Pre-flight. Zero feet above ground: I have butterflies in my stomach. I am an hour and a half early for my flight, as always, and I have to pretend to be calm and cover the fact that I am bouncing in my seat so my parents will not worry about me flying alone. I get up and walk to a large window through which I can see each plane race down the track as it ends its journey, and I...

Brown is my dream not only for its academic excellence, but for the freedom and inspiration I felt the moment I stepped inside the Van Winkle gates. No matter how difficult my studies became, I knew once I sat by my small tree overlooking the quiet green, with the realization that I was finally at Brown, a goal I thought was unattainable, I would immediately become motivated to memorize each neurotransmitter’s function. When I looked out the window of...

For any school, if you know that that school is your first choice, don't be afraid to apply early decision...