My main concern with the first question is if I articulated correctly and interestingly what I know about UChicago. I really have researched it pretty heavily, and I want to show that I know a lot about the University and that I'm excited to be part of their community.
On the second question, it seemed pretty freelance, so I literally discussed two of my favorite books, simple as that. Does it need to be spruced up? I know it doesn't have a formal intro or conclusion but it didn't seem to require one...
All help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to UChicago.
The University of Chicago offers me the best of both worlds: an esteemed education and a chance to be part of a high-energy, diverse academic community. At the first faculty meeting in 1892, William Harper said "The question before us is how to become one in spirit, not necessarily in opinion." 120 years later, I think the university has accomplished this. When I visited the UChicago last December, I was amazed by the academic community's vibrancy that encompassed the campus. Students seemed to have a hunger for knowledge, and were thrilled to be a part of the Chicago community. Having that same hunger for knowledge, I want the opportunity to learn from some of the best professors in the world. University of Chicago has a plethora of these professors, not to mention eight current Nobel laureates. As I further my education, I also want to be sure I understand the world around me through a high level of critical thinking. This belief has also pushed me to apply to UChicago, as I believe their strong core curriculum program to be extremely attractive. The University's international centers in Paris and Beijing have lured me in, as I dream of studying abroad for a semester.
With a prospect of entering the field of politics, I think it is important to be among some of the best and most engaged students as well. At the University of Chicago, I know that I would be in good company. RSO's like UChicago Democrats, College Republicans, the Congressional Debate Team or Zombie Readiness Task Force have shown me that students are engaged and ready to make a difference in their community and also have a little fun at the same time. I know that at UChicago I will have the opportunity to succeed and look forward to a bright future of success.
Share with us a few of your favorite books, poems, authors, films, plays, pieces of music, musicians, performers, paintings, artists, blogs, magazines, or newspapers. Feel free to touch on one, some, or all of the categories listed, or add a category of your own.
Books have always been my choice activity for passing the time. I find one of the most interesting books I have ever read to be one I recently read for my College English class. The book is Hitler's Spy Chief: The Wilhelm Canaris Betrayal. It highlights the career of Admiral Wilhelm Canaris of Germany, who was chief of the Abwehr, the German intelligence agency during World War II. What Canaris did was unfathomable. While working in one of the highest positions among the Nazi regime, he managed to feed information to the Allies, including enemy positions during the invasion of Russia, and sending notes of massacres during the invasion of Poland to MI6. He also falsified some intelligence reaching Nazi commanders and openly expressed his opposition of the murder of Jews. He even managed to help some Jews escape to Spain. Near the end of the war, Canaris' false allegiance was discovered, and his actions cost him his life. I feel that it is essential to remember the story of Admiral Canaris. It reminds me of what I must keep in perspective as I continue to reach for my dreams: you choose to do what you know is right, even when everyone around you chooses not to. As I journey farther down the political road, I think it will become ever more important to keep this analogy at the forefront of my mind.
For enjoyment, I have fallen in love with the first four books of George RR Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and A Feast for Crow. My political aspirations have made these books especially attractive to me. They follow the story of several high houses of the kingdom of Westeros; all of which are vouching for the crown after a king who brought peace to the land is murdered. The books highlight the political turmoil and war that ensues. Although the books are set in a mythical, medieval world, the parallels of their politics (and corruption) with today's society makes very interesting reading.
