<p>What do they mean by this? For example, is it okay if I put "Pediatrician or occupational therapist," or would they like something more long-winded (e.g., "I'd like to one day start a clinical care & research hospital for the street children of Shanghai")?</p>
<p>I would put the former. If you want, you can talk about the latter in an essay.</p>
<p>Yeah, same question. They left a lot of space for the answer. Do they expect a 2-3 sentence answer or just a phrase?</p>
<p>The more information you can put, the better. Colleges would like you to have some perspective though. It can be easy to come off sounding like a know it all and make your answer pretencious and unapealing. Be humble in your answer, but at the same time, let them know you've got a handle on things. Sorry if this is vague</p>
<p>What if you really don't know what kind of career you want? You should just say so, or should you make something up because saying you're totally unsure would look bad?</p>
<p>It depends:</p>
<p>Answer 1:
As far back as I can remember I have always been fascinated with the practice of medicine. In third grade, I fell off the jungle gym at school and was quickly rushed to the emergency room. I remember being so fixated with the happening of the hosptial, that I was completely distracted from the pain of my broken arm. Since then, it has been my dream to become a physician and help mend both broken arms and human spirits.</p>
<p>Answer 2:
As far back as I can remember, I have always been fascinated with the study of science. In third grade, my parents gave me a chemistry kit for my birthday. Although it wasn't the gamboy I originally wanted, I was amazed at how, over time, I became less interested with Super Mario, and more interested with solids, liquids, and the ocassional gas. Since then, I have desired to become a scientists in the hopes of further exploring the world of science, that is when I'm not playing Super Mario!</p>
<p>This is how I would word these answers. The first is specific: I WANT TO GO INTO MEDICINE. The second is more vague: I WANT TO GO INTO SCIENCE. The second one lets the college know that you have an idea, but you aren't locking yourself into one career path.</p>
<p>sorry for the misspellings</p>
<p>I was just wondering the same thing.
what do you think about saying something like opportunity is limitless or everything is possible since I don't know what I want to do?</p>
<p>Wow. I didn't think that we could go as in-depth as you suggested, halopeno. I'll call Stanford's office of admissions sometime today, though, and get back to everyone with what they say. :] I agree with their having left a lot of space for a simple one- or two-worded answer, since I was able to fit a small blurb in there.</p>
<p>I write small, so I would probably try and fit all of it into the three lines provided. I like to give full explained answers on my apps. I just don't feel right about not framing it into a small paragraph. I would put an intro, get to the point, then close.</p>
<p>I just called Stanford (after being put on hold for about 10 minutes lol), and they gave the very vague answer of "write as much as you want." Personally, I'm going to go for the brief explanation answer as opposed to a two-worded one. Also, the person who I talked to initially thought that I was referring to our top 3 majors, and she said that that question was purely for statistical purposes as a large percentage of the students admitted had put "undecided." I remember talking about this earlier (though I don't remember with whom), so I thought I'd throw that out here as well. :]</p>
<p>Chillaxin can you elaborate on the top 3 majors one? Do they expect us to know? And is this where you put undecided, or your top three BECAUSE you're undecided? I'm confused..</p>
<p>I would definitely call them to make sure, but I'd assume that this is where you would put undecided since there really is nothing else on the application that asks about majors.</p>
<p>Hm, I would elaborate. I was surprised that the application gave you so many chances to talk about you as a person. I'm definantly impressed.</p>
<p>It might be cuz you don't get an interview. Or in my case, you don't HAVE to have an interview.</p>