The ever changing portrait I believe that reflecting on the past is critical for the discovery of our personal identity. Sometimes we get lost in our schoolwork, in our jobs, in our duties, and we never take time to discover our interests and hobbies. We must discover ourselves in order to live a life of fulfillment and success. Just like artists paint their own portraits, I am painting my own portrait by discovering who I am.  I had no idea...

“Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance.” - Roy Bennett, The Light in the Heart My life has drastically changed in the past six years because of Operation Smile, a non-profit organization that seeks to provide free surgery for children who suffer from a cleft lip or palate. Being an active member of this organization has helped me change...

What I value most about Columbia is the core curriculum and its location. I have many academic interests, and the core curriculum embraces the complete education I am looking for. I have a strong passion for mathematics, but I also have an interest in philosophy and the arts, and I want to pursue each one of them. The core curriculum will allow me to accomplish this by taking classes in a variety of different subjects, all the way from the...