Undergraduate / Stanford Essay: Blood Is Thickest - What matters to you, and why? [4]

What matters to you, and why? (250 word limit.)
Social rights activist Desmond Tutu once said, "You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." Looking back on my life, I am amazed by the legitimacy of this saying.

My youngest sister has changed my life in ways I can barely imagine. Despite the (supposedly) "annoyed" demeanor I have towards her, she brings me an immense amount of joy and entertainment, when not exasperating me or teaching me the fine lesson of patience.

My older sister is also a massive influence in my life. Having already been through the adolescent stage of life, she is a great source for life advice. Likewise, she is one of the few people in life I can share my secrets, aspirations, worries, and problems with. Without her mature yet grumpy presence in my life, I can't imagine being so well-disposed in life right now.

In addition to my siblings, I owe a great deal of thanks to my parents. Thanks to my mother for forgoing her nursing school education to take care of me and my siblings. Thanks for being the most loving person in my life. Thanks to my father for sacrificing time with the family in order to work in Nigeria in order to provide for the family. His sacrifice is a great motivator and testament to his great character.

Getting accepted into Stanford University would be my "gift" to my family for the love and support they have shown me over the years.

250 out of 250 words used.

Undergraduate / My name is Aduraseyi. Multi-Faceted Personality/ Stanford Essay: ROOMMATE note [6]

Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate -- and us -- know you better. (250 word limit.)

Dear Roommate,
My name is Aduraseyi, but everyone calls me by my middle name, Chris. I am a Nigerian-American, and just like my nationality, my personality is multi-faceted.

If you ask any of my friends who I am, the vast majority of them would refer to me as "Chris the soccer guy." And it's true. Soccer is my passion! So if you notice me streaming soccer games online on weekends, inviting you to pick-up games, or bringing some friends over to chat or debate about the sport, don't be surprised as you have been forewarned. And if you just so happen to share my passion, you would be extra amazing.

However, I am not just all play and no work. In addition to being a soccer fanatic, I am also "Chris the smart guy." Yes, roommate, I am a nerd. When the time comes for me to be serious about my classes, I will bury my nose in the books: no goofing off, no messing around, and no parties-just doing what is needed to ace my classes. And while I may seem like a bore during "study time," the results have been evident as those tactics have left me sitting pretty at the top of my class.

Not only am I a soccer loving nerd, I'm also a very analytical person. What might be mistaken for my being quiet and aloof is actually me deep in my thoughts, analyzing and debating within my mind so please don't take offense.

Undergraduate / Stanford Essay: From A Job to "Pass the Time" to Lessons LEarnt - extracurricular activity [4]

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (150 word limit.)

Over the last five years, I have been part of my church's technical department. I took up a position on the team after a member had departed for college. Beginning as understudy, I learnt and observed the basics and of the department how it functioned. I soon found myself promoted to head of the projection system where I was tasked with projecting the sermon and choir's songs on the big screen as well as recording and making disks of the church's messages. As part of the department, I gained crucial team management skills, which I had four years to refine as I joined the department at the young age of twelve. I also learnt how to work under pressure, tight schedules, and how to improvise when necessary. Ultimately taking up a position with the technical department has helped me become a more well-rounded person.