Biànlian, literally meaning “change face,” is an ancient Chinese practice in which a performer rapidly switches between hidden masks. It is a tradition nearing extinction, with its secret techniques only being passed down within bloodlines. Entertainers spend decades perfecting this craft. Me? I’ve only had eighteen years of practice. 7:30 am. I reach to shut my phone alarm off for the third time and feel my heart sink as I realize I forgot to charge it last night. ‘14%,’ reads...

Please briefly elaborate on an extracurricular activity or work experience of particular significance to you. (Maximum: 175 words) As a camp counselor, I’ve bandaged up exactly one penis, which is one more than I ever would have liked. In addition to having enough first-aid knowledge to dress a phallic injury, being a camp counselor takes a commitment to being available 24/7 and demonstration of responsibility, leadership, administration and teaching. But to me, first and foremost it’s about connecting with the...

Reflecting on your involvement throughout high school or within the community, how have you engaged with one or more of Pitzer's core values? (650 word limit): From the bustling streets of Hong Kong to the slums of Africa, I’ve always sought to pursue my passions by serving the people and communities around me. I seek to embody the value of engagement by sharing myself for the benefit of others. A philosophy of service has always been central to my upbringing....

Which aspects of Tufts’ curriculum or undergraduate experience prompt your application? “Why Tufts?” (Required length is 50-100 words) I love the prospect of Peak Weekend. Joining with others to summit forty eight 4,000+ foot peaks in New Hampshire would marry my love for the outdoors with being part of a collaborative group pursuit. Other Tufts Mountain Club traditions like Newcomer’s Weekend and Loj Thanksgiving represent an experience of diverse individuals, from outdoor-enthusiasts to trepid new hikers, coming together to foster...

There is a Quaker saying: “Let your life speak.” Describe the environment in which you were raised—your family, home, neighborhood or community—and how it influenced the person you are today. (Required length is 200-250 words) Throughout my childhood, there was always a colorful assortment of characters passing through our home. My parents welcomed anyone seeking refuge, meeting both physical and spiritual needs. Over the years, our longer-term visitors have included a temporarily homeless pastor and his family, a...

(Selected from a list of five prompts) What makes you happy? (Your response must be between 200 - 250 words.) Finding the perfect gift for a friend makes me happy. Waking up to see that I have another hour of sleep before my alarm clock goes off makes me happy. YouTube videos of people doing good deeds for homeless people make me happy. Being able to do one more push-up than I could do yesterday makes me happy. Seeing my sister for...

Most Pomona students enter the College undecided about a major, or they change their minds about their prospective major by the time they graduate. Certainly we aren’t going to hold you to any of the choices you’ve made above. But please do tell us why you’ve chosen the major or majors (or Undecided!) that you have (in no more than 250 words). While other kindergarteners aspired to become firefighters, astronauts, or ninjas, I dreamed of becoming a teacher....

Prompt 1: Each year, the Pomona Student Union hosts a “Great Debate.” Thought leaders with opposing views on a certain issue are invited to make their case in front of the student body. What is an issue that you think has two or more sides and what views would be important to capture in order to understand the nuances of the debate? Why do you think it would be important for the Pomona student body to be exposed to this debate? ...

We would like to know more about your interest in NYU. We are particularly interested in knowing what motivated you to apply to NYU and more specifically, why you have applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and/or area of study? If you have applied to more than one, please tell us why you are interested in each of the campuses, schools, colleges, or programs to which you have applied. You may be focused or...

For one week at the end of January, Reed students upend the traditional classroom hierarchy and teach classes about any topic they love, academic or otherwise. This week is known as Paideia after the Greek term signifying “education” – the complete education of mind, body and spirit. What would you teach that would contribute to the Reed community? (200 words minimum, 500 words maximum) Before the advent of YouTube, traditional academic learning settings were confined almost exclusively to classrooms, libraries and lecture halls....

Bowdoin students and alumni often cite world-class faculty and opportunities for intellectual engagement, the College's commitment to the Common Good, and the special quality of life on the coast of Maine as important aspects of the Bowdoin experience. Reflecting on your own interests and experiences, please select and respond to one of the following topics: Intellectual Engagement, The Common Good, or Connection to Place (provide a response of up to 250 words) Intellectual Engagement When I was a kid, I loved...

In 150 to 250 words, please write about why you are interested in applying to and attending Swarthmore. “Ogres are like onions… we both have layers.” -Shrek, Shrek (2001) Three years ago, I travelled eight thousand miles away from the fast-paced, cosmopolitan lifestyle of Hong Kong to the rural town of Andover, New Hampshire. I enrolled at Proctor Academy, where I was exposed to a whole new world of opportunity for self-discovery and gained the confidence to break free of previously imposed self-constraints. ...

At Williams we believe that bringing together students and professors in small groups produces extraordinary academic outcomes. Our distinctive Oxford-style tutorial classes—in which two students are guided by a professor in deep exploration of a single topic—are a prime example. Each week the students take turns developing independent work—an essay, a problem set, a piece of art—and critiquing their partner's work. Focused on close reading, writing, and oral defense of ideas, more than 60 tutorials a year...