Essay 3:

What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do

these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to Kenan-Flagler?

To me, learning new things has always been fun. I love associating my learnings with practical

experiences in life. When my science teacher at school taught me about the kaleidoscope, I sat

with my grandfather to make one at home. I learned my early lessons in mathematics using an

abacus and multiplication strips. This habit of associating theoretical knowledge with practical

experience helped me perform well academically, and in the Std.10 board examinations I was

acknowledged as one of the national toppers. This performance also earned me an opportunity to

witness India’s Republic Day parade in 2006 as the guest of the Hon. Prime minister of India. I

would love to share my practical approach towards learning with my fellow students during the

case study exercises and add color to the learning experience.

I’m also an avid blogger with over 30,000 views for my blog. I use this platform to review

books, among others. The most gratifying aspect about this hobby is when I find positive and

encouraging comments from authors whose books I review on my blog. Doing this on a regular

basis has helped cultivate a taste for good books and has also instilled a sense of disinterested

evaluation of various works, in me. I also write about products and mobile apps on my blog,

some of which have won prizes for their creativity and clarity in contests held by the various

blogging forums.

As a member of the ‘Exnora’ club, right from my school days, I’ve participated in activities

aimed at sustainable development of the environment. I have actively attended seminars and

rallies aimed at reducing pollution levels in the environment and have also been a part of

environment cleaning campaigns. This awareness motivated me to install rain water harvesting

plant at my own home. I have also cultivated a kitchen garden on my terrace which provides

naturally grown varieties of spinach, and green leaves with medicinal properties such as the basil

and betel. I would like to be a part of the ‘Sustainability Leadership Capstone’ program at UNC

too.

I’ve learnt Carnatic music- a traditional form of south Indian music for over eight years and have

performed on stages. I enjoy this hobby the most as it gives me a sense of peace and satisfaction.

This form of music demands discipline and focus, and practicing the same consistently over the

years has helped me in developing these traits. I would love to teach this to all those interested in

learning this art form at the university.

I believe that my experiences have been diverse and I’m always open to embrace more. I shall

bring along with me, an enthusiasm for learning, a taste for evaluation, a sense of social

consciousness and the skill of music to the UNC class of 2014. I’m sure that I shall be able to

take back an even richer experience filled with all the values that UNC Kenan Flagler stands for.