Undergraduate / How orchestra impacted me (Texas A&M Topic C) [2]

Topic C: There may be personal information that you want to be considered as part of your admissions application. Write an essay describing that information. You might include exceptional hardships, challenges, or opportunities that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials, personal responsibilities, exceptional achievements or talents, educational goals, or ways in which you might contribute to an institution committed to creating a diverse learning environment.

Music was my passion. I had always admired professional musicians, and they had inspired me to learn music. However, as I started to study music, I never realized the amount of responsibilities that I needed to keep myself dedicated to it. Nevertheless, my experience in orchestra had helped improved me academically, and personally.

Prior to orchestra, I only had little experience in music. When I was ten, I only took three months of piano lessons. After moving to Texas, I taught myself how to play the guitar. Fortunately, these experiences had polished my observing and listening skills that were necessary to prepare myself to perform in large ensemble.

In comparison to soloist, performing in a large group required more concentration, because there were more instruments that were needed to synchronize perfectly together. It was important for me to listen to the players around me, so I could match my pitch to theirs. In addition, observations were necessary to avoid mistakes during performances. Musicians, like me, often looked up from the music sheet and gave the conductor full attention for any tempo changes, and different bow styles. With these well-established skills, I discovered it was easier for me to focus on my studies. For example, when I was in Chinese, it was greatly important to get the right pitch for each word, and I applied my well-developed listening talent to use. As I listened to my teacher's pronunciation of the word, I perfectly imitated her word. Despite being a nonnative speaker, she was surprised when she heard me correctly pronounced the word. I was proud to have such talent that could be put to use outside of my music class.

As I advanced in levels, I was determined to utilize my talents not only in class, but also in public performances. I made the decision to form a small ensemble for solo and ensemble. I gathered two potentially good players to perform with me. We spent two weeks after school working together to perfectly blend our sounds. Since we had different abilities that we exceled in, we decided to coach each other the talents that we lacked. Although we guided each other during rehearsals, it was also important for each individual to practice on their own to improve those skills. While we were working together, we grew fond of each other, and eventually became friends.

In orchestra, I had learned that everyone was independent, and each individual had his or her own duties to fulfill. In addition, it had left a deep impact in my life. It gave me the opportunity to develop my responsibility as a student, and gave me advantages to excel in my academics. Also, it gave me better social skills, and had my friends list to increase in number on Facebook.

Any criticism, comments, feedback are needed. Thank you in advance. :)

Undergraduate / My Friend, the most significant person in my life [3]

Topic A: The most significant person in your life. Why and how is that person significant to you.

I never thought that anyone could ever change my timid personality, until I met her. I am more of an introvert than an extrovert; never truly express myself in any way. I have friends, but I rarely engage myself into their conversations, unless their spoken words were directed towards me. I preferred listening to their conversations, because I was afraid, afraid that mistakes would slip off my tongue as I spoke. To be plain, I was not confident in myself.

It was a year after I moved to United States; summer past by fast, and school was starting. I was sitting quietly in the corner, listening to the teacher while writing down reminders in my planner. The bell rang indicated it was lunchtime. I packed my belongings and headed towards the cafeteria. As I entered the chaotic lunchroom, my friends who I befriended the previous year greeted me. We stood in the lunch line and started to talk about their summer experiences, and as usual I stood there and listened. After we paid for our lunch, we went to look for a table, but with the fully packed cafeteria, we have no choice but to sit separately.

I found myself a seat beside a dark -haired, olive skin tone girl. I was about to shove food into my mouth but was interrupted by the girl beside me. She turned to face me and introduced herself with a bright smile. I smiled back and introduced myself to her. She hesitated, but then asked if we could be friends. I accepted her request. She then started a conversation with me, and I have no choice but to talk to her since there was no other person with us. She must have noticed my broken English as she politely interrupted me and corrected my grammar. I stopped talking, and she urged me to continue, but I was scared, scared of errors in my words. She sensed my fear, but she encouraged me to talk. She said the best way to avoid errors was to have confident, and to learn from those mistakes. I gained confidence from her advice and continued the conversation. I discovered that she shared the same interest in music. Since that day, we became best friends.

That year, I learned that fear held me from opportunities to meet great people. Also, I realized that the only important thing is to learn from past mistakes, and do not be afraid to express oneself.

Thank you for taking your time to proofread and edit my essay! :)

Undergraduate / Why is Education Important? - the seed of life - Topic B- UT [10]

Topic B: Choose an issue of importance to you - the issue may be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope - and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to you, your family, your community, or your generation.

Education is important, and it plays a major key role in every aspects of human life. It provides knowledge for people, and openings to great opportunities that are set in their future. Without education, many will struggle throughout their lives trying to adapt to the world today.

In 21st century, most people living in the western hemisphere have access to learn, but take it for granted. Some attend school, but never graduate, and they struggle to live a decent life. Nevertheless, those that graduate from college have a better chance to survive and adapt the harsh world. In contrast, people who graduate from college have a better job and live in a greater society than those that did not graduate.

However, the people who live in impoverish countries do not have access to such opportunity. For instance, in India, despite its huge population, only a few Indians attend University, because many do not have money to send their children to school. In addition, most children that live in villages do not attend schools, because they have to work for their family to live a stable life. Because their societies are not as well-developed as societies in America or Europe, many educated individuals from all over the world come and help educate them so they can improve their life, and their society.

Education is the seed of life, and it identifies the person's ability to adapt to the life that society provides today. The people who have opportunity to learn should never take it for granted, for only education will lead them to successful future.

Thank you for your time! :)