Undergraduate / growing up with a sibling - stanford supplement letter to roomate [7]

Topic: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

"Oh my god it's on fire!" I woke up from the screams and ran out to see the source of the commotion. There was smoke in the air; my brother had set the toaster on fire. I quickly grabbed the fire extinguisher to douse the flames. Many people would say that growing up with a sibling was an enjoyable experience. I would say the opposite. Growing up with a brother was an appalling experience for me; my brother was a burden. I was forced to split everything that I received with him: from food to money to the computer. In addition, he would harass me to no end. As a result of my brother's irritable nature, I generally do not like to stay indoors because that is where he usually is. When I have time I like to go outside and do some physical activity such as swimming, playing tennis, or riding my bike just to get a reprieve. On the other hand, I can also cook and I have been cooking for my entire family since I was in middle school. Growing up, there was a need for me to be able to cook because my father was rarely home and my mother came home late at night exhausted and unable to do any work. A few good things did come out of having an irritable brother though. I became more responsible because I had to take responsibility of my family, especially my brother and I became more patient.

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Happy to take a look at your essay

Undergraduate / I am not exactly sure what matters to me; Stanford [8]

I am not exactly sure what matters to me. My priorities have been changing throughout high school. When I was just beginning high school what mattered to me the most was doing well in school so that I could have a better life in the future and I wanted to learn because I have a thirst for knowledge. Doing well in school meant that I was getting a good education, an act that quenches my thirst for more knowledge. However, all that changed while I was on the precipice of death itself as I endured round after round of treatment for my brain cancer. At the time, what mattered to me the most was my health and my life because without my them, I have absolutely nothing. Of course, I still aspired to do well in school, but that was just not my main priority at that time. After a couple months my treatments ended, I guess my priority shifted back to doing well in school. Unfortunately, I was not able to do as well as I had hoped because I had endured so much treatment. However, through hard work, I was able to prevail.

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Happy to look at your essay if you want.