Darkness drowned my surroundings. The dim car lights barely guided us down the endless winding road. Daunting mountains towered over us like the enormous skyscrapers that pierce city landscapes. The cold air seeped through the car doors and penetrated my winter coat. Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” persisted effortlessly as one indistinguishable track flowed into another. The music pulsated throughout my body, and each passing lyric invaded my mind. I gazed out my window and watched...

My love for the physical sciences became apparent two years ago as a sophomore in high school. I was determined to figure out what subjects I would excel at and would interest me. Once I started my first chemistry class, it became obvious. The subject immediately clicked for me. My teacher had a true passion for chemistry, which he loved to share with his students; it was not long before I developed a close bond with him. I was fortunate...

For the past four years, I have attended a very open and accepting arts high school that has helped me on my journey of personal discovery. I have been able to dedicate myself to studying piano while also focusing on my academic classes. Through it all, I realized my love for the sciences, and I felt like I could embrace this in an environment that advocates the following of one’s passion. Tufts seems to be a community that also...

Chemistry is an area of study that I am very interested in because it combines the study of physical and chemical processes in a field that is limitless. This past summer, I was an intern in a physical chemistry lab at the University of Florida through the Student Science Training Program. I spent 7 weeks working in a lab that combined my two favorite subjects: physics and chemistry. I worked with a graduate student under the supervision of Dr. David Wei...

Confusion. Intimidation. Loneliness. These are the words that describe how I felt as an 11 year old riding the train to my new school for the very first time. My mother stood on the platform and gave a hopeful smile that assured me I made the right decision. I nervously followed the hoard of excited, screaming children onto the train, but as I looked back to my mother, the doors shut and shielded my eyes from her loving smile. The train...

The opening phrase of Chopin’s 3rd Ballade resonates in the music hallway. The sound of dancer’s music pulsates the science rooms above the studios. Actors belt their songs loud enough to be heard in classrooms down the hall. This is my community, Dreyfoos School of the Arts. It is a place where students across Palm Beach County come together with one common trademark: a passion for their art. Many of us practice at least 3 hours a day, but...

Individuality has always been supported in my household. It has been instilled in me that it doesn’t matter what path people believe you should follow because others truly don’t know where your fervor lays. My parents have always encouraged me to pursue my passion since passion is what drives people to succeed. I have spent much of my life discovering my talents and passions in order to lead a fulfilling life. This has paved quite an interesting road....

My academic focus at Boston College has been geared toward a degree in Chemistry. While I still have an interest in this field, I have come to realize that I am even more fascinated with the application of science to the field of psychology. The ideal major for me would be Neuroscience and Behavior since it perfectly integrates my academic interests. Boston College does not offer this major or many of the opportunities that are available at a university with...

My academic focus at Boston College has been geared toward a degree in Chemistry. While I still have an interest in this field, I have come to realize that I am even more fascinated with the application of science to the field of psychology. The ideal degree path for me would be to major in both Chemistry and Psychology in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. Boston College does not offer the opportunity to major in both subjects because...

I will never forget the warmth as it trickled down my thighs, soaking my tan tights as it puddled around my feet. Reality hit me like a wave a bricks. If I had only thought to go to the bathroom before the show, I would not be standing on stage in front of a full-house audience in a puddle of my miscalculation. I had been faced with a difficult fate, for going to the bathroom before my cue was not...

Here is my common application essay for transfer: The cold air seeps through the window, taunting me, yearning to penetrate deep inside my bones. As I frantically search for more covers, an emptiness overcomes me. Attempting to allow the darkness of the night to guide my mind to the depths of sleep does not do me any good, for I am plagued with the truth that I am not living in a place I call home. Going to college is...