Undergraduate / Swimming changed my parents - UC Prompt #1; growing up in conservative Chinese household [4]

Why aren't you into sciences? Math isn't hard at all so why are you struggling?

A good part of my childhood was laden with questions like these. I grew up in what I would describe as a conservative and typical Chinese household, in which my parents dictated my future and growing up, I felt as though I was constantly drowning in a culture fostering competition. Every assignment I received back was accompanied by a question as to how my friends did and everything I did was examined with a fine-toothed comb and compared to my relatives and family friends. My grades, my table etiquette, how I clean the house. Everything. My parents believed that if I did everything they wanted and stayed on top, I would achieve my maximum potential. The mindset that I had to always be number one in order to be successful was drilled into me. Their way was the right way.

My life changed with swimming. My parents originally possessed a deep desire for me to become a talent pianist, but as the years passed, my 30 minute swim lessons turned into three hour club practices and piano faded into the background. In the summer of Grade 10, my parents enrolled me in a training swim program spearheaded by the retired coach of China's Olympic team and by Grade 11, I received the MVP award and won several regional and provincial Silver and Gold medals.

With swimming, I began to realize that I didn't buy into the competitive nature of my environment. When people congratulate me on all my successes, I can't help but think that none of the rankings and races matter. What mattered was the realization that life has nothing to do with competing with others and everything about competing with yourself. My journey began with me always stressing about the swimmer in the next lane, but after experiencing the satisfaction and accomplishment of seeing my sprint time drop, even by a few milliseconds, the only thing that mattered whether or not I had beaten my personal best.

To my astonishment, I wasn't alone in my discoveries. Surprisingly, my parents understood my realizations and saw the happiness and success that came with doing what I loved. As the years passed, they realized that my diversion off their intended path wasn't bad at all. I was doing well in school, made friends, and most importantly, enjoying my life. Swimming set off a wonderful chain of events. With my parents' new found open mindedness, I stepped off the path the rest of my family - engineers and doctors and instead intend to make my own career out of business. My dreams and aspirations are now driven not by competition but rather what I love.

Swimming helped me become atypical compared to _______. My eyes are now opened to the supportive community surrounding me and I am no longer driven by the want to beat others or achieve the highest grades. I no longer aspire to become what my parents want and am unafraid to pursuit my interests - business, law, and linguistics. Because of swimming, gone are the typical dreams and aspirations of my conservative Chinese background and here I stand: no longer a part of the crowd, but one girl off to the side, happy with where she is. (tailor)

Undergraduate / 'Christianity and alcohol' - Brave New World - Columbia Supplement [3]

I really need to cut this down a bit.

Thank you so much ahead of time! ANY criticism is welcome. :)

Brave New World, a classic novel by Aldous Huxley, is one that made me think and question. It was not the provocative themes of promiscuity, anti - monogamy, and drug indulgence that intrigued me, but rather the new world that the novel took place in. I was initially entertained by the thought of an utopian society - one in which moral repercussions are non - existent and happiness can be achieved through a simple soma dosage, a drug described as 'all the advantages of Christianity and alcohol; none of their defects.' However, once I reflected on the novel, my perspective on how I regarded society changed. Brave New World raises the question - what is the price of happiness? Although it seems promising to live in a society in which you are conditioned to excel at your job and love your life, in actuality, it is in direct opposition to the values we cherish today - freedom of expression, the pursuit of knowledge, and independent rational ideas. Although written in 1931, Brave New World depicted a likely future in which we are sedated by the government and media, taking us further and further away from being independent and innovative free - thinkers of society. Now, even in what we call the 'information age,' there are governments and states who try to censor information that should be free to us - whether it be through Bills like SOPA or repressive governments like those we see in North Korea. From Brave New World, I learned that we should never take things that are spoon fed to us at face value and rather think critically, ______, and _________.

Undergraduate / Columbia helps find a balance in life; NYU [5]

Any criticism is welcome!
Columbia, paired with New York City, is abundant with opportunities. Columbia's breathtaking campus is small enough to not feel lost in the crowd, yet large enough to meet unique people and explore NYC, from Grimaldi's Pizzeria to the Staten Island boat graveyard. Most importantly, it is easy to find balance in one's life.

