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

The Balloon, the Baboon, the Bassoon Chapter 1: The Balloon The game had 3 rules. 1-You can touch the balloon twice. 2-The balloon can’t land on your side. 3-The balloon can’t hit the imaginary n

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What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? (max 350 words)

Even more daunting than learning how to play one of the most complicated instruments in the orchestra was actually finding the instrument itself. My parents and I searched for weeks to find a bassoon

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What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? (max 350 words)

From the moment I saw the LA Philharmonic perform for the first time, I knew I would do whatever it took to play at that level. I have dedicated the last eight years to building a skill that has come

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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. (max 350 words)

Over the years, many students had attempted—and failed—to establish a successful music club at our high school. Undeterred, about 4 years ago, my brother and I successfully created the first self-sust

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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. (max 350 words)

It started with a simple curiosity: how could the vowel sounds of “sure” and “sir” be the same? How could “sew”, “so”, and “sow” (no, not “sow” meaning pig) all have the same pronunciation but differe

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Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard? (max 200 words)

I am neither Korean by ethnicity nor Christian by faith, so it felt surreal to find myself at a Korean church retreat, far from home. Raised in a home where religion was a gray area—my dad being Jewis

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Briefly describe an intellectual experience that was important to you. (max 200 words)

It started with simple curiosity: how could the vowel sounds of “sure” and “sir” be the same? How could “sew”, “so”, and “sow” (no, not “sow” meaning pig) all have the same pronunciation but different

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Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are. (max 200 words)

As a seasoned orchestral player, I felt extremely confident when I assumed the role of Artistic Director for [Organization Redacted]. Initially, the project's noble goal to empower youth through music

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How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future? (max 200 words)

Music is a universal language, transcending cultural and geographical barriers. Its resonance grows with every technological evolution—from the cassette tape to iPods to online streaming. A Harvard ed

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Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you. (max 200 words)

The experience of being my roommate is like listening to a 3-track playlist that fuses eclectic music from around the globe—an EP that reflects my character and quirks. Track 1: Chinggis Khaanii Magt

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Tell us more about why this field of study at MIT appeals to you. (max 100 words)

My linguistic journey started from simple curiosity: How could an elephant and tree both have a “trunk,” yet I can store my swim trunks inside a wooden trunk in the trunk of my car? My love for small

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What do you do for fun? 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. (max 150 words)

Although much of my application is about classical bassoon and its effect on my life, classical bassoon is only part of my musical story. For the past two years, I’ve been exploring jazz bassoon. It’s

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Describe your community: How has the world you come from—including your opportunities, experiences, and challenges—shaped your dreams and aspirations? (max 225 words)

For context: I am neither Korean by ethnicity nor Christian by faith. That’s why it felt so surreal to find myself at a Korean church retreat, far from home. I took the invitation from my close friend

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Contributing to your community: MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds together to collaborate, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to lending a helping hand. Describe one way you have collaborated with others to learn from them, with them, or contribute to your community together. (max 225 words)

As an elementary schooler, I thought the bassoon’s infamous difficulty was the reason the instrument was so scarce. However, my mindset changed at the Honor-Band of America. One of my roommates confi

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Learning from challenges: How did you manage a situation or challenge that you didn’t expect? What did you learn from it? (max 225 words)

Last year, I stepped into the position of [Organization Redacted], inspired by the project’s goal to empower youth through music. We had a system: I, the artistic director, would compile and arrange

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What is the most significant challenge that society faces today? (max 50 words)

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How did you spend your last two summers? (max 50 words)

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What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? (max 50 words)

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

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List five things that are important to you (max 50 words)

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The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning. (max 250 words)

It started with a simple curiosity: how could the vowel sounds of “sure” and “sir” be the same? How could “sew”, “so”, and “sow” (no, not “sow” meaning pig) all have the same pronunciation but differe

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Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate – and us – get to know you better. (max 250 words)

I won’t be able to hide my weird forever, so here goes… I'm the kind of person who finds joy in the unconventional. Take my childhood Saturdays, for instance. They were less about the hustle of the

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Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University. (max 250 words)

From the moment I first picked up the bassoon in fifth grade, my musical journey has been enriched with diverse interactions and leadership experiences. As I progressed through various orchestras and

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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? (max 250 words)

I’ve always been interested in language. My journey started from simple curiosity: How could an elephant and a tree both have a “trunk,” while at the same time I can store my swim trunks inside a wood

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Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. As a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. What lessons have you learned in life thus far? What will your classmates learn from you? In short, how has your lived experience shaped you? (max 500 words)

From all my life experiences that I will bring to Princeton, a clear theme stands out: my love for exploring the unusual and unexpected. Apparently, people don’t typically eat apple cores or strawber

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Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals? (max 250 words)

From the moment I first picked up the bassoon in fifth grade, my musical journey has been enriched with diverse interactions. I have worked with a variety of musicians, each bringing their unique pers

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What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? (max 50 words)

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What brings you joy? (max 50 words)

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What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment? (max 50 words)

