1. U Michigan - Share an experience through which you have gained respect for intellectual, social, or cultural differences. Comment on how your personal experiences and achievements would contribute to the diversity of the University of Michigan.
Just recently, I had completed an environmental service trip to Langkawi, Malaysia. There was one aspect that I remembered vividly about the trip, the rice planting. Little did I know how strenuous the work would be. The oppressive heat of the sun made me feel like sweat was coming out of every pore of my body, and my rubber shoes had been heated to such an extent that it felt like I was walking on hot coals!
Thinking that the fields would be able to cool down my feet, I stepped in to commence work, and found myself knee deep in mud, not only that, the water was unbearably hot as well. At the end of the day, I emerged from the fields wearily, ensconced in dirt and my skin a few shades darker. I had gained a newfound respect for the rice planters. The laboriousness of their work to ensure supply of a humble staple grain is not to be overlooked, and every grain of rice is the result of their work.
Being Chinese and having lived in Germany, Canada and Hong Kong has allowed me to travel around the world, giving me the opportunity to experience a multitude of cultures and experiences such as this one. While I am pure Chinese by blood, I believe my experiences around the world have truly made me multicultural, and I cannot imagine a better place to share my experiences than at Michigan.
2. Cornell
College of Arts and Sciences:
Describe your intellectual interests, their evolution, and what makes them exciting to you. Tell us how you will utilize the academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences to further explore your interests, intended major, or field of study.
I wouldn't have realized it back then, but from a young age, I had already been drawn to the field of economics. Like many others, I used to play the board game, Monopoly. That simple board game sparked my interest for economics. While it may seem like a rather crude comparison, Monopoly reflects the very nature of economics - it's unpredictable: sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, just like the ongoing cycle of boom and bust in economics.
Currently living in Hong Kong, one of the financial capitals of the world, my experience within a complete set of the boom and bust cycle has bolstered my interest in economics. I vividly remember the dip the economy took during the SARS epidemic in 2003. Panic abounded in the fear that the deadly disease would spread, and consumer spending dropped to an all-time low. The flurry of reports on the dramatic decline in consumer spending and anxiety was unavoidable - people were gripped with fear, and businesses went bust every day. After the scare had evened out, the economy started to recover steadily, reaching an apex, before the recent economic crisis shook the world again.
During these periods, I was able to witness the effects of the economy, the slump, the recovery, the boom and the bust. Throughout this period, I was able to see the 'domino effect', how the impact of the economy pervaded literally all aspects of life, from consumer spending to prosperity and well-being. What fascinated me the most were the kinematics of the economy, and its determinants. The vast scope of external factors that go into the analysis of economics never ceases to interest me, and the contingency of all aspects of a nation's prosperity on the economy clearly demonstrates its significance. In short, I was engrossed by the mechanisms that drive the global economy and its importance in society.
While I did not take economics as one of my courses, I believe my choice of business studies in high school has provided me with a suitable primer, since business and economics are both interrelated. In order to understand how a business works, one needs to also know how the economy works. Having already been engrossed in the field of business, I believe the study of economics should be the next step in my academic life.
The College of Arts and Sciences' various academic programs are a perfect match for me, in particular because of the extensive alumni network, which could land me opportunities that would not be possible anywhere else. In addition to the multitude of career options and opportunities to be gained, I also hope utilize to Cornell's diversity and academic environment to contribute to my personal growth and to broaden my perspective of the world. In applying to Cornell, I want to challenge and stimulate myself. Being in such a remarkable institution would undoubtedly motivate me to be at my best; I hope I can join the ranks of many other successful 'Cornellians'.
3. USC - The 18th century French philosopher Denis Diderot said, "Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things." Describe one of your passions and reflect on how it has contributed to your personal growth.
A hearty stew on a cold winter's day. The seared lobe of a foie gras that oozes with richness. The intense sizzle of a steak. The intoxicating aromas of a wine reduction. The simple pleasures of a humble sweet potato. I confess, I have such a zealous passion for food, I almost consider myself a glutton, perhaps. But not quite. I can't exactly recall when my passion for food and cooking took off, perhaps it was when I laid my hands on the knife and chopping board for the first time, back then, I felt a great sense of achievement in creating my first dish - a chopped walnut-apple salad.
