The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that the universe, on the whole, tends toward a greater state of entropy, a higher state of disorder – that everything within and around each of us is slowly approaching total dissipation. It may be disheartening under initial observation, that one of the governing rules of existence explains that the ultimate destination for all things is disarrangement. But with a closer study, it makes complex, evolved life all the more impressive. It makes the idea...

The potential for undergraduate research. A lot of colleges and universities like to loudly advertise the large proportion of their undergraduate population that participates in research during their four undergraduate years. University of Rochester did this, just like many of the other schools I visited while applying...