems like forever, the ball sinks in the rim. I just helped my team beat our hardest competitor. In the midst of all the excitement, a thought ran through my mind: what would my life be like without basketball?

I never thought I would ever think of a time when playing basketball might come to an end in my life. As a junior, I had to try out for the Varsity Girls Basketball Team. After tryouts, the coach called me over to "talk." He explained to me that he didn't know if he wanted to take me on the team because he won't find any minutes for me to play in the game, and I would become unhappy. My heart dropped. It took a while before the thought finally hit me: my time playing basketball as a Wagner Falcon was about to be over. After speaking with my coach, he wanted me to go home, speak with my parents, and come back to him with my decision to play, even if it means never playing in a game.

As disappointed as I was, I knew one thing: I was not ready to give up and just quit playing basketball. After talking with my father, a former division-1 basketball player, I explained that my intentions were to continue playing basketball. After coming to the realization that my capabilities and skills were just as good as my teammates, I knew that I had a place on this team. I was willing to put all my effort into becoming the best player that I can be. I spent extra time in the gym and practiced for hours, working on my jump shots and dribbling.

I knew that my passion, drive, and dedication would prove my coach wrong, and they did. Even though I was competing with twelve other girls for only five positions on the court, I earned more playing time than anyone on my team expected me to play. At the Girls Varsity Basketball Awards Dinner, my coach gave an uplifting speech about the difficulties I faced. When he said that he was glad he took me on the team and that I was his best defensive player, I was so proud of myself.

As I reflect on the many years I have put into this game, I can't help but wonder where I would be without basketball. My love for the game of basketball has helped me to realize that when you truly love something, you can never give up. Basketball has helped me learn how to work as a team and compete when faced with obstacles. As a senior, I want to seize the opportunity to make my teammates proud and prove that all my hard work and dedication has paid off.

Undergraduate / 'academic programs of biology and classics' - Cornell Supplement Essay [5]

Prompt: How does the major you would like to study in the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning match your intellectual, academic, and career interests? Discuss any activities you have engaged in that are relevant to your chosen major.

Over the past few years, I have developed a genuine interest in the fields of biology and classics.

During sophomore year, my Scholars English teacher required that each student pick a topic to present to the class. The topic I chose to speak about was stem cell research. Stem cells excite me primarily because of their remarkable potential to develop new cells that could be used for cell-based therapies. My intellectual fascination in stem cells reflects my interest in science, mainly biology. Biology has interested me for a very long time. When I was younger, my mother used to order caterpillars so that I would be able to visually experience the process of metamorphosis. Every aspect of science is exhilarating, especially when new discoveries are made every day that help better the understanding of life. I am passionate about why certain things happen in the world. When I took Living Environment, Chemistry, and Physics, I would get excited for "lab day" every week. Lab days provided me with the opportunity to learn precisely why things behave the way they do. My love for learning and wanting to fully understand distinctions in science have driven my decision to pursue the study of biology at Cornell University. I want to be able to expand my knowledge in the fields of science and follow my dream of becoming a doctor of anesthesiology.

Another field of study that I want to pursue is classics. Recently, I have read Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton. The improbability of the myths, as well as the romantic tales, in real life is fascinating to read. Some of my favorite movies are based on mythology, such as Clash of the Titans and Disney's Hercules. In addition to my interest in Greek mythology, my favorite topic from Advanced Placement Global History was ancient Greek and Roman history. The ancient history of both European civilizations is remarkable because it influenced modern art, literature, and government. Although the study of classics is on a complete opposite spectrum of academics compared to biology, I am fully intrigued.

At Cornell University, I would utilize the study abroad program and various research opportunities. The Study Abroad at Cornell University will help me significantly in my study of classics. I would love to study at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome. I would be able to experience the culture of the society and use the first-hand experience to better understand the ancient civilization. While studying biological sciences at Cornell, I plan to be heavily involved in research since I believe that research is the most important component to provide a base for any medical advancement. At the College of Arts and Sciences, I can readily find a lab of my academic interest given Cornell is one of the most powerful research programs in the nation. To further my interest in science, I would enjoy the chance to participate in research based on stem cells to learn the functions of these extraordinary cells and their effects on the human body. I perceive the academic programs of biology and classics at Cornell as an active force that will help broaden my perspective and develop my intellectual thinking, helping me to build a solid foundation for future studies. With my goals, I am sure to utilize all the resources that the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University will provide me.