My mother once told me a Korean family tradition where people buy a pair of warm undergarments and socks for their parents with their first paycheck, to symbolize that they are now caretakers, and will provide for their family on the coldest of nights. Although this tradition was intended for when I found a job after attending New York University, the moment came sooner than anticipated when we lost our house. Our situation was complicated, and having my mother, sister,...

My gap year was unexpected, but the circumstance has created me rather than defining me. With my newfound appreciation for education and support from peers, tutor students, past advisors, teachers, and present colleagues, I have created "Freedom to Teach". Essentially, it is an organization I have co-founded with the students whom I've privately tutored for the past four years. We will tutor K - 2nd grade students from underprivileged families within the Magnolia school district at no charge, and will...

Essays are a way for the college application readers to see who you are beyond what's on paper. I was able to hash out these essays when I started being very honest with myself and tried to hone into who I was as an individual.