college essay about pizza

Williams said that she was proud of her essay, which she believes stood out to admissions officers because it was reflective of her actual personality.

While the essay was about Papa John's, it touched on broader topics, such as comfort and independence.

"Accepting those warm cardboard boxes at my front door is second nature to me, but I will always love ordering pizza because of the way eight slices of something so ordinary are able to evoke feelings of independence, consolidation, and joy," Williams wrote.

I just want @PapaJohns to know that I wrote a college essay about how much I love to order their pizza and it got me into Yale 🍕👌 pic.twitter.com/lDlzEErHCn — Carolina Williams (@justcarolina22) May 9, 2017

Earlier in May, Williams tweeted about her achievement, with screen shots of her essay, her letter of admission, and an email from a pizza-loving Yale admissions officer.

"I laughed so hard on your pizza essay. I kept thinking that you are the kind of person that I would love to be best friends with," an admissions officer wrote to Williams. "I want you to know that every part of your application stood out in our process and we are thrilled to be able to offer you a spot at Yale."

Yale's admissions rate for the class of 2021 was just 6.9%, according to its website , making it one of the most difficult colleges to get into in the US.

Williams is turning down Yale's invitation to join the class of 2021 and plans to attend Auburn University in the fall, allowing the Tennessee teen to stay in the South and avoid chilly New Haven, Connecticut winters.

Papa John's was quick to congratulate Williams on her achievement.

CONGRATS, CAROLINA!! We're so honored that you wrote about us in your essay! Send us a DM, please @AskPapaJohns — Papa John's Pizza (@PapaJohns) May 9, 2017

" We're so honored that you wrote about us in your essay!" the pizza chain tweeted. Papa John's also sent along some gift cards, according to Williams.

Read the full essay below:

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An Essay on My Favorite Food Pizza [PDF]

Yummy! Is not it? Today I’ll show you the example of an essay on Pizza.

Pizza is an Italian dish with a round in shape made with a base of wheat dough on which, the toppings of tomato, onion, capsicum, corn, cheese, and chicken is put with contents of spices then baked in the oven at high-temperature and lastly served with chili flakes and oregano or seasonings.

It has a soft crust after it is baked with cheese and has mouth-watering taste savoring your tongue with spongy and different toppings on it. Pizzas are the best to have for lunch or dinner. It is easily available at affordable rates in many of the restaurants and cafes too. 

The Italian dish, Pizza became my favorite when for the first time I had a margarita cheese pizza with extra cheese on it. It was a medium-sized pizza with servings for six people each or three people if they ate in pairs. The Pizza was hot and spongy to touch.

Its top layer was swollen and round shaped. I sprinkled chili flakes and oregano for great taste, and after this when I took a slice of pizza, the cheese was melting and gave yummy taste my tongue. With packed Pizza, inside it also had sachets of tomato sauce that I also tried on another slice of Pizza that I took. 

Pizza is an easy dish to make at homes too. I had seen many videos on YouTube telling different ways to make Pizza, in which they had toppings of vegetables and corn too. People who are not having oven for baking, use a pressure cooker or a pan for baking their Pizza using various seasonings.

It could be easily ordered in any size like large for a group of friends or family, medium-sized for a small group and small-sized for an individual. They are made either in fresh pan or hand-tossed, whichever way we want we can have it.

There are up to more than 15 varieties of Pizza’s made to serve. There are three variations of Pizza that are Stromboli, panzerotti, and calzone.

Dominos and Pizza hut are the two main largest selling pizza restaurants with multiple varieties for vegetarians and non-vegetarians too. They are available in pizza mania with four slices. Side beverages are also available that could be ordered with pizza-like garlic bread, cold drinks or chocolate brownie.

Portions of pasta are also available in both the restaurants. However, they both have variations in price range’s as in Dominos you could get Pizza at reasonable rates but Pizza Hut might be a little bit costly for you to have your favorite Pizza or try new ones.

In today’s time being in every city, we have both these restaurants in every city or every area. With the commencement of these restaurants, they were not having online orderings before but with the advancement of technology they had made available online orderings and delivery services at your doorstep in just 30 minutes. 

Not only these both restaurants but also various other restaurants are also opened servings different varieties of Pizza at affordable rates or sometimes high rates too.

Since Pizza is one of my favorite dishes that I love to eat so I must also keep in mind the contents and other fats present in it to prevent myself from harming my body as it could also lead to negative health effects causing digestive tract cancer or cardiovascular problems.

However, lycopene content is present in Pizza that provides a shield or protection from both these critical issues. 

Pizzas are made with mouth-savoring taste and soft crush but could cause harm to your health if consumed excessively. Eating Pizza every day could damage your internal organs’ liver or could cause you digestive problems like stomach pain too.

It could create serious health problems and easily to children it could deteriorate their health, and to women, it could cause pregnancy issues creating too many hectic problems regarding their health status.

Pizza contains a high quantity of calories, and so it could cause severe damage to your body. So, a person should consume a pizza once or twice a month, only to remain healthy. It would save him or her from a high amount of fat and salt ingredient present in it. 

Now I would Like to Hear from You

There you have it: essay on pizza.

Now here are my few questions:

How was the essay on pizza?

Did you find this helpful?

Or maybe you want to share your thoughts.

Either way, let me know by leaving a quick comment below.

I am pretty sure that now you are hungry to eat a pizza right? So what now! Just order a Pizza! AND if you liked this essay please mention in the comment section, also do not forget to share it on your favourite social handles.

Oh, by the way, do you need help writing a descriptive essay on pizza? You have a great opportunity to get custom essays written by academic experts.

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Girl gets into Yale after penning essay on Papa John's pizza

Carolina Williams said she has loved Papa John's since she was a little kid.

— -- Carolina Williams, of Brentwood, Tennessee, said it was “surreal” when she found out in March she was accepted at Yale University.

Even more bewildering for the high school student was when a few weeks later, Williams received notes from the Ivy League university's admissions team that singled out an application essay she wrote about her love for Papa John’s pizza.

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“It really tickled me that they specifically commented on that one because there were a ton of essays,” Williams, who wrote nearly 10 essays for her Yale application alone, told ABC News. “I think it stood out because it was just very genuine and reflective of me and it was kind of taking a risk, I guess.”

