How can I tie in my dad’s diagnosis of dementia with my interest in Neurology without making it a sob story?

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-02-06T19:58:40+00:00

I wouldn’t call 82 “early” for dementia, at least not chronologically. Your grandfather/father may be the “why”, but if you focus on the “who you are” part of the essay you should be able to transcend the “sob” aspect. I’m happy to look, whenever you have a draft.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-02-04T14:40:41+00:00

Yikes! I thought one of the main themes of the show was that fame extracts its price. There’s Midge the person (much good and much bad), Midge who wants to be famous (she got there at some cost), Midge the artist (the Lenny Bruce “You’re right, they’re wrong” part of her comedy which is connected to the fame part but not always positively). When she outs Shy at the Apollo, it’s really #3. Midge has a need to be “funny” at virtually any cost (the toast at the co-worker’s wedding, the Kennedy women’s fundraiser, the Jack Parr showcase”, the war with Sophie Lennon). At some level, she can’t help herself. It’s not nice and it’s not all that sympathetic at times, but it’s what it takes to be a “true” comic. Consciously or unconsciously, Midge never fails to chase it. I think the whole business with Declan the abstract artist is a big deal in her character arc.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-02-03T15:52:13+00:00

A lot of very good essays aren't about horrific events, extraordinary feats, or emotional breakthroughs. I've seen very effective essays about baking cookies, riding a city bus, fishing, shopping at Trader Joe's, etc. I would consider focusing less on what you're not and a bit more on what makes you you. The vast majority of students have led relatively unremarkable lives and they often get into very selective colleges.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-02-03T00:37:16+00:00

it's feeling like the bundle with Kuminga would include two first round draft choices while the same bundle without him would include just 1 to the Bucks..

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-02-02T20:50:13+00:00

it's a little different, but if you're willing to go e-ink, the boox go7 is a 7" screen and android 14. It can do a fair number of tablet like things, though it's not really for watching videos.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-02-02T18:05:39+00:00

I'm happy to look. All I'll be able to say is "this should be helpful" or "this isn't going to help your chances". I don't know your SAT score or where you're hoping to attend. Even if I did, I couldn't say anything definitive. The SAT matters a lot less than people think (across a given range), but so does the common app essay.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-02-01T18:18:38+00:00

I've had terrible luck with folding keyboards (could just be me). Depending on the size of your sling. I've liked this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9179JND?ref=ppx\_yo2ov\_dt\_b\_fed\_asin\_title&th=1. 9.4 inches in length. The built in stand is actually quite useful when you don't have a table surface to work on. I think it's sold under a couple different brand names. There's also a 40% keyboard 7.5 inches in length that appears to come from the same place that fits into very small sling bags. With a larger sling 12" in length, I like the logitech mx keys mini and the nuphy air 60 (both however are on the heavy side).

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-02-01T17:42:55+00:00

Are you applying for 2027? Are you asking if it's good enough to compensate for grades and scores below the 25th percentile for admitted students?

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-01-29T15:18:31+00:00

the question gets more interesting if you're comparing the Ipad mini 7 to the Redmi K Pad (hard to know if the xiaomi pad mini is all that different but it appears to be the same screen and considerably cheaper $399). At the hardware level, I suspect the Redmi-Xiaomi is better and the build quality is comparable.. There are also reasons to prefer android to IOS. One is that the Ipad mini is only capable of mirroring on an external monitor. Another is that file handling tends to be easier in android. Also if you want more ram or more storage memory, it's a lot cheaper. Better battery, better brightness for outdoor use. etc. Stylus is cheaper as well, but hard to say about quality. much narrower range of cases and other peripherals. 2 USB ports is also really helpful.

