While UH Manoa didn't require an essay, ALL of my other schools did! In them, I really pushed for breaking stereotypes and adjusting our view on other cultures. I used my summer in China as a main example, and talked extensively on the stereotypes many Americans have about China and why they're (for the majority) wrong. I know that many students write about their experience abroad, but so little go to Asia that I felt, at least in my case,...

In my UC application essays I talked about how studying abroad pushed me to that level of fluency that I struggled reaching for so long. It was a personal struggle of mine to become better at Chinese, and so I decided to push myself "Physically, mentally, and linguistically," to become better at something. When I was able to speak without thinking I realized that I hadn't been giving myself the credit I deserved and, when I returned, I realized how...

All of my schools asked this in one way or another. I wanted to keep my essays somewhat synonymous, and to do this I talked about each school's emphasis on foreign relations.

Stanford asked me what is something that I will miss if I attend their school. In this essay, I talked about how my brother and I, for the past 4 years, have walked to school together everyday, rain, snow, and shine. I explained that I'm going to miss talking to him about our day at school and how I know it won't be the same without him next year.

I believe that two of my schools, Stanford and Middlebury, asked about diversity. These were probably my hardest essays to write because I am white and I have never really been in a position where I am not the majority. However, my essays talked about my diversity in way of thought and diversity as far as what I want to do. While many students choose to study history, psychology, or even business, I talked about what set me apart by...

Really pick a passion of yours and stick to it. I know some people say it's good to talk about two or three things, but being able to show that I'm serious about Chinese in more than one way really showed the colleges that I am serious about my major. I also think it's good to keep your essays not school-specific, but also keep them related in one way or another.

I believe the biggest thing that turns students away from applying to UH Manoa is the distance. Yes, Hawaii is far away, but that doesn't mean their programs aren't good! I was one of these students that was turned off...

DON'T LOOK AT RANKINGS! Yes, you read that right, close out of that Princeton Review, USA Today, and College Confidential tab and actually look at the school. Most of the times these rankings are just a popularity contest (I mean yeah...

Pick teachers that you have a connection with. My three recommenders, as well as why I picked them, are explained below: My Chinese teacher: Honestly, this man changed my life. He makes learning Chinese fun and easy, and he is the reason I love Chinese today. I went abroad with him and having a teacher who's seen you struggle yet prevail can write some amazing stuff. I didn't read what he wrote, but I know it was nothing...

As a language major, location is everything to me. I need to be somewhere close to a population of native speakers (hence California) where I can avidly practice what I've learned in class. While...

The two schools I declined were CU Boulder and UC Davis. I'm not going to lie to you, Boulder does not have the best reputation in Colorado. Yes, you'll hear that it's a great school, but you'll asl hear that many of the students smoke and party. I can't say that it's true or not, I'll leave that to the current students to share, but I will say that the...

In order of interview: Cornell U. (I was very nervous and can honestly say this was my worst interview. We talked about everything from campus traditions to how often she goes back. Quick frankly, she didn't know much, if anything, about Cornell's language program, and she wasn't very relatable since she graduated in the 70s. Unfortunately this was my early decision school. However, arts and science majors are NEVER given an interview, so the fact that I got one is huge.) Stanford U. (My BEST interview, hands down! Not only was the interviewer a recent graduate, she also was very...