There is something serene about the ice at my rink before the blades of skaters hit it. It is clean, clear and shiny, reflecting the bright lights in the early morning before the sun rises. The red, white and blue icon of the New York Rangers sits clearly on center ice. The Rangers are my favorite team, and I like knowing that their logo is underneath my blades as I cross the rink. The bottoms of the boards are covered...

In my information session with a Carleton representative, a student asked what Carleton students are not. He answered that Carleton students are not apathetic. That confirmed my desire to attend Carleton, because I am certainly not an apathetic person. I am the kind of person who commits myself fully, from my academics to my athletics to my work on issues impacting women and girls. It sounds like Carleton students bring the same level of passion to a wide range of...

When I think of what empowers me, three influences come to mind. Firstly, my family, who told me that there are no limits on what I could achieve. This was reinforced by my school, which always emphasized the notion that students' ideas have value and should be appreciated. Finally, my friends, who have consistently encouraged and supported me, even when my goals seem unachievable. While I may not always be conscious of these influences, I have no doubt that they...

So I send a letter to Carleton, my school, while they were reviewing my application to try to convince them to accept me. Here is that: Suzanne Burns January 13, 2015 Dear Ms. Anthony: Since our conversation in November, I have been very active in my school work and extracurriculars. I’ve delved deeper into my independent study on looking at Cold War tensions through the lens of the Olympic Games. If anything, my project has become even more rewarding as I’ve gotten into the writing process. Outside of the classroom, my feminist group has been going forward with our book...

Without a doubt, ask teachers you think like you! I understand that this seems obvious, but...

My list probably appears pretty short (only 4 schools!) That is because I was admitted ED II to Carleton, and ended up pulling all of my other applications....