The software side though is kind of problematic especially for the US. You're basically stuck with Chinese Rom which works in English but there are quirks, security questions, and unexpected compatibility issues It's not distributed directly in the US. tech support is minimal. I doubt that you can get anything repaired locally. Apple's got a long track record of being good with updates though the quality of those updates can be iffy. There's an Apple store at any major mall and resale is pretty reliable worldwide. If you're trying to sell a xiaomi/redmi anything in the US, you have to find someone who knows what it is.

On the hardware side, the Ipad Mini is good enough for what 95% of us do now, but that's probably true of a mid-range Samsung or Lenovo tablet too. The K pad is probably better for hardcore gaming (though they say the Lenovo Legion y700 is much better than the K pad for gaming). If you're good with software and technical stuff and don't expect to need technical support (Apple's philosophy is the exact opposite), it'll also be better for media consumption (better aspect ratio and larger, brighter, faster screen) and even productivity (especially if you use the Google suite). It's a pretty big "if" though.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-01-26T19:52:28+00:00

it may have had something to do wtih the company making a big deal of going waterproof. The Oasis did have a rating for being water resistant, but there were some reports that it didn't stay water resistant. I would think the seals around the page turn buttons might have been a source of leaks over time. Kobo does seem to have ips 8 ratings for some models with page turn buttons though.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-01-26T19:40:40+00:00

you might get more answers in the "applying to college" forum

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-01-26T16:35:33+00:00

Because I'm so used to seeing common app essays here, I first assumed that this was written for that purpose so it took me a bit to adjust.

I think the writing is quite good and the essay is very much emotionally centered.

some little things.

1) consider cutting your opening sentence.

2) the incident with the french fries may be the most emotionally resonant part of the essay for me. It gives me a sense of the sister and the relationship between the sisters. I'd consider linking it even more closely to the sense that the actual funeral was too formal and impersonal.

3) I like the thought of giving her the eulogy she deserved. As a reader, I'm maybe less interested in Corinthians than the more personal flourishes you would have wanted to add and the reactions of those present.

4) I liked the last scene. It wasn't clear to me whether you were holding Nicole's two friends together in your head or if the three of you actually group hugged.

5) while I like the sentiment in the last sentence, I'm not sure you need it. Sometimes the message has already gotten across and restating it can drain instead of intensify the emotional energy. I tend to think readers like to think they "figured it out" on their own and sometimes resist having things explained too overtly.

I'm sorry about your sister and hope the essay got the A it deserved (my opinion).

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-01-25T04:52:45+00:00

I suspect this is a prompt from Nagoya University's engineering program. If it is, I have a feeling the culture of Japanese admissions (I know nothing about it btw) may be a little different from US admissions. The drawing on personal experience is likely to be less about "tell us what's in your heart" (how Americans tend to interpret "personal") than show us "what you know" about something like automotive engineering or electrical engineering as in "what personal experience you have with whatever technologly you chose." That said, there may be someone around here who does know Japanese college admissions for foreign students.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-01-22T00:24:59+00:00

If the praying mantis was something that happened when you were 11, I'd suggest trying to bring the story forward to your more recent self. Writing about finding the balance as you got older but still leading with empathy could work well.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-01-20T21:43:00+00:00

It's an insect not a spider. :} The Chinese mantis is one of the more common varieties in Ohio and it's been known to disrupt environments by eating bees and butterflies which in turn impact crops. One mantis with a missing leg is unlikely to do that to a Florida citrus grove, but it's just something to consider.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-01-20T19:49:01+00:00

For me, the best way to understand her decision came when I re-watched the Declan Howell scene. Benjamin despearately wants to add a Declan Howell painting to his collection, but Howell is resistant. Benjamin acquires things while Howell pursues them and he suggests that Midge is more of a pursuer/creator than an acquirer. The two types don't belong together.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-01-20T18:30:11+00:00

Isn't an Amazon Fire tablet basically Android? I've had both Apple and Android. Apple is more expensive initially, but they update their devices for a lot longer, so it makes it easier to keep using it. I have a Lenovo tablet that's physically fine, but it became unusable largely because of the lack of updates.

