Intellectually engaging idea and what makes stanford a good place for you

What makes Stanford a good place for you?

I believe Stanford University is the best college choice for me. When researching colleges I noticed that Stanford is among the very best schools in the country overall and, more specifically, for my future major-engineering. I currently live in a small Appalachian town in Ohio, and I really would like to get out to a larger area and broaden my horizon. The difference in environment and diversity between here and Stanford really sparks my interest. I want to give myself the best chance possible to gain every opportunity that I can during school and after graduation, and I feel that Stanford gives me a great chance to do so. I do not want to go to just any local school, what I want to do is go to a prestigious school that is going to challenge me to reach my full potential. Stanford is good for me because I will work hard at all my classes and school work, and I will be fully prepared for the challenges ahead. Throughout school I have not always been challenged nearly enough, especially in my math courses. I have been very successful in math all through school, even in my current calculus class, with little or no difficulty. I am sure that Stanford would be different, and I am excited for the challenge that it would bring to me. I hope to have the opportunity to further my education and open up many opportunities for myself by being accepted to Stanford University.

Describe an idea you find to be intelectually engaging.

The story of how we came to be on this earth is an interesting topic to most everyone, and I am no different. It all started in my senior year of high school when we were required to write a research paper for my college composition class. I struggled for a week to come up with a good topic that really caught my interest, until, finally, I came up with one. I have a very factual and scientific mindset, so I wanted my paper to be in the scientific field. I decided to write my paper on the theory of evolution. I needed something that I would be able to write a lot about, and I really felt that this would be good for me. After researching my topic, I became more and more interested in it. I found the debate between creationism and evolution to be intellectually engaging, and my paper, basically, began writing itself. I enjoyed finding a new fact to support my position, and the topic of evolution became very intriguing. Before this paper, I did not have much of an opinion on this topic, and I never even really thought much about it. Now, however, I know what I believe, and I find it very difficult to believe the other side. Even after I finished my research paper, I still find myself looking up information on my own time. It is something that we probably will never know the truth for sure, and the idea that so many people can tie so much evidence to a theory on something that would have occurred many years ago is simply captivating.

please let me know if i answered the prompt
and comment on content, grammar or whatever

Your first response is well-written, though it is not so much Stanford specific. I know its difficult to do sth very specific, though it could help to do some research on the engineering opportunities that Stanford offers and say why you are attracted to them

Your second short essay is nice. Just some suggestions:
The story of how we came to be on this earth is an interesting topic to most everyone, and I am no different. - I dont particularly like the introduction, first because it does not hook me and mostly, the part "I am no different" is not so appealing. If you dont come up with anything more creative, you could try: "I have always been fascinated by..." or "The story of how we came to be on this earth has always fascinated/intrigued me", sth like this.

I find it very difficult to believe the other side. - I suggest you don't say this, because you don't want to look like you are not open-minded. Instead you can say that you still do research about the topic to be further informed.

I hope I helped.
Please have a look at mine, my deadline is tomorrow! thanks in advance :)

ok thank you for your comment
i agree and i can see what you are talking about
i actually thought about that with being open minded when i was writing it
thank you

I believe Stanford University is the best college choice for me. When researching colleges I noticed that Stanford is among the very best schools in the country overall and, more specifically, for my future major-engineering.-----all this could be said with one brief sentence. Exclude the first part:

I believe Because of its prestige, Stanford University is a common conversation topic among my peers who share my interest in engineering. (now write a sentence about resources and events that are important to engineering students and give details about your specific approach to the field. Show why you are someone for whom Stanford is particularly "right."

Start a new para when you introduce a new idea.

Throughout school I have not always been challenged nearly enough, especially in my math courses. I have been very successful in math all through school, even in my current calculus class, with little or no difficulty. ----if you include both sentences, it is redundant (though impressive!)

Good luck!!

:-)