My baby sister's name is ---, but I've nicknamed her Joy. When Joy was born on ---, she was rushed to the ICU. In that stuffy, artificially-lit hospital room, close family gathered around my mother to offer condolences. Amongst the quiet murmurs, my 4-year-old brother blurted: "What's Down's syndrome?" At ten-years-old, I didn't know the answer to his question. I had prepared for a baby sister, not a baby sister with Down's syndrome. I'm a realist, but also an over-thinker...

Stanford Essays Most significant challenge society faces Pessimism. The age of information has left people inundated with news of bombings and mass shootings, melting glaciers and fleeing refugees. At a time when we have the best means and technology to make a difference, many are left feeling powerless. Unfortunately, pessimism holds many people back from taking action.

Notre Dame Essays (recipient of full scholarship) Why Notre Dame? Grace is compassion, openness, and love. Notre Dame excites me because it seamlessly fuses grace with intellectual curiosity, service, and community spirit. Academically, my eagerness to explore the wealth of opportunities at Notre Dame (especially in the new Keough School of Global Affairs) means the First Year Curriculum and the emphasis on undergraduate research (with opportunities at UROP and CUSE) will undoubtedly enhance my learning. I further look forward to...

Brown Essays Why Brown? In China, learning is often passive and synonymous with reading silently or memorizing flashcards. At Brown, learning breaks conventions. When I attended Summer@Brown's "Lessons in Leadership," I was challenged by my peers and instructors to think from new perspectives. I learned about Brown's history curriculum and eminent professors such as Professor Gordon Wood. I met diverse students united by a passion for learning. I fell in love with the spirit of fearless intellectual exploration and...

UChicago Essays Why UChicago? Learning is ostensibly a passive activity. In the hyper-competitive and academically driven world of China, learning is synonymous with studying silently in a library, highlighting notes, or memorizing flashcards. I want to learn at UChicago because at UChicago, learning is definitely not passive: it is active, vigorous, and passionate. I love that learning isn’t based on grades, but instead on a spirit of intellectual exploration and the belief that knowledge can enrich our minds, community,...

Why this major? Our past is humbling yet terrifying, glorious yet brutal. I am passionately curious about history because it sheds light into the world we once lived in, provides insight into the world we live in today, and challenges us to continually improve. I hope to keep investigating, analyzing, and questioning at Brown because its open curriculum, eminent faculty and research opportunities will support and encourage my learning in history and beyond.

I initially struggled a lot with figuring out what to write about and how to write it. Feel free to contact me if you need help brainstorming, narrowing down topics, or polishing your essay! I have a lot of specific advice for specific essays!

1. Essays. Essays were by far the most intimidating part of the college applications to me (and I'm sure, to many others). So start writing your essays earlier (I'd suggest during the summer leading up to senior year), or reflecting on your personal identity. When writing essays, I think the most important thing is to be genuine. There are smaller things--like using specific examples, using a hook, fine-tuning your transitions--but ultimately the most important thing is to be genuine and highlight your strengths. Why you? What would you bring to the campus? 2. Balancing college apps and school. I'm in the IB...

I personally think that college counselors can be extremely useful because they have access to years of experience with the college applications process. They can also tailor advice to your...

I interviewed with most of the schools I applied to, but giving my experience for specific interviewers probably won't help because every interviewer is different! Overall, I think the interview should be a place where you can...

Don't think that you have to attend a summer program at your first choice school! Many of those...

I'm honestly not sure what set me apart from other applicants. I think you can't overestimate the impact of luck on your application--from your interviewer, the...

Everyone knows that you use ED to demonstrate interest in your first choice. I didn't have a first choice, so ED wasn't an option for me. Most people overlook EA as a way to maximize your advantage. Firstly, EA does...

Recommenders are extremely important in your application! Choose a recommender who has known you for at least 2 years and has...