Undergraduate / Music and musical diversity; NYU "Academic Interests" [2]

PROMPT: NYU's global network provides students with hundreds of academic areas of interest for students to cultivate their intellectual curiosity and to help achieve their career goals. Whether you are entirely undecided about your academic plans or you have a definitive program of study in mind, what are your own academic interests? Feel free to share any thoughts on any particular programs or how you might explore those interests at NYU on any of our campuses.

I took my first dance class at the age of five. I had picked up my first musical instrument in the fourth grade: the recorder. Two years later, I was given the ability to join the orchestra program at my middle school, and I quickly jumped on that bandwagon, choosing to play the violin. To my parents, these we all tools to harass them day in and day out. To me, they were a means of using my imagination to create something meaningful: music. Ever since those early days, music has always been part of my life.

Music has become the means by which I express myself. I believe that music, much like art, affects people in different ways. It is for this reason I dance to, listen to, and play music, for the various interpretations of music that can be made. This is why I choose to minor in music at NYU. The Department of Music is held in the highest regard, and it would be an honor to continue my education in a program with such high status. The program can offer me insight and give me the opportunity to divulge myself into both classical and contemporary music, and I am fully willing to fulfill my ambition in decoding the meaning to the music that I hear. I want to experience as much musical diversity and influence as possible, something I feel I can't experience at any other school. Music is my passion, and I believe that NYU is the place to let that passion flourish.

Undergraduate / 'The Phantom of the Opera' ; NYU Supplement "What Intrigues You" [5]

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

PROMPT: What intrigues you? Tell us about one work of art, scientific achievement, piece of literature, method of communication, or place in the world (a film, book, performance, website, event, location, etc.), and explain its significance to you.

As I sat in my seat, I thought to myself, "This is going to be so boring." My orchestra director dimmed the lights, and started to praise the work we were about to watch. "The twenty-fifth anniversary production of 'The Phantom of the Opera' is one of the best I have ever seen, and I'm sure you all will love it just as much as I do." He said. I scoffed and rolled my eyes at the comment as the musical started. As the production continued, I learned that every piece of dialogue was said in song. "Great," I mumbled, "Now I have to pay even more attention to the words!" As I tried my best to focus on the plot, I became enamored by the orchestration in its entirety. The reoccurring melodies, the singable tunes, and the fabulous costumes quickly captivated me and placed me in a trance.

I was hooked. I had to admit, I was surprised at my drastic change of heart. I spent the next several days researching the musical and even bought the soundtrack. I found myself getting more and more absorbed into musical theater and started to explore. Ever since that day in orchestra class, I have enjoyed and have learned to respect musicals as an art form. Since my initial viewing, I have seen "Phantom" countless other times. "Phantom" does not have a typical boy-meets-girl plot. It is full of plot twists, dark themes, and a bit of whimsy. It became the perfect production to stick my foot into the door of musicals, where I am rarely displeased from what I see and hear.

Undergraduate / Big cities have always excited me/ "Why NYU Campus" [3]

Hi! I am applying for international relations. Thanks in advance for any feedback!

PROMPT: Tell us why you have chosen the above campus (using a maximum of 700 characters-spaces and punctuation included).

RESPONSE: Big cities have always excited me. At first, I thought that just like a big city, NYU was filled with diverse, academically successful individuals. After a while, it occurred to me: NYU is New York City. It becomes its own haven for students, and the possibilities to grow and learn are endless. NYU is in the center of the largest city on the planet, and has continued to be a hub for communication for the entire world. Because of the diversity and its consolidation of the world, NYU is the premier school to study International Relations. The opportunities NYU has to offer are endless, and can help me grow into a successful adult with the knowledge that I can gain from my experience.