jcollica524
jcollica524,
Emory
B.S., Computational and Applied Mathematics
Hey! I'm a hard-working data/business major who loves to help high school students with college apps! Message me with any questions!
Features Included
20
Essays
14
Schools
10
Scores
11
Advice
8
ECs
1
Sports

Background

Hometown East Meadow, New York
GenderMale
EthnicityWhite Non-Hispanic
Class of2022
First Gen College StudentNo

Results, Essays, and Advice

Accepted
Waitlisted or Withdrew
Denied
  • Emory University (Atlanta, GA)
  • Tulane University (New Orleans, LA)
  • Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA)
  • Brown University (Providence, RI)
  • Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)
  • George Washington University (Washington, DC)
  • Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)
  • Binghamton University - SUNY (Binghamton, NY)
  • Northwestern University (Evanston, IL)
  • Stanford University (Stanford, CA)
  • University of Maryland - College Park (College Park, MD)
  • University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI)
  • Northeastern University (Boston, MA)
  • University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
Tap/click a school logo above to view essays and advice specific to that school.

Emory University (Atlanta, GA)

Applied for a B.S. in Computational and Applied Mathematics

Accepted and Enrolled Legacy: No

School Specific Essays

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Curled up in the back seat with my bear-sized trunk bags, I drive up the oh-so-familiar hill and view the woodsy terrain that always warms my heart. However, I am incredibly nervous. This time is different than my past experiences. A despicable combination of doubtfulness and fear of change trembles in my stomach. After constant battles with my thoughts, I had chosen to spend my last summer in high school at my childhood happy place: Camp -------, a sleepaway camp...
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Supplemental Essay: “Why us” school essay
725 Words
Please describe why you are interested in attending Tulane University (optional) (50-800 words).
Science and math have been the spark for my curiosity since I could remember—I desired to know how our universe functions. An overarching goal for my studies in the scientific realm is to advance how society functions, and through my innovative contributions, eventually provide help to individuals. When I was about ten years old, the thrust of my interest in innovation was focused on my pet rabbit, rather than humans. My sympathy for my rabbit had proliferated the more...
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Supplemental Essay: Other
155 Words
What is your favorite fiction or non-fiction work (film, book, TV show, album, poem, or play)? Why?
Although they often have trivial plots, there is hidden inspiration in TV sitcoms. Beyond the corny jokes, the zany characters and frivolous plots, sitcoms can have real-life significance. One such show is “Parks and Recreation,” which depicts a government department in a fictional Indiana town. The most inspirational character I’ve seen appears on this show: Leslie Knope. She truly loves her job and has a superb work ethic. In addition, she’s a genuine friend and cares about everyone...
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Supplemental Essay: Intellectual interest
151 Words
What motivates you to learn?
As an inspired 8-year-old, I watch robots battle to "death" and catapults launch with on-point accuracy at my father's high school Science Olympiad competition. These events were the initial sparks to my curiosity: How do you create the robots? How are the catapults accurate? Curiosity motivates me to explore anything that captivates my interest. Juxtaposing my curiosity with a long-distance run, I never settle for a one-mile race; I aim for a second mile—my next step in learning. Learning...
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Supplemental Essay: “Why us” school essay
548 Words
Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual-degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests? (500 words)
The excitement I feel for discovery and problem-solving has shaped my academic interests. During my undergraduate years at the University of Michigan, my goal is to participate in independent research and learn in the presence of distinguished faculty in an array of disciplines. I believe the LSA Department is well suited for me because I can pursue a specific scientific field of study while minoring in a different concentration. My curiosity about biology and biochemistry was piqued when I contracted...
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Supplemental Essay: Diversity statement
293 Words
Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (Approximately 250 words)
One of the communities I am proud to belong to is a virtual community—the community of Twitter. While Twitter is composed of meaningless celebrity tweets and viral videos, there is much more significance to the social media platform. Twitter is a way to express one’s opinion, and it can be powerful in spreading information internationally. Within Twitter, I belong to a progressive sub-group composed of diverse, proactive individuals who believe in international equality for all human beings regardless...
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Supplemental Essay: “Why us” school essay
302 Words
Other parts of your application give us a sense for how you might contribute to Northwestern. But we also want to consider how Northwestern will contribute to your interests and goals. In 300 words or less, help us understand what aspects of Northwestern appeal most to you, and how you'll make use of specific resources and opportunities here.
My interests have mainly centered on math and science. However, being a camp counselor prompted my curiosity towards helping future generations. As I researched education-related career paths, I realized my true calling and fascination—the field of educational policy. My goal is to become familiar with cognitive science and education theories which surround the laws and economics that govern the U.S. education system. Ultimately, I want to improve on educational policies and administration. However, I still want to be...
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Supplemental Essay: Other
108 Words
Tell us where you have lived - and for how long - since you were born; whether you've always lived in the same place, or perhaps in a variety of places. (100 word limit)
There’s not much to say about living in the quiet Long Island town of East Meadow for my whole life except that I’ve learned to appreciate stability. What hasn’t been stable, however, is my backyard fence. I live in a corner house, where drivers speed through my development to avoid a long traffic light. Over time, four cars have crashed into my backyard— sometimes into the house itself. It’s quite unnerving—one day I can be...
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Supplemental Essay: “Why us” school essay
203 Words
Why Brown, and why the Brown Curriculum? (200 words max)
Of utmost importance to me about Brown is its open curriculum, allowing me to combine my passion for science with my interest in educational policy and learning theories. Here I can integrate psychology, behavioral biology, and technology into education studies. With freedom to direct my own academic path, I can enhance my scientific knowledge and find new areas of curiosity. I would also like to discover human-technology interfaces and how technology impacts one’s education. Brown’s Educational Studies curriculum...
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Supplemental Essay: Extracurricular activity
339 Words
Describe an extracurricular you were involved in
"Don't look up from the paper!" I silently scream to myself as I nervously prepare to speak in front of my entire ninth grade. It was student government elections, and I had no desire to give a speech to receive votes. Mid-second sentence, I froze. I felt my face flush with embarrassment, as all eyes were upon me. Striving to become a better speaker, I joined DECA, a business-oriented club that helps students develop skills for future application in the...
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Supplemental Essay: Scholarship application
450 Words
Each LLC is carefully designed to deliver the benefits of living and learning together with a small community of students who share a special connection to the LLC. You'll find it easy to find fellow students who are excited to talk with you about what you are learning in class or to join you in forming a study group for the class. You’ll also find it easy to find friends to go on excursions to concerts, the theatre, or sporting events or just on a short trip to the dining hall for lunch. Equally and sometimes more important are the small acts of kindness that bind together members of a commu
Joining an LLC at the Georgia Institute of Technology will allow me to supplement my rigorous coursework with the benefit of collaborating with my peers whose interests are similar to mine, as well as learn more about myself through service projects. I enjoy cultivating personal relationships with peers and faculty, and being a part of a small community while having the resources of a large research institution provides me with the best of both worlds. My high school experience has...
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Supplemental Essay: Issue of personal significance
153 Words
Describe a time where you stepped out of your comfort zone.
Not realizing my interests back then, in freshman year I took an art class instead of science research. It wasn’t until the end of that year when I realized my mistake. Fortunately, my freshman biology teacher recommended that I be placed into sophomore year research. However, I was at a disadvantage because those who took research in ninth grade already were familiar with advanced research techniques. This left me to fend for myself in creating an advanced experiment, so...
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Supplemental Essay: “Why us” school essay
152 Words
Beyond rankings, location, and athletics, why are you interested in attending Georgia Tech? (max 150 words)
I am fascinated with Georgia Tech's research focus in undergraduate studies. The co-op program and vast research opportunities will allow me to explore my engineering interests. Utilizing the most modern technology, overarching at Georgia Tech, is important for my studies and for becoming more knowledgeable in the global network. Since I am an undecided engineering major, Georgia Tech is the optimal institution to explore my scientific interests in fields I haven’t been involved in before—including aerospace, electrical, and...
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Supplemental Essay: Scholarship application
144 Words



