What are the unique qualities of Northwestern - and of the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying - that make you want to attend the University? In what ways do you hope to take advantage of the qualities you have identified?
Purple is the color of royalty, but it is also the color of my favorite t-shirt, Professor Dumbledore's squashy sleeping bags, and Northwestern's rampant school spirit. The first time I visited Northwestern was the summer after freshman year and even though many students were still on break, I was impressed by the amount of purple everywhere I looked. Our tour guide certainly seemed passionate about her school, and I couldn't help but be roped in by her enthusiastic explanations of The Rock, Dillo Day, and everything Northwestern.
During senior year, I remembered the cheerful atmosphere of Northwestern and took a closer look at what the school offered, knowing that there must be something that kept students happy. As someone who appreciates the gentle nudging of guidelines without the severity of a core curriculum, I appreciate the broad requirements for fundamental courses; to me, college is not about the pursuit of the best-paying job but about the pursuit of knowledge. A variety of courses from all six of Northwestern's schools combined with the use of the quarter system, giving me more chances to take classes, would allow me to explore the horizons of academia. Seeing as my favorite subjects from high school range from Environmental Science to Psychology to Economics, I intend to make full use of the opportunities to help me narrow down my interests , and to define a major.
Although I do not intend on pursuing a degree in music, it has been a huge part of my identity for more than half of my life. When I visited Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music last fall with a Peabody violin ensemble, I was extremely pleased to hear of the multitudes of music opportunities available for non-majors. I eagerly look forward to the music courses, lessons, and ensembles that would help me further my musical talents as I explore my academic self as well.
And finally, of course, there is Chicago itself. A mere half hour away, Evanston provides the perfect atmosphere of a small town close enough to a large city to stave off boredom. Who could deny themselves the luxury of having Chicago as their playground, and their muse during their years of intellectual exploration? If attending Northwestern University means closer access to the famed Art lnstitute and Field Museum and some of the best deep dish pizza in the country (Giordano's, I hear), then I'm willing to brave a few frost-nipped noses and itchy wool scarves just for that chance.
412 words so far! What do you think? It's literally my first first draft, super rough. I'm considering adding something about the weather, the size of the school?
Purple is the color of royalty, but it is also the color of my favorite t-shirt, Professor Dumbledore's squashy sleeping bags, and Northwestern's rampant school spirit. The first time I visited Northwestern was the summer after freshman year and even though many students were still on break, I was impressed by the amount of purple everywhere I looked. Our tour guide certainly seemed passionate about her school, and I couldn't help but be roped in by her enthusiastic explanations of The Rock, Dillo Day, and everything Northwestern.
During senior year, I remembered the cheerful atmosphere of Northwestern and took a closer look at what the school offered, knowing that there must be something that kept students happy. As someone who appreciates the gentle nudging of guidelines without the severity of a core curriculum, I appreciate the broad requirements for fundamental courses; to me, college is not about the pursuit of the best-paying job but about the pursuit of knowledge. A variety of courses from all six of Northwestern's schools combined with the use of the quarter system, giving me more chances to take classes, would allow me to explore the horizons of academia. Seeing as my favorite subjects from high school range from Environmental Science to Psychology to Economics, I intend to make full use of the opportunities to help me narrow down my interests , and to define a major.
Although I do not intend on pursuing a degree in music, it has been a huge part of my identity for more than half of my life. When I visited Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music last fall with a Peabody violin ensemble, I was extremely pleased to hear of the multitudes of music opportunities available for non-majors. I eagerly look forward to the music courses, lessons, and ensembles that would help me further my musical talents as I explore my academic self as well.
And finally, of course, there is Chicago itself. A mere half hour away, Evanston provides the perfect atmosphere of a small town close enough to a large city to stave off boredom. Who could deny themselves the luxury of having Chicago as their playground, and their muse during their years of intellectual exploration? If attending Northwestern University means closer access to the famed Art lnstitute and Field Museum and some of the best deep dish pizza in the country (Giordano's, I hear), then I'm willing to brave a few frost-nipped noses and itchy wool scarves just for that chance.
412 words so far! What do you think? It's literally my first first draft, super rough. I'm considering adding something about the weather, the size of the school?
