Struggling with cultural essay

College Essays
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<p>The essay prompt is "The quality of Rice's academic life and the Residential College System is heavily influenced by the unique life experiences and cultural traditions each student brings. What perspective do you feel that you will contribute to life at Rice?"</p>

<p>Now I am not the sort of person who lacks unique life experiences across cultures. I have lived in China and Japan for 5 and 6 years, respectively. My problem is that I don't know how to tell a good story, which is what most good essays sound like. I am a mathematical person so I tend to just tell the facts and forget about the narrative part. </p>

<p>Can anyone give me an example of a good cultural essay? Also, any tips on how to write these kind of "cultural" essays?</p>

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<p>Well, the question does not actually require unique life experiences or cultural traditions. </p>

<p>The question asks "What perspective...".</p>

<p>Therefore, you can write about whatever perspective you have to contribute.</p>

<hr>

<p>What was the most memorable thing or situation that you were involved in in Japan or China?</p>

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<p>What do they mean by what perspective?</p>

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<p>For example: what point of view, take on life, sense of what is important, of what is meaningful, of what is interesting, of what is fun. Anything along those lines would be worth considering, as well as other, comparable approaches. Anything that allows you to reveal yourself, the type of presence that you would bring to the campus.</p>

<p>Such things are better shown in the context of your life experiences or stories from your life.</p>

<p>Check out:</p>

<p>Show</a>, don't tell</p>

<p>Essays</a>, Admission Information, Undergraduate Admission, U.Va.</p>