Columbia's commitment to provide equal opportunities for students, both social and financial, is unparalleled and the chance to flourish with the world's most intelligent and progressive thinkers is incomparable. As a teen dedicated to eliminating the stigma surrounding the LGBTQ community, I aspire to pursue my education in Columbia's open environment.

Columbia's World Leaders Forum is something unique to the school that I find particularly inviting. As a student passionate about local and global change, I can witness issues that matter to me being brought to the forefront of discussion by the world's most influential leaders as well as meet others who are passionate about similar causes.

Last, Columbia's focus on multi-disciplinary learning, especially through Core, is fundamental to personal development and provides the opportunity for me to apply my leadership skills and innovative thinking. To balance the stressful academics, exciting traditions (such as the 40s on 40s and the Primal Scream) are always available to let loose. Columbia is the one place where I can obtain a prestigious education in the most exciting city in the world has to offer.

Undergraduate / 'Interest and love for business' - Field of intended study - Columbia [6]

For applicants to Columbia College, please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the field or fields of study that you noted in the Application Data section. If you are currently undecided, please write about any field or fields in which you may have an interest.

Ever since I could remember, I had a passion and intention to study business. I grew up surrounded by computer screens decorated with red and green numbers and jagged lines. Turns out, my dad was an avid stock trader, and I became the twelve year old who explained bonds and dividends to anyone who would listen.

When I enrolled into the International Business and Technology Program and began to take courses in marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship, the intricate workings of the global economy interested me and my love for business grew. SWOT analyses and equity statements felt pedestrian and writing business plans and participating in ventures became the norm.

In Grade 10, I joined DECA, a case-study based business competition in which I was a provincial finalist for two years and a leadership developer in Florida. DECA helped me realize that business is not merely memorizing information but also being able to effectively communicate and sell an idea. As an executive of my school's DECA as well as a student trustee who directly represents over 1.2 million Ontario students, I fell in love with the people side of business.

The world I came from exposed me to all the leadership opportunities and enjoyment that can be gained from my career aspirations. My upbringing, education, and DECA experience have all transformed my outlook on business, my career, and my life. At Columbia, I am confident I will gain the skills and character necessary to lead a company in the future.

Undergraduate / Disabilities - UNC @ Chapel Hill - What problem am I trying to solve? [3]

5. Carolina encourages students and faculty to solve problems. What problem are you trying to solve, and why is it important to you? (approximately 500 words)

Any feedback is appreciated!

--

The stigma that surrounds mental disorders has always been present. Like many, I previously thought that 'disability' was equivalent to 'dysfunction,' however my experience with YNOT changed my perception and understanding of an entire group present and prominent within society - individuals with mental disabilities.

As a swim instructor at my local YMCA, my work with YNOT consisted of providing swimming lessons for children with mental disorders. The conditions of the children in my class varied, from ADHD to cerebral palsy. Having not grown up around any disabled children, I was nervous and had no idea what to expect.

The group I worked with completely changed my perspective. They were ready to learn, get involved, and above all, belong to something that would otherwise be unavailable to them. As time passed, I had the opportunity to learn more about these kids. Although I had come to love these kids with no second thought of their disabilities, I listened as parents told me stories of their children getting teased in regular swim lessons and the bullying that occurred within their schools. Although I felt awful, I merely believed that the cruelty of other kids was justified by their age and inability to understand differences. That is, until a friend of mine referred to YNOT as a 'class of retards.'

That's when I realized that we have a problem in our society. If a close friend could not understand that my kids are not 'retards,' how could we expect those with no relation to anyone with disabilities to? Individuals with beliefs based on fear and misunderstandings often stereotype those with mental illnesses, exposing them to prejudice. In addition, with many educators and policy makers sweeping the topic of mental health under the rug, there is a lack of instruction and awareness in our schools from a young age.