Williams wrote about ordering Papa John’s pizza in reply to a 200-words or less essay prompt to write about what you love to do.

“I love to order pizza from Papa John’s so much. I do it like once a week,” she said. “That was my first thought when I saw that prompt.”

Putting aside worries her essay topic would seem “silly,” Williams wrote about how ordering from the pizza chain gave her independence as a child and was used as both a source of consolation and celebration as she grew up.

"As a fellow lover of pizza, I laughed out loud (then ordered pizza) after reading your application," read one note to Williams from Yale's admissions team, while another read, "I laughed so hard on your pizza essay. I kept thinking that you are the kind of person that I would love to be best friends with."

The night Williams was accepted to Yale, she celebrated by ordering a Papa John's pizza.

“That’s why I liked getting the responses to [my essay] so much because it made me realize that they genuinely wanted me,” Williams said of the personalized responses from Yale “I wasn’t trying to write something that I thought they would enjoy.”

Yale has an admittance rate of just 6.7 percent, according to its website . Even though Williams, the first in her family to go to college, was thrilled to be admitted to the Ivy League school, she instead plans to attend Auburn University in the fall.

“I chose Auburn because I love the South and I love the whole school spirit there,” said Williams, who will attend the university’s honors college and plans to major in business. “Yale is a great school but Auburn just felt like home to me.”

The Alabama-based university also has another advantage over Yale for Williams.

“The good thing about Auburn is they have a Papa John’s in their student center on campus so I’ll be there all the time,” she said.

Williams will also be able to feast on some free pizza as a college student. Papa John’s gave her a few gift cards after Williams shared her story on Twitter.

Williams said her experience offers a lesson for future students applying to colleges.

“Just write about what’s reflective of you and then if they want you they’ll accept you and know that they want you personally,” she said. “Try to be creative and think outside the box but just do what comes naturally too.”

Teen's Essay About Her Love Of Ordering Pizza Earns Her A Spot At Yale

Breaking News Reporter, HuffPost

A Tennessee teen is encouraging others to break the mold after reportedly earning a spot at Yale University with an unusual essay about ordering pizza.

Carolina Williams announced that she had been accepted to the Ivy League school on Twitter earlier this month and shared a copy of her essay that appeared to draw high praise (and laughs) from an admissions officer.

“I just want @PapaJohns to know that I wrote a college essay about how much I love to order their pizza and it got me into Yale,” she boasted in a Tweet.

I just want @PapaJohns to know that I wrote a college essay about how much I love to order their pizza and it got me into Yale 🍕👌 pic.twitter.com/lDlzEErHCn — Carolina Williams (@justcarolina22) May 9, 2017

The 18-year-old, who told HuffPost that she will be the first in her family to attend college, had been tasked with writing about something that she loves to do. Williams said she genuinely loves ordering pizza.

“Accepting these warm cardboard boxes at my front door is second nature to me, but I will always love ordering pizza because of the way eight slices of something so ordinary are able to evoke feelings of independence, consolation, and joy,” a portion of her essay reads.

“I came up with the idea all on my own and did not really tell anyone about it,” she told HuffPost by email on Thursday. “When my friends found out about it though, they thought it was hilarious.”

Her admissions officer apparently did, too.

In a letter shared by the teen, the officer, who was not named, said she “laughed so hard” while reading it.

“I want you to know that every part of your application stood out in our process and we are thrilled to be able to offer you a spot at Yale,” the officer’s accompanying message reads.

Another handwritten note, read: “Yale would be lucky to have you.”

Of course, it wasn’t just Williams’ creative essay that earned her a coveted spot among the 2,272 students accepted by Yale this year ― making a slim, 6.9% acceptance rate.

Her application contained all the right ingredients, including a high GPA, volunteer work, as well as memberships with the English Honors Society, National Honors Society, Model UN and Youth in Government, the Tennessean reported.

But just as she had many choices on what to write about, she also had choices other than Yale.

In the end, she opted to go to Auburn University instead. One big reason, she shared, is that the Alabama school is much closer to home.

Welcome to @AUCampWarEagle Session 2, @justcarolina22 ! Be sure to stop by the Student Center for lunch🍕 Her story: https://t.co/H60AO2iJfo — Auburn University (@AuburnU) June 1, 2017

“I absolutely love Yale, but I felt so at home at Auburn,” she told HuffPost. “I love the South and the school spirit. I will be a part of the Honors College. I’m so honored to have been accepted by Yale, though!”

At Auburn, she plans to pursue a business degree while minoring in economics, she told the Tennessean, which also reported that the school provided scholarship opportunities.

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Teen Gets Yale Acceptance Letter and Free Pizza for Writing Ode to Papa John’s

It’s the best of all possible outcomes

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Share All sharing options for: Teen Gets Yale Acceptance Letter and Free Pizza for Writing Ode to Papa John’s

In a move that is sure to be copied by countless teenager across America, a plucky Ivy league hopeful from Tennessee by the name of Carolina Williams got an acceptance letter from Yale after including a personal essay about Papa John’s pizza with her college application. “When the delivery person rings my doorbell, I instantly morph into one of Pavlov’s dogs, salivating to the sound that signals the arrival of the cheesy, circular glory,” Williams wrote.

Several months later, Carolina got the acceptance letter as well as a note explaining that the Yale admissions officer “laughed out loud (then ordered pizza)” after reading the essay.

I just want @PapaJohns to know that I wrote a college essay about how much I love to order their pizza and it got me into Yale pic.twitter.com/lDlzEErHCn — Carolina Williams (@justcarolina22) May 9, 2017

Despite the warm welcome from the Yale crew, Williams ultimately decided to go to Auburn University instead. The future college student recently told Good Morning America : “The good thing about Auburn is they have a Papa John’s in their student center on campus so I’ll be there all the time.”

After finding out about the pizza letter and Carolina’s college plans, Papa John’s HQ sent her a congratulatory letter plus a bunch of gear and an offer for a free pizza party once she arrives at Auburn.

