When I signed up for Happiness class last winter, I never expected that a course based on such an elusive and intangible ideal could make me so … happy. Over the course of the trimester, I read Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, HH Dalai Lama’s The Art of Happiness, and The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism. I also examined the influence of trees on happiness and economic stability and watched hours of TED Talks on the intermingling of environmental...

It’s eleven o’clock at night and my hands are getting stiff as I clean and oil my jumping saddle, buffing it with a small round sponge until it gleams in the light of my flickering headlamp. Violet’s mane and forelock have already been meticulously braided, her stall is covered with fresh pine shavings, and my legs are still damp from sloshing water into the twenty-gallon bucket in the corner of the stall. Once my shining saddle is...

CMC’s emphasis on leadership, its academic programs, and the recommendation of a current student have inspired me to apply. In my small community, residents step up to volunteer for the school board, run for city manager, and coordinate the art and music festivals that are the lifeblood of the town. Without personal initiative and leadership, nothing would get done. It’s this observation that drew me to leadership in high school and inspired my college search. In addition to...

When I visited Johns Hopkins last spring, I felt instantly at home. People were friendly and engaging, and the campus’ urban energy was invigorating. Beyond what I saw on the surface - the gorgeous campus, the state-of-the-art facilities, and the city life - Hopkins has a depth of opportunities in academics, international experiences, and student life that I can’t wait to explore. Because of my experiences in Leadership and Student Government, I’ve discovered that my most meaningful achievements...

Lehigh’s unique programs will provide me with tools to become an even more energized world citizen. Its opportunities in community development, global social reform, and international affairs make it very appealing to me. Special interest areas at Lehigh will enable me to integrate academics with community life in a new way. The interdisciplinary pathways seem endless. A major in sociology and anthropology will open doors to service opportunities, and I can apply my experiences within the Globalization and Social...

Emanate Magnanimity, Inspire Lives: Yes! (EMILY) I’m conducting an experiment on living purposefully, with myself as the subject. It started when I noticed my classmates, whom I have known for the last four years as highly involved people, becoming apathetic and disengaged. I didn’t want to catch their senioritis, which is becoming an epidemic around here. During my high school career, I’ve prided myself on being the enemy of apathy, pursuing my passions and getting others to...

Not everyone gets to see coyotes catching prey in their backyard or earn science credit for backpacking in the mountains. But I’ve been lucky enough to grow up in Sisters, Oregon, where community, science, and nature converge. My high school, situated next to the Trout Creek Conservation Area, has created educational opportunities unlike those at any other high school I know. My education here has enriched my life and my enthusiasm for interdisciplinary learning. To the University of Washington�...

I’ve grown up in Sisters, Oregon, a small town with a lively mix of artists, musicians, cowboys, and outdoorsmen. Through their vision, hard work, and cooperation, Sisters residents have created nationally recognized events like the Sisters Folk Festival, Sisters Quilt Festival, and Cascade Cycling Classic that bring people together and greatly enrich our community. Living among such energetic, enthusiastic people has taught me that being involved in my community is the most important way to make a difference. Every...

Every year, Miss America solemnly declares her most profound dream to be “World Peace.” The term has become such a cliche in the US that no one really considers what is necessary to achieve this ideal. Restoring the phrase to its true meaning demands that citizens become educated about war and ask their government to commit to reducing conflict. The first step would be for people to truly understand how oppression, hatred, and intolerance lead to violence. In a unit...

ASG/ Superfans: At home games, you can spot me sporting a golden cowboy hat and riding Sparky the Spirit Stick-Horse, or wearing face paint and a “Back in Black” Outlaw shirt. Of everything I’ve done as president of Student Government, I’m most proud of creating the Superfans, a spirit club that supports teams and energizes crowds. It started as a handful of Outlaw enthusiasts, but now its over 100 strong and featured in the Sisters Nugget, the Bend Bulletin,...

This was a supplemental essay written for Harvard University elaborating on one of my activities or extracurriculars and how it had shaped me as a person.

I applied Early Decision to Harvard, and was deferred. I decided to send in...

I took a freshman seminar on Charles Darwin. The freshman seminar program at Harvard is really unique and pairs small groups of freshmen with...

Harvard students are...

I went to private college counseling sessions once a week during the summer between my junior and senior years. The advice I got was...

I think it sets you apart to show that you spend your free time...