String Theory “The universe is infinitely large, perpetually growing, and is comprised of…” I reread the line. “What!?” I thought to myself. “Strings?” That can’t be right. Fantasy, non-fiction, mystery: they were no match for my unquenchable literary thirst. But an advanced science textbook (let alone one about Quantum Physics), well, that was new territory entirely. Attempting to link the abstract with the tangible, I connected String Theory (an impossibly complex approach to quantifying the universe), with my life ...

Oh, The Places You'll Go is one of the most popular books by ''Dr. Seuss'' (Theodore Seuss Geisel, Dartmouth Class of 1925). Where do you hope to go? What aspects of Dartmouth's curriculum or community might help you get there? (100) Congratulations! Today is my day. You’ve allowed me to show you Why I should stay. I want to explore. To research! Right off the bat, A flexible D-Plan Takes care of all that. Computer Science, Philosophy, International Relations? A Special...

Yale is a shark and I am a Remora. These organisms share an extraordinary relationship: Remoras clean sharks’ exteriors, getting a free meal, and in return, sharks circumvent their predatory instinct. This is how I view my future at Yale: a symbiotic give-and-take between college and student. I see myself swimming alongside schools of students, collaborating, exploring; diving after my copious disparate interests. I know you're not fishing for compliments, but Yale’s rich tradition and academic flexibility will sharpen...

Sometimes I yoyo. I got into an argument with my friend’s father about the principle of inherited skill. What started as a compliment to my yo-yoing expertise, spiraled into a discussion about whether my skill was the outcome of years of hard work (my belief), or if some genetic advantage gave me an edge over the average individual (his belief). I left my friend’s house incensed by the conversation. Years of hard work trivialized by the conclusion that...

My mom is old. I don't mean this in the sense of age, or as a derogatory statement. I mean it as an oversimplification of the antiquated mindset in which I was raised. My mother grew up with a limited amount of electronics, and decided I should grow up the same way. Basically the most advanced piece of technology in my house was a microwave. When I was about 7, my mom got herself a smartphone. She brought it home, locked...

There was no moment of epiphany, but there was, oddly enough, a pair of socks. A friend had mentioned in passing that as a child, her favorite item of clothing was a pair of rainbow toe-socks. Without thinking I ordered a pair online, and within 3-5 business days they were comfortably resting on her feet. It struck me how a simple click on my computer could produce such indescribable joy in a person. I was addicted. I started collecting people�...