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Posts by yennhihoang
Name: Yennhi Hoang
Joined: Oct 13, 2013
Last Post: Dec 21, 2013
Threads: 5
Posts: 9  
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From: United States of America
School: Bingham High School

Displayed posts: 14
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yennhihoang   
Dec 21, 2013
Undergraduate / Georgetown: Used to be embarrassed about being Asian. Who am I? [3]

The prompt is to write an essay that represents who I am.

Do you guys think that I do too much story-telling or is it okay?

Thank you so much!

I was raised in a traditional Vietnamese household; however, I grew up in a primarily Hispanic and African American community. At a young age I was ostracized and referred to as "that Asian" by my fellow classmates. As the years passed, I started to avoid being the typical Asian stereotype. I became uncomfortable when I was out in public with my family because we were just a "big group of Asians." Since I had always related Asians with glasses, I was horrified at the fact that I had to start wearing glasses in the second grade. Though I enjoyed seeing more of the world with my glasses, I only wore them at home to avoid anyone "cool" from seeing me in my glasses. When I was in public, I would be constantly looking over my shoulder to make sure no one would recognize me. At school I refused to raise my hand so I would not draw any attention to myself. I was also teased for getting a 100% on my math tests. Since Asians were stereotypically associated with being good at math, I would purposely give the wrong answer to avoid the embarrassment of doing well. I even despised wearing the beautiful traditional ao dai (long dress) because it made me feel even more Vietnamese.

When I was ten years old, I was thrilled with my family's decision to move to another city. The thought of living in a city with people more like me was exhilarating. As my mom was driving through the drop-off lane on my first day of school, I looked out the window hoping to see a more diverse atmosphere. As I looked closer, I noticed that there were no Hispanics or Africans Americans. Instead, I saw only white students. I refused to get out of the car, fearing what my new school would be like. When I finally agreed to go to class, my teacher told me to come to the front of the class to introduce myself. I hesitated but I followed orders to blend in. Since I did not wear my glasses so I would look "normal," I could not see the faces of my new classmates. Though I could not see, I could still hear them whispering "whoa, it's an Asian." They acted as if I was an entirely different species. That day at recess, I sat under a tree alone watching the other kids turn their heads when they passed me then whispering to their friends. I could not help but to feel like I was being judged by every kid.

In 2008, my family visited Vietnam for the summer. I was shocked by all the traditions and customs at the airport, hotels, restaurants, streets-everywhere. These customs existed back home in Utah, but they were not as apparent as they were in Vietnam. The colors red and gold were splattered in every direction you looked. One of the most memorable parts of the vacation was touring the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology-a museum dedicated to preserving and exhibiting different ethnic groups in Vietnam. My favorite exhibition was about the history behind certain Vietnamese traditions, such as the ao dai. I was so excited about the ao dai that my parents bought me one to bring back home. When I returned home I wore my ao dai almost every day after school and all day on the weekends. My adverse feelings towards being an Asian gradually vanished. I embraced my culture and began to share it with my fellow classmates. As I fell more in love with Vietnamese culture, I ignored the odd stares and whispering comments. To me, I am not longer "that Asian." I am simply Yennhi Hoang.
yennhihoang   
Dec 21, 2013
Undergraduate / Georgetown: Summer Activity- Debate Camp [NEW]

Debate provides a unique place to have conversations and in turn creates an inclusive community that allows for the free flow of ideas. My summers throughout high school were spent at policy debate camps. When I tell people about how I have spent my summers, they usually comment on much it must suck to give up three months to prepare for the upcoming season. Choosing to give up my senior summer, and many summers before that, was easily one of the best decisions I have made. Not only did I gain an undeniably great amount of knowledge, I gained a network of lifelong friends. Policy debate breeds a special kind of person: one who enjoys getting little sleep while functioning at a high level, one who is competitive, opinionated, and vocal.

Since students from all over the country attend these camps, I have friends that come from various backgrounds. Debate bonds all of us together, no matter where we come from. What I look forward to most when attending national tournaments is being united with these friends. I have lived in Utah all my life; debate friends have provided me with the opportunity to learn of unique personalities from all over the country. Not only are my debate friends from across the country special, my fellow teammates are as well. Though this annoys other students, having other debaters with strong opinions in my classes open up different perspectives that would not have surfaced otherwise. Moreover, I have become friends with those in my school that I would not have if left to chance. These are the people I turn to in times of need or to just have a good time. The debate community is the main reason why I am passionate about debate.

The activity also has opened me up to a whole new world of ideas and literature. Policy debate is entirely unique in that I can go from having an intensive discussion on Nietzsche and his ontological relationship to the Other to researching the implications of government energy policy and how countries like China, Russia and Saudi Arabia might react to those policies. Debate has given me a worldwide perspective and opened me up to ideas and philosophy that I never would have thought about otherwise. Joining the debate community has been one of the most beneficial activities I have ever participated in, and I hope to continue debating at Georgetown.
yennhihoang   
Dec 21, 2013
Undergraduate / 'Senior Year' Georgetown essay- it is too long what should I cut? [3]

Senior year is about the future. Everyone'sis talking about what they are doing after high school and with their lives. There is a lot to do and many plans. , all leading up to the inevitable-: moving day. A lot of people are worried about moving away from the comfort of a their home state. And though I'm nervous about the changes, I know I'll be ready for the challenge because I've done it before.

