Name your favorite books, authors, films, and/or musical artists.
The Awakening, Harry Potter, Sedaris, Up, Night of the Hunter, The Power Of One, K'naan, Coldplay, MGMT, Kid Cudi
What newspapers, magazines, and/or websites do you enjoy?
The New Yorker, Time, Facebook, Yahoo Answers, The Huffington Post, and San Francisco Chronicle, specifically Datebook (I always read my horoscope, Dear Abby, and the theater and movie reviews)
What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?
Maintaining a sense of self in such a fast paced, technologically driven society.
How did you spend your last two summers?
On Whidbey Island, Washington where I have gone every summer since birth to spend time with my large, obnoxious yet lovable family.
What were your favorite events (e.g., performances, exhibits, sporting events, etc.) this past year?
Wicked: I love musicals, and this one had incredible stage effects, costumes, and a funny plot. Seeing "Defying Gravity" performed in person was jaw-dropping.
What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?
Carrie Nation's storming of Speakeasies during Prohibition with an axe, the lady who called herself a "bulldog running along at the feet of Jesus". Quite a funny historical event.
What five words best describe you?
Motivated, compassionate, inquisitive, sincere and stubborn
This portion is just to tell about things that you may not mention elsewhere, so it's good that you sincerely mentioned things. I don't think it's a good idea to try to impress the Stanford Ad Coms, so this is pretty good.
There are a few things I noticed however:
and San Francisco Chronicle, specifically Datebook <- why "specifically Datebook"?
Trying to unify humanity is the basis of society's many prevalent challenges. <- I don't think this really answers the question. I honestly don't understand what you're trying to say as well. It may make sense if you reword it, but it sounds like you're providing a solution (unify people so that we can over come challenges). Explain the challenge you think is most significant and why, not how you would like to fix them.
Driving to Whidbey Island, Washington where I have gone every summer since birth to spend time with my large, very eccentric family. <- How are they eccentric?
Wicked was by far the best: the stage effects were incredible and it was amazing to see "Defying Gravity" performed. <- how was it "incredible"? why was it "amazing"?
Carrie Nation's storming of Speakeasies during Prohibition with an axe: quite the monumental event! <- why is it "monumental"? I personally didn't know who Carrie Nation was, and there is no guaranteeing that the ad coms will either. Maybe just give a brief explanation of why you want to experience (why it was monumental for you)
Sorry to sound so nit-picky, but this is a chance to show who you are. If you use adjectives like eccentric, awesome, and monumental, it doesn't really say much about you. There are many definitions of such "empty" adjectives, so keep that in mind.
Good luck!
I think you should write in complete sentences with both subject and predicate! Your ideas are great, but you can present them in succinct, crisp sentences.
:-)
