46 Essays that Worked at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Prompt: We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it.

I slam the ball onto the concrete of our dorm’s courtyard, and it whizzes past my opponents. ******, which is a mashup of tennis, squash, and volleyball, is not only a spring term pastime but also an important dorm tradition. It can only be played using the eccentric layout of our dorm’s architecture and thus cultivates a special feeling of community that transcends grade or friend groups. I will always remember the amazing outplays from yearly tournaments that we celebrate together. Our dorm’s collective GPA may go significantly down during the spring, but it’s worth it.

Prompt: Describe the world you come from (for example, your family, school, community, city, or town). How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations?

One of my earliest memories is pouring over National Geographic magazines with my older brother. As I examined the photographs and illustrations, he attempted to explain the intricacies of the solar system or the mysteries of deep-sea creatures. I have always been enthralled by the expanse of scientific knowledge and the infinite list of unanswered questions.

[Place Redacted], where I grew up, has been a breeding ground for innovation since its days revolutionizing the steel industry. More recently, [Place Redacted] has become a center for medicine, information technology, and robotics. Growing up near the University of [Place Redacted] and Carnegie Mellon University, I’ve been fortunate to pursue unique biomedical research opportunities and participate in the [Place Redacted] Regional Science and Engineering Fair, from which I was selected to compete at ISEF.

[Place Redacted] is also a center for the arts, with world class music and dance. I’ve had the opportunity to study at [Place Redacted] Ballet Theatre for 13 years, performing alongside professional dancers in productions such as Romeo and Juliet and the Nutcracker. Beyond the technicalities of pliés and tendus, ballet taught me about discipline and collaboration – lessons I apply to everyday life. Ballet also encompassed community service. I have enjoyed performing for children with autism and recognize how our ballet community brings joy to other communities.

Each of these experiences has fueled my desire to explore STEM fields and will continue to as I collaborate on biomedical research to improve the lives of others.