My College Essays #4 (UBC)

University of British Columbia

Deadline: December 1

Required (4):

TELL US ABOUT WHO YOU ARE. HOW WOULD YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND/OR MEMBERS OF YOUR COMMUNITY DESCRIBE YOU? IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE INCLUDE SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF AND WHY. (MAXIMUM 1500 CHARACTERS)

Living in a community surrounded by wildlife, environmental issues have been on my mind for as long as I can remember. Finding a place to expand on my curiosity and eco-related passions has been a challenge as I have wanted to learn more. My junior year, an opportunity arose to join the Youth Environmental Leadership Council founded by Walking Mountains Science Center. I recognized a chance to take action and involve myself in a subject I am so passionate and curious about.

The council and I brainstormed how to make a difference in our area and our first task was raising awareness. The goal was to pave the way for waste reduction, plan community service events, and harness our own passion projects before we left the community for college. In a few months, the council was able to organize a clothing swap, which raised awareness towards waste in the fashion industry. By leading this project, I gained skills in directing and learned more about clothing waste. The council and I also started a social media page to help community members locate local farmers and growers, ultimately providing access to sustainably grown food.

The Youth Environmental Leadership Council gave me a voice as a young leader advocating protection and progress for the planet. This learning experience encouraged my enthusiasm about learning how to solve environmental issues. With a lifestyle and economy based around outdoor activities, I was able to make a difference in the place I call home.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU? WHY? (MAXIMUM 1500 CHARACTERS)

I was only eight years old when I knew that I wanted to play the violin. Something about the instrument intrigued me. Maybe it was the bow, the sweet sound, or the fancy scroll that swirls to meet the fingerboard. For nearly 10 years, I have been in love with this infamous instrument, in fact, my obsession has grown stronger as my skills have increased. After taking private violin lessons for four years, my teacher suggested that I join group lessons. I had never played the violin with anyone except for my teacher and so it was a totally new experience for me to play with others, especially those my age. I learned valuable lessons like how to listen and play with others.

Though I have continued to take private violin lessons, my involvement with Bravo! Vail’s youth ensemble has taught me lessons such as confidence, commitment, and diligence. Every Wednesday, I accompany and collaborate with students across the Vail Valley. As a senior, I have made friends with kids who do not go to the same school as me, some of them are in elementary school. For sixty minutes every week, students of different ages, backgrounds, and abilities play their instruments in harmony. Kept together by one common passion, the violin. Being in an ensemble has helped me grow as a leader, performer, and instrumentalist. I may forget arrangements if I do not practice them, but my love of music will never be forgotten. Overflowing with meaning, my love for music will follow me throughout my entire life.

STUCO personal reflection (150):

After serving as a representative, I ran for Student Council President and was elected by the student body. My platform was centered around all-school participation and during the year I established new traditions at our all school retreat. With the help of my council, I planned engaging school dances and unique spirit weeks. The role of president allowed me to take charge of issues and plan successful events. I engaged with the school community including parents, staff members, and students to create a cohesive environment. My council and I introduced a brand new Saint Bernard mascot, something our high school has never had, to the student body in order to strengthen school pride and spirit.

Bravo (150):

My involvement with Bravo! Vail group lessons taught me lessons such as confidence, commitment, and diligence. Every Wednesday, I accompany and collaborate with students across the Vail Valley. As a junior, I have made friends with kids who do not go to the same school as me, some of them are in elementary school. For sixty minutes every week, students of different ages, backgrounds, and abilities play their instruments in harmony. Kept together by one common passion, the violin. Bravo! Vail has helped me grow as a leader, performer, and instrumentalist. In the future, I may forget how to play my pieces if I do not practice them, but I will never forget the lessons that I learned through this after school program. My involvement in violin group lessons has been a very worthwhile extracurricular activity.

Optional (2):

• You may wish to use the space below to provide UBC with more information on your academic history to date and/or your future academic plans. For example: How did you choose your courses in secondary school? Are there life circumstances that have affected your academic decisions to date? What have you done to prepare yourself specifically for your intended area of study at UBC? 600

At the University of British Columbia, I hope to explore environmental studies. The programs at UBC match what I am hoping to find in an undergraduate education related to environmental issues and problem solving. I value how all faculties, not just those related to environmental science, incorporate sustainability into their education.

For the creative side of my personality, I am interested in media production and film classes. After producing YouTube videos, I have found a passion and appreciation for media making and feel that this route would allow me to pursue my artistic interests.

• If you need to clarify or explain any of the information you have provided in this application, please do so here in 2,000 characters or less

Starting in middle school, math was one of my best subjects. My fourth grade teacher began giving me extra work to complete outside of class. I took advantage of these extra opportunities and with the help of Khan Academy, I completed fifth and sixth grade math while I was in fourth grade. Upon entering fifth grade, my parents suggested that I move into seventh grade math. My teachers and principal were not too enthusiastic about this idea since no student had ever accelerated like this before; fifth graders were expected to take fifth grade math. Nevertheless, I was determined that all of my hard work should pay off.

Not only were these new math concepts difficult, but so was the social experience of being with older students. After completing eighth grade math as a sixth grader, I began commuting to the high school for classes like Algebra II and Pre-Calculus. This was again, a challenging experience. As a small seventh grader, I had 18 year olds in my math class. Attending Vail Christian High School for math was a humbling experience that facilitated my transition from eighth grade to ninth.

As a freshman in high school, I moved into AP Calculus AB and after sophomore year, I had completed AP Calculus BC. At the beginning of junior year, I was faced with the decision of taking AP Statistics or continuing with multivariable calculus, a rigorous calculus course packed into one semester. It made sense to me to continue with calculus since I could always come back to AP Statistics. I wanted to keep moving forward in math.

Being ahead in math has allowed me to explore other classes and accumulate college credits. I worked with a college counselor at Colorado Mountain College to gain credits towards my dual enrollment Associate’s Degree. I took online classes from my local community college on the side during the school year and summer. I figured that if I was earning so many credits, I might as well work towards a goal: an associates of science degree.