*Why have you chosen to study the academic discipline associated with the scholarship program you are seeking? You may include comments about both your academic interests and your professional/career goals. 150 words
Being undecided about an intended major, I did some soul searching by researching career path and major options to align my interests and skills with a particular field. I was pleasantly surprised to find a multitude of choices available for students in college--double majors, minors, special programs, interdisciplinary studies, etc. in allowing us to create our own education path. After my experience with young people as a camp counselor this past summer, I became determined to improve the lives of...
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Supplemental Essay: “Why us” school essay
479 Words
Why GWU and the GW Honors College?
I am intrigued by George Washington's Honors Program. I come from a small town and an exceptionally small school; in fact I know all the names of everyone in my senior class. I find comfort in having a small, tight-knit community because of how close I can become with my peers. The seminar-type classes that the Honors Program offers is important to me, since it lends itself to establishing personal relationships with other students. I will be able to live...
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Supplemental Essay: Intellectual interest
498 Words
a) Please describe an instance when you took ownership of your intellectual growth and molded your education to meet your own goals. What did you learn about yourself through the process? 500 words
Roughly a year ago, I read an article about Margaret Hamilton and her work with the Apollo spaceship. She developed software to allow the ship to reach the moon. I find that satisfying—how can "words" on a computer help a spaceship reach a celestial body that is over 200,000 miles away? It’s amazing how much software can be involved in everyday life. It is the backbone of so much that the majority of people fail to realize; for example,...
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Supplemental Essay: “Why us” school essay
266 Words
USC Academic Interest
My goal in undergraduate studies is to create a personalized, interdisciplinary academic path by combining my different interests. USC is ideal because of the two-dozen plus majors to choose from in Vertibi. As an Undeclared Engineering major, I can explore all the fields before choosing a concentration. My experiences creating biofuel from algae in Science Research class, building towers and vehicles in Science Olympiad, and maintaining entrepreneurial spirit in DECA, have led me to pursue engineering with an integration of...
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Supplemental Essay: Intellectual interest
267 Words
Describe something outside of your intended academic focus about which you are
interested in learning.
The human mind fascinates me. People have multifaceted abilities and cognitive processes that form their own identity—something I find especially intriguing. Throughout high school, I have been unsure about what field to pursue, although I recognize my interest and strengths surrounding math and science. After continuous research, I discovered that colleges have complex ways of individualizing programs and paths for students because everyone's interests are unique. Combining my curiosity for biochemistry and my fascination with the human mind, I...
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Supplemental Essay: Unique question posed by school
265 Words
Essay regarding an experience of collaboration with others, and how it relates to USC Engineering
This summer I worked as a sleepaway camp counselor. For nine years attending as a camper, I only had to worry about myself. However, this time young boys were my primary concern—providing them with a fun summer and helping them develop important social values. I quickly realized how tiring it was being enthusiastic and alert from early morning to night in hot weather. Since it was implausible to run a cabin by myself, I relied on the support of...
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Supplemental Essay: Unique question posed by school
233 Words
Choose a challenge from the "Engineering Grand Challenges" that is most important for engineers to solve, and why.
Besides human intellect, the impetus for discovery is the tools, mechanisms and systems that make discoveries possible—the backbone for astronomy was the invention of the telescope. That is why I believe the “Engineer the Tools of Scientific Discovery” is the most important challenge for engineers and directly impacts the other 13 challenges. Engineers complement scientists in conducting their research of the unknown by using their ideas from the natural world and implementing them to create the unimaginable. The application of...
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School Specific Advice