Just want to thank @PapaJohns for making my day again! Can't wait for my year of free pizza and can't wait to eat pizza at @AuburnU pic.twitter.com/QtZHlW2sZI — Carolina Williams (@justcarolina22) June 3, 2017

And, never one to miss out on an opportunity for viral publicity , Papa John’s founder/CEO John Schnatter filmed this video commending Carolina on her college admissions triumph:

The moral of the story: If you have the right grades and test scores, and you happen to write an essay about a subject that amuses a college admission officer, and that essay is also about a thirsty brand, and your tweets about that company happen to fetch the eye of its social media manager, then the world is your proverbial oyster/large cheese pizza with garlic dipping sauce for the crusts.

• This Teen Just Got Accepted To Yale After Writing About Papa John’s Pizza [Bored Panda] • Girl gets into Yale after penning essay on Papa John's pizza [GMA]

Social pizza image via Facebook/Papa John’s

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Home — Application Essay — National Universities — The Importance of Pizza: College Admission Essay Sample

The Importance of Pizza: College Admission Essay Sample

• University: University of Southern California

About this sample

Words: 502 |

Published: Jul 18, 2018

Words: 502 | Pages: 1 | 3 min read

One late Saturday afternoon, my friend Amelia and I were completely ravenous so I decided to order a pizza, not realizing how significantly that one pie could change not only the course of my day, but also my outlook on life. After shamelessly devouring the pizza to a point beyond satiation, we both heard and smelt my dad grilling burgers, cutting tomatoes and lettuce, and baking French fries. Normally this situation would have created a sort of excitement among us, but instead only made us a little less than enthused. Though at that point, it was too late to tell him that we had already eaten and regrettably could not eat his well-prepared meal. Instead we filled up our plates and told my parents that we wanted to eat outside. Trying not to look too much at the food, we contemplated on a plan to somehow get rid of all of the food without wasting it. After initially supposing we could let the dogs have a go at it, we decided to give it instead to someone who needed it a little more than two overweight dogs; the homeless. At this point we fell upon a slight predicament as to where and whom we could donate this warm meal. Living in the Denver metropolitan area, we were bound to find someone in need along the busy streets of downtown Denver. As with many other things, this was easier said than done. With one way streets, five street intersections, and enraged drivers, handing out the food took a lot more effort than I had previously imagined. After spotting a homeless man with his dog, I instantly felt he was a more than worthy contender. After handing him the meal, we drove away watching in the rear-view mirror as he blissfully took a bite of the hamburger while feeding some fries to his dog. About a half hour and several u-turns later, we handed off the second meal to a homeless man who wasn't much older than us, most likely only in his early twenties. To my surprise, as I watched the man in the car mirrors as we drove away, I became overwhelmed with both joy and commiseration as I watched him delve into the sandwich as he had most probably not eaten for days. I was simply astounded by how such a seemingly small action had created such a large impact not only for the two homeless men, but also for me. It nearly made me feel ashamed for all the times I had eaten a meal with my family and not been more grateful that I didn't have to worry about when the next time I would be able to eat would be. For following holiday seasons, I convinced my friends to help make twenty lunches that we could take and hand out all over Denver and show how such a little can go such a long way, all starting from that one pizza pie.

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Auburn’s Carolina Williams Got Accepted to Yale by Writing an Essay About Pizza

There are some instances in life when you should take risks, and some when you should play it safe, and Carolina Williams proves that college applications are one of those times where rolling the dice can really pay off.

Williams took a chance by writing about pizza for her Yale application essay, and it got her into the Ivy League school. When her writing went viral, Williams earned the title “Pizza Girl” from her peers and wears the monicker with honor. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Williams over the phone and find out more about her upcoming college career, her online store and plans after graduation.

Danielle Keating: Okay, let’s get this question out of the way. What gave you the idea to write about pizza for a Yale application?

Carolina Williams : The prompt was really simple, it just asked me to write about what I love to do, and I love ordering pizza; everyone knows that about me. At first, I thought, “Oh, well maybe that’s not a good topic,” but I thought I’d just go with it because I thought it would be funny, and I like to think of myself as a funny person.

DK: It is, and you are. How did you react when you found out that Yale accepted you?

CW : So shocked because I literally didn’t think I’d get in at all; it was the only Ivy school I applied to. When I got the acceptance letter and the bulldog chant started playing from my computer, I thought it was a joke and didn’t believe it. I thought some ad came up; it was so surreal.

DK: So, do you enjoy having the reputation of being the girl who got accepted into Yale for her essay about pizza? Why or why not?

CW : Absolutely, 100 percent yes. I totally accept and love that people know me as “Pizza Girl.” I absolutely love that title, and I wear it with pride.

DK: As you should! Even though you got into Yale, you still chose to go to Auburn University. What influenced that decision?

CW : The summer before senior year I only applied to four colleges: Sanford in Alabama, Yale, Washington University in St. Louis and Auburn. I could see myself at all of those schools. I found out that I got accepted into Auburn way before Yale; I was so blessed and so excited about being admitted to an Ivy League school, but I wasn’t any less excited about being accepted into Auburn. I went into Yale with an open mind, and again I love it, but I love Auburn because the school felt like such a family. I didn’t change my mind because I hadn’t made up my mind; I just decided what I wanted at the last minute.

DK: Do you ever wish that you had gone to Yale?

CW : Definitely not, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s obviously a great fit for some people. I toured some other Ivies, but I knew Auburn was the place for me. I’m moving in a week from today, and I could not be more excited to go there.

DK: Awesome, that’s coming up! What’s your major and why did you choose it?

CW : Right now, I’m on a pre-Business track; you commit to a major during sophomore year. Business Economics and Entrepreneurship really fascinate me; I really love how much freedom and creativity you can bring into a business, so that’s how I knew that’s what I wanted to study.

DK: So, what major will you commit to?

CW : Business Analytics and I’m probably going to do an Economics minor, as well.

DK: Nice! You also have a side business on Society6.com, Carolina Designs . Is it difficult to run your store and keep up your grades?

CW : Oh no, I just started that this summer because I’ve always loved to draw and be creative. I got the idea when I went dorm shopping, so I just thought that I’d put it on the site. The business is just something I enjoy doing in my free time.

DK: What can you tell me about the future of Carolina Williams designs?

CW : Oh yeah, well I just enjoy being creative, writing and drawing; it’s been my passion since I was little. I took art in high school and have been drawing my entire life. I might try to grow the business, and I might want to try to write a book someday.

DK: Cool! What would this book be about?

