Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud, and how does it relate to the person you are? “Liquefaction,” the microphone booms. Feet shuffle. Throats clear. Hands sweat. Wait, only my hands are doing that. The only voices I hear are the droning utterances from the microphone and the uneasy voice in my head. Liquefaction? "L-I-Q-U...I...F-A-C-T-I-O-N." I hold in my breath,...

I get lost in peoples' faces. As in, I draw them. I have been artistically inclined for as long as I can remember, but I am currently absorbed by portrait-drawing. With my pencil, I capture the contour and detail of every feature of someone’s face. Having my mind engrossed in only one task in the world is an indescribably liberating experience. Portraiture is a mental retreat, a mini-vacation for my mind. Because each portrait is extremely time-swallowing I don�...

Anytime is a time for laughter, in my opinion. Although I strongly value a sense of humor, I would better describe this attribute as an uncanny ability to lift people's moods. During a recent tennis practice with my friends, whom I'll call Jo and Lee, Lee suddenly broke down in sobs because of a chain of unfortunate events she had endured that day. Jo responded the way most people would to comfort a crying girl: consoled her with hugs and �...

MIT #2 – what department Many label biology an "old science,” but I disagree. Something about biology makes me feel alive (no pun intended). Ever since my first biology course in middle school, the subject and I have been inseparable. Having studied advanced biology and participated in lab research, I seek a college experience that fosters hands-on discovery and creativity within a supportive atmosphere, where I can uncover life’s marvels and directly address societal issues. Always pushing towards a new cure...

Describe the world you come from; for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town. How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations? 11:20AM. A typical period of IB Computer Science begins. The classroom holds 36 students; I’m the only girl in the room. 4PM. At my local tennis club for practice, a casual exchange ensues: “Who’s your favorite professional tennis player?” I ask my friend. “Andy Roddick.” “Oh, I meant for women’s?” “Ha-ha, I don�...

"L-I-Q-U...I...F-A-C-T-I-O-N." Ding. After winning my school spelling bee, then being one of the last two contestants standing at the regional bee, “liquefaction” cut short my undying dream of reaching the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. With only one more year of eligibility, I became a passionate orthologian. My life became consumed with bottomless word lists, foreign etymologies, notebooks filled with word repetitions, and my proud conquest of half the dictionary. But this time at regionals,...

3. Caltech students have long been known for their quirky sense of humor and creative pranks. Please describe an unusual way in which you have fun. (100) A faint tickle at birth, it grows, intensifying sensation and speed. At the climax, blackness. AAH-CHOO. Some hate it; some, frankly, don’t care. But I love sneezing. A microscopic departure from reality, a second-long rollercoaster of my sinuses, a sneeze is exhilarating. There’s the literally breathtaking buildup, the thrilling mini-explosion, and finally, blissful...

4. In an increasingly global and interdependent society, there is a need for diversity in thought, talent, and experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. How do you see yourself contributing to the diversity of Caltech's community? (150) When I was assigned the IB Computer Science dossier, a year-long coding project, a light-bulb lit. Being a junior who was passionate about science but not quite as much about the stale high school curriculum, I decided to write my program for an interactive...

5. Scientific exploration clearly excites you (otherwise you wouldn’t be applying to Caltech). What is it about Caltech’s opportunities and resources that will best fuel your intellectual curiosity and develop your passion for science, technology, math or engineering? (500) When I reflect on the person I want to be in the future, I see an intellectual, expressive, critically-thinking member of society. I see an individual engaged in a community. I see a scientist contributing to the progress of a new...

From cryptic telephone buttons that leave callers frustrated and powerless to Norman doors that we never know whether to push or pull, design makes an enormous difference in the way we humans interact with almost everything around us. The Design of Everyday Things (DOET) by Donald Norman literally changed the way I see the world. After coming across a TIME article on skeuomorphism and casually browsing the design tab of Smashingmagazine.com, DOET caught my eye one day. I snatched...

MIT was non common app. 5 separate unique short essay questions

Be yourself....

Visiting...

study,...

MIT gives students until the end of freshman year to declare majors, and because MIT has probably unrequited breadth and quality in STEM education, I would be able to explore my options that I know I wouldn’t have at other schools....

In the summer after freshman year, I took a chemistry course for credit so that I would be eligible to take AP Chem in my sophomore year, and I competed in tennis tournaments. In the summer after sophomore year, I took the...

MIT gives students until the end of freshman year to declare majors, and because MIT has probably unrequited breadth and quality in STEM education, I would be able to explore my options that I know I wouldn’t have at other schools....

I would contribute to campus life as much as I could by becoming an active member and/or leader in various clubs and organizations, and by contributing to the varsity...