My friend Michael once called me a “Texifornian,” but my roots are sunk into more than the soil of my birthplace and my current hometown. They spread throughout North America and each of the places where they have grown, where I have lived, has affected me in its own way. I’ve taken away a piece of each; Houston’s boomtown optimism, Seattle’s intellectual vibrancy, Mexico’s exotic flavor, Ohio’s steadfastness, and California’s activism have all shaped...

Swimming has provided me with the proudest moments of my life, but its impact on me is more than just shining moments, it is the values it has instilled in me. My coach has said that swimming is special; no other sport exposes you to the same level of scrutiny and criticism. Every time, you have to stand on the blocks alone, with everyone’s eyes on you. I have had to learn to not only deal with this, but...

What I am looking for in a college is a high-level education, a cosmopolitan location, and a diverse, friendly student body. Columbia merges Ivy League academics with the glamor and urbanity of New York, finding what I think is a beautiful balance between the two. I love the feeling of home the campus provides, and the subway’s presence as a gateway to adventure in the Manhattan night. I have lived my whole life in suburbs, and while I still...

Books read for pleasure in the past year Ultimate London Design, The Lord of the Rings, New Architecture, Sherlock Holmes, Gold in the Water Required reading most enjoyed in last year The Sound and the Fury (Faulkner), As I Lay Dying (Faulkner), The Mayor of Casterbridge (Hardy), The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald) Print or Electronic Publications read regularly The Economist, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The San Francisco Chronicle Films, Performances, Exhibits, Etc. Madame Butterfly (SF Opera), Bloc...