I discussed my involvement in Florida Virtual School and how I grew as a leader in an online environment, and, subsequently, in an offline one as well. I highlighted my participation in four corporate professional leadership conferences as a featured student speaker, and how I embodied a highly academic, yet charismatic, virtual school student. I told my story in a poetic fashion and in media res, connecting my tale to the climate of Florida and my identity crisis surrounding my...

Duke's campus, a bit of an Elysian labyrinth, resembles a dichotomous, concealed place in my mind - one that craves intellect among industry and beauty among objectivity. It feels southern and warm, like the smile I greet others with, yet smart as a whip and as sharp as the branches that crack melodically with my footsteps. As I wander in silence, I enjoy a peaceful time with my aspirations: computer science mixed with an unavoidably interdisciplinary interest in English, art...

Prior to the Young Scholars Program this summer, I expected a slight challenge and a great deal of learning; yet, I was surprised at how humanizing the experience itself was for me. I was thrown into a group of 39 brilliant students and expected to perform under pressure. Perhaps I did not stand out solely on scientific abilities, but I persevered through every moment, and I influenced people to trust me as a confidant within hours. I realized one morning on...

At times I really wondered what I should write about for my college essays. Sometimes I questioned if I really had a great "story." The stories that perhaps people may want to know were ones I could not tell, as I could not explain my life adequately enough to for others to feel they have lived certain pains and struggles with me. I didn't want my essay to sound like a diary entry, even if Duke requested that they hear...

Focused, diverse, fun, efficient, and hardworking. We are in a career-hub here in Orlando, so UCF students are very driven to advance their professional careers. I have met international students, multilingual people, and students of all faiths, so the student body is extremely diverse here (which I love). Also, people vary on the political spectrum as well, which is wonderful for someone who takes a keen interest in all things local and national news. I have very liberal friends and quite conservative friends...

I started the process in the mid-summer before senior year, which is something I highly recommend to any applicant. In general, I would have had more people look over my common application and work on how I phrased my activities. I had a lot of trouble meeting word counts for activities and therefore sold myself short on what I had achieved in high school. Also, I would not...

Advice/Overview of Ivy Interviews and Scholarship Weekends: I had interviews with both Harvard and Duke. The two experiences were somewhat different. I feel as though the interview means little to college admissions, as one component of your application CAN'T make or break your chances. The interview, however, is a great time to learn more about the school! My Harvard interviewer was a doctor, so I was able to discuss the medical school preparation he underwent and how he gained research positions easily at the university. My Duke interviewer was a lawyer who let me in on the greek life...

Football is getting more popular at UCF every year....

There were multiple factors involved; I wanted to go to a large school with a strong comp sci...