List of schools I interviewed with and my interview experience
150 Words
Become an expert on the school you're interviewing for. Learn about the general student body, clubs and organizations, location, opportunities, and about your specific program. Name a specific professor and their work to wow the interviewer. Questions are crucial. Chances are the interviewer...
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Additional material sent in after waitlisted or deferred
58 Words
Find your admissions counselor and email them after a deferral, saying said school is still your top...
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How to increase chances at my school
135 Words
Demonstrated interest!!!!! For the schools I selected, especially Tulane and WashU, demonstrated interest is so important. Make sure to get an interview if your school offers it. Contact your admissions counselor over email or phone call, saying how much you...
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How I would rate the diversity of the student body
17 Words
Emory is incredibly diverse, and...
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Why I ultimately chose my school
198 Words
Emory is amazing because it is a research university with a liberal arts curriculum. This means you can take classes in any subject you want, but there are just as many opportunities and resources as a major university. Other schools are not so flexible with what classes you can take. They also encourage you to be undecided to explore...
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How important school spirit is around athletics at my school
23 Words
Not at all. But it isnt as...
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More Essays

These essays haven't been tagged by school. Click school logos above to see tagged essays.

General Admissions Advice

My advice about getting recommenders
226 Words
I would say to make it a goal to really get to know one teacher each year of high school, starting from 9th grade. Choose a teacher who you think is engaging and cares about their students. It does not have to be someone in your desired career path. Go to extra help hours and actively participate in that class. If you think about it, this wont...
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Recommended summer activities during high school and college
250 Words
Most people you will talk to, and even advice from other people on Admitsee, will say to research or grab an internship for your last 2 years of high school. I say that it’s most important to do what YOU want to do. My whole application centered around the fact that I did not engage in such research/internships like most applicants do, because I wanted to learn more about myself and still have...
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What set me apart from other applicants
190 Words
I think the last 2 answers showcased what I did to set me apart. Try to incorporate some sort of central theme in your application through your essays, extracurriculars, and recommenders. It’s like giving your application a thesis—what will you do at specified college? How have your experiences shaped you into what you are today?...
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What I’d change about my application process
136 Words
I would put less of an emphasis on test scores and more on essays and extracurriculars. The students at Emory who are most successful are those who have the most motivation, general knowledge, collaboration skills, and creativity. The SAT tests none...
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Whether I took out loans or applied for scholarships, and my advice
88 Words
I applied to many outside scholarships as well as scholarships for colleges by writing extra supplements or applying by a deadline. I made my college list...
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High School Performance

Unweighted GPA
4.00
 
Rank
Top 5%
 
College Classes In High School
Academic Performance in High School Low at first but improved
Explanation of Low Grades

Test Scores

Highest ACT
34
 
ACT Score Details
 
Other ACT Scores
ACT Prep
Highest SAT
1510
 
SAT Score Details
 
Other SAT Scores
SAT Prep

AP / IB Classes and Scores

Details8 classes and scores

Sports

SportsVolleyball

Extracurriculars

ActivitiesDECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America), Research, Key Club, Student Council / Government, Academic, Math Team, Marching Band, Hospital Volunteer
Elaborate on Extracurriculars or Work

Experience & Awards

Awards Received

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