For the common app essay, I’m answering the prompt about an event that marked transition from childhood to adulthood. I’m writing about how my role in my Boy Scout troop has changed as I’ve gotten older, how more has been expected of me as I’ve grown up, and how now, as the oldest member of the troop, I have the responsibility of being a good role model to the younger scouts. Also included is reflection on how I viewed the older scouts when I was young and how my perspective has changed.
For intellectual vitality, I’m going to write about the research into fields of philosophy that I’ve done over the past two years. I’ve been both watching and participating in live debates broadcasted via Google+ hangouts. Several times, I have co-hosted broadcasts with hundreds, sometimes a few thousand viewers. Its been a great opportunity to learn, explore new ideas, and interact with some very interesting people. I’ve made acquaintances from around the world, including a PhD biologist in Scotland and a philosophy professor from a university in Canada. I’m eager to take some actual, formal philosophy classes as part of my post-secondary education.
For the letter to a room mate, I’m going to write about one of my most memorable experiences from Scouting.
For the thing that’s important to me, I’m going to talk about income equality and poverty. This will connect to the winter term that I had during my junior year. In particular, it will be about how the experience affected my perspective as a privileged private school student in a relatively poor community. In particular, my principal spent some time talking about how unaware we are of their lives outside the gates of our school. The experience helped open my eyes to their lives and their problems as my group partners brainstormed potential solutions.