It seems like I have spent most of my free time trying to fly away from home. And that's because, well, I have. I caught the travel bug long ago, compelling me to explore. Since the age of six, when I stuck my face into a tidepool to say hello to my new friend, an octopus, on a black-sand beach in New Zealand, I haven't stopped seeking adventures in far-away places. There was always something disquieting about the unquestionable fact...

Dartmouth Tell us about an intellectual experience, either directly related to your schoolwork or not, that you found particularly meaningful. After an exciting morning rafting down the Colorado River, basking in the glory of the Arizona sun, and appreciating stunning walls of Kaibab limestone, I was ready to relax for a few moments over lunch. But no sooner had I settled in for PB&J than I heard, "I'm going to nam the schist out of this sandbar!" Wow, I...

All Stanford Short Question Answers Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. In tenth grade, I joined the Upper Dublin Robotics Initiative. Programming, building, and driving robots to compete in the First Tech Challenge, I learned about engineering, and more important, the power of community. Using code and computer, tools and parts, principles and numbers, sweat and more often than you would think, blood, we created working robots! I became invested—a leader—encouraging a fun...

All Brown Essays and Questions Brown Tell us where you have lived - and for how long - since you were born; whether you've always lived in the same place, or perhaps in a variety of places. I'm an explorer at heart, but there's no place like home. There is something comforting in having the same bedroom since birth. Every night I fall asleep in the company of my pink and yellow adorned walls. In the corner, my rock collection...

All Stanford Essays Stanford students possess an intellectual vitality. Reflect on an idea or experience that has been important to your intellectual development. (250 word limit) At thirteen, I rashly declared that I wasn't going to eat meat! I admittedly did this to rebel against my parents, but something funny happened: people asked me to justify my actions. I began researching the food systems and industrial agriculture's inputs and outputs, leading me to consider the real impact of my food choices....

Williams Imagine yourself in a tutorial at Williams. Of anyone in the world, whom would you choose to be the other student in the class, and why? At first the possibilities seem endless: Joel Salatin, Bjørn Lomborg, Annie Dillard, a hero from Sustainability Culture! What a grand opportunity to discuss nuanced ideas that change our lives. But when I consider the task of intellectual collaboration in such an intimate environment, I know there is nobody with whom I would...

All Colorado College Essays Colorado College How did you learn about Colorado College and why do you wish to attend? I first heard about Colorado College while trekking through the Alaskan wilderness. The alumnus, my trip leader, was spunky, levelheaded, compassionate and prudent. What struck me most when he spoke of Colorado College was the sense of community and how it shaped him into the competent person he is. At CC, I feel I have found a family of peers...

Yale Short Answers 1.The two qualities I most admire in other people are Attentive&receptive;--critical to develop deep connections. 2. I am most proud of The smiles on kids faces when I work with them. 3. I couldn't live without My battered nalgene that's gone on every adventure with me. 4. Who or what inspires you? The earnest lives and hard-earned wisdom of River Guides 5. What do you wish you were better at being or doing? Cooking vegan food that actually tastes...

Cornell How have your interests and related experiences influenced the major you have selected in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences? Why I Want to be an Environmental Engineer and Study Everything Else At 13, I backpacked in Costa Rica, through a jungle of dense green teeming with shrieking animals and endless red mud. Suddenly we emerged into a clear-cut area. In stark contrast to the fecund land through which I walked through a minute before, barren dirt now stretched...

Duke If you are applying to the Pratt School of Engineering as a first year applicant, please discuss why you want to study engineering and why you would like to study at Duke. A marriage of science and nature defines my academic and extracurricular interests. Science provides an essential framework to understand the natural world. My dream is to pursue Environmental Engineering while studying humanities to provide a social context for my scientific work. Environmental engineering's cross-discipline applications are myriad...

Something I never truly grasped until I saw the proof was the importance of one's essays. I believed, and am proof that it's not just extremely impressive awards and ~2400. I knew that going in, but I didn't fully comprehend it/believe it. Looking at my Stanford and Duke essays, in my opinion, I think they were significantly better than a lot of the essays I submitted to other great but arguably less prestigious schools I've been waitlisted from. I think...

I was a normal student--no 2400, ISEF, or non-profit to boast of. I care deeply about sharing and gaining knowledge, which I relentlessly pursued in High School. I took initiative to find opportunities for myself: Temple University, the Alzar School, USGS research...

I think some of my essays were not as good as they could of been due to time constraints. I kind of blew off essays for some...

I interviewed with Yale, Stanford, Dartmouth and Brown. I was surprised by how much I was able to learn about the schools from my interviewers. I prepped by thinking about possible questions and how I would reply. I tried to create a cohesive image for myself, while tying in all the things that are important to...

I used my summers to further explore my interests. While many of my friends were off doing elite college prep programs, I found cool and unique opportunities for myself. Although I had doubts, I definitely...

I had a hard time deciding Stanford over the small liberal arts school, Whitman on a full ride. I loved the intimate learning...