CW : Honestly, I’ve read so many different books; I’d love to write a fiction novel, and I’ve written short stories before. Maybe I’d try writing a collection of essays, like a memoir, and discuss details about my life. Other people’s stories inspire me so much; honestly, I’d love to do that someday, but probably later on when I’m more experienced.

DK: And speaking of the future, I know every student hates this question, but what are your plans after graduation?

CW : Oh, um I’m not sure yet. Depends on the internships I get. Papa John’s offered me an internship for next summer; I was very grateful for that. Someday I may start my own business; I don’t know what that would be yet, and honestly, I’d love to be a CEO someday. Also, I’ll probably go to grad school to get an MBA, but I’m not sure yet.

If you want to see more of Carolina Williams, follow her on Twitter or go to Carolina Designs .

• Auburn University
• Carolina Williams
• college acceptance essays
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Your money | students and money, in their own words.

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Your Money | Your Money

Students and money, in their own words.

Compiled by RON LIEBER MAY 21, 2015

Each year, we put out a call for college application essays about money, work and social class. This year, we picked seven -- about pizza, parental sacrifice, prep school students, discrimination and deprivation.

North Bergen, N.J.

High school, st. peter's preparatory school, college plans, columbia university.

Getting dressed each morning for school, I slip on my blazer, tighten my leather Oxfords, and pick a pair of glasses that match my outfit. Just a block away from my house, my town's high school is a two-minute walk to my left. However, I turn right and begin my hour-long commute to St. Peter's Prep. On my way to the bus stop, I always run into my childhood friends as we go in different directions. I wonder, “Why is my life so different from theirs? Do they think I'm pretentious, going to a prep school?” I don't live in a dystopian town where gunshots go off every day. However, many of my friends just don't care about school and use alcohol, drugs or sex to escape from their socioeconomic realities; the majority of my town is low-income and Latino.

I continue walking to the bus stop and run into a friend who went to my elementary school. "Those red pants make you look like one of those jerks from Prep, bruh. I work the register at a bank and I don't even wear that crap," he says while laughing in a sincere manner. He shakes my hand the same way we have since the second grade; we both smile at the fact that the gesture is alive after all these years.

Arriving at my high school, my favorite priest sketches the trinity on my torso and mentions something he wants me to do with the blessing of God that day: ace a test, inspire the freshmen with a motivational speech or simply be happy. Feeling loved, I move on to ethics class and analyze how the cycle of socialization comes into play with the same community I just tutored a weekend ago, Brooklyn Jesuit Prep. In my science class, I discuss how global warming relates to the research trip I recently attended in Alaska with my teacher.

To enjoy the weekend, I go to a football game between Prep and my neighborhood. During a play, my prep friends chant, “That's alright, that’s okay, you'll be working for us someday.” Having deep bonds of friendship on both sides, I'm shocked at the thoughtlessness of my classmates. Part of me feels ostracized, but another part of me wants to fix things; I fiercely lecture them on how wrong they are about my home. With my neighborhood friends, part of me wants to ignore what the football fans had to say, but a subtle fear that they may be right grows in my heart. I am moved and start tutoring my neighborhood friends with my used test-preparation books and showing them the social skills I learned from Dale Carnegie. I also start sharing books on body language and charisma, fascinating guides to lucid dreaming, and my favorite thrillers from Stephen King. I do this simply because it's what friends do. While I see college as an opportunity, many of my neighborhood friends see it as an obstacle keeping them from a paying job. I am trying to help this handful of friends realize that studying, reading, and learning can be rewarding.

Living two blocks away from me, my best friend, Eduardo, attends public school and wants to become a United States Marshal. Working out four hours every day and taking classes like public speaking, law and American literature, everything he does revolves around his goal. People like Eduardo give me hope among the football fans' chanting and make the fear in my heart subside.

The two worlds that comprise my being constantly play tug of war in my mind. My parents came from poverty in Ecuador, so I was raised believing that hard work and education can take you anywhere. Whether that work is in the classroom, at the gym or networking at a business event, persistence is what fosters success. Not your race. Not your native language. Not your ZIP code.

Red Bluff, Calif.

High school, red bluff high school, college plans.

For years, I’ve reflected on what qualities enable people to overcome adversity. I believe my journey exemplifies that one answer is a synthesis of initiative and resilience. From foster care, to a broken home, to military service, to two tours of duty in the Middle East, initiative and resilience have steered me to where I am today.

I was born into poverty to an immigrant mother. When I was 2, my mother’s drug addiction caused me to be placed into the Los Angeles County foster care system. I lived in seven different homes over the next five years. Some homes had more than 10 foster children living in them. The families were of many ethnic backgrounds; I was compelled to develop social skills to receive care from distracted foster parents. I was a curious boy and enjoyed interacting with the people around me.

At age 7, I was adopted by a married couple and their daughter. I enjoyed calling my new parents “mom” and “dad” and saying “I have a sister.” As a boy who hadn’t had a family, it made me happy to finally be a part of one.

Two years later, my parents revealed they were ending their marriage. This was crushing. I observed as my parents argued and noticed they often mentioned my adoption. I found a sanctuary to escape: the school library. There I read Encyclopedia Brown and other favorites. My adoptive mother was granted custody of me; consequently my adoptive father severed ties with me because he knew it would hurt my mother. I was heartbroken and curious why a dispute with my mother resulted in my father not speaking to me. I asked adult relatives and they’d skirt the question. There was one adult who was truthful.

She was a coworker of my mother’s named Shelly. She related that when adults are hurt, they can behave irresponsibly. I was grateful for her honesty and we became close. My mother soon entered a relationship with her. As a young boy, I was puzzled that my mother could now be in a relationship with Shelly. My mother explained that in our society young gay people are often socialized into believing they’re heterosexual and then, as adults, embrace their attraction to the same sex. This blew my 9-year-old mind and intensified my interest in the complexities of human behavior. My mother and her partner Shelly raised me into adolescence.

Shelly was shot when I was 14. I was terrified that she wouldn’t survive; I felt great affection for her. I was rejected by other parental figures, yet Shelly chose to help care for me. She survived after extensive surgery and received an insurance settlement which she and my mother used to buy a home. One year later, our home was foreclosed. I’d developed enough resilience to overcome the ordeal and I decided to take initiative.

