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Common App - Topic of Choice (aimed at Caltech)


ndog99 2 / 2  
Sep 12, 2009   #1
Hey everyone
I recently wrote this essay for the common app (primarily aimed for caltech early action) and it's not one of the given topics, it's just a random topic that i was thinking of. I did not spend too much time on editing the grammar and structure as a quickly wrote these ideas. If possible, i would like criticism on my ideas and content, because frankly i feel this could be a slightly controversial topic. I just want to know if this would be a good topic for an admission counsler to read about. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated and thank you for any comments thanks!

Common App Essay

What is the point of College? Many people describe it as the intermediate step between high school and a job. I agree on some level, but for that group that classifies it as this, it is crucial to then ask: what is the point of job? People from that category, will probably give a uniform answer: to make money. I realize this may be redundant, but it is still crucial to ask once more: what's the point of money? At this point, those people would probably hesitate at answering the question. In my opinion, this is a huge problem with society: we stop at the concept of money and never go on to think further.

However, I hold quite a unique view on the matter. Most kids in my school that are in the top ranks believe that they want to get into a "good" school and get a "good" job, no matter what kind of job it is, and whether they enjoy it or not. It frustrates me when I see someone who's clearly gifted at math or something else, becomes a doctor because they were either forced by there parents or because they want to make a lot of money. I have heard of countless cases of people who I knew who switched out of the medical field in college after 4 or so years did not enjoy it. I possessed a very similar situation to those people, but I want to make the right decision before I go to college.

I currently am and was always was in love with Math, Physics and Computer Science subjects; however, my mother as a pediatrician, did not force me, but urged me to go into medicine. As a result, throughout high school I have partaken in many activities that were medicine-related. I volunteered at the hospital, I worked at her clinic, I went to a "mini-medical" school and I went to a summer program at Upenn for biomedical engineering. From the combination of these experiences, I have recently come to the conclusion that I would not enjoy having a career in medicine. I have realized that I will not fall for the same mistake as all my other peers, and I will continue what I enjoy doing throughout college. The only reason my mother wanted me to be a doctor, was for the job security and money aspect. However I asked myself the same question that appeared at the beginning of this essay: what is the point of money? Most people think that money is a measure of happiness, but after countless experiences throughout high school and much thought on the idea, money is not the measure of happiness. Happiness is not material wealth, it is the pleasure you get out of living and doing the things that you enjoy doing.

Now when I applied this thought to my current position: would I be happy becoming a doctor? I looked back and thought of all the past experiences that I had with medicine, and then weighing it with the thought of continuing study in Physics and Computer Science, and I realized that the latter of the two will award me much more happiness as I am so passionate about learning more and extending my knowledge in those fields. I have realized that the point of getting into college, is not a path to a high-paying job, but passageway to broaden my scope and knowledge of subjects that I enjoy learning about and a path to apply this knowledge in something that the whole world will benefit from.
Liebe 1 / 542 2  
Sep 12, 2009   #2
What is the point of College? Many people describe it as the intermediate step between high school and a job. I agree on some level, but for that group that classifies it as this, it is crucial to then ask: what is the point of job? People from that category, will probably give a uniform answer: to make money. I realize this may be redundant, but it is still crucial to ask once more: what's the point of money? At this point, those people would probably hesitate at answering the question. In my opinion, this is a huge problem with society: we stop at the concept of money and never go on to think further.

^Not everyone is inspired by money. I understand that you said 'many people' and not everyone, but then again, how large is your sample size and how diverse was it? Perhaps, your sample is not accurate enough?...

Most people think that money is a measure of happiness, but after countless experiences throughout high school and much thought on the idea, money is not the measure of happiness.

^Actually it can be, depending on the type of person you are. Not all people feel satisfied at meeting the bare minimum; having just enough food, having just enough shelter etc. Some people may want more, and to meet these wants, they need money. If however, you abide by the philosophy of simplicity, then money has no appeal. It really does depend on the personality and the level of wants.

*Your essay is ok. It is nothing fantastic. You have one or two good points, but many irrelevant ones. Id even go as far as to say that your research on such a topic is limited, and that your views are unqualified. That is just me however.
OP ndog99 2 / 2  
Sep 12, 2009   #3
Thank you!


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