From then on, my interest in cooking has skyrocketed, and still hasn't reached its peak - I am constantly in awe of how flavors mingle, complement and contrast with each other, the textures, the aromas and the sensation of the first bite, whether it's pure ecstasy or otherwise. My interest soon developed that I searched fervently for recipes, increasing my knowledge of food. I began to appreciate details I never did before, like the delicate perfume of an apple, and started to view food in a new light - not just to serve the purpose of filling one's stomach, but something to savor and enjoy at every step along with the way, from the start of preparation to the last bite. I would always cook for my family and sometimes invite friends over for a lunch, and I would feel a rush of success whenever a steak or a curry turned out well. At times my attempts failed or turned into some sort of a catastrophe in the kitchen, for example, my first attempt at a soufflé looked delectable when in the oven. I was frolicking to-and-fro at the thought of how it must taste like: light and airy, like a cloud. Disappointingly, the moment it was taken out - and this was on a cold winter's day, it was as if a cold draught blew in and the cheery soufflé had completely deflated and shrunk inside the ramekin into a lump of half-whipped, flavored egg white. But I was not taken aback, the second time I tried it, I had perfected the technique - the problem lied in that the egg whites had not been beaten enough.
After going through various culinary 'adventures', I decided it was time for me to experiment a little and begin with my own creations. So I pooled into my creativity, pondering flavors, scents and textures in my head, while sleeping, while traveling, while working. The thought of making something would keep me awake at times, where I would dive into recipe books for inspiration late at night, constantly thinking and planning about what I should make the next day. I waited eagerly for the summer holidays, where I would be able to cook free from interruption. Cooking impacted me profoundly. I sometimes looked to it as a source of inspiration. It developed my creativity, and offered me a new way to look at the world - I appreciated life and living more. The sense of success gained even motivated me to a certain extent; it invigorated me and injected into me a joie de vivre. It is something I am thoroughly proud of and I believe it strongly relates to who I am: creative, thoughtful, inspired and motivated. I learn every day, and it's still something that continues to excite and inspire me even now. At the time of writing, I'm still mulling over what I should make next week.
End of essays!
___________________________
Sorry for the amount of essays! I would appreciate any feedback very much; I'm reasonably confident about the USC and Michigan, but feel the Cornell one is weak - does it seem too 'fake'? Also, I don't know if my writing style is appropriate? Thanks in advance!
Just recently, I had completed an environmental service trip to Langkawi, Malaysia. There was one aspect that I remembered vividly about the trip, the rice planting. Little did I know how strenuous the work would be. The oppressive heat of the sun made me feel like sweat was coming out of every pore of my body, and my rubber shoes had been heated to such an extent that it felt like I was walking on hot coals!
Thinking that the fields would be able to cool down my feet, I stepped in to commence work, and found myself knee deep in mud, not only that, the water was unbearably hot as well. At the end of the day, I emerged from the fields wearily, ensconced in dirt and my skin a few shades darker. I had gained a newfound respect for the rice planters. The laboriousness of their work to ensure supply of a humble staple grain is not to be overlooked, and every grain of rice is the result of their work.
Being Chinese and having lived in Germany, Canada and Hong Kong has allowed me to travel around the world, giving me the opportunity to experience a multitude of cultures and experiences such as this one. While I am pure Chinese by blood, I believe my experiences around the world have truly made me multicultural, and I cannot imagine a better place to share my experiences than at Michigan.
2. Cornell
College of Arts and Sciences:
Describe your intellectual interests, their evolution, and what makes them exciting to you. Tell us how you will utilize the academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences to further explore your interests, intended major, or field of study.
I wouldn't have realized it back then, but from a young age, I had already been drawn to the field of economics. Like many others, I used to play the board game, Monopoly. That simple board game sparked my interest for economics. While it may seem like a rather crude comparison, Monopoly reflects the very nature of economics - it's unpredictable: sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, just like the ongoing cycle of boom and bust in economics.
Currently living in Hong Kong, one of the financial capitals of the world, my experience within a complete set of the boom and bust cycle has bolstered my interest in economics. I vividly remember the dip the economy took during the SARS epidemic in 2003. Panic abounded in the fear that the deadly disease would spread, and consumer spending dropped to an all-time low. The flurry of reports on the dramatic decline in consumer spending and anxiety was unavoidable - people were gripped with fear, and businesses went bust every day. After the scare had evened out, the economy started to recover steadily, reaching an apex, before the recent economic crisis shook the world again.
