FREE ESSAY ON ADMISSION ESSAY - HIKING TO UNDERSTANDING

ADMISSION ESSAY - HIKING TO UNDERSTANDING

Hiking to Understanding 
Surrounded by thousands of stars, complete silence, and spectacular mountains, I stood
atop New Hampshire's Presidential Range awestruck by nature's beauty. Immediately, I
realized that I must dedicate my life to understanding the causes of the universe's
beauty. In addition, the hike taught me several valuable lessons that will allow me to
increase my understanding through scientific research. 
Although the first few miles of the hike up Mt. Madison did not offer fantastic views,
the vistas became spectacular once I climbed above tree line. Immediately, I sensed that
understanding the natural world parallels climbing a mountain. To reach my goal of total
comprehension of natural phenomena, I realized that I must begin with knowledge that may
be uninteresting by itself. However, this knowledge will form the foundation of an
accurate view of the universe. Much like every step while hiking leads the hiker nearer
the mountain peak, all knowledge leads the scientist nearer total understanding. 
Above tree line, the barrenness and silence of the hike taught me that individuals must
have their own direction. All hikers know that they must carry complete maps to reach
their destinations; they do not allow others to hold their maps for them. Similarly,
surrounded only by mountaintops, sky, and silence, I recognized the need to remain
individually focused on my life's goal of understanding the physical universe. 
At the summit, the view of the surrounding mountain range is spectacular. The panorama
offers a view of hills and smaller mountains. Some people during their lives climb many
small hills. However, to have the most accurate view of the world, I must be dedicated to
climbing the biggest mountains I can find. Too often people simply hike across a flat
valley without ascending because they content themselves with the scenery. The mountain
showed me that I cannot content myself with the scenery. When night fell upon the summit,
I stared at the slowly appearing stars until they completely filled the night sky.
Despite the windy conditions and below freezing temperatures, I could not tear myself
away from the awe-inspiring beauty of the cosmos. Similarly, despite the frustration and
difficulties inherent in scientific study, I cannot retreat from my goal of universal
understanding. 
When observing Saturn's rising, the Milky Way Cloud, and the Perseid meteor shower, I
simultaneously felt a great sense of insignificance and purpose. Obviously, earthly
concerns are insignificant to the rest of the universe. However, I experienced the
overriding need to understand the origins and causes of these phenomena. The hike also
strengthened my resolve to climb the mountain of knowledge while still taking time to
gaze at the wondrous scenery. Only then can the beauty of the universe and the study of
science be purposefully united. Attaining this union is my lifelong goal.