From UVA, the prompt was "What work of art, music, science, mathematics, or literature has surprised, unsettled, or challenged you, and in what way?" I had approached 4'33" in the same the way I sometimes read a book when I'm tired, mindlessly reading through the lines without truly absorbing the meaning. Considered to be John Cage's magnum opus, 4'33" is commonly described as a silent piece. The sheet music simply says "tacet," which indicates that the musicians have to refrain...

From UVA, the prompt was "We are a community with quirks, both in language (we’ll welcome you to Grounds, not campus) and in traditions. Describe one of your quirks and why it is part of who you are." It is impossible for me to ignore emptiness; it is one of my quirks. When I design the pages of my newsmagazine, I purposely make room for empty spaces. When I read magazines, browse websites, and view print ads, it makes...

I definitely would have started my application as soon as my schools released their essay questions and the Common App opened their website. I believe it would be much easier to focus on writing, editing, and proofreading essays in the summer because you won’t also have...

It’s very important to keep yourself busy in the summer through internships, volunteering, camps, or summer jobs. It’s especially helpful if your summer activity is related to your goals or interests because...

I think Princeton is the perfect location for someone who wants a traditional college setting with access to nearby bigger cities. There’s a train station right on campus, and both New York City and Philadelphia are about...

When asking for recommendations, it’s best to approach teachers at the end of your junior year because they are often bombarded by requests around September or October. I also suggest asking teachers who know...

I didn't use a private admissions counselor. However, I did try to get as much help as possible from the people around me. I found my school guidance counselor to be very helpful and encouraging....