I was never the cool second-grader with the shelf full of lava lamps or the middle schooler who won the opportunity to have her piles of colorful buttons displayed in a glass case at the public library. But although I am not a collector of objects, I am a collector of words. I collect quotes and poems and ideas: scrawling them in tiny notebooks that reside in the top drawer of my nightstand; scribbling the words onto slips of paper...

If the world distributed an annual yearbook like American high schools do, the United States would win the majority of “Senior Superlative” titles. Unfortunately, one of those awards would be “Most Likely to Jail its Citizens.” If we want to escape this not-so-prestigious accolade, we must take steps to reduce recidivism among mentally ill inmates. One-third of prisoners suffer from mental illness, and many were imprisoned during manic episodes, particularly because most cannot access treatment outside of a correctional facility....

So many prospective Americans lose their chance at a future daily because closed-minded people care more that these immigrants can rattle off names and dates than that they are kind, empathetic, hard-working people. Why are we so focused on ensuring that only “qualified” immigrants earn their citizenship when the only thing native-born Americans had to do to become citizens was to survive their birth? Implying that Americans were somehow born with superior values simply due to the plot of soil...

Each year, fourth graders at my former elementary school spend one day going through a simulation of Ellis Island — sitting criss-cross in the too-small coat closet to mimic the boat ride, toting a sheet of paper with their pre-assigned vocabulary of chosen twenty English words, and completing a citizenship test and writing sample — in order to understand the plight of their ancestors who had immigrated to the United States. However, while I may have been allowed to toss my failed...

While my elementary school classmates spent their lazy Saturdays watching cartoons, my weekends started in my parents’ minivan as my father and I drove to Evanston for classes through the Center for Talent Development. I used to excitedly tell my dad that “I felt at home here,” and though I have grown up significantly since those days, my love for Northwestern has not changed. Northwestern’s focus on balance between rigorous academics and a vibrant social life is so important,...

On the long drive up to camp last summer, Next to Normal soundtrack echoing through my parents’ minivan, I got a notification on my phone that the University of Chicago essay prompts were up. Squealing, I refreshed continuously until my phone was able to overcome the spotty service of the valley we were driving through, and I read each choice out loud to my mother, excitement coursing through my blood. Dozens of ideas filled my mind and I brushed them...

Topic: Joan of Arkansas. Queen Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Babe Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Mash up a historical figure with a new time period, environment, occupation, or location, and tell us their story. (1-2 pages) She drew the quill across the paper, its point lining the gentle curves of her drawing and caressing the large expanse between the parchment’s edges. Simultaneously gazing at herself in the mirror, she transferred the expression on her face down to the drawing, concluding her work...

For months, I’ve been emotionally preparing myself for the “DeBanquet”, the congressional debate team’s culminating event of the season, when I will inevitably have to say goodbye to an activity I have become so passionate about over the last several years. However, as a farewell is often an opportunity in disguise, I have become incredibly interested in transferring my devotion to my school’s debate team over to those who may not have that privilege. I would love...