As a member of my student council, I organized a mental health week with the assistance of the Canadian Mental Health Association and spearheaded the promotion of the Mental Health Charter of Rights by the Coalition of Children and Youth Mental Health in my school board. The goal of both initiatives was to encourage students to learn and discuss issues related to mental health in order to bring the topic to the forefront of discussion in schools and communities. The response was overwhelming. Over 500 students participated in workshops daily that week and a Mental Health Charter now hangs from all 32 high schools in the [insert school board]. In YNOT, my kids and I organized a Swim-a-Thon for the entire community, raising over $9,000 for the Canadian Mental Health Association and collecting 8,280 signatures in support of mental health awareness.

In the end, there will always be those with mental disabilities, but there does not have to be a stigma that surrounds them. Eliminating the discrimination against mental disorders has become a passion of mine, and I hope that one step at a time, __________.

Undergraduate / Minor in economics; Duke - Why Duke Arts and Science? [2]

(For Arts and Sciences Applicants Only) If you are applying to Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, please discuss why you consider Duke a good match for you. Is there something in particular at Duke that attracts you? Please limit your response to one or two paragraphs.

As someone who aspires to pursue a career in international diplomacy, I hope to enroll in Duke's International Comparative Studies (ICS) program and pursue a minor in economics. The ICS program is one of its kind and allows me to develop a strong foundation in global studies, which is crucial in understanding the ever -changing state of our world and economy. Having travelled across Europe and Asia at a young age, I have experienced first-hand the cultural and political differences that exist between borders and with my experience, I can actively contribute and engage in course discussions. Duke's multi-faceted FOCUS program enables me to explore unconventional disciplines not offered at other universities and I am particularly interested in the Ethics, Leadership & Global Citizenship and Modeling in Economic & Social Sciences courses. Most importantly, Duke's study abroad program provides an excellent opportunity, both academic and social, to become engaged in a global setting and experience the cultural, historical, and political topics covered in class.

Socially, I love Duke's 'work hard, play hard' environment. A school's sense of pride and community plays a crucial part in one's undergraduate experience and Duke is no short of school spirit with its superior academics and incredible athletics. Specifically, I find Duke's Greek life inviting. In a sorority, I can not only experience fun and excitement, but develop a close knit support system of like-minded students and alumni as well. From academic support and community service to leadership opportunities and life-long friendships, if accepted, Greek life will be a highlight of my undergraduate experience at Duke. Overall, Duke is the one institution where I can learn under the best minds of the country and flourish with students who are equally passionate about making an impact with their education. By exposing myself to a full spectrum of available resources, the Duke undergraduate program will prepare me for a career in international studies through an intellectual and dynamic environment.

Undergraduate / I am drawn to international economics; UPenn App/ Engaging academically @ Upenn [2]

Penn education provides a liberal arts and sciences foundation across multiple disciplines with a practical emphasis in one of four undergraduate schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Nursing, or the Wharton School.

Given the undergraduate school to which you are applying, please discuss how you will engage academically at Penn. (300 words)

I see no limits in the academic opportunities ahead of me at the Wharton School. At Wharton, the wide-ranging selection of courses investigates every crevice of business and its multi-faceted undergraduate curriculum allows me to explore the academic interests of my choice. As an immigrant, I am drawn to international economics, specifically the rapid expansion of economy in China, my native country. I hope to conduct research, for example, to examine potential correlation between the surge in middle class wealth in China and the one-child policy. Valuable facilities such as the Penn Institute for Economic Research will accommodate and foster these aspirations.

Leadership is a critical component for success not only in the workplace, but in life. Through Wharton Leadership Ventures, Management 100, and the Undergraduate Leadership Forum, I can flourish with likeminded students beyond business related projects and truly learn the meaning of leadership, communication, and trust through unconventional experiences like whitewater rafting and hiking expeditions. At Wharton, I can step outside my comfort zone and continue to develop as a leader, and as a person.

Most importantly, the education I gain at Wharton is not limited to a future in business. The skills to network, collaborate with others, and manage a team are applicable in any career aspiration. As someone interested in pursuing a MBA or attending law school, Wharton's flexible education prepares me for both.

Overall, Wharton is an institution where I can flourish with students and faculty alike who are equally passionate about making an impact. By exposing myself to a full spectrum of available resources, the Wharton undergraduate program will improve my analytical capacity and literacy in business, as well as prepare me for a career in international business through an intellectual and dynamic environment.