On the first day of kindergarten, I brought a bento box for lunch. My dad had taken time to prepare the colorful array: foil papers separated the rolled egg, the vegetables, the rice. When I sat down to eat, my friend pointed at my food and said, disgusted, “What’s that?” I looked at her sandwich, and then at my chopsticks in embarrassment, ashamed of my Japanese lunch. That night, I told my dad I didn’t want bento anymore;...

My parents moved to the U.S. from Japan to insure I would have equal opportunities. Living in Japan with an American mother and Japanese father, I was labeled a “foreigner” even as a toddler. My parents wanted to raise me in a place where I would not be labeled, where I would be accepted for who I was, where I could push myself to accomplish my dreams. Macalester gives me an opportunity to do just that. As a child...

Every individual is a part of a culture. My culture is defined by two very different ones. As my mom is American and my dad Japanese, two ethnicities are a part of me. Two languages have always been spoken in my household. My family celebrates holidays from each, from Thanksgiving to Girl’s Day. The two cultures have also brought different cuisines and have broadened my tastes in many types of food, from my dad’s miso soup to my...

Art has always been a part of my life, from the art classes I took when I was in elementary school to the AP art class I am in now. My passion for art has created a desire to pursue a career that lets me express my creativity. Although I am interested in studying art, my high school curriculum has introduced me to a variety of other subjects that I take great joy in. I know that the School of...

My high school curriculum has introduced me to various activities, ranging from solving calculus problems to painting in AP Art class. A month ago I went to a hunger banquet promoting awareness of world hunger. This experience showed me that the hunger crisis is not widely acknowledged. The event made me question whether a visual arts major would be right for me, so I began to think about careers involving other cultures and social issues. I am attracted to BU�...

I was on a recent train ride, watching the surrounding suburbs of New York fly past. I traveled under bridges, through neighborhoods and between walls that blocked my view of the street. All around me, I saw art. Large boldfaced words in colorful block letters were strewn over the walls. Street artists had found ways to express themselves, armed only with cans of spray paint. As I watched these messages whiz by, I noticed the detail of the designs. While...

I had to write "Why Us" essays for Macalester, Boston University, and Michigan University's art school. I also had to write about "a culture I am a part of" for Michigan, and about a hypothetical project proposal for George Mason University.

I visited Wash U for a second time during the weekend for admitted students to the Sam Fox School of Art and Design. That weekend was a life-changing experience for me. I...

I love the art program at Wash U. The intimate setting of fine art classes make it very easy for students to find friends their freshman year. I have gotten to know each of my...

Friendly, encouraging, intelligent, driven, multi-talented Most of the people that I know at Wash...

I never knew that being at Wash U would change my life. I had no idea of the brilliance of people that I would encounter while being here. The people that surround me inspire me everyday to work harder and be the best person that I...

Most people are thoughtful and aware at my school, however there are major discrepancies within...

It is important to Thoroughly research your schools and the programs they offer before attempting to write a Why Us. What programs are you interested in at the school, and more importantly, why? Why do they relate to your...

Chose professors who know you well and that...