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Tell us about an aspect of your identity (e.g. race, gender, sexuality, religion, community, etc.) or a life experience that has shaped you as an individual and how that influenced what you’d like to pursue in college at Hopkins. (This can be a future goal or experience that is either academic, extracurricular, or social). (max 350 words)

It started with a simple curiosity: how could the vowel sounds of “sure” and “sir” be the same? How could “sew”, “so”, and “sow” (no, not “sow” meaning pig) all have the same pronunciation but differe

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What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you? If there's something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (max 250 words)

Yes, I want to explore linguistics. Yes, I want to explore music. But to study both, together, no better school exists than Duke. I love how much support Duke’s music program has, not just from foun

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Tell us about an intellectual experience in the past two years that you found absolutely fascinating. (max 250 words)

It started with a simple curiosity: how could the vowel sounds of “sure” and “sir” be the same? How could “sew”, “so”, and “sow” (no, not “sow” meaning pig) all have the same pronunciation but differe

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We recognize that “fitting in” in all the contexts we live in can sometimes be difficult. Duke values all kinds of differences and believes they make our community better. Feel free to tell us any ways in which you’re different, and how that has affected you or what it means to you. (max 250 words)

I won’t be able to hide my weird forever, so here goes… I'm the kind of person who finds joy in the unconventional. Take my childhood Saturdays, for instance. They were less about the hustle of the

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In the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War, Ezra Cornell wrote, "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study." For over 150 years, Cornell University has remained deeply committed to Ezra’s vision. Explain how your life experiences will help inform your contributions to a learning community devoted to “...any person…any study.” We encourage you to think broadly about your life experiences, including how local (e.g., family, school, neighborhood) or global communities you’ve been part of have helped shape your perspective. (max 350 words)

Apparently, normal people don’t typically eat apple cores or strawberry leaves. I learned this lesson at the farmer’s market when my embarrassed mother attempted to correct my behavior, lecturing me a

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At the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide. Discuss how your passion for learning is shaping your academic journey, and what areas of study or majors excite you and why. Your response should convey how your interests align with the College, and how you would take advantage of the opportunities and curriculum in Arts and Sciences. (max 650 words)

From the moment I first picked up the bassoon in fifth grade, my musical journey has been enriched with diverse interactions and leadership experiences. As I progressed through various orchestras and

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Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (max 300 words)

Raised in a home where religion was a gray area—my dad being Jewish/atheist and my mom purely atheist—I was never encouraged to adopt a specific faith. My curiosity was often dismissed, leaving me wit

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Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests? (max 550 words)

As a passionate bassoonist and a dedicated student of linguistics, I know that the University of Michigan presents an unparalleled confluence of opportunities that match both my artistic and academic

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Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (max 250 words)

At USC, I intend to major in Bassoon Performance through the Thornton School of Music. At the same time, I plan to take advantage of USC’s unique interdisciplinary freedom, hopefully earning recogniti

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Describe yourself in three words: (max 100 characters)

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What is your favorite snack? (max 100 characters)

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Best movie of all time: (max 100 characters)

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Dream job: (max 100 characters)

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If your life had a theme song, what would it be? (max 100 characters)

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Dream trip: (max 100 characters)

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What TV show will you binge watch next? (max 100 characters)

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Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate? (max 100 characters)

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Favorite book: (max 100 characters)

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If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be? (max 100 characters)

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Brown's Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might pursue them at Brown. (200-250 words)

I’ve always been interested in language. My journey started from simple curiosity: How could an elephant and a tree both have a “trunk,” while at the same time I can store my swim trunks inside a wood

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Students entering Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. Share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the Brown community. (200-250 words)

From the moment I first picked up the bassoon in fifth grade, my musical journey has been enriched with diverse interactions. I have worked with a variety of musicians—with people from Europe, South A

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Brown students care deeply about their work and the world around them. Students find contentment, satisfaction, and meaning in daily interactions and major discoveries. Whether big or small, mundane or spectacular, tell us about something that brings you joy. (200-250 words)

I won’t be able to hide my weird forever, so here goes… I'm the kind of person who finds joy in the unconventional. Take my childhood Saturdays, for instance. They were less about the hustle of the

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What three words best describe you? (3 words)

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If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be? (max 100 words)

I would teach a class titled, “How to Make Your Private Music Teacher Say You’re Playing Too Expressively”. Let me explain. It’s almost impossible to make a music teacher say so. The #1 most common cr

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Why Brown? (max 50 words)

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What is your most meaningful extracurricular commitment, and what would you like us to know about it? (max 100 words)

Although I’ve talked a lot about bassoon, and its effect on my life—bassoon is only part of my musical story. Before bassoon, I started on violin and piano when I was 4. Plus, I’ve been playing barito

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Dartmouth celebrates the ways in which its profound sense of place informs its profound sense of purpose. As you seek admission to Dartmouth’s Class of 2028, what aspects of the College’s academic program, community, and/or campus environment attract your interest? In short, why Dartmouth? (max 100 words)

I intend to major in Music through Dartmouth’s diverse, personalized music program. As someone who wants to be a well-rounded musician, Dartmouth’s open course count model is perfect for me. I’m also

