Honors 100
Honors 100 is the first Honors class we take as freshman, and is our introduction into the Honors program. It is the class where I wrote my original Honors Portfolio statement. Our class differed from both previous and following years, and marked a transition from the "old" and "new" Honors Program requirements.
Our class focused quite a bit on "interdisciplinary" education and thinking, and used the recent gulf oil spill as a frequent example. After all, experts from many different disciplines were involved in the clean up of the gulf oil spill. This is why the spill is included in my original portfolio statement.
Below I have included my Honors application essays, and the second assignment from Honors 100, which was a time capsule. Looking back, I am really proud of what I said in my application essays. While they only cover a small breadth of my interests, they give a deep insight into my character and how I see the world. On the other hand, I wish I had written more for my time capsule. There really was more to say at the time.
This class went through another change the following year, and the Honors Program brought older students in as Teaching Assistants or "Peer Educators" to teach the class in small sections instead of one big lecture. This new version of the class was much better received by students, and became the new standard. I participated as a Peer Educator during my junior and senior years, and greatly enjoyed the experience of teaching new freshmen. I was also able to apply it toward my experiential learning requirement.
Our class focused quite a bit on "interdisciplinary" education and thinking, and used the recent gulf oil spill as a frequent example. After all, experts from many different disciplines were involved in the clean up of the gulf oil spill. This is why the spill is included in my original portfolio statement.
Below I have included my Honors application essays, and the second assignment from Honors 100, which was a time capsule. Looking back, I am really proud of what I said in my application essays. While they only cover a small breadth of my interests, they give a deep insight into my character and how I see the world. On the other hand, I wish I had written more for my time capsule. There really was more to say at the time.
This class went through another change the following year, and the Honors Program brought older students in as Teaching Assistants or "Peer Educators" to teach the class in small sections instead of one big lecture. This new version of the class was much better received by students, and became the new standard. I participated as a Peer Educator during my junior and senior years, and greatly enjoyed the experience of teaching new freshmen. I was also able to apply it toward my experiential learning requirement.
Honors Application Essay 1
I am so thankful to have grown up on a farm in the country. As I write this, I look out the window at our sheep and horses grazing in the field, chickens and turkeys pecking the ground, and the wild Trumpeter Swans foraging in a far off cornfield. My life on the farm has instilled in me a passion for the study of animal science, natural selection and genetics. A passion I would like to share with you.
Ten years ago, my four brothers and I became interested in the family flock of old style Horned Dorset sheep. As we studied the registration papers, we discovered that the flock had become incredibly inbred and the breed extremely rare. Fortunately, we were able to import ram semen for artificial insemination. The resulting lamb crop was vastly superior to the rest of our flock due to the infused hybrid vigor and the experience made me realize the importance of genetic diversity.
The preservation of wild and native species is obviously a greater priority than preserving domestic animal breeds, but my studies with sheep and chickens have served as a good research model to find solutions for preserving endangered species. The prevailing thought is the "Noah's Ark" theory; the belief that a single male and female of each species is enough for survival. In reality, when a population drops below a few thousand the genetic pool can become too small for the species to successfully compete and adapt. Preserving the genetic vitality of endangered species should be an important priority. An effort needs to be made to safeguard wild populations, and captive breeding programs within zoos provide a backup insurance policy to ensure their survival.
Clearly, in order to recognize and solve a problem, a foundation of good scholarship is necessary.
Ten years ago, my four brothers and I became interested in the family flock of old style Horned Dorset sheep. As we studied the registration papers, we discovered that the flock had become incredibly inbred and the breed extremely rare. Fortunately, we were able to import ram semen for artificial insemination. The resulting lamb crop was vastly superior to the rest of our flock due to the infused hybrid vigor and the experience made me realize the importance of genetic diversity.
The preservation of wild and native species is obviously a greater priority than preserving domestic animal breeds, but my studies with sheep and chickens have served as a good research model to find solutions for preserving endangered species. The prevailing thought is the "Noah's Ark" theory; the belief that a single male and female of each species is enough for survival. In reality, when a population drops below a few thousand the genetic pool can become too small for the species to successfully compete and adapt. Preserving the genetic vitality of endangered species should be an important priority. An effort needs to be made to safeguard wild populations, and captive breeding programs within zoos provide a backup insurance policy to ensure their survival.
Clearly, in order to recognize and solve a problem, a foundation of good scholarship is necessary.
