Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Head resting against the car window, I observe the tall, academic buildings that I will soon call home. A temporary home, but a home nonetheless, and with a deep inhale of pine air-freshener, my mind

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Why do these areas appeal to you?

A wise man once said: ‘We are nothing without our history’, and I can confidently say that my unique family history is what has motivated me to dedicate my life to foreign service. My father and his

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Why Yale

Walking through Old Campus this past summer, I spoke to passing groups of undergraduates. Hearing the enthusiasm, passion, and intellectual curiosity of these Yalies, I felt welcome in an unfamiliar e

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Essays

Growing up within a system of international education, I have always seen cultural diversity as integral to a functioning society. Nonetheless, my assumption was challenged during an IB Global Politic

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B: Kanye West is by no means a ‘conventional’ artist. The unique and experimental nature of his music simultaneously attracts listeners, and has garnered him the reputation of being a ‘hip-hop trendsetter’.

During my junior year, I listened to his most boundary-pushing work: ‘Yeezus’. His hard-hitting commentary on racism within the fashion industry in the track ‘New Slaves’, and analysis of African-Amer

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

‘Antigone’ (HL Lang & Lit) - Powerful commentary on the hypocritical nature of authoritarian regimes.  ‘A History of Modern Ethiopia’ (HL History) - Gave me an in-depth understanding of the history

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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.

Most emotional read: The Old Man and the Sea - Short, but powerful. Brought me to tears in 127 pages. Most introspective read: The Alchemist - Instant mood-booster. Filled me with so much insight th

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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.

Mainstream News: I follow CNN and The Guardian, to gain a reliable and well-rounded view of current events. The ‘Global’ columns encourage me to think critically about global issues. Newsletters: I su

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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?

I have always felt a sense of pride in my multicultural identity. Growing up within a system of international education exposed me to countless cultures and perspectives, fueling my creativity and exp

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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.

From a young age, I have nurtured a desire to engage with global issues. My passion motivated me to pursue an internship with Columbia Global Centers Nairobi in 2021. Working to create awareness about

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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.

I still remember the very day that my father told me the truth about his family history. At 10 years old, I was shocked to learn that my grandfather was executed by Ethiopian communist officials, and

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Optional additional test info

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Penn Main Essay 1

Walking through Penn this past summer, my parents encouraged me to speak to passing groups of undergraduates. Hearing the enthusiasm, passion, and intellectual curiosity of these Quakers, I began to f

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Penn Main Essay 2

I have always felt pride in my multicultural identity. Growing up within a system of international education exposed me to countless cultures and perspectives, fueling my creativity and expression. Be

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In 150 to 250 words, please write a short response on the topic selected. You can type directly into the box, or you can paste text from another source.

Walking through Swarthmore this past summer, my parents encouraged me to speak to passing groups of undergraduates. As I nervously fumbled with my campus map, I heard the enthusiasm, passion, and inte

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Why Duke?

From a young age, I have nurtured a desire to engage in important, and sometimes difficult, discussions. Duke’s discussion-based approach to learning assures me that this school is the perfect fit for

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Share a Perspective Response

A wise man once said: ‘We are nothing without our history’, and I can confidently say that a large part of my identity has been shaped by my unique family history. I still remember the day that my f

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Sexual Orientation

Being the only daughter in a traditional East-African family often comes with a number of expectations, the largest of which is the expectation of heterosexual marriage. Although I attempted to naviga

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Please enter your first essay.         I still remember the day that my father told me the truth about his family history. At 10 years old, I was shocked to learn that my grandfather was murdered at the hands of the Ethiopian communist regime, and not killed in a car crash as I was previously told. I never could have imagined the Pandora's box of historical understanding that would be unleashed afterward, but somehow I managed to wrap my head around the knowledge that my father and his family had been political refugees, fleeing on foot from a persecutory regime when he was only 16.

This historical awareness has instilled in me compassion for migrants, and more importantly, a strong desire to advocate for the rights of refugees and African diaspora worldwide. It is the fuel that

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Please enter your second essay.

Throughout my life, my African identity has defined me. Growing up in Kenya as an Ethiopian woman has instilled in me not only a critical awareness of gender inequalities within Africa, but the passio

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Honors Carolina Essay

In my family, sitting around the dinner table is synonymous with the exchange of views: I can always count on rounding-out my day with a heated discussion or debate. When I was younger, I would be the

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Please respond to one of the prompts in 350-650 words below.

Throughout my life, my African identity has always defined me. Growing up in Kenya as an Ethiopian woman has instilled in me a passion for the rights of Africans in mine and the wider global communiti

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What about being a student at Boston University most excites you? (250 word maximum)

After visiting Boston University this past June, I realized that the city-center setting is something that I’m not used to. Nonetheless, I felt a sense of animation within my discomfort. I know that d

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Kilachand Honors College Essay Response

In my family, sitting around the dinner table is synonymous with the exchange of views. One of the things that I can always count on is rounding out my day with a heated discussion or debate. When I w

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Trustee Scholars Essay Response

Kanye West is by no means a ‘conventional’ artist. The unique and experimental nature of his music is not only what draws his listeners in, but is also what garnered him the reputation of being a ‘hip

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Additional Intellectual Experiences

1. I founded an independent blog where I regularly write articles about topics that interest me: https://makdaliyu.wixsite.com/channel45 2. I attended the Capitol Debate summer program in 2019. My t

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Activity 5 Writing / Literary Magazine EC Essay

As an Ethiopian woman, I have always been passionate about addressing gender inequalities within Africa. Hence, my most meaningful service initiative has been Project Imagine. Project Imagine aims t

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