After graduating high school, I decided to join the military during the Iraq surge in 2007. I understood the risks, and the structured image the Air Force evoked, combined with my desire to serve my country, gave me good reason to enlist.

While military life was demanding, my efforts paid off. A unification of resilience and initiative in an ordered environment has led me to success. I’ve accomplished much over the last seven years because the Air Force provides an organized setting that contrasts with the chaos of my upbringing. I developed leadership and collaboration skills by serving abroad alongside people of all backgrounds, from the Middle East to Europe. Moreover, I achieved fluency in another language, learned more about the human experience and gained awareness of my own potential.

My aim is to become a psychologist and further explore the themes of resilience and initiative to assist people who’ve endured traumatic situations. My trials as a youth along with my military service have inspired me to help others overcome adversity.

Rob has some college credit from correspondence courses, and he’s considered a transfer applicant. He is still waiting to hear from some colleges.

Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts

Kenyon college.

I have no pre-choir memories.

If it were not for my involvement in the choir, I would never have discovered my talent and love for singing that led me to apply to LaGuardia High School. My vocal training in school has opened up a whole new world of singing to me and has exposed me to others who are passionate and dedicated to their art.

At the age of 4, I began attending choir at St. James Church. My mother decided that joining choir would provide me with musical and religious instruction, in addition to supplying the stories and rituals that are essential to Western civilization, Christianity — whatever that means. I was initially joined by scads of my peers at St. James, making choir a fun, social task, but as I grew older, one by one, my friends began dropping out and I became entirely disenchanted with what I saw as the onerous chore of attending choir. They simply did not want to go anymore and their parents complied.

In addition to the dwindling choristers, Saint James was located on the Upper East Side, one of the fanciest ZIP codes in New York, while I was coming from my school in the pregentrified Brooklyn neighborhood of Bushwick. While the neighborhood is now known for its gourmet pizzerias and trendy clubs, the Bushwick of my childhood was known for shootings and public housing projects, if it was known at all. This discrepancy between my two lives made me more than a little uncomfortable. While the children at choir proudly donned the telltale signs of their elite education: tartan skirts and navy blazers encrusted with the logos of their private schools whose cost was nearly as much as my mother’s yearly wage, I maintained my own uniform of jeans and a T-shirt. They all knew me as the girl from Brooklyn, the chorister who went to public school.

I begged and pleaded with my mom to let me follow the path of my friends and retire my choir robe, but she persisted, always replying with a curt “no”. She believed that in the long run, going to choir would benefit me both educationally and socially.

As the years went on, I continued to badger my mother on the subject. Her answers began to lessen in severity. She showed compassion toward my dislike of choir and soon replied to my questions of discontinuing my involvement in chorus with answers like “Just do it for one more year” and the even more compassionate, “Are you sure?” Despite my mother’s change of heart, I did not take advantage of her limbo-ed responses, and instead, I began to withdraw my constant requests. In spite of not having many friends in choir, I began to enjoy literally finding my voice every week in church. After years in choir, I let my voice become free and discovered that it was loud and powerful. It could be used to lead others in song. When I was younger, I had always followed the older, more experienced singers. I would wait for the right pitch, or follow the pros to figure out when to come in, but little by little, letting go of my reticence, I began to trust myself: starting the pitch and coming in when I knew we were supposed to sing. Eventually, other singers began to follow my lead. Parishioners started to acknowledge me for my voice rather than my address. I began to appreciate this music that I had heard throughout my youth, yet had always dismissed as boring and religious. Soon enough, my habitual complaints about choir completely stopped.

After being in the choir for nearly a decade, I was awarded the position of head chorister, which served as an affirmation of my musical abilities, since I was now expected to lead the younger choristers. The position of head chorister motivated me into applying to the highly competitive and prestigious LaGuardia High School.

Although I initially detested choir, I have come to love it, and more than that, it has become an intrinsic part of me. Choir allowed me to not only grow as a singer, but also as a person. Through choir, I learned that if you continue with something long enough, you will receive some sort of benefit from it and maybe even grow to love it. Because of choir I found my voice in a small church. Because of choir, I am willing to go wherever life takes me with an open mind, knowing that the effects of even the smallest things can be completely life-altering. As a song that I learned in choir and auditioned with for LaGuardia says: “Oh God, my heart is ready.”

Latin School of Chicago

Northwestern university.

With fingers long and elegant, and nails always red, my mother’s hands once held the magic power to soothe my woes. As a child these hands wiped my tears and pulled me close enough to her to smell her motherly scent — a mixture of Nivea lotion and achiote , evidence that she had spent her morning in the kitchen. Years later, these same hands incited my tears.

In Ecuador, my mother was invincible, but upon our arrival to the United States she became a shell of what she once was. I had grown accustomed to seeing her youthful hands well manicured, but melancholy and hours of hard labor had silently taken over them in a matter of months. Blisters and dark spots invaded her smooth brown skin, while thick and stubborn blue and green veins crept up from the backs of her hands to the tips of her fingers.

Fatigue and two jobs had ruined who both my parents used to be, and I began to value the little time I had with my mother more than ever before. This little time could not make up for the time I spent alone, however, nor could it assuage the envy I had of the little girl my mother looked after. She, though not my mother’s daughter, had the privilege of having my mother and her delicious cooking all to herself; I would always get the leftovers. She also had the privilege of having my mother pin her silky blond hair into a pretty bun before ballet classes while my dad wrestled with the hairbrush to pull my thick brown hair into two lopsided ponytails before dropping me off at the bus stop. But I couldn’t blame the girl for depriving me of my mother; her parents had also been consumed by their jobs.

My mother’s hands caressed me less and less, and by the age of 12 I had become nearly indifferent to her cold and rare touch. My family had turned into a group of strangers that happened to be living under the same roof while chasing the American Dream.

At 4 a.m. on May 3, 2009, I woke to a soft and unfamiliar cry. Scared and confused, I put on my slippers and tiptoed to my parents’ room.There, in the moonlit darkness, I found my mother, the woman of iron, once again defeated. Phone by her side, fists clenched, curled up like a child, she sobbed uncontrollably. I did not need an explanation; I knew right away that my abuelita had passed away. I pulled my mother close to my chest and wiped away her tears. And for the first time in several years, I uttered the words le quiero mucho Mami (I love you, Mom). She looked up at me with her big, brown, tear-filled eyes, and whispered, y yo a tí (I do, too). The distance that had silently emerged between us since we left Ecuador was suddenly erased. I had become my mother’s protector, as she had once been for her mother. I held her callused hands between my own and realized that despite their smoothness, my hands were not much different from hers.

