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.

Chinese has always been a major part of my life, but I had never fully appreciated the opportunities the language could give me. The Chinese I wanted to keep at home and English I struggled to keep at

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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.

Beyond a broken bifold closet door lays a treasure trove packed with polos brought for an old uniform policy, faded club t-shirts collected from my sister, anime merchandise gifted by my friends, over

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Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

Since 9th grade, I have had one teacher that teaches most of the more challenging STEM courses. While my teacher is very intelligent and can spend a whole period fully answering someone's question, ma

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

"Lights, stand by. Sound, stand by." Our stage manager's voice overpowered the soft static coming from the speaker on the wall of the light booth. My shadow nodded at me as she moved her fingers to h

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Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

YiLiaoZhiWai, or unexpected, is the first Chinese song I've ever translated. Unexpectedly, pun intended, it also works as a road map for my experiences with translating. Yi: thought. During quarantin

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Additional Family Context

When I was younger, my parents owned a small Chinese restaurant. [place redacted], sandwiched between a brightly lit hair salon and a bustling bar, was where I called home every day after school. Whil

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Please tell us more about your cultural background and identity.

“To Americans I’m Asian and to Asians I’m American.” These words have always stuck with me since I was a child. I can’t reminisce about SpongeBob SquarePants episodes or understand the hype around the

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

Beyond a broken bifold door lies a treasure trove packed with polos from an old uniform policy, faded club t-shirts, anime t-shirts gifted by my friends, oversized jackets from Goodwill, and imperfect

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Tell us more about why this field of study at MIT appeals to you.

Computer Science allows me to satisfy my endless imagination. Scratch’s block coding has led to the creation of a Java program that helps me study Chinese with three-sided flashcards. Childish customi

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

I come from a world of customers’ orders jotted down on the backs of old worksheets and midnight chases for trolleys filled with empty boxes at Walmart. From repurposing old worksheets to using the l

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At MIT, we bring people together to better the lives of others. MIT students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world's biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way in which you have contributed to your community, whether in your family, the classroom, your neighborhood, etc.

"Lights… go. Sound go.” cued our stage manager. After double-checking everyone on stage looked ready, I whispered, “Okay, go.” My mentee pressed the dimly lit play button on the light board in front

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Tell us about the most significant challenge you've faced or something that didn't go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?

Learning as much as I wanted from high school STEM classes was difficult. Since 9th grade, one teacher taught all the STEM courses I wanted to take. While he’s very intelligent and can spend a whole p

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Extracurricular Activity and Work Experience Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization, work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you. (Please respond in about 150 words)

If you peeked behind the counter at my parents’ restaurant, I was there, a small child doodling on menus and forgotten receipts. However, copies of Noragami screencaps have evolved into digital drawin

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Your Voice Please respond to each question in an essay of about 250 words. At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future?

“You are so good at talking to people.” After a year of interactions limited to the digital space, I hung out in person with a group of friends for the first time. However, I was unprepared to parti

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Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals.

“Lights, stand by. Sound, stand by.” Our stage manager’s cue overpowered the soft static coming from the speaker on the wall of the light booth. My shadow nodded at me as she moved her fingers to ho

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More About You Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself! What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?

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What brings you joy?

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What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

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Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in, or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. (Please respond in about 250 words)

My parents’ focus on maintaining our Chinese restaurant meant I grew up entertaining myself with origami formed from menus and indestructible towers of cardboard boxes between a broken sink and a dust

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Penn Main Essay 1

As a child, seeing my parents repurposing seemingly useless, unfolded chip boxes we got for free from Walmart workers as boxes to pack customers’ orders in and the blank backs of old worksheets as spa

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Penn Main Essay 2

“To Americans I’m Asian and to Asians I’m American.” These words have always stuck with me since I was a child. I can’t reminisce about SpongeBob SquarePants episodes or understand the hype around the

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Why is applying for the UF Honors Program important to you? Which aspects of the program's three pillars of opportunity, community, and challenge pique your interests? How would you engage with the program to exemplify these pillars yourself? How does the program factor into your long-term goals? Please be specific. (max 400 words)

I am drawn to the UF Honors Program's small community of hardworking inquirers because it reminds me of the environment of my high school's IB program. I want to continue being surrounded by passionat

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Identify two topics you have previously studied that do not traditionally overlap. How do you envision you might bring these topics together during your time in Honors to engage a pressing societal, medical or technological concern? The concern you wish to engage could be of local, national or global scope, but you should be clear about the issue you want to address. For the purposes of this essay, the topics you identify need not have been formally studied in high school, but you should have studied them since beginning in high school. (max 300 words)

From doodles decorating the 1-inch margins of biology assignments to a homemade Harry Styles cardigan imitation, I have always loved doing crafts. Every random Buzzfeed DIY video clip that pops onto m

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List any programs or activities that helped you prepare for higher education, such as University Outreach, Talent Search, Upward Bound, Boys and Girls Club, etc.

