CommonApp エッセイ ~Dartmouth~

私が出願したエッセイをただただ記録のために載せていくシリーズです。参考までに。
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2022 Dartmouth Supplemental Essay

Dartmouth celebrates the ways in which its profound sense of place informs its profound sense of purpose. As you seek admission to Dartmouth’s Class of 2027, what aspects of the College’s academic program, community, or campus environment attract your interest? In short, Why Dartmouth? Please respond in 100 words or fewer.

My Answer:

I would like to study the Government Course as my major to deepen my thoughts about the origin and development of people’s concepts of freedom and human rights. Also, I want to study how the media, including my beloved photography, and international politics are connected throughThe Dickey Center For International Understanding’s INTS course. 
I appreciate the specific requirements for the Studio Art course, which will challenge me to go beyond street photography. I will also participate in the critique and collection of art works in the Hood Art Museum and beyond. (92words)

“Be yourself,” Oscar Wilde advised. “Everyone else is taken.” Introduce yourself in 200-250 words.

My Answer:

My classmates call me the God of Cleaning.

In Japanese high schools, we have to take charge of cleaning the blackboard between classes. Though almost no one wants to do this, I enjoy taking on this responsibility.
This is because once I alone wipe the blackboard with an eraser, all the other students and teachers enjoy the lecture in a clean environment. Even one teacher’s comment saying, “This blackboard looks beautiful” warms my heart. 

The "blackboard eraser" spirit of enjoying everything wholeheartedly was demonstrated in other areas as well. After joining the Photography Club, which was down to five members, I became the head of the club, entering photo contests and talking about the appeal of 1960s Early American photographers such as Eugene Smith, Vivian Maier, or Robert Frank in the school magazine. We now have 20 members, and last year, we held an exhibition outside the school for the first time in the club’s history.

In the past, I used to say, “You have an artistic sense. You should join our Photography Club!” However, I was always rejected. But when I enjoy taking pictures, my classmates get interested in joining. Perhaps this "blackboard eraser" spirit has the power of empathy that makes those around me excited.

Therefore I would like to keep the spirit of the "blackboard eraser" as something that not only cleans my mind but also naturally excites the minds of others, giving me a sense of purpose in my daily life.

E. “Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced,” wrote James Baldwin. How does this quote apply to your life experiences?

My Answer:

"You're fired." My fellows and I were kicked out of the Craft Club (a.k.a. Eco Run) by the advisor teacher, Ms. Ishikawa. Due to an argument over the management of the club, she declared that she considered us dangerous elements. I felt a fierce resentment at the absurdity of Ms. Ishizuka using her authority to interpret "disagreements" as "rebellion against teachers" and dissolve our activities.

Then, I took a deep breath. Is it best for me to hold this resentment all the time? No. Instead, I took advantage of the extra time I had to try different things. I entered a photo contest after being moved by Saul Leiter, a New Yorker photographer. I participated in the MUN Nationwide and Worldwide Tournaments based on my experience of reading a pile of economics and politics books. I also tried archery, which I had longed to do since junior high school. Thanks to these efforts, my interests, hobbies, and intellectual curiosity grew even broader and deeper than they were in the past, and I have built lifelong relationships with both photography and political science.

"Oaks may fall when reeds withstand the storm." This illustrates well what I have learned: it is fundamental to democracy to argue with others fairly and honestly according to one's own principles, as oak does. But sometimes that can lead to frustrating obstacles. At such times, like reeds, we can seek a new direction from a challenging situation, and the world will open up to us.