To My Eleven Year Old Self Has there ever been a moment when your parent first failed you? My twelfth grade English teacher asked this question to me and twenty-nine other students. Silence engulfed the room as each student recollected their memories. My mind, on the other hand, was struggling to grasp onto a cloudy memory of a man with caramel skin. I tried desperately to focus on the memory, but the vision only became more distorted until it finally...

This Question Asked about Work Experience so I decided to show my sassy side: Swarms of people crowded into the tiny space. Mountains of clothing teetered on the verge of collapse. The store buzzed like a beehive filled with caffeine-crazed customers. This was typical for the annual retail apocalypse in American Eagle Outfitters: Black Friday . My mission was simple: to find a pair of jeans, size eight, for a customer. But as I worked through the crowd to reach them,...

Question: Tell us where you have lived – and for how long – since you were born; whether you’ve always lived in the same place, or perhaps in a variety of places. (100-word limit) I used to lie awake at night and hear gunshots, police sirens, and yelling outside. While these noises in Baltimore City were commonplace since I could remember , apprehension still crept down my spine as I realized that it was going to be another uneasy night. Everything changed...

Question: We all exist within communities or groups of various sizes, origins, and purposes; pick one and tell us why it is important to you, and how it has shaped you. (100-word limit) I am something of a dichotomy; a computer science nerd who comes from a family of seamstresses and tailors. Generation after generation, sewing was passed down from my great-grandmother. While I preferred brain teasers and reading than sewing, I was still intrigued as a child to watch...

This was for Brown: Brown’s commitment to diversity will help expand my worldview. As an African-American low-income female, I have been labeled an underdog. The Diversity Perspective Liberal Learning courses will provide in-depth knowledge about how gender, race, and class divisions form in society. I also plan to get involved with the Artemis Project and with Women in Computer Science, where I will participate in discussions about the tech industry's cultural challenges. I have faced discouragement in my pursuit...

Columbia (My best one!!): Columbia University will give me the opportunity to bridge the gap between the classroom and real-world applications. My engineering class has made me realize that I want to continue hands-on projects, stepping into the shoes of an engineer during the design process. When a Columbia student described a class-wide project to build and launch a rocket with Professor Mike Massimino, I knew I would still gain exposure to real world applications. The same Columbia Student also...

Question: When you meet someone for the first time, what do you want them to know about you, but generally don’t tell them? “Oh, so you want to work with computers or something like that?” This is the typical vague question someone asks me when I tell that person about how I plan to major in computer science. I always hesitate whenever someone asks me about my career goals. I do aim to be a computer scientist, but my...

Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Worcester Polytechnic Institute will give me the opportunity to bridge the gap between the classroom and real-world applications. My engineering class has made me realize that I want to continue hands-on projects, stepping into the shoes of an engineer during the design process. WPI pushes students to reach beyond the classroom, addressing societal problems with technology through the Interactive Qualifying Project. In addition, my experiences in Spanish Honor Society have only given me a glimpse into the...

Honestly, your applications are going to be the most important thing on your application. When I visited Brown, my admissions counselor gave me a big hug and told me she remembered my essay. My essays made an impact and yours should too! Do not underestimate this section. Focus on this section!! If you have something unique about you, EMPHASIZE IT. However, it's very easy to write about common experiences. Your perspective is what is going to be unique. For the ...

I was deferred at Brown and was devastated. However, this should not discourage you since you still have a chance! What you should do is write a deferral letter to...

PASSIONATE Curious ...

I applied for the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, Questbridge, and Ron Brown. I became a Questbridge Scholar and Gates Millennium Scholar (Whoop!). I didn't get the Ron Brown Scholarship...

Brown: ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. She is my second mom. The interview was only supposed to last 15 minutes but it lasted an hour. I honestly think she pushed my application. She told me she put...

Go further and beyond than writing about the Open Curriculum....

I would definitely stress less. To be honest, don't get caught up with one school. I would have an open mind about all the schools you apply to. Also, don't compare yourselves to other people....

I emailed three professors from Brown: Dr. Chad Jenkins, Dr.Michael Littman, and Dr.Stephanie Tellex. I asked them specific...

During high school, I would pursue a class, job, research or volunteer experience related to your interest...

Nope, unfortunately I couldn't afford one. However, my friend did have one and told me important advice....

I think what really set me apart was my goal in college to create a foundation to help...