Undergraduate / My adventure has started at last; BackgroundStory(exchange student) [6]

Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The humid air made it difficult to breathe. Even the morning temperature gave me a feeling of incredible discomfort; my clothes were glued to my skin. I heard unidentifiably noises in the background that mixed with the constant barking of the neighborhood dogs to my annoyance. Sitting on my undersized bed, I threw looks at the only other piece of furniture in the room: a chair. My adventure has started at last, only I anticipated a completely different experience. Resigned to my situation, tears ran down my cheeks. I realized that it was me who chose all of this; the level of regret was unmatched by anything I had ever known before. Now there was no easy way out. Under no circumstance could I go home early; my parents paid for all of this after I begged them. I didn't want to be a loser or a coward, but on the other hand, how was I supposed to live here for a year? Suddenly, I heard my name called. After wiping off my tears, I staggered out of my room.

Months before that, I had been exited when a representative from an exchange organization came to my school. Enjoying the attention of my peers, I signed up for an information package and bragged to be interested in going to the U.S.; for once I was the adventurer and the risk taker. Unfortunately, the U.S. had full capacity, and I was forced to either back down from my plans or pick another destination. An exchange year was expensive and, as I soon found out myself, should be considered carefully. Yet, I didn't want to hear any of that. Stubbornly, I convinced my parents to yield to my wishes. I chose Panama. I dreamed of an adventure, of the fun I would have while being out of school and living a different life, and of course of the beautiful beaches...

At last, we all will have gone our ways in life, but it's what we do with it that makes the difference. The beginning was the toughest hardship I have ever faced. We all have gone our different ways in life, but it's what we do with it that makes the difference. I learned that joy is not playing video games or watching TV; joy is the pleasure in seeing the unseen and becoming acquainted with the unacquainted. As I felt lost and sorry in a place far away, I refused to embrace a new situation and failed to realize what the country really had to offer: good, hearty people and a unique culture. Tough it may have been, but the experience was invaluable. To honor my family and appreciate what they were doing for me was only one of many lessons that strengthened my personality. I want these lessons to accompany me through life. I cannot always make the right choice, so it's endurance and the ability to adapt that will make me successful in life.

After my graduation, I have participated in another high school exchange program while taking a gap year. This is reflected by my teacher recommendation. Would you recommend me to include this in some way at the end of this essay or would this interfere with the smooth ending of the essay?

Sincerely,
Luca

Undergraduate / Bates College : Supplementary Essay - "How this Statement inspires you." [7]

Bates educates the whole person through creative and rigorous scholarship in a collaborative residential community.
I generally disagree with the type of tertiary education available in my homeland Austria. Though I appreciate its availability for no charge, I long after an education that truly satisfies my mind and strengthens me as an individual rather than to serve the sole purpose to get me a well paid job. I don't want to push myself through college only to obtain a degree for which I have little to no passion; that is not my definition of success.

The four years ahead of me are probably as essential to my life as anything will ever be. It is not just about studying but about finding out what I will eventually do with my life. I am convinced that Bates College will help me achieve this like nothing else. It is the ideal way of approaching the act of learning I have always dreamed about. I look forward to be guided through college by caring professors that drive us students to critical thinking and the exploration of different areas of study. Bates' campus offers countless opportunities to find joy and connect with peers to establish a unique community that accompanies students through college. It is very important for me to be able to feel accomplished inside as well as outside the classroom; it appeals to me that more than half of the student body participates in varsity or club sports.

All this resembles the college experience I long for so much. Offering a little microcosm that thrives with exceptionally talented professors and an active student body, Bates College is my place to go.

Undergraduate / AMHERST COLLEGE - Supplement "Stereotype" [4]

Please respond to one of the following quotations in an essay of not more than 300 words. It is not necessary to research, read, or refer to the texts from which these quotations are taken; we are looking for original, personal responses to these short excerpts. Remember that your essay should be personal in nature and not simply an argumentative essay.

"Stereotyped beliefs have the power to become self-fulfilling prophesies for behavior."

The idea of a stereotype doesn't appeal to me. Nobody should be subject to any form of stereotype. Whether good or bad, ultimately, they disrespect the individuality of humans and potentially can oppress the unique development of people.

I don't think that stereotypes necessarily have a strong tendency to be self-fulfilling but rather have a destructive nature as they make us fit the way society perceives us and can bring about frustration. It is a genuine feeling of helplessness to know to be judged by others. Nobody can change that, yet we are able to alter the way we respond to stereotypes; subsequently, this will determine how we progress in life.

All of us will face judgment at some point; the difference is whether we believe in prejudices and let them influence us or if we trust ourselves and know what we really are.

I have participated in two exchange years. Living in very unfamiliar environments and different cultures for two years, I learned one lesson the most: nothing can beat a person with an open-minded attitude that approaches others and shows interest. After all, it just doesn't matter where you are from and what you look like as long as you trust yourself and, most importantly, be yourself.

Human beings are incredibly complex and unique; what a waste it would be to listen to stereotypes.

What do you folks think about me using the us tense a lot?

I would greatly appreciate the kind of feedback that points out the sections of the essay where the flow just doesn't chime as nicely with the topic and the sentences around