In my AP Chemistry class, it would be frustrating to look into a blurry, scratchy microscope, look at a computer screen to move a specimen through a pretend mass spectrometer, and share a tub of sodium chloride with the class for a lab experiment just because the school didn’t have enough. Overall, without adequate scientific equipment, Rebecca Lancefield wouldn’t have found out that group A streptococci is related to rheumatic fever and Dorothea Jameson wouldn’t have provided additional data for Hering’s opponent process color theory. Without having the right technology, many discoveries could be lost. The cures for autism, schizophrenia, and the common cold could be forgotten and never found. Two issues regarding scientific equipment are that it’s too expensive and there’s a large learning curve regarding wasted lab time. Fortunately, at Wellesley, I won’t have to worry about a lack of technology or even lack of discovery. For example, when I read that it was one of the first colleges to buy a confocal microscope, I was impressed. I know that I won’t be worried about whether Wellesley equipment is good quality.
When I was considering a duet to do with one of my best friends, I researched duet ideas and found one with David Bowie and Bing Crosby singing The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth. Even though Peace on Earth had such a contemporary feel to it, Little Drummer Boy had such a comforting, calming feel. Curiously, I decided to look up the song, since many artists, including Josh Groban, Pentatonix, and Justin Bieber sang this song. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the writer was a Wellesley alumna. In a time where voting rights and birth control was a struggle for women to gain, the fact that a woman could compose 600+ music pieces/operas because there weren’t enough songs for women, teach music and donate music to an all-women’s school shows passion, commitment, and bravery. Many Americans who celebrate Christmas know this song very well and play it all the time from the radio or watch groups perform it on TV. Knowing that there are successful alumnae who can make huge footprints in the field shows how versatile and flexible Wellesley is in making sure someone makes a difference nationally and internationally. Realizing that there are women at Wellesley who are not afraid to step out of the comfort zone of the time and show how impactful it is to be a woman is very encouraging.
Sure, sorry I forgot that. @WendyWellesley13
When choosing a college community, you are choosing a place where you believe that you can live, learn, and flourish. Generations of inspiring women have thrived in the Wellesley community, and we want to know what aspects of this community inspire you to consider Wellesley. We know that there are more than 100 reasons to choose Wellesley, but the ‘‘Wellesley 100’’ is a good place to start. Visit http://www.wellesley.edu/admission/100 and let us know, in two well-developed paragraphs, which two items most attract, inspire, or energize you and why. (p.s. ‘‘Why’’ matters to us.)
Hm…alrighty. I’m going to give you a few suggestions, numbered below:
Connect your paragraphs more clearly. Perhaps think about some kind of general theme present in both paragraphs, and use this to join the two together.
Talk a bit more about yourself! Admissions counselors know their school is great, but how will you fit into the equation? You mention an interest in science, so go into a bit more detail there. How will the scientific equipment at Wellesley help you do something cool? Is there anything you’re particularly interested in researching? Classes you really want to take? Connect the science facilities to your own goals and interests.
Along the lines of my advice in #2, consider replacing your second paragraph with something about the extracurricular life at Wellesley. I don’t personally make admissions decisions, but my impression over the years has been that Wellesley places an emphasis on community involvement. I would pick something from the Wellesley 100 that deals more with life outside the classroom, and then explain why that fits your personality.
You definitely want to talk more about yourself, the admissions counselors know that the school has great science equipment and interesting facts about their alumna. What they really want to see is that you have a passion for Wellesley. They want to get to know you and they want to see that you’re really interested in going to school here. They want to know what about Wellesley gets you excited about coming here because of how it will affect you. I think your essay could be really great but you need to write more about yourself and less about facts. Use your interest in Wellesley and what excites you about these things to tie them together so the paragraphs flow better.
