Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. (650)

All throughout my childhood, I took music for granted. Instead of warming up, I spent the thirty minutes before my piano lessons coming up with ways to avoid playing through the piece that I hadn’t le

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What is it about Yale that has led you to apply? (125)

The first time I heard a cello was Yo-Yo Ma playing Beethoven’s 2nd Sonata on TV, sparking an obsession for music that has allowed me to discover my favorite areas of study: politics, economics, histo

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Short Answers (200 characters)

1. What inspires you? My grandfather, with his constant passion for learning. As I was learning English before immigrating to the US, we spent time learning it together. I hope to retain the same driv

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Yale’s extensive course offerings and vibrant conversations beyond the classroom encourage students to follow their developing intellectual interests wherever they lead. Tell us about your engagement with a topic or idea that excites you. Why are you drawn to it? (250)

Protest songs are songs associated with movements that inspire social change. Music, as a form of communication, has always been used to express opinions about immediate matters. The first caveman qua

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Reflect on your membership in a community. Why is your involvement important to you? How has it shaped you? You may define community however you like. (250)

The first time I attended an Andover-Lawrence Strings session my sophomore year, I was terrified to teach the tiny fourth-grader whose arms barely wrapped around the one-fourth-sized cello she was giv

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Why do these areas appeal to you? (125)

Political science, economics In 2019, while visiting an elementary school on a mission trip in rural Taiwan, we saw makeshift tents and half-reconstructed buildings scattered throughout the campus, a

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Lists

List the titles of the required readings from academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (150) Homegoing, Yaa Gyasi; Beloved, Toni Morrison; How Much of These Hills is Gol

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Columbia students take an active role in improving their community, whether in their residence hall, classes or throughout New York City. Their actions, small or large, work to positively impact the lives of others. Share one contribution that you have made to your family, school, friend group or another community that surrounds you. (200 words or fewer)

The first time I attended an Andover-Lawrence Strings session my sophomore year, I was terrified to teach the tiny fourth-grader whose arms barely wrapped around the one-fourth-sized cello she was giv

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Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? (200 words or fewer)

Columbia’s focus on providing a well-rounded classics education through its core curriculum will allow me to explore a wide variety of fields outside of my interest in economics and political science

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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. (200 words or fewer)

My interest in political science and economics was sparked by my work in a mission trip to rural Taiwan in 2019. While visiting an elementary school, we saw makeshift tents and half-reconstructed buil

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We would like to know more about your interest in NYU. What motivated you to apply to NYU? Why have you applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and or area of study? If you have applied to more than one, please also tell us why you are interested in these additional areas of study or campuses. We want to understand - Why NYU? (400)

If the United States is a hurricane, New York City is the eye of the storm. An opportunity to major in politics at New York University will allow me to collaborate and learn with a global community to

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

At Boston University, I don’t have to worry about fitting into a niche. As an aspiring philosophy and political science major, musician, and volunteer, BU has the resources and diversity to support my

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The University of Rochester benefactor, entrepreneur, photography pioneer and philanthropist George Eastman said, “The progress of the world depends almost entirely upon education.” With that statement in mind, how will you use your University of Rochester experience to foster positive change in order to make the world, your community and those around you “ever better?” (250)

I used to imagine myself as a performer, playing for different audiences and bringing people together through music. Although I still envision myself doing that, my experiences working with underprivi

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Your intellectual life may extend beyond the academic requirements of your particular school. Please use the space below to list additional intellectual activities that you have not mentioned or detailed elsewhere in your application. These could include, but are not limited to, supervised or self-directed projects not done as schoolwork, training experiences, online courses not run by your school, or summer academic or research programs not described elsewhere. (150)

I have been a volunteer in the Andover-Lawrence Strings program since my sophomore year, giving weekly cello lessons to underprivileged middle-school kids from the surrounding community. It took me on

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Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (50-150)

In the summer of 2019, I participated in a two-week mission trip to rural Taiwan, a trip co-organized by three churches across the United States. During the second week, we visited prisons to give tes

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You may wish to include an additional essay if you feel that the college application forms do not provide sufficient opportunity to convey important information about yourself or your accomplishments. You may write on a topic of your choice, or you may choose from one of the following topics: (2000 max)

When I was four years old, my family told me that I would be moving to America. The prospect of uprooting myself seemed incredibly daunting, and I was hesitant to leave the familiar comforts of the on

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As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Please respond in about 250 words)

On a mission trip to rural Taiwan in 2019, my interest in politics and health policy was sparked after observing a flawed government policy that failed to provide the resources necessary to rebuild an

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

I have been a volunteer and co-coordinator in the Andover-Lawrence Strings program since my sophomore year, giving weekly cello lessons to underprivileged middle-school kids from the surrounding commu

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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? (Please respond in about 250 words)

I grew up going to church on Sundays, while my extended family practiced a traditional Chinese folk religion. Because I discovered my own faith and was baptized early in my childhood, I avoided any co

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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. (Please respond in about 250 words)

In the summer of 2019, I participated in a two-week mission trip to rural Taiwan. The first week, I led three other volunteers in teaching English in underfunded elementary and middle schools. Because

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Short Answer (50)

What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? (50) How to make zongzi (sticky rice dumpling) - My fondest memories are from eating my grandmother’s version of this dish with my extended fami

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How did you discover your intellectual and academic interests, and how will you explore them at the University of Pennsylvania? Please respond considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected. (300-450)

My interest in politics and economics was sparked by my work in a mission trip to rural Taiwan in 2019. While visiting an elementary school, we saw makeshift tents and half-reconstructed buildings sca

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At Penn, learning and growth happen outside of the classrooms, too. How will you explore the community at Penn? Consider how this community will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape this community. (150-200)

As a musician, I spend countless hours each week practicing by myself, solely focused on improving my technical and musical capabilities. However, when I joined the Andover-Lawrence Strings program, i

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''Why Northwestern'' Statement : While other parts of your application give us a sense of who you are, we are also excited to hear more about how you see yourself engaging with the larger Northwestern community. In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here. We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond. (300)

I believe that the dual degree program at the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and the Bienen School of Music is the perfect fit for me, allowing me to combine my passion for music with my academ

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Which aspects of the Tufts undergraduate experience prompt your application? In short, ‘Why Tufts?’ (100-150 words)

Tufts is a place where I’m not expected to be one type of student. I am excited to be a part of the Experimental College, which will allow me to reshape the teacher-student dynamic, and collaborate wi

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