On October 31st, I’ve officially been working with Matriculate for seven months. I joined Matriculate as a rebel. Yes, it is just a free college advising program, but every one-hour meeting is conduct

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Most meaningful activity

Art has been my most meaningful commitment in high school as it has been a significant part of my growth. As a child, I spent hours after school at my parent’s restaurant decorating the backs of used

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EC Essay

With Theatre Tech, I’ve volunteered as an auditorium technician for over twenty events organized by our high school, local churches, and dance companies. Through this club, I feel the collective surge

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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.

Books: Stargirl, American Born Chinese, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Winter, Stars Above, Sisters, Ghosts, Counting by 7s, Bikeman, The Boy in the Striped

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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.

Youtube Channels: The Film Theorists, The Food Theorists, [Organization Redacted] Ho, Maqaroon, The Try Guys, Mythical Kitchen, MrBeast, Xabio Arts, and Jazza Shows: The Untamed, Anne with an E, The

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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?

As a student, Science Olympiad taught me to incorporate the advice on how to solve a substitution cipher from experienced Codebuster team members with my own critical thinking skills to decipher crypt

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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.

I grew up writing customers’ orders on the backs of old worksheets at my parents’ Chinese restaurant and chasing trolleys of empty boxes at Walmart. While these frugal habits stemmed from economic har

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For applicants to Columbia Engineering, 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.

My interest in computer science is an extension of my love for math and exploration. I was naturally drawn to the simple yet concrete patterns in math, but I especially loved applying the deceivingly

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Sibling Information

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Why Yale

My parents’ focus on running our Chinese restaurant meant I grew up entertaining myself with origami formed from menus and indestructible towers of cardboard boxes between a broken sink and a cash reg

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Essays

“Lights… go. Sound go.” cued our stage manager. After double-checking everyone on stage looked ready, I whispered, “Okay, go”. My mentee pressed the dimly lit play button on the light board and the

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Chosen essay

B: Beyond a broken bifold door lies a treasure trove packed with polos from an old uniform policy, faded club t-shirts, anime t-shirts gifted by my friends, oversized jackets from Goodwill, and impe

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Engineering Response 1

Although Science Olympiad consists of members competing in different events in small groups, as a mentor, I adapt the knowledge I’ve gained from my events and from studying the rule manuals to assist

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Engineering Response 2

I grew up writing customers’ orders on the backs of old worksheets at my parents’ Chinese restaurant and chasing trolleys of empty boxes at Walmart. While these frugal habits stemmed from economic har

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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)

I want to major in Human-Computer Interaction because computer science has always been a way for me to resolve problems that arise in my or others’ daily lives. My interest in computer science is ju

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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)

“I don’t know how to not have fun. I’m dying and I’m having fun. And I’m going to keep having fun every day I have left,” clarified Randy Pausch during the “Last Lecture” after revealing he only had t

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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)

Beyond a broken bifold door lies a treasure trove packed with polos from an old uniform policy, faded club t-shirts, anime t-shirts gifted by my friends, oversized jackets from Goodwill, and imperfect

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Most significant challenge society faces

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Last two summers

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Historical moment or event

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

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One thing you are looking forward to at Stanford

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Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you excited about learning

“Lights, stand by. Sound, stand by.” cued our stage manager. My shadow nodded at me as she moved her fingers to hover over the dimly lit play button on the light board in front of us. “Lights standing

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Note to future roommate

My closet is a treasure trove packed with polos from an old uniform policy, faded club t-shirts, anime t-shirts gifted by my friends, oversized jackets from Goodwill, and imperfect pieces made using o

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Something meaningful to you and why

When I was younger, my parents owned a small Chinese restaurant. [Place Redacted], sandwiched between a brightly lit hair salon and a bustling bar, was where I called home every day after school. Whil

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Essay 1 - Tell us about a time or experience in which you encountered failure.

After AP Computer Science, I was determined to major in Computer Science. Coding seemed easy, with just variables and loops I have solved over 100 more CodingBat questions than my teacher required. Th

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Essay 2 - Tell us about a life situation, media story, or topic – beyond or outside of a classroom or formal assignment – that has captivated you, inspired your curiosity, and lead you to delve more deeply into learning about a subject on your own.

From packing customers’ orders in the retaped unfolded chip boxes Walmart unloaders set aside for us to writing customers’ orders on the back of old worksheets, my parents showed me the magic of repur

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Essay 3 - Tell us about how you have collaborated with and worked together within a small group of your peers on some task or endeavor in the past, or about how you imagine you will work with your Caltech peers in the future.

“Lights… go. Sound go.” cued our stage manager. After double-checking everyone on stage looked ready, I whispered, “Okay, go.” My mentee pressed the dimly lit play button on the light board and the

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