Centreville, Va.

Westfield high school, georgetown university.

"Just another illegal looking for a job," the chubby cashier whispers to his coworker as my dad and I walk out of the convenience store. We had just driven up to buy lunch, and my dad was delighted to see a "Help Wanted" sign.

"Mi hija, por favor pregunta si puedo aplicar" he eagerly pleads to me. Despite my hesitations of seeing an army of white-faced workers, I reluctantly agreed to ask the chubby cashier for an application. The cashier, whose name tag said Dave, informed us that the first part of the application was a verbal interview. Dave would ask the questions, and my dad would do his best to respond. His English was broken and he frequently looked to me for translating. After a few questions Dave concluded the interview and looked over to me,

"Listen, girl. He's over 60 and speaks no English. There is no way we would hire him." His tone was rude, but I sadly understood why my dad wasn't hired. I faced my hopeful dad and watched his smile drop as I told him that Dave just remembered that they hired someone yesterday and that they really couldn't afford to hire anyone else. My dad was disappointed, but nonetheless he graciously shook Dave's hand and thanked him for his time.

Job searching is difficult for everyone, but in a world full of Daves, it's almost impossible. Daves are people who look at my family and immediately think less of us. They think illegal, poor and uneducated. Daves never allow my dad to pass the first round of job applications. Daves watch like hawks as my brother and I enter stores. Daves inconsiderately correct my mother's grammar. Because there are Daves in the world, I have become a protector for my family. I excuse their behavior as just being a "typical American." I convince my mother that they are only staring at her lovely new purse. I convince my dad they are only shouting about store sales to us. Aside from being a protector, I am also an advocate. As an advocate, I make sure my family is never taken advantage of. I am always looking out for scams and discrepancies. I am the one asking the questions when we buy or sell a car. I make sure all details are discussed and no specifics are left unanswered.

I have been committed to helping my parents since I was 8 years old. Although I didn't always enjoy acting like a mini-adult, I was always delighted to see my parents smile when I finished a task. I quickly came to a conclusion that I liked making other people happy. It felt good to do something for others that they couldn't do for themselves. My parents never shielded me from reality. I was very aware of their past struggles with poverty and I knew how lucky I was to have food on the table, a roof over my head and a school to attend, and after years of helping just my parents, I decided to expand my clientele: I began volunteering.

I have volunteered at soup kitchens, retirement homes, public libraries and parks. I have worked with inspiring leaders, traveled to unique locations and met with engaging people of all ages. I quickly developed a love for both service and my community, and after eight years the love still flourishes.

I am excited to widen my impact and hope to pursue a career in either public service, politics or diplomacy. I am so grateful for all the support I have received. From caring public school teachers to subsidized lunches, the United States has put me on a path to success. Undoubtedly this path wasn't always paved, but rugged and relentless feet have carried me along.

Adamsville, Ala.

High school, alabama school of fine arts, college plans, wesleyan university.

Once, when I worked at Domino’s, a mechanic jokingly asked me if I could put his order under the name Bill Gates. I told him yes, because why not? Why should a black mechanic who worked day after day for minimum wage not enjoy a few minutes as a millionaire? Whenever I donned my black visor and navy blue polo, customers didn’t see an art school feminist who loved banned books, French films and protest songs. I was a face, a face who took orders and tossed pizzas. I could have been anyone.

My favorite thing about working at Domino’s was interacting with the assortment of people that pizza unified. I felt so anonymous in uniform, confident enough to answer phones and talk to strangers. Eiad, our pizza chef from Pakistan, resembled Bob Dylan and sang folk songs from his homeland when business was smooth. One of the other insiders played guitar, managed a costume shop and once welded a statue for Marvel Enterprises in New York. Teenagers came in, grass-stained and sweaty, immediately after soccer practice. Men in flannel with babies in their arms and two kids trailing behind them allowed their children to choose what to order. Elderly women in floppy sunhats and fake pearls would call before Bible school and ask for 20 large cheese pizzas to satisfy everyone.

Domino’s was like an Island of Misfit Toys floating in the middle of Alabama. My coworkers all joked about each other for what made us different: Richard was a walking Star Wars database, Mike was O.C.D. when it came to stacking pizza boxes, I was a vegetarian who often had to package the meat. Kristen, now 40, had worked at pizzerias since she was 14 and was currently filing applications to enroll in college. Terry preached to a small congregation when he wasn’t delivering.

Ever since I moved here, I’ve felt like an outsider in my community. I live for the arts while my town prioritizes football and fishing. The general population is Caucasian, Christian, Republican, anti-gay, and pro-guns — or so I thought. At Domino’s, three of my coworkers fasted for Ramadan, one of the drivers read novels while waiting for deliveries and both of my bosses were women. The people who came in were far from homogenous, as diverse as the pizzas they ordered: Caucasian, Asian, African-American, and Mexican lawyers, firemen, construction workers, stay-at-home mothers, house painters. Many were married, some were divorced and some were single. Many had kids. Many were still kids. I couldn’t help but admire them. They made enduring irate customers, drunken phone calls and crying children worth minimum wage. All were just ordinary people trying to build lives in America. All were united and equivalent when in need of pizza.

Great Neck, N.Y.

Great neck south high school, university of chicago.

Weekends growing up were spent hitting tennis balls with my coach, sketching still lives at a local art studio and practicing the violin with my private teacher. My parents endorsed my interests because we had financial security that most families in America didn't. I'm thankful that this wealth also allows me to live in one of the most affluent suburbs of New York and attend one of its best public schools, where it's not uncommon to see my peers driving to school in a Mercedes-Benz.

Even though I can buy glamorous things because of my family's wealth, I've never felt comfortable spending it. Some girls in my school frivolously spend their money – at the local Abercrombie, they'll point to a shirt they like and swipe their cards without batting an eyelash at the price. I use my money differently because of how I was raised. I make a beeline to the discount sections at higher-end retailers to find trendy garments and resell them on eBay to make a profit covering next semester's art supplies.

