The deadline is approaching and guys, please help me O(âŠ_âŠ)O~
Amherst requires a second essay of no more than 300 words. It is not necessary to research, read, or refer to the text from which these quotations are taken; we are looking for original, personal responses to these short excerpts. Remember that your essay should be personal in nature and not simply an argumentative essay.
"Stereotyped beliefs have the power to become self-fulfilling prophesies for behavior."
Elizabeth Aries, Professor of Psychology, Amherst College
From her book Men and Women in Interaction, Reconsidering the Differences
"Rui, are you absolutely sure you want to switch to philosophy?" Mark, the dean of studies looked at me with doubt and warned me once again.
Without second thoughts, I answered "yes".
I am studying at a UWC school where there are students from all over the world. Constantly we talk and joke about cultural stereotypes, and it is interesting to see how these stereotypes often affect people's choices or characters. My own experience in course selection tells me that people's actions are influenced by stereotyped thoughts only if they allow them. Before choosing my courses I consulted former students and they suggested that most Chinese mainland students took economics as a human science because they tend to do better in economics. I did not think much and chose economics too.
However, when I was sitting in economics class, I realized that the sole reason why I chose economics is that I was lazy and timid. I believed in the stereotype that students from Chinese education system cannot be successful in anthropology or philosophy. Truly, I did not have any philosophy background nor was I proficient in English, yet I should not be afraid to try. I had a passion for philosophy and I became the first Chinese mainland student ever to take philosophy.
Nowadays with an increasing awareness of individuality, stereotyped thoughts are having a less effect on people's behaviours. Though our sub-consciousness still influences the behaviour without us noticing it, many people are beginning to realize their owe uniqueness and does not care about what people expect them to be. And this is largely encouraged by figures that broke the stereotypes themselves, like Obama or Liuxiang. Stereotypes matter much if we believe in them; otherwise they are just another example of hasty generalization.
and I became the first Chinese mainland student ever to take philosophy.
This is so impressive! I have heard that if you major in philosophy you become able to sit around and think deep thoughts about unemployment, ha ha! But the first class I wanted to take in college was philosophy, just like you.
This will be a little stronger if you add a short sentence to the end of the first paragraph, and in that sentence include the word stereotypes. That will plant the word in the reader's mind, and it will establish it as the theme of this short essay. I don't know how to explain why I think you need this sentence added to the end of the first paragraph, but give it a try and see if you like it!
:-)
"Rui, are you absolutely sure you want to switch to philosophy?" Mark, the dean of studies looked at me with doubt and warned me once again.
Without second thoughts, I answered "yes".
I am studying at a UWC school where there are students from all over the world. Constantly we talk and joke about cultural stereotypes, and it is interesting to see how these stereotypes often affect people's choices or characters. My own experience in course selection tells me that people's actions are influenced by stereotyped thoughts only if they allow them. Before choosing my courses I consulted former students and they suggested that most Chinese mainland students took economics as a human science because they tend to do better in economics. I did not think much and chose economics too.
However, when I was sitting in economics class, I realized that the sole reason why I chose economics is that I was lazy and timid. I believed in the stereotype that students from Chinese education system cannot be successful in anthropology or philosophy. Truly, I did not have any philosophy background nor was I proficient in English, yet I should not be afraid to try. I had a passion for philosophy and I became the first Chinese mainland student ever to take philosophy.
Nowadays, with an increasing awareness of individuality, stereotyped thoughts are having a less effect on people's behaviours. Though our sub-consciousness still influences the behaviour without us noticing it, many people are beginning to realize their own uniqueness and does not care about what people expect them to be. And this is largely encouraged by figures that broke the stereotypes themselves, like Obama or Liuxiang. Stereotypes only matter if we believe in them; otherwise they are just another example of hasty generalization.
Hope this helps. Please read my essay, too.