Honors Application Essay 2
When I was younger, I was reading an encyclopedia on dinosaurs and someone asked me, "What is the point of paleontologists spending so much time and money to discover more about animals that went extinct millions of years ago?" My initial answer is that dinosaurs are fascinating and it is a natural human instinct to want to discover more about them, but as I think about what I've learned I see even more value in it. By studying dinosaurs, I have gained an immense understanding about the working order of the world around me, natural history, biology, and evolution. Discovering more about a failed species is not only personally satisfying, but also valuable when trying to solve the problem of species currently facing extinction.
My interest in animals has paved the way for my curiosity about life outside of Earth. I often ponder what life might be like on another planet; with billions of years of isolated evolution in a different environment, it would be vastly different. I have done some basic research and math problems to predict what type of space ship would be best suited to deliver humans to another planet and sustain them for years, maybe decades. I have burst into my physics professor's office many times, not asking about the next test, but how to calculate the speed a cylindrical spaceship would need to spin to create artificial gravity. This is a scientific area I would love to learn more about.
While I enjoy studying those facets of the world that are uniquely interesting, I recognize the importance of a practical education. I have always been able to balance my education with my curiosity. Thus, I do not think it would be necessary for me to put all else on hold to satisfy my curiosity.
My interest in animals has paved the way for my curiosity about life outside of Earth. I often ponder what life might be like on another planet; with billions of years of isolated evolution in a different environment, it would be vastly different. I have done some basic research and math problems to predict what type of space ship would be best suited to deliver humans to another planet and sustain them for years, maybe decades. I have burst into my physics professor's office many times, not asking about the next test, but how to calculate the speed a cylindrical spaceship would need to spin to create artificial gravity. This is a scientific area I would love to learn more about.
While I enjoy studying those facets of the world that are uniquely interesting, I recognize the importance of a practical education. I have always been able to balance my education with my curiosity. Thus, I do not think it would be necessary for me to put all else on hold to satisfy my curiosity.
Honors 100 Assignment 2: Time Capsule
I have many goals for my first year at UW, both academic and social.
I hope to meet many new people and make great friends. One of the goals of college in my opinion is to meet new people and develop relationships outside of the circle of people you grew up with. I have already met a lot of cool people, and am very encouraged about the year.
I hope that my freshman coursework with help prepare me for future years of college, and life in the workforce later. I am already feeling the pressure of my workload, and I think this is a very good thing in the long run. I hope to develop valuable study skills, and time management habits.
I would like to complete many of the required and prerequisite classes for my major in the next year. I am already on track for the math and science courses, which are mostly based on a predetermined order, and I am taking honors social science class that covers both the general education and honors requirements.
I also hope to just simply learn a lot in general. I have always been interested in learning, and I have already become invigorated mentally by some of my classes. I really enjoy this opportunity to gain more knowledge.
I have had several critical incidences I would consider important. One of them was when I was applying for college, and decided to apply for the UW honors program. I had always known I was going to at least apply to UW, but I had never known about the honors program. I heard about it from a friend, researched it, and applied. Then the next critical incidence was when I got accepted to the UW honors program. That was not much of a decision really; I knew I wanted to come here at that point.
I really look forward to this year and all the experiences I will have.
I hope to meet many new people and make great friends. One of the goals of college in my opinion is to meet new people and develop relationships outside of the circle of people you grew up with. I have already met a lot of cool people, and am very encouraged about the year.
I hope that my freshman coursework with help prepare me for future years of college, and life in the workforce later. I am already feeling the pressure of my workload, and I think this is a very good thing in the long run. I hope to develop valuable study skills, and time management habits.
I would like to complete many of the required and prerequisite classes for my major in the next year. I am already on track for the math and science courses, which are mostly based on a predetermined order, and I am taking honors social science class that covers both the general education and honors requirements.
I also hope to just simply learn a lot in general. I have always been interested in learning, and I have already become invigorated mentally by some of my classes. I really enjoy this opportunity to gain more knowledge.
I have had several critical incidences I would consider important. One of them was when I was applying for college, and decided to apply for the UW honors program. I had always known I was going to at least apply to UW, but I had never known about the honors program. I heard about it from a friend, researched it, and applied. Then the next critical incidence was when I got accepted to the UW honors program. That was not much of a decision really; I knew I wanted to come here at that point.
I really look forward to this year and all the experiences I will have.