Many of my peers were fed since birth with a silver spoon, not giving a second thought to the family wealth at their disposal. I like to think I use my spoon sparingly, feeding myself only when necessary. I dislike spending my parents' money because I didn't earn any of it. I appreciate my parents endorsing my interests like violin because these hobbies are enriching, but I'm discomfited when they pay for superficial things like name-brand clothing. I'm fine just wearing thrifted shirts and discounted sneakers. I suppose it's because my mother raised me to embody a Chinese proverb that translates to "save when financially stable because the future is unknown."

At a young age, I was forced to understand what came at the price of that wealth: time with my father. When I was 8, he left to build his own canned fruits company in China. That was the first year a seat at the dinner table remained empty and a car in the garage sat untouched. Suddenly, our relationship became two five-minute phone calls per week. He'll see my brother and me only for a quarter of the year – just the equivalent of a season spent together. He couldn't come to my brother's high school graduation, and during school orchestra concerts I would take a hopeful glance at the audience to see only my mother's face in the crowd. However, he’s the reason I have a silver spoon that allows me to scoop more than just canned peaches. If he hadn't followed his ambitions, we would still be a close-knit family living in a smaller home, but maybe then thrift shopping would be mandatory instead of voluntary.

My love and appreciation for my father makes me honor the money he provides me with – every dollar comes at the expense of his physical distance. When my father comes to visit, he offers to buy me the newest iPhone or drive me to Bloomingdale's because of the guilt he feels for not being with us. I accept his offer sparingly because I don't want him to think of me as someone who asks for more than what I need. While everyone in school has been toting the newest iPhone since ninth grade, I took his used phone, giving up 24/7 Internet access – I didn't need to check Facebook every minute. Although I enjoy the security afforded me by his success, it doesn't diminish my determination to build a future with my own bare hands. When I leave the silver spoon too long in my mouth, I feel this nagging itch telling me to remove it, as if I'm allergic to silver. If the spoon's used sparingly, I can avoid an outbreak. But I don't mind my allergy. I embrace it because it reminds me that everything comes at a price – even silver spoons.

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The view that Russia has just two ‘regions’ today: Moscow and ‘the rest’ Essay Example

• Pages: 8 (2051 words)
• Published: December 8, 2017
• Type: Essay

With the collapse of the USSR, which marked the conclusion of the largest socio-economic experiment in recent history, Russia was poised for the most transformative changes it had ever experienced.

Despite predictions of a teleological development path towards a Western-style market economy and liberal democracy throughout Russia, the reality has shown stark regional differences in social, political, and economic aspects. It should be noted that today's Russia does not perfectly fit the description of a Western market economy. While it may seem at first glance that there are only two regions - Moscow and the rest - this oversimplification does not capture the complex reality. To truly understand the situation, we need to explore beyond economic issues and consider politics and society as well. Examining regions and sub-regions from various socio-economic perspectives using different factors and classifications is necessary. Additionall

y, we must delve into the structures and connections between these regions to identify commonalities, differences, and interdependencies. This comprehensive analysis reveals that Russia is a patchwork of geographical spaces that have experienced varying degrees of gains and losses since the transition began. Hierarchies and stark contrasts are evident, but they extend beyond just "Moscow versus the rest".

Geography's influence on perceptions of Moscow's dominance is influenced by scale. These perceptions differ depending on the specific scale and perspective being considered. It is important to consider the impact of the past when analyzing the current situation. The transition period is characterized by new economic forces that are reshaping different aspects of the Soviet Union's structure, economy, politics, and culture. The final outcome will rely on how various components of the new Russia, such as individual households and different

levels of governance and interest groups, occupy economic niches and engage in political struggles.

When studying geographical differentiation, it can be advantageous to start with a broad scale and address general issues. Although not entirely accurate, having a structural framework is necessary for initiating our regional analysis.

We will use the widely known categorization of regions into winners and losers, as identified by Bradshaw (1996). He categorizes regions in Russia into five major types: 1. Agricultural regions, which suffer from poor infrastructure and conservative policy outlooks (such as South European Russia and Southern Siberia).

The highly integrated Gateway and hub regions in Russia, strategically positioned and with international links, primarily focus on services or high tech. These regions, including Moscow, St.Petersburg, Yekaterinburg in Central European Russia, Urals, and West Siberia also have large towns. It's important to note that regional centers are gaining significance alongside Moscow. Resource regions consist of oil and gas producing areas (and some metals) that are generally thriving, while coal mining regions are declining. The old industrial regions in the Central industrial areas, Volga, and South Siberia are struggling to restructure. However, high tech regions have emerged in some old industrial areas around large towns like Moscow, St. Petersburg, Saratov and Samara in Central European Russia. To gain a comprehensive understanding of Russian regions across the country we must now conduct a general survey to observe this situation.

The official Economic Regions of Russia (as defined by Shaw, 1999) serve as a means to examine the country on a larger scale. Moscow and the Central Economic Region have a significant impact, with over 20% of Russia's population residing there and contributing to more

than 17% of industrial production in 1995. Despite covering only 3% of the nation's land area, this region holds great importance due to its historical role as the foremost region during the Soviet era, politically and economically. However, the decline of the traditional industrial sector and Military Industrial Complex has caused a downturn. Efforts towards restructuring and promoting growth in services, construction, and small to medium-sized enterprises have led to some areas within the region experiencing recovery. Moscow particularly stands out with some of the highest wage levels in the country. Furthermore, it has become a central hub for multinational corporations and attracts the largest portion of foreign direct investment.

Both St.Petersburg and the North West were once major centers of heavy and light industries during the Soviet era, but these industries have since declined. Despite this, St.Petersburg's historical role as a gateway to Europe and its increased significance following the loss of Baltic ports have made it an attractive alternative to Moscow for businesses, particularly those in the service sector. Nevertheless, Moscow remains the preferred choice for many businesses due to its advantages in terms of agglomeration, network access, and infrastructure.

Development in St.Petersburg is primarily concentrated within the city itself. In contrast, the Northern economic region primarily served as a source of raw materials and was a center for various defense projects during the Soviet Union. However, the loss of government subsidies and policies aimed at reducing the population have made economic activities in this region increasingly unfeasible, largely due to the now-considerable cost of transportation.