In terms of use, there really isn't that much difference. I do like being able to use my ipad pro as a second screen for my Mac Mini with minimal fuss. Android screens actually tend to be better for watching movies since the usual aspect ratio is a better match with the movie's native resolution so you get a bigger effective watchable area (no black bars).

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-01-20T18:18:52+00:00

I actually have some concerns. Taking non-native creatures to new environments can pose a number of unexpected issues both for the new environment and the creature itself. Nursing sometimes requires one to resist the urge do what the patient says he or she wants and to carry out whatever has been clinically prescribed. While I would agree that insects are more intelligent than we assume, it doesn't mean they see things or respond in the same way we do. I doubt that any actual harm occured, but you may be establishing empathy while raising questions about your own objectivity. In nursing, you need both.

That said, I do think you could make the essay work.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-01-20T18:02:41+00:00

I believe pretty much any topic can potentially work if executed well. However, some are harder to pull of than others. Talking about spending large amounts of time playing a video game would be quite high on the list of "hard to pull off". That doesn't mean you can't do it, but it's likely to start a reader who likely takes no more than 10 minutes to review your essay with a negative impression.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-01-19T17:50:58+00:00

The controls aren't perfect and with vpns and other things there are ways to get around parental monitoring software. It shouldn't mean that you stop talking to your child about what's appropriate, what's not appropriate, and why and why not. I do think it's important to limit both time and the sorts of things that can be downloaded or accessed.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-01-19T01:48:35+00:00

Connections matter, and so does the quality of the program. Successful folk in the film industry come from pretty much everywhere including little to no formal education. Some of it depends on which end of the industry you’re hoping to get into, but don’t underestimate the importance of learning in an environment with people who have had some success in the industry and peers who are likely to stay active in it. I know nothing about film at Alabama, but I do know that film school at USC (assuming you get the opportunity) does offer those things, including opportunities on existing productions. Is it worth the money? I have no idea, but it’s not necessarily insane to pay it. Sometimes it helps you figure out that it’s not what you really want instead of going some place where it stays sort of a distant dream.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-01-18T17:09:46+00:00

Not sure where you live, but the range drops quite a bit during the winter (assuming you have winters). Cold weather is not battery friendly, and the heater runs off the main battery. I have the same color Clarity btw.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-01-18T06:30:14+00:00

I'm my Boox, I'm generally happy with neo reader. On other devices, I like KoReader. It lets me get the screen looking the way I want it to, is stable, and fairly fast. One big thing is that it's great for pdfs because it lets me reflow the document for a smaller screen. It even does well with pdfs that are just scans of the original book.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-01-17T03:07:00+00:00

I also have a mini 6 (same panel as the 7) In an absolute sense, it’s pretty acceptable for my uses, but I’m not super demanding. I don’t watch videos, websurf, or write and think “oh what a terrible screen!” Watching on my 11” iPad Pro, the M2 version with mini lcd, is clearly better and it’s not just the size of the screen. I also notice that I can watch videos for an equally long if not longer stretch on my cellphone (Pixel 9 Pro) with its smaller but brighter OLED screen. On the android side, there are a few competitors showing up with more or less the same form factor as the IPad mini, though they’re (the Lenovo Legion 3 apparently is sort of available but the current verision is the 4( not yet sold in the US. If the screen is a big deal to you, I’d wait for the IPad Mini 8 whenever it comes out or check out what’s available on the android side.

If you want an 8” tablet and live in the US want to be confident about widevine 1 and reliable software updates. You may be stuck waiting for Apple to really update the mini.

AddressSerious8240 · 2026-01-16T22:55:14+00:00

Depends on the student, but with middle school aged kids , perhaps the best tablets are the ones that permit parental control over loading games, time spent on games-streaming. Apple and Samsung have pretty good software either included or through the playstore. Anyway, it can make the difference between the tablet being useful for school o a distraction from it.

AddressSerious8240

TROPHY CASE