“Manager to Checkout-7, we got a problem,” the cashier calls over the intercom. The bottle-blond cashier—Erica, her nametag reads—huffs impatiently and examines her scarlet nails. Behind us is a line of grumbling customers, shifting from one foot to the other, annoyance emanating from every pore. I observe all of this in shamed silence, arms crossed as if it would protect me from the accusing stares. The cause of the turmoil? The colorful pieces of paper lying innocuously on...

Even in the darkest of moments, I have found the strength to continue to be happy because of what I love: running. I first began running as a hobby, as a way of relieving stress. Soon, I began to run even on days when I was content. Sometimes I run in the mornings, to witness the sound of chirping and the promise of a rising sun. Sometimes I run in the nights, illuminated by the artificial glow of the streetlamps...

In my school, we all speak a common tongue—the language that comes from diversity. Although my school is a mix of people from every continent—French, Arabic, Hispanic, Chinese, Australian, Nigerian, and Native American—we are united by our love of beaches and our fear of hurricanes. Although we may differ in customs and habits, and in fashion and native language, we share the belief that from diversity springs harmony. It’s more than a school—it’s a...

When I looked at colleges, I looked for those that taught students to observe the world around them and translate their knowledge into service. I didn’t want to just show up to class, copy down notes, then walk into an exam and regurgitate everything I knew onto a piece of paper. I want a more engaging learning experience, one that is not defined by tests and notes but, rather, discussion and collaboration. Carnegie Mellon is that college. As someone...

Some of the greatest political and social successes come not from bitter battles with Congress but from one of the most powerful institutions—the Supreme Court. The political power that the legal system wields was what first drew me to that area. I became an officer in my school’s pre-law society, but the guest attorneys and speakers only piqued my curiosity. I decided to join mock trial and moot court, but competing as a witness and as a lawyer...

Reading Barthes's Mythologies was an eye-opening experience. The fact that wrestling was the topic for theoretical discussion piqued my curiosity. The intellectual beauty and lyricism as Barthes explored humanity through the banal topic of wrestling astounded me. English became more than simply a study of language and meaning—it was a study of the past; a study of the various geographical, historical and social conditions surrounding literary production and reception. There were so many ways to approach a text, from...

When I looked at colleges, I looked for those that taught students to observe the world around them and translate their knowledge into service. I didn’t want to just show up to class, copy down notes, then walk into an exam and regurgitate everything I knew onto a piece of paper. I want an engaging learning experience, one defined by discussion and collaboration. I want to be in an environment where no matter what I do, I will transform...

Route 66 It’s not a marked path or road. You certainly won’t find it in Google Maps. But for me, it’s Route 66. It’s sand and crushed stone, mixed with water to form a sidewalk roughly 3 feet in width and exactly 5.6 km long. It starts at my house—bricks sloping downwards from the driveway to the concrete sidewalk—winds alongside the cookie-cutter suburban homes, follows an asphalt road, and cuts through a nature preserve. The path completes the...

When I looked at colleges, I looked for those that taught students to observe the world around them and translate their knowledge into service. I didn’t want to just show up to class, copy down notes, then walk into an exam and regurgitate everything I knew onto a piece of paper. As someone who thrives in new places and situations, NYU beckons my curiosity with its numerous opportunities and locations for study abroad, internships, and global campuses. As someone...

My parents, both of whom mainly speak Chinese, affectionately nickname me Fanyi—or “Translator.” It’s because I often assist my mother in typing out emails, texts, and documents as she is not as well-versed in English as I am. However, my fluency hasn’t always been that way. I was born in New York City, but went to live with my grandparents in China when I was 1. Chinese became my first and only language I knew. When I came...

Some students struggle with simply writing an essay, but in Moot Court, I was expected to write a twenty page appellate brief in two weeks using proper court language. A tall order for an average sized high schooler. I first began Moot Court during my sophomore year, and it wasn’t the best of beginnings. It was difficult for me to understand the basic concept of actus reus, much less try to argue whether reasonable suspicion or probable cause is...

When I looked at colleges, I looked for those that taught students to observe the world around them and translate their knowledge into service. I desire learning and information for my life fulfillment. I don’t want to just show up to class, copy down notes, then walk into an exam and regurgitate everything I knew onto a piece of paper. For the past twelve years, the majority of my educational experience has been required rather opposed to desired. I...