<p>Hello everybody. I would love some feedback on both my essays. </p>
<p>Also if anyone could sum up my chances on getting into the UCLA Psychology Department.</p>
<p>GPA: 3.62
PSY GPA:3.8</p>
<p>All prerequisites complete for major.
Units completed by transfer: 76</p>
<p>I am 22 and have been working about 25 hours a week while in school.</p>
<p>Here are my essays:</p>
<p>My parents, both being educators in alternative education, exposed me at an early age to the wide range of personalities found in their perspective fields. This exposure helped form my curiosities of people which further developed when I discovered the works of Carl Jung as a Junior in High school. Jung’s writings inspired me to be conscious of human behavior and display my observations in the characters and situations in my films. It was the renowned V.S. Ramachandran, however, that recently directed my attention and passion to cognitive neuroscience by questioning in his book, the Tell-Tailed Brain, “How can a three-pound mass of jelly that you can hold in your palm imagine angels, contemplate the meaning of infinity, and even question its own place in the cosmos?” </p>
<p>Because human behavior can essentially be reduced to the neuro-networks of the central nervous system, there are countless reasons why one might find an interest in cognitive neuroscience. For me, one interesting and practical realm of the science I would like to study is neuruoplasticity. Neuruoplasticity is the change in neural pathways and synapses due to changes in behavior, thought and environment. Dr. Daniel Siegel discusses neuroplasticity in his book, The Developing Mind,“We are always in a perpetual state of being created and creating ourselves.” The implication of neuruoplasticity, I believe, should be the next major movement in science, as one can potentially alter one’s brain to achieve ideal performance. </p>
<p>To begin reshaping a brain, I think it would helpful to see what precicely needs to be changed. That is why I am scheduled to get a SPECT (Single-photon emission computed tomography) scan at the Amen Clinic. I hope to learn, not just about the qualities of my brain, but also gain a glimpse of what it would be like to work with such amazing technology that I plan on utilizing in research someday. After obtaining an extensive map of my brain, I can focus on the regions that are not performing optimally. Experimental but effective techniques, such as neurofeedback, can be used to improve brain function by allowing one to control specific brain regions at will. As soon as I receive the prerequisite B.A. Degree required by neurofeedback program, I plan on becoming a certified QEEG neurofeedback technician to fully understand and utilize the capabilities of neurofeedback as it relates to neuroplasticity. </p>
<p>Essay 2</p>
<p>Before my interest became focused on cognitive neuroscience, I wanted to be a filmmaker. Many of those I know in the film community find my new direction in life as a dramatic shift from cinema. I tell them my passions are actually rather similar, that is, both cinema and neuroscience explore the human condition; one artistically, the other scientifically. Although I am leaving behind the cinematic arts, I am proud of the film I directed and produced over a two-year period, not only because of its artistic qualities, but also because it provided me with learning experiences in successful grant writing and resource gathering, as well as allowing me demonstrate to myself and those around me the extent of my perseverance.</p>
<p>?The first step that daunts every new filmmaker in the filmmaking process is funding. There are several options a producer can explore that could cut the cost of a production. Unfortunately, most of these options, such as shooting on a digital medium instead of film, greatly diminish the aesthetic quality of the project. My co-director, William Anderson, and I were not willing to jeopardize our artistic vision. In order to communicate our visual statement, we needed to shoot on 35mm film with the proper equipment. The rental cost of top-of-the line 35mm camera rentals run upwards of $20,000! This does not include film stock, film processing, and crew cost. We needed quality equipment, yet had just a fraction of the cost dedicated to rentals in the budget. There was only one way we could obtain this glorious equipment and that was to apply for the highly competitive Panavision New Filmmaker’s Grant. </p>
<p>After an intensive grant application process, Panavision gave us the grant, proivding us access to over $1,500,000 worth of equipment which would have cost us thousands of dollars to rent. Being the recipient of this grant did not just save our film, it also provided us grant writing experience… I plan on a career in research and one’s success in the field is heavily depended on the income awarded by grants. Though grant writing for film equipment and grant writing for neuroscience research differ tremendously, I believe that going through this process has better prepared me for future grant proposals.</p>
<p>Despite receiving this incredible grant, we had more obstacles to overcome. Both William and I were responsible for hiring and managing a crew of 20 people, dealing with several vendors and insurance companies, finding and securing a shoot location, gathering over $20,000 for the budget, and directing the film with all of the artistic responsibilities of this endeavor. Going into production, I had planned on staying in school; however, as the pressure of the production developed, I chose to take a one semester off and take a second semester with a light load. This academic space allowed me to focus on the film and continue to work as a Film Tech Assistant at Orange County High School of the Arts (OCHsA). The OCHsA position also helped me fund the film.</p>
<p>Film directing was stressful, challenging, and exhausting, but above all else, it was rewarding. From massive fundraising efforts, to selling off nearly everything valuable I have ever owned, to countless days without sleep, to overseeing a large crew, the film was undoubtedly a financial and physical struggle. After all this hard work, I am more than pleased with its outcome. The film is beautiful, conveys our message, and is a constant reminder to myself of what can be accomplished with will and determination.</p>