Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

Rays of sunlight reflect off hammered bronze dishes, bringing the watercolor sparrows perched on gnarled pine trees to life. Facing the precisely-arranged display, my relatives—fully adorned in Korean

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Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.

Three out of four people suffer from glossophobia--the fear of public speaking--and my new friends at [School Redacted] were no exception. Most loathed it; others considered it "nerdy." Being a life

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Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

Marveling at the abstract beauty of both e^(pi x i)=-1 and Rothko's Untitled (1970). Improving rural communities by optimizing road networks and spearheading public painting projects. Am I a mathema

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Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

Poverty. Environmental destruction. Racism. The list continues. Despite my love for debate, it tends to reward highlighting problems, rather than developing clear-cut solutions. In search of clarity,

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What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

[Place Redacted], affectionately known to us as "Penguin Village," sits just five minutes by car from [School Redacted]--a distance difficult to ignore. Like so many of [Place Redacted] island's aging

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Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you excited about learning (250w)

Living on an island heralded for its natural beauty, I’m surrounded by not just artistic inspiration, but also a series of whys: Why do streams flow like that? Why are sunsets so beautiful? I found

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Something meaningful to you and why (250w)

I initially started working out to impress [Name Redacted], my 8th-grade-secret-crush, but three years later I’m motivated by quadriceps rather than romance. As my dorm’s unofficial trainer, I’m le

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Note to future roommate (250w)

Hey Roomie! There’s loads to talk about, so let’s dive in! First of all, I’m a “been-there-ate-that” foodie, who always tries the weirdest foods when traveling. Are you up for exploring Stanford

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Most significant challenge society faces (50 w)

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Last two summers (50w)

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Historical moment or event (50w)

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Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family. (50w)

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One thing you are looking forward to at Stanford (50w)

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A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and live in a community with a wide range of perspectives. How do you or would you learn from and contribute to diverse, collaborative communities?

The international high school admissions test’s hardest question was neither algebra nor literature; it was my name. "[Name Redacted] [Name Redacted]," or "[Name Redacted] [Name Redacted]"? [Name Re

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Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia.

To me, Columbia and NYC is not only the biggest campus in the world, but also where my dreams will come true. From the debate podium to the science lab; from the art studio to philosophy classes, I’

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For applicants to Columbia College, please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you previously noted in the application.

Despite my love for debate, it tends to reward highlighting problems, rather than developing clear-cut solutions. In search of clarity, I turn to mathematics, an alternative lens to scrutinize society

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List the titles of the required readings from academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school.

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List the titles of the books, essays, poetry, short stories or plays you read outside of academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school.

The Model Thinker; Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets; The Polymath; A Mathematician’s Apology; Weapons of Math Destruction; Factfulness; Drawing Physics: 2,600; Years of

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We’re interested in learning about some of the ways that you explore your interests. List some resources and outlets that you enjoy, including but not limited to websites, publications, journals, podcasts, social media accounts, lectures, museums, movies, music, or other content with which you regularly engage.

Websites, Publications, and Journals Journal of Applied Mathematics, the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM); The American Mathematical Monthly; Project Syndicate; The New York Times

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Most students choose their intended major or area of study based on a passion or inspiration that’s developed over time – what passion or inspiration led you to choose this area of study? (300 word maximum)

It started from a line in Excel. After hours of playing around with data, that humble line forecasting the effects of plastic bottle bans was mind blowing: even I—an eight-grader—could tentatively p

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Many students pursue college for a specific degree, career opportunity or personal goal. Whichever it may be, learning will be critical to achieve your ultimate goal. As you think ahead to the process of learning during your college years, how will you define a successful college experience? (300 word maximum)

My ambition is providing accurate mathematical analysis to NGOs and governments, positively impacting the world with what I love. But I cannot get there through mathematics alone: experience taught me

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Consider your application as a whole. What do you personally want to emphasize about your application for the admission committee’s consideration? Highlight something that’s important to you or something you haven’t had a chance to share. Tell us, don’t show us (no websites please). (300 word maximum)

As a child, I loved talking. With both parents working and no children in the neighborhood, I told my grandparents everything. Sometimes, if they didn’t understand technology or science, I drew ill

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Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech?

It started from a simple math assignment, forecasting the effects of plastic bottle bans in Excel. My 9th grade mind was blown; it literally predicted the future. Hooked by math’s power, I searched

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