Until I sat down to write the first draft of that essay about Ms. Kapsidis, I had not thought about the implications of helping others. Between the writing of that essay and this one, a central message has become only clearer. All of us are irrevocably tied to others, whether we perceive those connections or have yet to discover them. At some point, we all must rely on someone else for assistance, guidance, or understanding. And that prospect can unsettle...

"Scientists have been trying to find it for hundreds of years, pouring tons of money into research, and to this day they don't have a theory. The elements found in a human being is all junk that you can buy in any market with a child's allowance. Humans are pretty cheaply made," begins a passage from Hiromu Arakawa's Fullmetal Alchemist series. I learned this fact the hard way in seventh grade science. After introducing us to chemistry with an explosion,...

For my Harvard supplement, I wrote about my experiences at a summer camp I had attended for seven years, for kids/teens with neuro-muscular disorders. I emphasized how those I met at camp helped me develop overwhelming confidence that would propel me towards a bright figure. Please email me if you would like further information about my other essays.

Although my parents offered, I felt that I didn't need a...

Though I can't complain about the outcome, I would tell myself two things: 1) Don't procrastinate with application essays as much as I did. Try to get one essay drafted...

Pick teachers whom you connect with particularly well, either in their subject area...

All four of my interviews (Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Cornell, University of Rochester) went very well. Out of all of them, I connected best with my Harvard interviewer (which I do believe contributed...

I chose my activities in high school without college in mind. Unlike a lot of typical Asian tiger-parents, my parents have always been very...

Just get out there and do SOMETHING you like. Whether it's traveling, getting a job, obtaining an internship, or...

When applying to top schools, a perfect SAT score, GPA, or any standardized testing will not set you apart. Does Harvard accept students with 2400s? Of course! But there is no difference between a 2300 and a 2400 in the eyes of an admissions officer. Your scores, ranks, amount of extracurriculars etc will only keep you in the running for a spot at these top universities. After that first reading, they never get looked at again. It is the qualitative (the essays, recommendations, interviews) that will set you...

After seeing many hilarious and grossly inaccurate depictions of Harvard University, going there and meeting with students and teachers is a very refreshing experience. While it's true that almost everyone there is extremely...