We are interested in learning more about you and the context in which you have grown up, formed your aspirations, and accomplished your academic successes. Please describe the factors and challenges that have most shaped your personal life and aspirations. How have these factors helped you to grow? (Word limit: 800) My humble town of Modesto is rather famous, but not for particularly good reasons. High rates of drug use, theft, and other crimes are our claim to fame. There are...

(Harvey Mudd: Admitted) FAST opened my eyes to the true answer to this question. Harvey Mudd, to me, provides what may be the perfect combination in academics and community. First, let's start with academics. I'm still torn about my major (choosing between CS, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering is tough) and I believe that the Core at Harvey Mudd is the perfect solution for me. It gives me exposure to enough areas for me to make the right choice about my...

What matters to you, and why? (Word limit: 250/250) (Stanford) Individuality matters to me. It's not that I need people to think I'm unique, I need to know I am. So it's only natural that I treasure what assures me that I am. Those treasures are my friends and experiences. My worst fear is losing who I am. Though I want to be a good person, I'm fine so long as I know I'm me. But, if I lose myself, how...

Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate -- and us -- know you better. (Word limit: 205/250) If you're going to have a party in the room or special someone over just give me a heads up right quick. I don't do well in those kinds of awkward situations. Seriously, just text me "habibi" in advance and that's all I need. I...

Stanford students possess an intellectual vitality. Reflect on an idea or experience that has been important to your intellectual development. (Word limit: 250/250) Last January, our Math Club decided to try going to more math tournaments. As we trained for the Stanford Math Tournament, we learned about the Power Round of the competition. For 90 minutes, 8 of the best mathematical minds that Enochs has to offer sat down and tackled the 2013 SMT Power Round in practice. We had trouble grasping what exactly...

What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? (Word limit: 50/50) (Stanford) I would have loved to have been on the B-59 Soviet submarine that almost fired a nuclear missile at the US during the Cold War. Seeing the tension as the captains argue and history unfolds would've been exhilarating, assuming time travel came with translations and no alternate, nuclear winter universe.

Tell us about a concept or subject that intellectually excites you. Why does it interest you? (200 words) (Questbridge) I find the idea of "everything" fascinating. If one defines an "object" as a planck volume, the smallest measurable size, then the number of objects is 10^183. If one defines an "object" as a complete thought and all the matter in the universe was dedicated to generating complete thoughts for all time, then, by following Bremermann's Limit, the most thoughts that could ever...

The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? (Word count/limit: 650/650) (Common App) I’m great at losing. More precisely, I’m great at getting second place. So good, in fact, I’m nicknamed “First Alternate,” a name that plasters my social media and speech career. It’s even on my Powderpuff cheerleading shirt....

Please provide an answer below if you wish to provide details of circumstances or qualifications not reflected in the application. You may enter up to 650 words. (Common App) I am on an Intra District Transfer at my school, which requires I take a pathway unique to my school to attend. I came here for their superior academics and their debate team. However, my pathway was Forensics and Biotechnology which required me to take CP sciences my first two years, I...

Option 2: Describe an experience which caused you to change your perspective and/or opinion. How did this affect you? Word Limit: 494/500 (Questbridge) Three times. Three times we tried to win. Three times we lost. Three years of our lives to end up with nothing. Well, it seemed like nothing at the time. In reality, robotics taught us all a lot. In middle school, my dream was to go to the FLL World Championship. I did robotics for all three years...

As mentioned previously, I truly believe that personal statements are an excellent chance for self-reflection and growth. I highly encourage you to not just see this as a way to get into college, but a way to learn about yourself. Also, when it comes to the longer essays, don't try and sell some perfect, artificial version of yourself because it is really easy to see through those kinds of essays. When I wrote my essays, I was focused as much...