During these periods, I was able to witness the effects of the economy, the slump, the recovery, the boom and the bust. Throughout this period, I was able to see the 'domino effect', how the impact of the economy pervaded literally all aspects of life, from consumer spending to prosperity and well-being. What fascinated me the most were the kinematics of the economy, and its determinants. The vast scope of external factors that go into the analysis of economics never ceases to interest me, and the contingency of all aspects of a nation's prosperity on the economy clearly demonstrates its significance. In short, I was engrossed by the mechanisms that drive the global economy and its importance in society.
While I did not take economics as one of my courses, I believe my choice of business studies in high school has provided me with a suitable primer, since business and economics are both interrelated. In order to understand how a business works, one needs to also know how the economy works. Having already been engrossed in the field of business, I believe the study of economics should be the next step in my academic life.
The College of Arts and Sciences' various academic programs are a perfect match for me, in particular because of the extensive alumni network, which could land me opportunities that would not be possible anywhere else. In addition to the multitude of career options and opportunities to be gained, I also hope utilize to Cornell's diversity and academic environment to contribute to my personal growth and to broaden my perspective of the world. In applying to Cornell, I want to challenge and stimulate myself. Being in such a remarkable institution would undoubtedly motivate me to be at my best; I hope I can join the ranks of many other successful 'Cornellians'.
3. USC - The 18th century French philosopher Denis Diderot said, "Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things." Describe one of your passions and reflect on how it has contributed to your personal growth.
A hearty stew on a cold winter's day. The seared lobe of a foie gras that oozes with richness. The intense sizzle of a steak. The intoxicating aromas of a wine reduction. The simple pleasures of a humble sweet potato. I confess, I have such a zealous passion for food, I almost consider myself a glutton, perhaps. But not quite. I can't exactly recall when my passion for food and cooking took off, perhaps it was when I laid my hands on the knife and chopping board for the first time, back then, I felt a great sense of achievement in creating my first dish - a chopped walnut-apple salad.
From then on, my interest in cooking has skyrocketed, and still hasn't reached its peak - I am constantly in awe of how flavors mingle, complement and contrast with each other, the textures, the aromas and the sensation of the first bite, whether it's pure ecstasy or otherwise. My interest soon developed that I searched fervently for recipes, increasing my knowledge of food. I began to appreciate details I never did before, like the delicate perfume of an apple, and started to view food in a new light - not just to serve the purpose of filling one's stomach, but something to savor and enjoy at every step along with the way, from the start of preparation to the last bite. I would always cook for my family and sometimes invite friends over for a lunch, and I would feel a rush of success whenever a steak or a curry turned out well. At times my attempts failed or turned into some sort of a catastrophe in the kitchen, for example, my first attempt at a soufflé looked delectable when in the oven. I was frolicking to-and-fro at the thought of how it must taste like: light and airy, like a cloud. Disappointingly, the moment it was taken out - and this was on a cold winter's day, it was as if a cold draught blew in and the cheery soufflé had completely deflated and shrunk inside the ramekin into a lump of half-whipped, flavored egg white. But I was not taken aback, the second time I tried it, I had perfected the technique - the problem lied in that the egg whites had not been beaten enough.
After going through various culinary 'adventures', I decided it was time for me to experiment a little and begin with my own creations. So I pooled into my creativity, pondering flavors, scents and textures in my head, while sleeping, while traveling, while working. The thought of making something would keep me awake at times, where I would dive into recipe books for inspiration late at night, constantly thinking and planning about what I should make the next day. I waited eagerly for the summer holidays, where I would be able to cook free from interruption. Cooking impacted me profoundly. I sometimes looked to it as a source of inspiration. It developed my creativity, and offered me a new way to look at the world - I appreciated life and living more. The sense of success gained even motivated me to a certain extent; it invigorated me and injected into me a joie de vivre. It is something I am thoroughly proud of and I believe it strongly relates to who I am: creative, thoughtful, inspired and motivated. I learn every day, and it's still something that continues to excite and inspire me even now. At the time of writing, I'm still mulling over what I should make next week.
End of essays!
___________________________
Sorry for the amount of essays! I would appreciate any feedback very much; I'm reasonably confident about the USC and Michigan, but feel the Cornell one is weak - does it seem too 'fake'? Also, I don't know if my writing style is appropriate? Thanks in advance!