academic performance

1. Please provide additional information (up to 250 words) that will help us better understand your academic performance. You may also use this space to explain any chronological gaps in your academic history (e.g. a period of time after high school graduation before applying to college).
I was always very intrigued by the law of physics and its implication since childhood. Physics challenges our imagination and leads to great discoveries like computers and lasers that have completely changed our lives. With this fascination I decided to study Science with major in Physics in High School.
During the first year of my high school I studied Chemistry, Math, English and Physical education along with Physics. I conducted various experiments related to electric current, how the light behaves, and equilibrium as a part of my course studies. Moreover, I participated in science fair and Math Quiz. My group was able to secure second position in the math Quiz. In addition to that, me along with my group conducted experiment on Thermodynamics where we conducted an experiment on eggs to prove the theory of “high pressure” and “lower pressure” and my group was well recognized and praised by my science teacher.
Furthermore, I was able to secure good grades in my high school by getting average of 70 percentile. In, 2010 I graduated from high school. The reason why I am applying for college in 2012 is because my family moved United States. It took me more than a year to prepare for the standardized test, search colleges and for my family to settle down. Having said that, I believe now is the perfect time for me to start college and I very much look forward to fulfill my dream of studying at SUNY IT.

2. Tell us about a person or experience you have encountered. Describe how the encounter challenged you and result in personal growth. (250-500 words)
I would like to take this opportunity to describe an experience I had while volunteering at an Orphanage in Nepal. During my social work I encountered a 9-year-old girl named “Asha”. She was different from other orphans in many ways. She couldn’t walk, she couldn’t talk and she couldn’t speak though she could hear sounds. After research through Internet I found out in medical terms it is called cerebral palsy caused mainly due to failure of brain to develop properly. In simple terms, she was a physically and mentally challenged. And it wasn’t possible to cure her completely; Ironically, her name was Asha which means hope in Nepali.
I was impressed with the way people treated her, she was treated like any normal girl. Her parents abandoned her and left her in an orphanage but she had a larger family there who loved her. I was particularly impressed with the social workers and teachers who worked there with no interest of getting anything in return. In Nepal, government plays no significant role for welfare of unprivileged groups; it is a relief to see that people are getting involved in an organization to help the poor and needy.
Case of Asha and people around her has inspired me and changed my opinion about life. People told me that, they named her Asha because; they didn’t want to lose the hope no matter what. I still remember her vibrant face, her glowing skin and her welcoming smile when I first met her. At the same time, I remember the feeling of helplessness for not being able to do anything for her. Life is not without harsh realities but I admire people who gracefully accept such realities and work for the betterment of humanity.
Her case taught me something valuable, it taught me to never lose hope no matter what. At the same time, she inspired me to work for welfare of people. Even though, feeling of helplessness has gone now and it has been replaced with the aspiration to improve life of people like Asha.
In this world, where people are busy with their own lives and obligations, there are people who are making efforts to make life of underprivileged groups better. There are people who are willing to take a stand for improving the lives of disadvantaged groups. It would be a cliché to say but if every human being learns to respect each other and work for welfare of humanity world would be a better place to live. As Albert Einstein said ‘Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile’, I aspire to make my life worthwhile by helping needy people.