I remember this feeling three years ago as I approached my new school, nervous but excited about opportunity. My dad is a Marine, and our family was moved 1500 miles from small town North Carolina to Fort Worth, Texas in the middle of my freshman year.

Keller High School was a huge three-story brick building that sprawled for what seemed like miles. The main parking lot alone was hundreds of sports cars wedged between huge trucks. As I walked in the doors I knew starting over would be hard, but I dreamed that the school would be abuzz with the rumors of the tall brunette girl from up north.

First stop was guidance. I whisked through, quickly put into completely different classes than those I was taking. Honors classes were replaced with high level AP's because Keller did not offer the former. After, Jessie, a perky blonde senior with a slow southern drawl, showed me the school informing me "it has 3 gyms, 3 parking lots, and a football stadium big enough to hold 10,000 people." Coming from a school of 400, I felt overwhelmed.. I was deposited at my locker and left, clutching a map, to find my way around. I prayed that I wouldn't get lost on my first day. Then the bell rang, and the halls filled with a sea of 3000 students.

I studied the students around me, wondering how two schools could be so different. In North Carolina, I knew everyone. I knew the right way to talk, what to wear, how to act. I had four best friends, and we spent all our time together, studying, going to class, and hanging out. We knew our whole neighborhood, and we were free to walk or ride our bikes all over base, to the pool, movie theatre or local convenience store. School was easy, with few advanced level classes offered and plenty of people to study with.

Life in Keller was the complete opposite.. The girls walked to class, carrying their Coach bags and dressed in brand name blingy jeans I had never seen before, clutching sonic cups.. The boys were huge, strutting around in letter jackets and cowboy boots. I shuffled through the day, barely noticed. I wasn't new and exciting but another face in the crowd. Most of the kids had gone to school together for years, some since kindergarten. If a student didn't recognize you they assumed you had just never met, and were happy to keep it that way. I stood there a study in opposites. My wardrobe, accent, even hair did not fit in, yet no one really noticed me. I stared at the classroom clock's black hands, wishing for the moment when I could climb in the car and say " The was a HUGE mistake- Let's go Home!" The excitement that I had felt coming to Texas had turned into deep regret . Even after school at swimming, a sport I loved, had become a strange place where I found no comfort. I swam with younger kids, unable to keep up with those my own age and unused to the intensity. My new team was huge, with hundreds of fast kids from all over North Texas. Compare to North Carolina, where my team was small, 20 kid team swimming together a few times a week.
yennhihoang   
Dec 21, 2013
Undergraduate / I love math and problem solving. Why Duke Supplemental Essay. Max 150 words. [2]

I think by saying "ranks among the top ten national universities and its small classes of about twenty students enable those students to more easily seek help from their teacher" sounds too typical and facts that you could easily find on a college's website. Is there anything more that excites you about Duke? What's so special about Duke apart from its credentials as one of the top ten and small classes?
yennhihoang   
Nov 28, 2013
Undergraduate / 'Boring Utah' - USC Extra-curricular Activity- South Jordan Youth Council [2]

Please pay attention to..
1. Tone.
2. Word choice.
These are what I'm most concerned about. Thank you!

"Utah is boring. Nothing happens in Utah. I need to move out of state." My involvement in the community was almost nonexistent throughout my entire life. Whenever I expressed these feelings to my peers, they always told me I was crazy to think Utah had nothing to offer. It was not until high school that I joined extra-curricular activities and realized just how many opportunities were out there. However, I only saw what was within my school and not much in my local community. I joined the South Jordan Youth Council to help give me an active role in my community. Through my involvement in planning and organizing festivals and fairs, the youth council opened up a whole new world of possibilities that I had never even considered before. At one of the races I volunteered at, my station was at the top of a steep hill. Running up and down this slippery hill at five in the morning on a rainy morning was anything but enjoyable. However, I still look back at that day as one of my favorite memories because of the enthusiasm my fellow volunteers gave despite the conditions. I learned that Utah has just as much to offer as any other state. It does not necessarily matter the amount of opportunities that exist, what matters is taking advantage of the opportunities that do exist.
yennhihoang   
Nov 28, 2013
Undergraduate / I am the hot-headed Aries of the group.; Common App Essay Prompt Failure [2]

I really like how you tied the "not even me" part into your essay at the end, it really makes it stand out.

I am confident that my passion of helping other people, giving everyone a voice, and standing up for what I believe is right, is what is needed to make strangers convinced to invest in my future.

This seems like a bit of a run-on or at least confusing. Reword.
yennhihoang   
Nov 28, 2013
Undergraduate / 'observing and listening to people' - USC Short Answers - Academic Interest [6]

Capitalize Thanksgiving.

