Stuck at undergrad essay's topic choice

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>Hi. </p>

<p>First, "ethical dilemma" essay.
I've thought one, but I'm really not sure if I should write it. My school (boarding) once had 3,000- students but only, like, 12+ lines in dining hall for dinner, so the lining problem was very serious. Sometimes one could have to wait for thirty minutes if they chose to queue, possibly starving. I didn't like eating high-sodiumed humbergers or instant noodles, so...
is "lining, suffering from your stomach vs. cutting in line(joining up with friends) when lots of people do that" a proper ethical dilemma?</p>

<p>Another one is the "describe an unusual way in which you have fun" essay.
Well, I'm not so silly to "cater to" schools I apply, but perhaps I'm really asking for Caltech's preference of students here... I've finished two, and both are rather unusual and both I really enjoy, so I can't decide which to use. (And both, well, are irrelevant of technology, maths or natural sciences)
The first is that I translate lyrics to sing my favorite songs in any other languages I've learnt. e.g. Latin. By "translate" I mean I make the outcome fit the song's rhythm, tunes, morae, stress...etc. So I can make some sound as if they were originally written in that target language.
The second is that I try to solve or figure out answers to questions I find or encounter in linguistics, by reasoning, researching, using data and evidences, conjectures...etc. Basically anything I want to know. e.g. What was a convincing pronunciation of Greek letter zeta in early antiquity.</p>

<p>Any advice, suggestions and reasons would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>FYI, I'm applying for physics, international applicant.</p>

2

<p>The language into song sounds great - esp if you can give a couple of short examples. That could work really well.</p>

<p>the cutting in line - not so fond of that idea. Not much of an ethical dilemma (others do it, so it’s ok if I do too…). Perhaps you could come up with something else - use to your advantage the international flavour - the “brain drain” of leaving your home country, leaving family behind, economics of education in a less-developed country, or some such.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I too like the language into songs essay. Can you come up with something more ethical than cutting into lines? or could you make that humorous, as though you are poking fun at the starving teenagers?</p>