Posts by peperoniz

peperoniz

Oct 26, 2014

Undergraduate / "Out of clutter find simplicity, from discord find harmony, in the middle of difficulty lies ..." [2]

What matters to you and why?

"Out of clutter find simplicity, from discord find harmony, in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."- Albert Einstein

We tend to worship harmony rather than discord and yet it is discord that provides the potential for discovery and positive change. The realization that we can change things we don't like is powerful and hopeful. It is often the struggle that provides the benefits.

In my own life, I was forced to adapt to new cultures that I did not understand or even agree with. When I moved to Venezuela I met people who were greatly opposed to gay rights. My best friends constantly made fun of homosexual people and expressed their disgust toward them. One day I had had enough of their discrimination. The sexual orientation of a person in no way changes the value or integrity of their character. It does not matter who someone loves and frankly it is not anyone's business. This is exactly what I told my friends. I have friends who are homosexual and I knew that I had to stand up for them. My friends in Venezuela and I got into a heated argument, but at the end of it I felt better. I knew that by standing up for my values I had opened their eyes at least a little to their bigotries.

It is a paradoxical truth that harmony is found in the midst of discord. Discord matters to me because from it comes a synergetic creativity that propels change and progress in our world. It is through discord that the world becomes a better place.

Any comments on this supplement essay would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

peperoniz

Oct 25, 2014

Undergraduate / Harmony in all aspects of life matters to me - Stanford [3]

What matters to you, and why?

Harmony in all aspects of life matters to me. Harmony is tuning of our lives to those around us and the natural world that sustains our well-being. To live in harmony requires that I be conscious of the hopes and needs that surround me and flexible in my own course of action.

The idea I value most about my harmonious existence is tolerance. It is vital that I understand the varying values and ideas of people who are different from me. I try my best to consider the ideas of others because I am better for doing this: I become more curious, more open to challenges, and more appreciative of the beautiful music that makes up our diversity.

I have lived in three countries in my life and thus have had the pleasure to befriend people from many cultures. I remember my first glimpse of true harmony: the way the people in Venezuela accepted me into their community. They adopted me despite our differences and I embraced the unique characteristics of the people that surrounded me.

I strive to live a balanced life, where I neither work nor play too much. I often get caught up in my schoolwork, but I have learned that in order to live in harmony, I have to make my relationships the priority. In a harmonious relationship each party at times sets aside his or her own desires to nurture the relationship itself.

Through harmony I am able to live a life full of happiness, tolerance, honesty, and acceptance, which, to me, is the epitome of a fulfilling existence.

I rewrote this. Any more comments would be greatly appreciated.

peperoniz

Oct 25, 2014

Undergraduate / Common app - How has your story defined you? [3]

In the beginning, I think you should start with " There were constant battles.." and end that paragraph with your first two sentences. Just a suggestion. Also I think you should talk more about yourself rather than your mom and you father. I understand that they had a big impact on you, but the common app is about YOU and im not getting enough of YOU in this essay. How did the situation you lived in make you feel? How did you stand up to it/ face it? Other than that it is a very powerful topic and with a little work it will be great!

peperoniz

Oct 25, 2014

Undergraduate / Waste Management Archaeology; Common Application Essay First Draft: Background Story Central to Life [3]

I really like this essay! Just as suggestion, but maybe you could cut down on some of the early parts of the essay and add more to the last paragraph? I find myself wanting to know more about how you are a mentor, pirate, soldier. But other than that great topic and writing!

peperoniz

Oct 23, 2014

Undergraduate / Harmony in all aspects of life matters to me - Stanford [3]

Any comments on this essay would be greatly appreciated. Don't be afraid to be brutally honest. Thank you! :)

What matters to you, and why?

Harmony in all aspects of life matters to me. It may seem like an abstract concept, but what it means to me is living in agreement and accord with the people around you.

I have lived in three countries in my life and thus have had the pleasure to befriend people from many cultures. I remember the first glimpse of true harmony I saw was in the way the people in Venezuela accepted me into their community. They didn't care that I was a foreigner and neither did I. I embraced the unique characteristics of the people around me and lived in harmony with them. Like an orchestra that is composed of different instruments, life is beautiful because of its diversity.

I seek out harmony in my daily life as well. I strive to live a balanced life, where I neither work nor play too much. I often get caught up in my schoolwork, but I have learned that in order to live in harmony, you have to make your relationships the priority.

Through harmony I am able to live a life full of happiness, tolerance, honesty, and acceptance, which, to me, is the epitome of a fulfilling existence.