From a very young age, I had always thought that learning was only for my personal gain: recognition and fame, accolades and awards. In elementary school, I was selected to go to the city spelling bee. In middle school, as part of my school's math team, I went to the state math competition. During high school, I continued to get involved in such competitions, becoming a U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad Finalist and placing third for my school's Physics Bowl....

As a native New Yorker, I can safely declare that I have not used the resources of NYC to their fullest potential. I know that there is much more to the city than Times Square, the Empire State Building, or the Statue of Liberty (or for my purposes, my high school and the bubble tea shop in Chinatown that I stop by daily on my way home.) For me, NYU is unique, because it is so seamlessly integrated into the...

“No! Don’t touch the can!” I instantly pulled back my hand, filled with fear, while my mother lectured me on the dangers of the contents of the cans under the kitchen sink. From an early age, I was fascinated with science. My “experiments” included antics like spraying hairspray on ants and the infamous spreading of talcum powder around the living room. While my parents were not happy when I pulled off such silly acts, I always found out what...

If there is any place that I feel like a second home, it is Boston. I visited the city as a part of a college trip, hosted by my high school. With a quarter of a million college students, the beautiful Charles River, and historic buildings, Boston is the ideal college town, yet has the trappings of my home city, NYC. What delighted me even more is that BU runs along Commonwealth Avenue, which provides a direct connection to the...

What first sparked your interest in The Cooper Union? Be sure to elaborate on how you followed through with your interest throughout the process. Last year my cousin was accepted by Cooper Union. He gushed about all the reasons why he loved it, especially the outstanding engineering programs. I heard that name again from my guidance counselor towards the end of my junior year. He knew that I loved engineering, so he recommended the school to me. Because the admissions...

During the college application process, one strategy to save time is to "recycle your essays". This means you have a general topic and a corresponding template. Just change the relevant parts (ie DO NOT have NYU in a Why Cornell essay: it has happened before...)

Pick teachers that know you well: Ideally that person...

Be genuine: the best stories come...

Orgo Chem!! Yes, it is...

I'd work...

I really wished I had...