“You’re pretty white for a black guy”. Throughout my life, I have constantly heard the same six words from many of the people with whom I have come in contact. At first, this statement and other jokes my friends made at my inability to conform to the stereotypes of African-Americans perpetuated by the media and popular culture did not phase me. I laughed along with them without realizing that these jokes were being made at my expense. However, as...

When I started high school, I never understood the power of being able to communicate in a different language, but studying Spanish has given me new ways to define my everyday experiences. Words that are not present in the English language The late-night conversations with my family after we have dinner are now our sobremesas, and the feeling I get when I eat one too many pieces of candy is now me empalago. I want to continue studying Spanish because...

Prompt: What are the unique qualities of Northwestern - and of the specific undergraduate school(s) 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? (~300 limit) Growing up in a suburb of a large city has given me a greater appreciation for the ability to learn and grow in an inclusive, familiar environment, while still being able to experience everything...

In seventh grade my etymology teacher assigned our class a project: find out the meanings behind your first and last name. My first name, Joseph, was no issue. Inspired by Joseph, the father of Jesus, it was easy for me to quickly recall this and jot it down on the piece of paper provided to me. My last name, however, was different story. After several hours of combing through several websites, I still knew nothing about the significance of my...

When first I entered high school, I was sure that I would go to college, major in biology on a pre-med track, and eventually become a cardiothoracic surgeon. However, as I approach the end of my first semester of senior year, I now realize that there are so many other things I am interested in studying. The College of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts at the University of Michigan is the best fit for me, because it would give me...