I want to challenge myself; Bowdoin (prompt 1: Intellectual engagement)

PROMPT: Bowdoin students and alumni often cite world-class faculty and opportunities for intellectual engagement, the College's commitment to the Common Good, and the special quality of life on the coast of Maine as important aspects of the Bowdoin experience.

Reflecting on your own interests and experiences, please comment on one of the following:
1. Intellectual engagement (I Chose this one)
2. The Common Good
3. Connection to place
I chose #1
Word limit: 250
My words: 284

I work hard at my academics, not because my parents put pressure on me to do well, but because I want to challenge myself to see what I'm capable of (the "sibling rivalry" I have with my twin sister doesn't hurt either). My parents let me know that they are happy with however I do in school, as long as they know I try to do my best, and I value and appreciate that as well. I push myself in school by taking honors and AP classes because I know that, if I put in the time and effort, I can rise to the challenge. What draws me to Bowdoin is the ambition and determination to learn that all of the students seem to possess. I respect the self-improvement mindset, and the motivation to develop and expand as a student; it makes me happy to try my best, even if it does cause me some (... a LOT of) stress.

When I finally understand an idea or concept that has been unclear to me, it's like a gear clicks into place, which is the best feeling in the world. I enjoy school and my subjects, thanks to some of the inspiring and engaging teachers I have had in the past-I owe them my progress as a student thus far. Thanks to the assistance I have received from a few outstanding teachers, I have been taught to not just memorize and repeat information, but to absorb it, process it, and generate potent questions that arise when such topics are discussed, debated, and analyzed-a skill that I aim to improve and further develop with Bowdoin's help and guidance.

(I know it's rough, so I'd love any constructive criticism or suggestions, or any ideas on how to shorten it to 250 words. Thanks! :)

I work hard at my academics, not because my parents put pressure on me to do well, but because I want to challenge myself to see what I'm capable of (the "sibling rivalry" I have with my twin sister doesn't hurt either). My parents let me know that they are happy with however I do in school, as long as they know I try to do my best, and Iwhich is something I value and appreciate that as well. I push myself in school by taking honors and AP classes, because I know that, if I put in the time and effort, I can rise to the challenge. What draws me to Bowdoin is the ambition and determination to learn that all of the students seem to possess. I respect the self-improvement mindset, and the (unnecessary) that motivation to develop and expand as a student.;I t makes me happy to try my best, even if it does cause me some (... a LOT of) stress.

When I finally understand an idea or concept that has been unclear to me, it's like a gear clicks into place, which is the best feeling in the world. I enjoy school and my subjects,T hanks to some of the inspiring and engaging teachers I have had in the past, I actually enjoy my classes at school.- I owe them my progress as a student thus farto those teachers . Thanks to the assistance I have received from a few outstanding teachers, I have beenThey taught me to not just memorize and repeat information, but to absorb it, process it, and generate potent questions that arise when such topics are discussed, debated, andor analyzed.-A skill that I aim to improve and further develop with Bowdoin's help and guidance.

Hope I helped... at least a little!

When I finally understand an idea or concept that has been unclear to me, a gear clicks into place; it's the best feeling in the world. I enjoy school and my subjects, thanks to some inspiring and engaging teachers I have had in the past-In part, I certainly owe my progress as a student, thus far, to them. I have been taught not just to memorize and repeat information, but to absorb it, process it, and generate potent questions when difficult topics are discussed, debated, and analyzed. These are skills I aim to improve and further develop with help and guidance in the next four years.

I work hard at my academics, not because my parents put pressure on me to do well, but because I challenge myself to see what I'm capable of (the "sibling rivalry" I have with my twin sister doesn't hurt, either). I have pushed myself in school by taking honors and AP classes because I know that, if I put in the time and effort, I can always rise to the demands. I most respect people who struggle to develop and expand their understandings; it makes me happy to similarly try my best, even if it does occasionally cause me stress. My ambition and my determination to be part of a strong, academic community of dedicated learners is what attracts me most to Bowdoin College.

-- I went over it with my teacher and this is what I have now :) thanks for your input!

happy to help!