Class of 2017 (From Nepal) - Official Discussion Thread. . . - Page 10

sixstringsrocker · 11-04-2012, 10:33 PM

Long time no see, confidential2015? busy with school?

sixstringsrocker · 11-04-2012, 10:34 PM

@nepalimussa

"I don't have a good application essay because I am not very confident about my writing abilities"

This is your problem. You need to express yourself, writing is about getting your point across. Tell the adcom a story about you. It doesn't have to be new york times style writing. You need to be clear and concise. Don't say, "I'm not good at writing, so I'm going to make up for it by <random ********>. If you know your problem, do something about. You still have time. It took me 2 months to finish my application essay! 2 freaking months!!! I went through numerous editing cycles. started a gazillion essays that ended in the recycling bin. Get your point across->that's writing. Talk to people, get people to read your essay. I'm sure you have friends who know you well, ask them for advice. What's so different about you? write that!

I know it's hard, and it can be frustrating. But if it was easy, everyone would do it. Show that you deserve it.

Almost every college has a freshman seminar which is basically a writing class. You take the class in your first year. My first paper, I received a B. I told myself that english is my second language and all the nepali seniors did poorly in FYS so it was okay. My next paper>>I got a C. That was it for me. I was **** scared of writing. I talked to the professor and thankfully, she let me re-write the paper. I spent 2 weeks writing the 5 page paper, I got 2-3 different people to read it and help me edit it and managed an A in the paper. For my final paper, I spent 2-3 weeks researching and writing it, and working with the professor. It wasn't easy, but I'm glad I did it.

If you're gonna say "I'm not good at writing" and let it go, you're gonna have a bad time in college. Get it up, work hard, and write the freaking essay.

I'm NOT going to apologize for the harsh words. you need to hear this. I'm lucky, I had someone to do the exact same thing to me.

JacobsWannaBe · 11-05-2012, 04:48 AM

@nepalimussa dead right is sixstringrocker... People whom I know and are attending colleges in US (from Williams and Harvard to South Carolina State).. all of them essentially stress the importance of writing in US college education.. you better get your head straight and start writing with some confidence...

Don't hesitate to let anyone proofread your essay..for style, grammar mistakes, taboos etc...

nepalimussa · 11-05-2012, 05:47 AM

@sixstringsrocker: those were just the words i needed...am starting my first essay right now!

@jacobswannabe: thank you for being so helpful

nepalimussa · 11-05-2012, 10:55 AM

guys i apologize for turning this thread a "nepalimussa help forum", but can you please help me with my college selection.

I have 70% in +2 management, and 1300/1980 SAT; 108 TOEFL score. I am hugely involved in extra curricular activities, some really huge ones like national and international representations. I need a full ride to study in USA.

Can you please suggest what colleges would be a match for me? I am really stuck. I look at a college I like and it is so competitive; i don't think i can really get into a good college and don't want to apply to a so-so college because they don't have generous financial aid.

sorry i had to repost this one because i really need help with this one

NepEduForum · 11-07-2012, 02:50 AM

@sixstringsrocker,
You totally hammer in the point outlining the importance of writing. I'm really glad you have opened up a dialogue here with your personal story. Nepali students, traditionally educated in Natural Sciences during their high school often tend to struggle when it comes to writing. I must commend your approach at how you decided to do well in your writing seminar.

Writing or any medium of communication at that, really opens a lot of doors to future opportunities. A college application essay to your desired institution is a case in point.

Good luck everyone!

sixstringsrocker · 11-07-2012, 04:37 AM

@nepalimussa

Someone posted a big list of colleges that are free to apply. Research them, find the past stats like #of internationals students accepted, total students getting aid, average aid, total aid, etc.. make a list based on those factors.

@nepaleduforum
yeah, writing was such a scary topic. we need to take writing seriously when we apply to schools and start working on as soon as possible. Writing can be improved, it takes time and work, and good feedback, but it can. I know it first hand, and now, I've moved from a 'C' student to a writing associate in the college's writing center.

