<p>I already applied to Stanford, so I can’t alter my essays now, but I was hoping that a few people could look at my essays and rate them/give their opinion on them. Thanks for any and all opinions given!</p>
<p>Stanford students possess an intellectual vitality. Reflect on an idea or experience that has been important to your intellectual development:</p>
<p>Sitting in AICE Biology class junior year awaiting the return of the first test of the year I was utterly nonchalant. Although I had not studied for the test I was secure in my knowledge that the result would be a 90 or above, as this was what I always received on test scores. It was to my utter shock that the test I received was not an A, but rather a 72, a dreaded C. My blood ran cold, how could this be? Surely it must be a mistake, a fault of the teacher or test, not my own. It was like death to me, the end of a Greek tragedy where I, the hero, fell to a potential GPA death due to my own hubris. I had pulled a Napoleon, believing myself incapable of receiving a low mark simply because I was the oh-so special me, thereby rendering studying not only unnecessary, but laughable. When I walked out of class that day I decided that Biology simply was not the subject for me. It had not complied to my whim, I had not intuitively known it, so therefore it must be a waste of my time. The career that I had planned for myself was obliterated in an ego-stroking session. I would not be a researcher in the field of biology, it did not come naturally so why should I try. As I cooled off I reflected, and realized that all of this was sheer idiocy. I have always loved biology, ever since I took my first biology class freshman year. The subject has captivated me endlessly. My dream job is to do medically relevant research in the field of biology, genuinely helping people through my research and devotion. To give all this up due to ego and pride would be ludicrous. So I studied for the next test, and every test after it, and received A’s. Having to study, to try hard to achieve the grades I desired led me to learn and understand biology more. It increased my interest and passion in the subject, and led me to take an independent study biology A-level my senior year. I became a better student and intellectual due to that test score. I started a new play, although it’s too soon to tell what type yet.</p>
<p>Virtually all of Stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate - and us - know you better:</p>
<p>I absolutely love to sing. As soon as I hear a strain of music in the breeze, or even my own mind-scape, I feel a persistent urge to warble that I cannot ignore. It doesn’t particularly matter what genre, Broadway (my favorite), Country, Rock, Pop, and yes even a little Rap, I will sing it. I don’t sing particularly well, it’s never about showing off my mad vocal skills. It is about letting loose and spreading cheer. It doesn’t matter when or where, I’ll belt out a tune just as fully and freely as if I were standing at home in the shower protected from judgement by water and walls. If the song has a dance or scene that corresponds to it, I will probably perform this as well, or make up my own extra-special new dance. I could say that this love for public performance stems from the chorus class I took my freshman year of high school, or the dance classes I took from seventh to eighth grade, but that would be false. I have simply always loved to sing, whether it’s as a two year old atop a couch or a seventeen year old in the cafeteria. This tendency of mine has been met with varied reactions, some have found it embarrassing while others have found it fun. Nothing pleases me more than when someone joins me in song. I hope to start (or join) a music club at Stanford that has the primary objective of bursting into song at random intervals in random locations. The singers don’t have to be professionals, they don’t even have to be in-key. They just have to love to sing. I sing because it brings me joy, and I hope it does the same for you. I think if occasionally people would simply release the inhibitions and belt out a tune, the world might have a bit more joy in it. So I invite you, my future roommate, to join me for every night karaoke night to sing a terribly tuneless duet just for the fun of it.</p>
<p>What matters to you, and why? :</p>
<p>I’m not sure how much longer I can make it. Supplies are running low-all chocolate has been consumed and the goldfish were eaten a while ago. I pick up my coffee cup and desperately try to coax a drop of lifesaving nourishment from it. A drop of ice-cold black coffee drops onto my tongue. I shiver with disgust and toss the cup into the trash. I put my headphones in, about to tune out of reality and into a rock-induced fantasy land when I feel a gentle, yet insistent tap upon my shoulder. I turn slowly, like a cold crocodile, to the source of the tapping and take out my headphones. It’s my little brother, Edmund. He stares at me with big green eyes and says “Please Nay-Nay can I have your water?”. My eyes flick to my pathetically small, half-empty water bottle, the only source of liquid in the car. We’ve been in the car for hours, and we won’t get out for at least another two. It’s survival of the fittest, I argue with myself. He shouldn’t have drank his water so early on the trip. My hand curls around the bottle, as I turn into Gollum from Lord of The Rings. My precious I croon softly to the water as I turn to face my brother again. I stare into his eyes and my Darwinian instincts vanish. I give him the water. Our relationship is like that of any two siblings, we bicker incessantly and drive each-other insane. The fact remains though that in life I will always try to do everything I can for him. If when he goes off to college I can pay for it, I will. I strive to be a positive support for him, someone he can look up to and get help from whenever he needs it. My brother and my family are what matter most to me, as cliche as it may sound. When my parents retire I intend to pay for as much of it as possible. My family has always supported and encouraged me, engendering more than simple reciprocation from my own heart. This is why my family matters the most to me, for as the oh so wise Beatles once said, all you need is love.</p>
I liked the first and last one the most, but even the roommie essay is great! Goodluck! Let us know if you get in to Stanford! =) Don’t doubt your essays now that they are already sent it. Think positive!</p>