Alternate Personalities and Other Things About Me-Stanford Letter to Roommate Essay

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.

Read & Rate, please!

Calling Agent R,

Sorry dude. You don't mind the letter "R", do you? I love adopting alternate personalities, and today happens to be a CIA day. On pilot days, I'll mutter, "United 885, turn right heading 090," in my sleep. Heed me not, and I'll revert to my usual self, wake up, and greet you good morning.

But I haven't even introduced myself properly! Salutations! My name is Kingshuk Dasadhikari, an Indian from the narrow lanes and okonomiyaki (that's a sort of pancake) dens of Osaka, Japan. When I'm not flying transpacific in my head, bowed over a riveting math or physics text, or asleep, I'm drawn to trivia, a friendly game of football (erm...soccer), or better yet, a nice, heart-to-heart conversation-you choose the topic.

Got something you need translated into French, Japanese, or Bengali? I'm open 24/7. What if the bogeyman's after you, demanding the capital of Tonga? Take it from me, the walking atlas, that it's Nuku'alofa. Oddly enough, one question I won't be able to answer is, "How do I get to <insert a location on campus>?" To me, the Stanford campus remains terra incognita, but I hope we'll enjoy navigating it together. Could you let me know if you see a Thai place around? It's sure to become my haunt!

There're other perks to having me as a roomie. You see, I have this Japanese alarm clock which rings loud enough to rouse me, but spares everyone else. You needn't sacrifice sleep to join me in my early morning exploits. On the other hand, I do tend to breathe heavily while asleep-periodic asthma problem-but laugh about it later, adopting Darth Vader as my alternate personality of the day.

I'm sure we'll have a memorable year, whether by hopping all 25 fountains on campus in record time on Day 1 or setting up a sensor outside our room that screams, "You have unlawfully entered the premises of the dynamic duo; please identify yourself!" at passersby. But please, I'm looking forward to hearing your ideas and getting to know you.

Signing off,
Agent K

I love reading the Stanford letters from my friends because they are so interesting and fun!

and DAMN, i must say, this is one of those letters I love reading. I don't know what you want to major in but I suppose its flying or aerospace engineering.

The starting is pretty interesting. Made me want to read more, but as I continue to read the letter, you have a lot of questions. I'm not a guy who really likes to use a lot of questions in the essay, but I think maybe if you cut down on the questions and answer and elaborate more on your first few questions (more on the Stanford one), I think that would be great. But it's your essay =). I think the questions you have are awesome too and fit in.

I think the AO's are really looking for a guy like you who can write something that can not only read fast but is very fun to read!

It's great! and Good Luck getting in =).

Hi Kingshuk! Nice essay. I really like how insightful you've been with your personality.


^If anything, this is the only sentence that seems a bit awkward. Perhaps introduce the fact that you are not good with directions first, and then present your question.

I.e. Oddly enough, I am not very good with directions. Ask me where <insert campus location>, and I wouldn't be able to answer.

That's really all I could find. Your way works too, but I just wanted to provide some feedback LOL.

Look over my UPenn essay (and my Feminism essay if you have time)?

Good luck & hope to see you at Stanford next year!

One word: Unique!
This letter is very entertaining to read and really shows your humorous side.
I think it shows your personality really well!
Good luck on your application!

Please help me on my Columbia supplement. I need it to be good :)
Thanks!

I think is great, it shows sence of humor and personality from your own prespective. I think it's very original and the admissions will love it.

Thanks for revising mine :)

Dude, this essay is epic. Most college guides advise prospective students to avoid using comedy in their essays, but you are definitely an exception. Oddly enough, the personality that you portrayed reminds me a bit of myself. Keep up the good work.

Great Essay

Your letter is really good. It's very personal and with lots of details. I like how you keep it light and humorous. I love the japanese alarm clock part but somehow it's a little awkward there for me. But the essay is great!

Really appreciate it if you can checkout my nyu supp essay. Thanks!