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This is one of my Yale essays... I really like it, I was proud of the responses I got from several readers... anyone want to offer their opinion

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The blinking red display indicated zero seconds. My water bottle was in its place, and my sneakers were tied tight. Breathing deeply, I pressed the big green button and started to run.
00:38
Math is not the problem. Disc-method Integration is not the easiest concept to master, but through study and practice, the esoteric fog of calculus dissipated. I can pick up on new ideas quickly, especially when they are intriguing, such as many aspects of advanced math. When the work gets tough, I like it even more. A twenty minute proof is nothing but a chance to prove myself.
02:43
English is not the problem, either. I have loved reading since the day I learned how. School reading has been more interesting than irritating, and proper grammar, although tedious at first, is an excellent tool once learned. Even vocabulary was no fearsome task as long as I had a chance to pore over the word lists the night before a quiz.
06:12
The sciences, rigorous but manageable subjects, are not the problem. Biology was engaging as it covered everyday concepts and offered hands-on experience with dissections in lab. Chemistry continued this tradition, but captivated me with novel theories on sub-atomic behavior rather than applied science. Even Physics has proved to be fulfilling, despite rumors of convoluted calculations and vicious vectors.
13:50
This is the problem.
14:03
Running on a treadmill for twenty minutes is one thing I have never been able to do. With every digital second that ticks by, my mind is dragged closer to that crucial point where further effort seems agonizing and worthless. Even in the last minute, my willpower gives out and I will stop.
14:26
The difficulty is that I have never been very athletic. Because of various ailments such as asthma, allergies, and obsession with studying, I have always concentrated on schoolwork rather than the school fields. In elementary school, I always walked the mile. For most of high school, I ran only when they made me. I thought it was all a waste of my precious time.
15:00
I realized eventually that I could not just concentrate on intellectual activities. I told myself I wanted to be the best, and fooled myself into believing that athletics didn’t count. They do. Even something as simple as running displays all of the most valuable qualities of physical achievement. It takes stamina, concentration, and training. But if it were purely physical, it would not interest me. I only wanted a pure trial of my will.
18:04
It was all in the mind. I had to concentrate; I had to push every doubt about my abilities away. I had to ignore my lungs screaming for oxygen and my legs whining for a break. My goal needed to rise above every last complaint sent to my brain.
19:13… I can do it
Academics are my love, but not my challenge. My biggest challenge is the next thirty seconds.
19:30… I will do it.

By Marinakitchen (Marinakitchen) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 01:35 am: Edit

I like it. What is the 20 minutes referring to? Sorry, I'm not athletic either, so I wouldn't know. I think that its an interesting idea, and colleges tend to like it when students write about failure, trial-and-error, something they're not good at. Its refreshing.

By Aznchuckbrown (Aznchuckbrown) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 01:36 am: Edit

*Applause*
Personal and creative, just what they are looking for.

By Kektek (Kektek) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 01:47 am: Edit

The 20 minutes is a pretty arbitrary time, representative of my general lack of endurance while running. No actual relation to any official sporting time.

By Kektek (Kektek) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 09:24 pm: Edit

Any other opinions? Is any positive light this essay has killed by "My other Yale essay?"

By Kektek (Kektek) on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 - 02:14 am: Edit

Deferred Yale EA