However, some oil rich parts of the region may in the future be able to increase their wealth by exporting

this resource, aided by the availability of ice-free ports. The Wolga-Vyatka Region, located to the North East and East of the Central Region, acts as a transitional zone between boreal forests in the North and steppe in the South. This is reflected in its economy and culture. The region includes the third largest city, Nizhnij Novgorod, and was primarily known for resource processing and military industries. Although impacted by the transition, the region's dynamic leadership and strategic location may prove advantageous in the future.

The Volga region benefits from its strategic location, large population of Russians, and natural resources such as agriculture and oil/gas. While traditional heavy industries have declined after being relocated during World War II, automobile plants and the aerospace industry are attracting foreign direct investment. The Central Chernozem region has always been recognized as Russia's breadbasket due to its high-quality agricultural land.

Russia faces challenges due to its peripheral location, inadequate infrastructure, and illegal immigration. However, it has attracted Western investment because of its modern iron ore mining and processing plants, chemical industry, and engineering sector. The North Caucasus demonstrates how geography can impact fortunes as the underdeveloped eastern parts suffer from ethnic conflicts while the politically stable western part performs better economically. This area has also received investment in agricultural processing and serves as a gateway to the Black Sea.

The Ural Mountains were once an industrial powerhouse but now face depletion of natural resources. However, their strategic location and high urbanization level in Yekaterinburg have allowed certain industries to find new markets and remain economically viable.

West Siberia is often perceived as overpopulated due to distortions caused by the Soviet economy despite being sparsely

populated by European standards. In East Siberia, heavy industry, mining, and oil/gas extraction are primarily found in medium-sized towns. Collective farms were established in an attempt to integrate this region economically even though it went against economic logic. However, most areas have been negatively impacted by the decline resulting from loss of subsidies except for a small number of wealthy regions focusing on oil and gas production.It is important to mention that East Siberia, covering a large part of Russia's territory, has a low population density with only 6% of the country's inhabitants living there. The majority of people are concentrated around the Trans Siberian Railway and a few agricultural centers situated in the southern area of the region.

The Northern part of the region currently possesses abundant but inaccessible natural resources due to distance and climate. However, scarcity may motivate future exploration of these resources. Moreover, the Asian market previously enjoyed advantages in competitive metal mining and processing, especially aluminium smelting, thanks to affordable hydroelectricity. In conclusion, the Far East exhibits similarities with East Siberia.

The Pacific coast has some resource- and primitive industry-based activities that could be potential investment opportunities. However, the high risk and long timeframes for returns are making this area less appealing. This summary of regional profiles indicates that there is no clear geographic or functional factor that determines which areas are successful during this transition. Hanson and Bradshaw (2000) demonstrate that having abundant resources does not necessarily equate to wealth (e.g. Primorski kray is not performing well despite its resources).

The development of regions in Russia depends on factors such as geographic position, infrastructural integration, and local political leadership and bargaining power.

For example, Tatarstan has shown strong development due to its political leadership and bargaining power. There is no single formula for success, as different regions have found success through resource extraction or developing service sectors. Furthermore, regions within Russia exhibit high differentiation, resulting in a pattern of wealthy areas interspersed with less developed ones. Although Moscow stands out as a leader in terms of contribution to Russian GDP, FDI, big business, and banking HQs, a closer examination reveals a more complex situation.

According to studies (Westerlund et al, 2000), Moscow's per capita income is lower compared to Khanty-Mansi and Yamal-Nenets, which are oil regions. The cost of living is highest in remote areas of the North and Far East. However, due to high land prices and the increasing allure of St. Petersburg, many service sector companies choose to establish themselves there instead.

Instead of solely focusing on Moscow as a distinct contrast from other regions, Dienes (2002) characterizes Russia as an economic, social, and geographic archipelago. This archipelago consists of a network that is nationally and internationally integrated but limited to a few urban areas with more than 250,000 inhabitants, as well as resource extraction centers separated by vast geographical distances. These integrated spaces encompass approximately 50% of the country's population while the other half remains isolated.

As a result, two "frontiers" have emerged: the traditional hinterland and the inner hinterland. Dienes identifies these geographic locations by considering various indicators such as gas consumption, access to education, real income, and middle-class growth.

They tend to have a small geographical reach and little evidence of trickle-down. Another noteworthy finding is that these wealthy areas are highly diverse internally. In major

cities, access to quality education, for instance, is becoming increasingly restricted based on social factors. Westlund et al (2000) also discovered that regions with higher average incomes, particularly in big cities, had the highest Gini indices. The long-term stability of a region's prosperity is greatly influenced by its strategy, economic profile, and level of integration in the Russian and global economy.

The connection between the international economy and the prosperity of big cities and resource-extracting regions is stronger than that of weaker demonetized areas. Furthermore, different regions with diverse economic profiles can be impacted in opposite ways by variations in overall economic conditions. This was particularly evident when comparing the stability of the Russian currency in the early and late 1990s. While a devalued rouble benefited industries involved in imports substitution and resource exports, it had devastating effects on areas that relied on invested financial capital, such as the Far North. When considering Moscow and other regions, it is important to mention the political aspect of their relationship. Moscow serves as the center of government, determining how funds are allocated. However, certain influential regions like Tatarstan have managed to exert significant influence over Moscow.

According to O'Loughlin (2002), Moscow's traditional role as a regulator and an entry point to the global arena is undergoing changes. This transformation is driven by competition from other cities and a decrease in federal funding allotted to Moscow. Additionally, Moscow's privileged status is affected by its heavy reliance on its regions due to the Russian economy's significant dependence on natural resources. To sustain its privileged position, Moscow must concentrate on expanding its own sources of economic growth, such as...

Services, science, or high-tech industries,

in addition to being an entry point and mediator, are also prevalent in Moscow. Despite some differences, Moscow shares many similarities with other large Russian cities. The prosperous areas within these cities are interconnected but do not necessarily rely on the same driver of growth. Russian regions vary greatly among themselves and within themselves, yet certain aspects such as prosperity or social exclusion are similar. Therefore, the generalization of "Moscow versus the rest" in terms of regional development is flawed. The search for a suitable simplification of the Russian regional development pattern is ongoing.

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