This is my first draft of my Cornell essay question. I especially need help with the last part. Thank you for your input.
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 have wondered about the nature of economics ever since the housing bubble burst in the summer of 2008. Out of a combination of anger and curiosity, I was interested in ascertaining the cause behind the economic collapse. I peppered my father with questions, and was surprised to hear that this man who seemingly had all the answers could shed so little light on what happened. All my life our home value had gone up and now you couldn't turn on the TV without hearing about plummeting home values, (what was an upside down mortgage?), banks undergoing stress tests, and now, as a consequence, a steadily rising unemployment rate.
As I learned more about the financial collapse, I became fascinated with the intersection of politics and economics. What part did the government and regulators play in the collapse? And what was the role of the banks, subprime mortgages, and the derivatives market?
My interest in economics was further expanded by a recent trip to Ireland, where a group of students and I met with a group of children in a poor neighborhood in Belfast, a city with a history of sectarian violence. These kids were between six and ten years old, were dressed raggedly, with dirty clothes sewn here and there and shoes that looked they had been passed down several times. Their neighborhood was decorated by murals and sectarian graffiti that reminded the residents of whose turf they were on. Witnessing firsthand the economic strife and lack of opportunity that faced those children in Belfast made me want to have more answers: How did this once-thriving city descend into such depressing circumstances? How did the Irish economy fall so hard?
In my senior year of high school, I finally was able to learn more about economics and the nature of commerce in my AP Economics class. As I gained a greater understanding of stock markets, the housing market, and the role of the Federal Reserve, I was happy be somewhat literate about the American economy and the terms I had encountered, but had never quite grasped. I could speak the language of commentators on CNN: "GDP per capita", and, "Consumer Price Index."
I recently finished my AP Economics class and although my knowledge of Economics has increased exponentially, my appetite is merely whetted. There are many questions left to be answered, and I am looking forward to a rich college experience at Cornell to give me the answers.
I would love to hear a detailed account of your trip to Ireland and how it made you want to pursue economics. This essay is good, but an anecdote would be really interesting. I like the last paragraph. If you can, please read mine (chemistry teacher one). Thanks!