Work hard on your writing, regardless of your intended major. Specially if you plan to major in natural sciences and engineering.

NepEduForum · 11-08-2012, 12:59 PM

sixstringsrocker again makes a good point here. "Work hard on your writing, regardless of your intended major. Specially if you plan to major in natural sciences and engineering."

Getting educated in a school system like the one in Nepal, where more focus is given to getting high scores in the board examinations (test oriented), rather than improving your skills (such as reading and writing). Nepali students who prosper in the Nepali education setting, and then make it to top colleges abroad, often struggle at first with the American system (especially in writing heavy colleges such as the various liberal arts colleges in the US).

The Forum, therefore is thinking of upcoming projects that will be geared towards nurturing a culture of reading and writing. At this point in time, the launching of our writing workshop series is most tangible. We are thinking of starting this series once the applications rounds are over.

Goodluck everyone for the college applications!

sixstringsrocker · 11-08-2012, 05:17 PM

@NepEduForum:

may be we should have a thread on succeeding in college/surviving freshman year/ etc etc as well, as opposed to the entire sub-forum here geared towards application process only.

abhikiko · 11-08-2012, 09:06 PM

@sixstringsrocker...i'm confused here about what I should fill up in Section G of ISFAA..please help me...if you could say me what you filled there it would be extremly helpful.
Thanks in advance.

sixstringsrocker · 11-08-2012, 09:36 PM

is it the unusual circumstances part? It's mainly for things like expenses due to accidents, or large debts incurred, or something similar. Under normal circumstances, that block is left empty.

IS there going to be a big payment or something coming up that your family has to take care of next year? think about situations like that and put it in there. That's what that's for.

nepalimussa · 11-11-2012, 12:47 PM

i understand writing is crucial for getting into a good college and afterwards, but where do i start? I have always struggled expressing myself, and unlike many in this forum, writing is never a pleasure for me. i would greatly appreciate it if you guys could help me with the names of specific books, websites or other resources that could help me improve my writing skills. any specific writer I should read?

sixstringsrocker · 11-11-2012, 11:20 PM

start by writing. Just that, free writing. Sometimes, it helps to write as opposed to type. Just write about anything in general or any topic you like. Things like the view out of the window, or what you hear when you close your eyes and focus on listening, etc. Be descriptive. Set the stage. Your goal is to make the reader think what you want them to think. If they can read and visualize the setting/environment you wrote about, that's fantastic. That's something I always keep in mind. If you have found your passion, you will find that writing about it is not hard at all.

I love making things personal. Whenever you're writing, it doesn't matter what you think/say. you want the reader to be able to believe in what you think/say. Back-up your arguments/points with sufficient material. As the writer, you have high credibility most of the times if it's personal stuff. It's often easy to express your own views and experiences. If you can make links between your arguments and your personal experience, that gives credibility to your arguments.

That's how I started learning how to write better. With a ton of practice and revisions with my professor, I started liking writing better and better. I don't have any writing classes this semester but I enjoyed writing all of my 5-8 page papers last semester.

I don't have any specific websites or anything, but search the internet. Almost all the colleges have a writing center in the US. Some universities like Purdue University has a lot of resources online. Purdue has this thing called Purdue OWL (Purdue Online Writing Lab) that has material for help specially with paper. I'm not sure if they have what you're looking for, but it's worth a try.

And yeah, READ! Read a lot. Read classics, or read modern stuff, read NY Times best sellers, read the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. Read a lot. Get a membership in AWON library in Kupondole height (i'm not sure if British Library still exists). It's super cheap and read as much as you can. Read and read and read. You've got tons of time, utilize it.

nepalimussa · 11-12-2012, 11:28 AM

hey thank you very much. i, in fact all of us, really really appreciate you guys taking time to help out your juniors.

thereisnolimit · 11-14-2012, 05:44 AM

HAPPY TIHAR to all college confidential friends. Enjoy the festival, who knows we may not be able to celebrate next year with parents and siblings if we leave for US..........