Elizabeth Zeccola Bachelors in Environmental Engineering at RPI ezeccola@live.com Throughout high school I was fully engrossed in graphic design. Artistic ability and a longing to create were what drove my desire to succeed in a highly competitive and inventive field. Everything changed when I was thrown into the vast world of science in 11th grade physics; I found myself loving every minute of it. I struggled through tests and stayed after class for help but I enjoyed the...

Example of a cover letter (company taken out for privacy): Hello! About myself: I am a highly motivated and organized individual with a passion for all living things. I like to volunteer my time to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society as a foster parent for sick and/or young animals as well as to Girls in STEM meetings as a role model for young women. There has always been this powerful drive to learn more and it is with this...

I try to be as honest as possible but not sound as if I'm complaining or looking for pity. I've been through a lot in my life but I'm definitely stronger because of all the hardships. I hope to convey this in my essays because it shows that I can learn from stressful situations and better myself with the experience, good or bad.

Tired, active,...

Work! Definitely work!! You will spend a LOT of money going to college, and I'm not just talking tuition. Books, food, activities, etc! My family is poor and I've had to pay for everything, I was really glad I spent most of the summer working and saving up to get me through the year. ...

Go to office hours! Or try to catch the professor while everyone else is leaving! I never understood those students that would walk up to the prof to introduce themselves, the intense awkward silence that followed would make me cringe. Devise a strategy! Stuck on a small problem while doing the homework? Didn't quite catch that last bullet point because the person next to you sneezed or answered their cell phone (like a jerk)? Ask the professor! Start with your...

Passion. It was very obvious in my application essay that I have a passion for learning in general. I don't...