In the fall of eighth grade, a flyer was passed out advertising a beginners’ fencing program run by the high school fencing team. I’m still not sure what it was that caught my eye initially, but a week later, I showed up at the gym. Watching the fencing demonstrations, I was immediately taken by the finesse and skill involved in the sport. I joined the team during my freshman year to experience the rush of standing up to well-trained...

I highlighted courses, professors, and research that I'd want to get involved in, my career aspirations, and how this school would help me get there.

I wrote my personal statement and my supplemental essays within a week of the application deadline to the school I was applying to. This was due to the fact that I had decided to apply Early Decision to Cornell University at the last minute. While I would not recommend this approach, it taught me a lot about the process of writing a personal statement, as well as how to cater to a particular university. You do not need to know...

START EARLY. I actually didn't intend to make that mistake, as I had planned on applying Regular Decision to all of the schools...

Talk to the teachers who know you best. These may not be the teachers whose classes you got straight A's in. I failed the first exam...

Don't be upset if a professor doesn't respond. I emailed about ten professors before I...

I ultimately chose Cornell for the feeling of comfort and familiarity that I have while there. There were many other...

I'm definitely going to graduate school, but I'm unsure of whether I want...