"It seems that some of the most interesting and surprising things in life are born out of irony, don't you think?" remarked my mother during our dinner conversation. As I contemplated the anecdotes she had just shared, I couldn't help but relate her comment to some of my life experiences thus far. As a child, I used to gripe about the unconventionality of my home life and schooling, but now I must admit that I am grateful for all the...

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 - know you better. 2000 characters Dear future roommate, It’s going to be wonderful meeting you on orientation day. I’m an only child with a single parent, and I, especially when I was younger, have always wanted to have a sibling. Since I attend a private school that is about...

Living in the 21st century, I experience the products of engineering everyday and everywhere I go. Engineering is a constantly evolving area of study that improves all aspects of life as new innovations and ideas arise. I always have questions and inquiries about why and how things work, and I would love to discover the fundamental building blocks of the inventions and apparatuses our world utilizes. To no surprise, I have a huge interest in engineering because it is a...

What are the unique qualities of Northwestern - and of the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying - that make you want to attend the University? In what ways do you hope to take advantage of the qualities you have identified? Northwestern's atmosphere of studying hard, but also playing hard resonates well with my goal to achieve a well-balanced college lifestyle. Part of my life's ambition is to continuously learn and overcome obstacles because I enjoy being educated...

Please tell us what you found meaningful about one of the above mentioned books, publications or cultural events. 1500 characters Zeitoun is a nonfiction book that accounts a Muslim man's hardships during and after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans. This book enthralled me because of the unique lifestyle that the man, named Zeitoun, braved during this time. While Zeitoun’s family sought refuge during the hurricane, Zeitoun chose to stay behind to protect his home, which I thought was a capricious...

When it comes to decide which school to attend, I'd try to make sure the school you choose is affordable because in the end, what you do in college is more important than...

It is always great to show schools that you are passionate about something whether it be academics or extracurriculars. Summer is the best...

In hindsight, taking a heavy courseload senior year might...

I attended a high school that was not very academically inclined or renowned, but I refused to let that handicap...

I did not use a private admission counselor since I thought it was excessive and unnecessary. However, I later discovered that having one could be quite useful when applying to colleges. Some of my peers did hire private admission counselors and were satisfied with the inside scoop and tips the counselor...

Determined, Well-rounded,...