1)Who or what influenced you to apply to Syracuse University?
My uncle from the East Coast was a prime influence to my decision to apply. He attended Syracuse in the early 1970s, and his character and humor are something to cherish about him. He is very proud of his education, and becomes nostalgic whenever he discusses his marching band days at Syracuse. During my college research, I was looking for a very particular school. I wanted diversity, and to experience what my uncle has many times described to me. I visited this university during the summer of my junior year, and was especially impressed by the overall friendliness and togetherness of the crowds. It had the true community feel of interconnectedness, something I have wanted to experience for quite a while. Ever since I moved from my childhood home last summer, I have wanted a place to call my home for a long time, and I genuinely feel Syracuse University would be the place where I felt I belonged. As well as the overall feel of the school, the location is breathtaking, and being a California girl, I have been ready for a while to experience something out of my comfort zone, in regards to weather.
2)Who is the person you dream of becoming and how do you believe Syracuse University can help you achieve this?
There are many celebrities I could obviously touch on, but this would take far too long. Therefore, I simply hope to open my eyes to the world and as my dad always says: "carpe diem", or seize the day. My dad's good-naturedness and love of life is ultimately what I aspire to capture in my essence. He broadened his horizons in many ways, especially while in college, and I believe Syracuse University will allow me to both become a good citizen, without judging those around me, and ultimately becoming more culturally intermingled.
3) If you have had work experience, what skills and/or knowledge did you gain?
During my youth at a handful of minimum wage jobs, I was not so much interested in the money as I was in gaining a worldly perspective. I achieved this while handling different personalities launched at me. I began at a prestigious grocery store with the name of Paradise Foods, which is humorous to all employees, because it lacks just that: the essence of unity and happiness. I used to be very timid, but somehow became more self-assured throughout all of the good and bad experiences as a cashier. Conversational skills were never my forte, but I learned courteousness and, overall, became more empathetic. I was exposed to many cultures, preferences and complaints that gave me a better idea of how the world works, and the importance of valuing the present time because it would never return. My second paid job was Papa Murphy's, a corporate owned take-n-bake pizza place. I can now use my meticulous skills to create artistic pizzas for the enjoyment of the customers. Most people make their pizzas with a frown, but I smile through my Creation.
4) Based on your interests, tell us what real-world experiences you might pursue during your education at Syracuse as part of the University's Mission, Scholarship in Action?
At Syracuse University, I would like to study abroad in a country I know nothing about. The thrill for me would be the new environment and customs, because it's these factors that will allow me to adopt a more cultured perspective of the world. Growing up in a French school in San Francisco, where I also took Latin and Spanish, has taught me the importance of acquiring as many cultures into ones being, in order to achieve my life's goal: connecting with any person of any race in the world, by simply understanding where they've been and where they plan to go. I am imminently interested in the trip to Madrid, Spain. This city offers so much rich culture and activities and I know for sure I would learn quite a bit. I have also become interested in the Florence, Italy program. In my AP European History class, we discussed the Renaissance in much depth, and I would like to visit the old remains, and see what life was really like in the era I've studied so well.
Kiara, while the influence of your uncle is something that should be seen as the spark that lit your interest in Syracuse, his influence does not seem as character or interest building as it seems to you. Your visit to the campus is acceptable as the logical next step after the influence of your uncle. However, the strongest indication for your interest in Syracuse should be highlighted by your academic inclinations that the university can provide. The main reason or influence should be something directly related to the academic offerings of the university because your uncle could only have helped you imagine what it would be like to be a student at the university, the campus visit could give you a glimpse of life on campus, but it is the academics that should truly entice you to stay and study at the university.
The second question is something that you took literally. The focus of the question is actually on the person that you see yourself becoming in the future and not, as you so simply put it, who the role model in your life is whom you wish to emulate. The clues to the fact that they are asking about your future self are the following:
1. Who is the person you dream of becoming?
2. How do you believe Syracuse University can help you achieve this?
The questions obviously ask you about your ideas as to whom you hope to become in the future after you complete your time as a student at Syracuse.
As for the 3rd question, since Papa Murphy only taught you how to make pizza, and did not build upon the skills that you learned at Paradise Foods, you should not include that discussion in the response. Just offer the most relevant response. The one that covers all of the requirements of the question. One memorable work experience will always be better than 2 semi-important jobs that you had.
Your response to question 4 is good but can be improved. That is supposed to be an intellectual exchange program. So you should provide a response that reflects the same. If you will be learning from others, what do you hope to teach them in return? What world concerns do you hope to help resolve through your experience with the international community that Syracuse can provide you with? Just expand upon your response to better reflect the expectations of the reviewer.
