As a sophomore in global history, our teacher once showed us a documentary about Napoleon and his formation of the largest empire since the age of the Romans. All students were fascinated when they heard of the general’s conquest of almost an entire continent. Certainly, I, too, was impressed by the achievement of the little man in the blue and white uniform. A few minutes into the video, the narrator announced that Napoleon was 5´2´´. Right then, the whole class...

Volunteering at an elder care center has not won me many dates-at least not with the women under sixty. It has, however, led me to an experience that has significantly influenced my career goal. During the summer before 10th grade, I began volunteering at a public retirement facility. I spent my time talking to a generation of people who have a lifetime of wisdom and experience to share. I particularly remember Evelyn, an old woman with smoky gray hair with...

Pythagorean Theorem: a^2 + b^2 = c^2, where a and b are two legs of a right triangle and c is the hypotenuse, the longest side of the triangle. This 1-inch long, simple, yet eloquent equation contains a beauty, a magic that is unnoticeable at first glance; I have been introduced to this beauty by Dartmouth alumni Professor Strogatz at an Engineering Diversity Weekend program last September. As I finished my breakfast, I had the opportunity to join the campus tour or...

Have you ever witnessed the thrill of discovery? I have. This summer I worked on a project that could significantly reduce the spread of epidemic diseases including Ebola and Influenza. Conducted at the Queens College biochemistry lab, I collaborated with my mentor Dr. Mclachlan to develop a synthetic silk molecule to prevent contagious diseases. Although just in high school, I was able to participate in a momentous research, observing and shaping the growth of remedy that would save thousands of...

The melody starts low, as a whirring sound of flute and oboe gently envelops the hall. Slowly, the timpani and the bass drum lay out a blanket of solemn theme. Another theme of clarinet and trumpet then appears, complementing the previous, yet affirming its own identity with an energetic, new twist of the melody. My predilection for music can be associated to the thematic development in a concert band. Music has taught me to think creatively with its infinite possibilities....

Don't wait till the deadline to submit application. ...

Friendly, cooperative,...

I would make...

UPENN: My first interview. It was terrible. I was clumsy, nervous and interviewer's weird eyes did not help. Harvard: Arrived 20 minutes late, because I already got into Yale through Early action. But the...

You have to be specific. Whatever you want to talk about, you have to as specific as you can. Are you a first generation student? So is 10,000 other students that...

My favorite course thus far is the Freshman Seminar course I am taking, named "Search for Extraterrestrial...

By far, singing. We have about 10 A cappella...

Most people who gets into IVY leagues are...

I had a bottom line counselor, which is basically a private counselor, except you have have to pay...

1st step of managing stress is giving yourself enough time to prepare for applying for college. Everyone has his/her own preferences, but I highly recommend you finish your standardized test by the end of the junior year, preferably earlier. For example, you take SAT subjects test one: the summer before junior year. You prepare for SAT starting in August and take your 1st SAT in december[of the junior year]. Then you take 2nd SAT[you want to take it twice so that you get "super score"] in March. You can take the SAT one more time, if needed,...