December 2023 Scholarship Essay
How Would I Choose a College?
by Michael Lin | USA
After navigating the jungle of college planning, I’ve narrowed down my goals to three crucial standards, each of which has the potential to shape my academic path into a mosaic of development and success.
First and foremost is the beacon of academic excellence. I am looking for a college that not only transmits education but also cultivates an intellectually stimulating environment, especially in the field of STEM, where innovation blossoms and knowledge ignites. I long for an environment in which lectures move beyond the routine to become lively discussions that take me outside the boundaries of textbook knowledge and into new spheres of inquiry. My dream school is one where education is an exciting endeavor rather than a passive one, and where greatness is a shared desire that permeates the entire campus.
The vibrancy of community is the second pillar that guides my choice of college. At its foundation, STEM is a team effort. I wish to be a member of a thriving STEM community that serves as a growth-promoting force rather than merely an academic setting. Within this society, information is shared rather than kept to oneself, and everyone benefits from the pooled intelligence. I want to work in a place where ideas are not only welcomed but also vital to the organization. My ideal institution is one where peers are more than simply fellow students but partners in the quest of excellence, and where mentorship is a true relationship rather than a formality.
The spirit of creativity and adaptation is embodied in the third and final criterion. STEM is a dynamic field that is molded by the ever changing technological trends. I am drawn to a college that leads change rather than just keeping up with it. a place where innovation pervades every facet of education rather than being limited to labs. In my ideal world, students would actively contribute to the rapidly advancing field of STEM rather than merely being consumers of knowledge. Technical prowess shouldn’t be a privilege but rather a common mindset at my college, where it should be a testing ground for innovation.
These requirements are fundamentally about a deep feeling—the thrill of expectation. The hope of discovering a place that goes beyond the norm, where innovation, community, and excellence work together to make college an amazing experience. These requirements are more than just points on a map; they are the lights directing my way toward a future in which STEM is not only an area of study but a way of life as I make my way through the maze of college planning.