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“Be yourself,” Oscar Wilde advised. “Everyone else is taken.” Introduce yourself. (max 250 words)

I won’t be able to hide my weird forever, so here goes… I'm the kind of person who finds joy in the unconventional. Take my childhood Saturdays, for instance. They were less about the hustle of the

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Celebrate your nerdy side. (max 250 words)

It started with a simple curiosity: how could the vowel sounds of “sure” and “sir” be the same? How could “sew”, “so”, and “sow” (no, not “sow” meaning pig) all have the same pronunciation but differe

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List a selection of texts, resources and outlets that have contributed to your intellectual development outside of academic courses, including but not limited to books, journals, websites, podcasts, essays, plays, presentations, videos, museums and other content that you enjoy. (max 100 words)

Feynman Lectures on Physics;  Plato’s Republic;  William Strunk Elements of Style;  NPR Radio Ambulante;  NPR’s From the Top!;  NPR Code Switch; NPR Music Tiny Desk Concerts;  Ali Abdaal

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A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. Tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia’s diverse and collaborative community. (max 150 words)

From the moment I first picked up the bassoon in fifth grade, my musical journey has been enriched with diverse interactions. I have worked with a variety of musicians, each bringing their unique pers

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In college, students are often challenged in ways that they could not predict or anticipate. It is important to us, therefore, to understand an applicant's ability to navigate through adversity. Please describe a barrier or obstacle you have faced and discuss the personal qualities, skills or insights you have developed as a result. (max 150 words)

When I created the Bassoon Exchange—my program matching old, donated bassoons to underfunded schools—I had no idea how arduous the task would be. After weeks of work, it felt like convincing someone t

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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. (max 150 words)

Columbia is the perfect place to study music and linguistics. The school emphasizes a global outlook in its curriculum, encouraging students to gain international experience and understanding. This em

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What attracts you to your preferred areas of study at Columbia College? (max 150 words)

While my journeys in music and linguistics started much differently, both converge to one point: Columbia. Linguistics started with a simple question: How could “sew”, “so”, and “sow” (no, not “sow”

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In a 200-250 word statement, tell us what excites you about pursuing a life in the arts and why you want to attend Berklee.

In fifth grade, I fell in love… with a 1.34 meter-long wooden stick. Some call it a bassoon. When I think about its sound, I’m always reminded of Tolkien’s Shire—that peaceful, grassy countryside. It

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Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. (We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience!) (150-200 words)

Hey [Name Redacted], You may not remember the first time I met you, but I remember it vividly. The moment you first stepped into the fencing club—your passion for fencing didn’t just cut through the a

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How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective, and how your experiences and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words)

My journey started from simple curiosity: How could an elephant and a tree both have a “trunk,” while at the same time I can store my swim trunks inside a wooden trunk in the trunk of my car? My fas

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The flexible structure of The College of Arts and Sciences’ curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster connections, and help you create a path of study through general education courses and a major. What are you curious about and how would you take advantage of opportunities in the arts and sciences? (150-200 words)

Linguistics. Music. Both of these have defined my high school years. And, at The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), I have a rare opportunity to expound those interests together, into one cohesive pi

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We want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: What aspects of your background, your identity, or your school, community, and/or household settings have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise? (max 300 words)

From the moment I first picked up the bassoon in fifth grade, my musical journey has been enriched with diverse interactions. I have worked with a variety of musicians—with people from Europe, South A

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Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus. (max 200 words)

My linguistics journey started with simple curiosity: how could the vowel sounds of “sure” and “sir” be the same? How could “sew”, “so”, and “sow” (no, not “sow” meaning pig) all have the same pronunc

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Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus? (max 200 words)

I am neither Korean by ethnicity nor Christian by faith, so it felt surreal to find myself at a Korean church retreat, far from home. Raised in a home where religion was a gray area—my dad being Jewis

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Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you. (max 250 words)

From the moment I first picked up the bassoon in fifth grade, my musical journey has been enriched with diverse interactions. I have worked with a variety of musicians, each bringing their unique pers

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Tell us about a topic or idea that excites you and is related to one or more academic areas you selected above. Why are you drawn to it? (max 200 words)

It started with simple curiosity: how could the vowel sounds of “sure” and “sir” be the same? How could “sew”, “so”, and “sow” (no, not “sow” meaning pig) all have the same pronunciation but different

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

Yes, I want to explore music. Yes, I want to explore linguistics. But to study both, together, no better school exists than Yale. The humanities-oriented program for music would be invaluable to hel

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What inspired you? (max 200 characters)

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If you could teach any college course, write a book, or create an original piece of art of any kind, what would it be? (max 200 characters)

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Other than a family member, who is someone who has had a significant influence on you? What has been the impact of their influence? (max 200 characters)

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What is something about you that is not included anywhere else in your application? (max 200 characters)

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Reflect on an element of your personal experience that you feel will enrich your college. How has it shaped you? (max 400 words)

From all my life experiences that I will bring to Yale, a clear theme stands out: my love for exploring the unusual and unexpected. Apparently, normal people don’t typically eat apple cores or strawb

Unlock profile to read full content