Interest in math, science, or engineering manifests itself in many forms. Caltech professor and Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman (1918-1988) explained, "I'd make a motor, I'd make a gadget that would go off when something passed a photocell, I'd play around with selenium"; he was exploring his interest in science, as he put it, by "piddling around all the time." In a page, more or less, tell the Admissions Committee how you express your interest, curiosity, or excitement about math, science, or engineering.
"Please, Jae Won, can we go now?" my boyfriend asked with a big yawn. I didn't blame him; we had been sitting in a café inside the bookstore for three hours now. I took my eyes off the book I was reading - The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene.
"Wait, let me just finish this page. I'm almost done," I answered back, irritated.
"Fine. I'm leaving. Have fun with your book, and oh, don't call me tonight, alright?" And he stormed out. I once again had gotten in a dispute with my boyfriend because of a book.
My interest in science and math is demonstrated through the books I carry around. Just by looking at me people usually can't tell that I am interested in majoring in chemistry. In their stereotypes, an Asian girl who wants to major in science is a nerd with thick glasses. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I am the direct opposite. My hair is neatly straightened out or curled every day; my nails are polished in light pink; and my outfits are almost always well styled.But inside my Michael Corrs shopper-bag, there would always be a thick book titled something along the line of How Things work: the Physics of Everyday Life..
While some people might think that science books are boring, I find them amazingly interesting. The first ever advanced science book I read was A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. It read like a novel and provided me with ample information on what I wanted to know: the age of our planet, how cells work, how humans figured them out, etc. While reading this book, I learned that there are science-related books that are more than just formulas, examples, and practice questions. While reading Ernst Mayr's What Evolution Is, I was fascinated by Darwinian explanations of biology. Flipping through the pages of The Three Views on Creation and Evolution, I found myself marveling at the unusual intersection of science and religion. Ideas in The Selfish Gene captivated me by explaining social phenomena in terms of genes. These books drew me into the world of science.
Coming from a family that is almost completely bereft of science majors, I had to turn to books to satisfy my curiosities. I could ask my mother or father about the religious matters as they were so involved with church, and I could call my aunt who majored in interior design to ask for advice when redecorating my room. But no one was available to answer my inquiries on chemistry, physics, biology, or in fact, any field of science. Now books have become a teacher that teaches me more science than what I can learn in school. Although being so into those books has resulted in little disputes with my boyfriend, I cannot stop reading them. They are how I express my interest and curiosity in science that is hidden behind my flashy looks.
This is a rough draft! edits please? Thanks!
"Please, Jae Won, can we go now?" My boyfriend said with a big yawn. I didn't blame him; we have been sitting in a café inside the bookstore for three hours now. I took my eyes off from the book I was reading - The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene. "Wait, let me just finish this page. I'm almost done." I answered back, irritated. "Fine. I'm leaving. Have fun with your book, and oh, don't call me tonight, alright ?" And he stormed off. I once again had put myself in a dispute with my boyfriend because of a book.
My interest in science and math has been always apparent in the books I carried around. This sentence feels a little awkward to me. Just by looking at me, people usually can't tell that I am interested in majoring in chemistry. In their stereotypes, all science related people have messy hair with unpolished nails and shabby clothes. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I am the direct opposite. I spend half an hour on straightening, or curling my hair every morning, making sure they look neat all the time. My nails are almost always polished with my favorite nail color - light pink. A cork-board in front of my desk contains numerous cut-outs from fashion magazines, of new bags, trendy styles, and hot shoes. I put much effort into choosing attractive outfits whenever I go out. So people are surprised when they find a thick book that is about the origin of universe, particles, or human genome inside my newly bought shopper-bag.
While some people might think that science books are boring, I find them amazingly interesting. The first ever advanced science related book I read was "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson. Although it read like a novel, it provided me with ample information on what I wanted to know: age of our planet, how cells work, how humans figured them out, and etc. While reading this book, I learned that there are science related books that are more than just formulas, examples, and practice questions. While reading Ernst Mayr's "What Evolution Is," I was fascinated by Darwinian explanations of biology. Flipping through the pages of "The Three Views on Creation and Evolution," I found myself marveling at the unusual cross-section of science and religion. Ideas in the "Selfish Genes" captivated me by explaining the social phenomena in terms of genes. These books connected me to the world of science.
Coming from a family that is almost exclusive of science majors, I had to turn to the books to satisfy my curiosities. I could ask my mother or father about the religious matters as they were so involved with church, and I could call my aunt who majored in interior design to ask for advice when redecorating my room. But no one was available to answer my inquiries on science. Now, the books have become a window for me to connect to the world of science - you use science here a lot, maybe change it to say "biology, chemistry and physics"? . Although being so into science related books have resulted in little disputes with my boyfriend, I cannot stop reading them. They are how I express my interest and curiosity in science that is hidden behind my flashy looks.
Overall great essay :)
Thanks for editing mine!
Thanks! I feel like mine is too much about my looks tho... do you think I should cut that part a little?
Personally, yes, I would cut it down, as not everyone thinks that chem majors look that way :D I always picture people in lab coats and goggles!
I shortened it a little. How does this look:
My interest in science and math is shown through the books I carry around. Just by looking at me, people usually can't tell that I am interested in majoring in chemistry. In their stereotypes, an Asian girl who wants to major in science is a nerd with thick glasses. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I am the direct opposite. My hair is neatly straightened out or curled every day; my nails are polished in light pink; my outfits are almost always well styled, showing my interest in fashion industry. So people are surprised when they find a thick book that is about the origin of universe, particles, or human genome inside my newly bought shopper-bag.
Ah I like that! Much better in my opinion!
Have fun with your book, and oh, don't call me tonight, alright?"
what a jerk!
I don't know if dispute is the right word, because you did not dispute anything. How about "conflict?"
As you revise, I suggest making only brief reference to the fact that you defy that stereotype; don't make it such a big theme. I like the sentence about the science book in your shopping bag, but this sentence is sort of weak: Unfortunately (or fortunately), I am the direct opposite. My hair is neatly straightened out or curled every day; my nails ...
:-)
This essay has lots of potential!