Observing people and listening to them has always been one of my passions.

Move "My intended major is psychology" to after the above quote.

I feel like the last sentence sounds like you're trying too hard, show not tell!

I think you should talk more about what is unique about USC. You mention that you love that USC is a private institution, but what makes it stand out from other private schools?

Also please look at my updated short answer, I took your advice into account!
yennhihoang   
Nov 28, 2013
Undergraduate / 'Stayed in Viatnem for a summer' - USC Short Answers. [2]

When I stayed in Vietnam for a summer, my first-hand experience with Vietnamese tradition and culture fascinated me, but what was even more exciting was the French influence integrated into Vietnamese culture. I did not expect to use my French speaking skills in Vietnam. My knowledge of other languages and cultures cultivates my interest in international relations because even though each country's culture is different, they are still tied together. I hope to become a lawyer practicing international law because I wish to interact with these cultures on a personal and professional level. My passion for international relations spurs my desire to attend the University of Southern California.

I will be able to supplement my global awareness gained from the School of International Relations with living in a vivacious international city alongside more enrolled foreign students than any other university in the country. I grew up in a predominantly white community, where being a minority was looked down upon. USC will provide me with the opportunity to live in a diverse community and learn about cultural differences. Apart from the School of International Relations, the wide range of courses available further entices me to attend USC. I enjoy statistics, chemistry, economics, philosophy, and literature. USC will allow me to fully explore my broad intellectual curiosities, grow as a globally literate international relations student, and prepare for my future career.
yennhihoang   
Nov 28, 2013
Undergraduate / USC's Department of Spanish and Portuguese ; USC-Academic Interest [3]

You show your good vocabulary, however, I think it may come off as trying hard. I think using more conversational vocabulary would be best. In particular, I don't think you should use the word "affinity," but otherwise you have good diction. Overall, I think it's really good! It's concise yet has all the right components!
yennhihoang   
Oct 13, 2013
Undergraduate / Define: Success. Common App Essay 3, recount failure. Debate. [2]

This is my common app essay about failure within the debate community. My essay is currently about 20 words over the overlimit. Please read and give any feedback. :) I appreciate it a lot. Be as harsh and critical as you can.

Society often delineates success as earning the top test scores, attending a stellar university, and living a luxurious life. The competition against my peers to achieve these things created a conflict within me which led to search out what being successful actually meant. I grew up in a household where your achievements were only achievements if they were better relative to other people. Joining the debate team was an opportunity to give me leverage above my peers. I had high prospects of success and fame for myself within the community. Because my grades were better than average, I illogically assumed that I would be naturally talented with regards to debate. But I was sorely mistaken. I failed miserably at my first tournament. By failing to meet my personal expectations, I questioned whether I had the capability to succeed outside of the debate world. Rather than being motivated by this, I lost confidence in myself to improve in other areas. This assisted in creating a poor mindset for myself, one in which if I didn't achieve what I wanted the first time, I didn't see any purpose to trying again. After weeks of my teammates and coach encouraging me, I decided to give myself another chance and attended the Sun Country Forensics Institute the following summer.

I started the final camp tournament with the new mindset that no matter how well I debated, my main goal would be to have a good time. My partner and I were losing rounds to teams that had a year less experience than us. Prior to my improved mindset, if I lost the first debate round at the tournament, I lost faith in myself and gave up on the rest of the rounds. Now these feelings had disappeared and losses only motivated me to win the next round. In this process, not only did I discover ways to progress my debating skills, but more importantly, I learned that losing only teaches you what needs to be changed to succeed. I started my junior year by being proactive and immersing myself in extensive research and preparation for debates. I began to take each criticism constructively rather than taking it as a personal attack. My work paid off at the Berkeley national tournament where my partner and I won almost all of our debates against some of the best teams in the nation, something I used to only dream of.

My improved attitude not only benefited me in regards to debate, but also impacted my attitude in the work environment. As a teaching assistant, my students' successes were my successes. When I first started teaching, if my student didn't almost immediately improve, I would have given up. Now I realize that if my teaching method wasn't effective, it didn't mean I was a failure at teaching. It only meant that I needed to change techniques to tailor to each individual student. Moreover, I realize that my students can't create significant progress overnight and the small victories along the way contribute to the bigger picture of success. This not only applied to my students, but to me as well. I can't assume that I'll be the best the first time I try something. Accomplishments I make are accomplishments because they are better than my previous successes. I now understand that another person's accomplishments have no effect on the perception of my own. Shifting my definition of success changed not only how I perceive success, but what I view as failure. A means over ends based approach, I learned, is a more productive way to arrive at satisfaction.

Even if I don't continue my debate career past high school, my new mindset will help me succeed in college. Losing rounds against teams less experienced taught me that age or experience isn't a reason to underestimate my abilities. Accepting criticism constructively taught me that not doing something perfect can only improve future projects. Instead of being unhappy when things don't turn out as expected, I will view it in a different light to turn it into a win.
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