<p>Last minute panic attack: I read the "different points of view, etc" directions to inquire about the prospective student's background as relates to independent studies and research in general, but a friend of mine is telling me the UR is asking for a tentative research plan. Who is right?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>You are right, they are wrong. The instructions say that “Each student constructs an independent study and research plan.”, but they are NOT asking you to do that here in a 125 word (500 character) box. You had the right idea. Go for it and good luck!</p>
<p>thanks a lot!</p>
<p>The ‘tentative research plan’ may be referring to the application for the Portable Research Grant, which incoming freshman may apply for. However, the Rochester Supplement is simply asking that you describe an experience in which you have demonstrated independence/autonomy in shaping your own education. It may be choosing a unique paper topic, doing independent research or and independant study, taking a course at a local community college, etc. Please let me know if you have any specific questions.</p>
<p>Thanks, MConklin. That’s what I thought - I am writing about my research projects</p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>It feels to me as if the essay is asking two separate things. I see that MConklin says that, “the Rochester Supplement is simply asking that you describe an experience in which you have demonstrated independence/autonomy in shaping your own education” but then it also asks how we will contribute to the diversity of ideas, experiences etc… it seems difficult to accomplish both simultaneously without writing an unfocused response. Am I just wrong? I’m sorry if my question is somewhat vague, but any thoughts on this will be appreciated.</p>
<p>big man – I beg to differ. I know the essay prompt is lengthy and the allocated response space is short (1000 characters?), but all it is asking is for a demonstration of independence. Independent people generate a diverse set of ideas, so when students take initiative in researching and choosing research topics, you are likely to see a wider range of research topics and ideas. OTOH, if students merely choose from a menu of preselected research topics, there is less scope for diversity because the professors are doing more of the thinking and leaving less to the students’ imagination.</p>
<p>The prompt is creative in that it is challenging the applicant to connect these two ideas with a limited budget (of words).</p>
<p>Sorry, but it strikes me more as the compromise product of a committee that couldn’t agree on a single topic. Diversity? Academic interests? Independence and initiative? Heck, let’s throw them all into one question! The result: a 56 word prompt for a 125-word essay.</p>
<p>My take on this is similar to rational2’s. I don’t know if D had this question on her application but I know exactly how I would answer the question if I were her. She went to a public, residential, magnet high school. She was the only student from our local school district to go there that year. To me that clearly “demonstrated independence/autonomy in shaping your own education.” I think that experience obviously is unique/diverse especially since she is the only member of her high school class to go to U of R. I think most students have some sort of educational (not necessary classroom) experience that impacted them/shaped them and therefore makes them unique/diverse - a trip, a great coach/teacher etc. I think that story is what U of R is looking for.</p>
<p>Wow, I guess I didn’t take the prompt literally enough? I didn’t know the prompt asked for ACADEMIC demonstration of independence. The prompt asks for a time when you chose your own “learning path”. I didn’t think learning was limited to school subjects/college classes. I described an extracurricular experience (that didn’t have to do with academics) which many people opposed but I chose to participate in anyway and how it helped me grow and become more open to experiencing new things.
Was that the wrong approach?? XD</p>
<p>Learning path doesn’t have to be strictly academic.</p>
<p>LycOr1s, I’m not sure who you were replying to but I think your answer sounds great. In my daughter’s case it happened to be academic independence. But the point I was trying to make was that other applicants I’m sure have non academic experiences which are just as diverse and valid. I agree learning path doesn’t need to be strictly academic. I believe we learn in everything we do.</p>
<p>thanks for the reassurance :)</p>
<p>lycor1s… I agree that the question can be confusing, and is open to multiple interpretations, but it sounds like you are on the right track. I think rational2’s post summarizes the intent of the questions well.</p>