It may get discolored, cut, bruised, and burnt, but my skin always seems to hold together. My skin encompasses all of who I am, protects my livelihood, and to me, there is nothing more important than being comfortable within my own skin. This meant developing a thick skin, and frankly, this was no easy thing to do. Growing up today, individuals struggle to not be labeled as the “outcast” by society. For me, my skin came to represent a castle:...

Learning without limits. This is the entire premise behind scientific research. You set out to uncover whether the knockout of a specific gene induces apoptosis, then you’re left trying to develop a compound that evokes that same effect in the target cell. The pursuit of knowledge when it comes to scientific research is seemingly endless. Boston University’s undergraduate research opportunities program was the tipping point for me to apply. Designing and conducting my own research projects during high...

Which corrupts more, power or powerlessness? “I’m calling the shots,” said every control freak ever. The simple obsession of being in control provides them with a familiar sense of calm. They are at ease in the driver seat but get anxious when riding as a passenger. Control freaks thrive under pressure, but quiver when assigned as subordinates. Finally, plan B has been scrapped from the get-go because plan A must work at all costs. These are all qualities control...

For applicants to Columbia College, please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the field or fields of study that you noted in the Member Questions section. If you are currently undecided, please write about any field or fields in which you may have an interest at this time. (300 words or less) Cancer. This word alone causes pain and suffering on a global scale everyday. My first encounter came at...

Personal statements were generally composed over a month of time and many revisions. It is important to have a few people reading your essays to have people to bounce ideas off of. If you have a block, take some time off (1 week even) then come back to the essay fresh. Start early!

Choose teachers that know you...

the international population is quite...

Apply to medical school...

BU is a research intensive university so...

Something about the school that particularly captured you when you visited. Whether this...