As I sat in my backyard, admiring the Moon’s glow through my Nikon’s viewfinder, a thought popped into my head. What if the Moon landing was fake? The sheer space between the faraway rock and my plastic lawn chair felt unfathomably large, as my camera, even fully zoomed in, could barely capture the speck of light. How long would the journey even take? I wondered. I had always believed that man had landed on the Moon, but what...

Living in the Bay Area my whole life, I’ve grown up around technology. The Google and Apple headquarters are down the street from my house, and I’ve seen technology everywhere from computer automated trains to smart toasters and voice assistants in my own home. Thanks to the tech-centric philosophy of the area I live in, I’ve seen firsthand how technology is taking over the world; by building on my technical knowledge at CMU, I can continue to...

Duke University seeks a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience; we believe that the diversity of our students makes our community stronger. If you'd like to share a perspective you bring or experiences you've had to help us understand you better-perhaps related to a community you belong to, your sexual orientation or gender identity, or your family or cultural background-we encourage you to do so. . . . My Hispanic heritage reminds me to view the world...

The theme of connection will underscore my studies at Duke; the University’s incredible academic programs, combined with my peers’ diverse perspectives, will teach me about the world. Connection begins within the classroom. Through the interdisciplinary FOCUS program, I’ll find links across different fields of study. Similarly, Duke’s unique liberal arts education will diversify my studies in Computer Science, pushing me to relate various academic spheres to my knowledge of the machine. The University’s academic resources will...

I first found out about Rice University while reading the Princeton Review’s list of “20 Happiest Colleges,” in which Rice is ranked #1. As I learned more about how happy the Rice undergraduate experience is, I became convinced it’s the perfect place for me. My high school experience so far has been dictated by my ultimate life quest for happiness. Whether I’m teaching kids programming, learning about the history of artificial intelligence, or kicking a soccer ball around on...

(Pose your own question) Considering that buttered toast always lands face down, and cats always land on their feet, what happens if you duct tape a piece of buttered toast to a tabby cat’s back and drop it? . . . Ah, the classic Buttered Cat Paradox. It’s the stuff of Internet lore, a question that forever haunts those who dare try their hand at answering it. Where do I even begin? Like any inquiry, perhaps the BCP is best tackled...

My experience at UChicago will be defined by one word: exposure. Every aspect of my life will involve exposure to new ideas, whether I’m in the classroom or just eating lunch with friends. As someone who seeks intellectual growth, I cannot wait. For one, I’m going to be widening my perspective in the classroom. The Core Curriculum touches a wide variety of disciplines, and being exposed to such a broad base of knowledge means I’ll learn to...

Purdue’s philosophy of “making,” as well as interdisciplinary opportunities at the Discovery Park, will let me feel the impact of my computer science research in my hands. I imagine myself designing a new algorithm to improve crop irrigation systems or writing software to power surgical robots, using the University’s resources. Civic engagement also steers close to my heart—I’ve organized multiple local service opportunities in my hometown. I eagerly await meeting peers with whom I share this...

I am interested in joining the Honors College because its four pillars—interdisciplinary academics, leadership development, undergraduate research, and community and global experiences—speak to my personality as a learner and leader. The activities to which I have dedicated myself directly reflect the College’s values, and I know that the spirit of collaboration I can bring will fit in perfectly among them. I am not just a scholar of computer science, but of political science and psychology as well....