Pitter-patter. How to perform a western blot. Pitter-patter. Pitter-patter. Extraction of Drosophila melanogaster salivary glands. Suddenly, an incessant downpour of raindrops bombards the window in a succession of percussive beats. An unsettling feeling intrudes on my train of thought, and my eyes glance towards my watch: 2:18 AM. A tinge of guilt tugs at my conscience; I have to catch the 6:46 AM train for my two-hour commute to the lab. I feel my eyelids growing heavier, my alertness ebbing away... Torrents...

I've always held a profound love for science: a constantly evolving field where people are always exploring and innovating and discovering solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues. Two summers ago, I came across a TIME 100 article about a pioneer in the field of Alzheimer’s research, Dr. Rudolph Tanzi; he’d created a remarkable invention called “Alzheimer’s in a dish”—human brain cells in a petri dish that developed markers of Alzheimer’s disease—a...

Admissions Committee at Yale: For you I have this little tale, A few reasons why Your school caught my eye, Hopefully this won’t sound stale. The symphony orchestra's grand; Superlative talents in band I would love joining in On my flute or violin Or piano–what a wonderland! I’ve always wished I could learn circus arts With Circus Arts Collective I could start: Learn to fly through the air. Or I’d study Khmer: To start a DILS...

1.Who or what is a source of inspiration for you? TED Talks are a source of inspiration for me: presenting fascinating ideas, giving me a new perspective on the world, and fueling my curiosity 2. If you could live for a day as another person, past or present, who would it be? Why? A soldier during the Christmas Truce of WW1: to see enemy troops putting aside their differences, uniting in song+celebration, showing that even in our darkest hours, peace...

If you selected one of the computer science or engineering majors, please tell us more about what has led you to an interest in this field of study, what experiences (if any) you have had in computer science or engineering, and what it is about Yale’s program in this area that appeals to you.(Please answer in 500 words or fewer). If you selected one of the computer science or engineering majors, please tell us more about what has led...

1. What is a community to which you belong? Reflect on the footprint that you have left. (You may define community and footprint in any way you like.) I believe every student deserves an equal opportunity to reach academic success; a vital component of that is an encouraging support system centered on personalized learning. Three years ago, I founded Homework Helpers, a dedicated team of high school volunteers with a dream to revolutionize the way students learn. Not every student can...

2. Reflect on a time in the last few years when you felt genuine excitement learning about something. Jaw tensed, eyebrows furrowed in concentration, I mustered all my focus as I navigated through the climax of Chopin’s Second Scherzo: a series of rapid arpeggiated descents, building tension, and finally bursting into a sequence of triumphant chords. A wave of relief washed over me. Every articulation perfect–not a single key hit out of turn. Well, except that one chord. But...

Cornell Engineering celebrates innovative problem solving that helps people, communities…the world. Consider your ideas and aspirations and describe how a Cornell Engineering education would allow you to leverage technological problem-solving to improve the world we live in. (Please limit your response to 650 words.) I've always been captivated by the prospect of immersing myself in a dynamic world of constant innovation and endless questions, which is what initially drew me to the biomedical sciences. Having lost loved ones to Alzheimer�...

An artist, doctor, or Pokemon master? Everyone has a dream growing up; mine was to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and become the greatest witch of all time. Inspired by my hero, Harry Potter, I knew exactly what I needed to become unstoppable: an invisibility cloak. And at age 13, upon hearing Duke engineers invented the world's first perfect invisibility cloak, I KNEW Duke must be in my destiny. Immersing myself in Duke's unique interdisciplinary programs, such as...

(Optional) 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. Real people are reading your application, and we...

Short Takes Name your favorite books, authors, films, and/or artists. (50 word limit) Books: To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (J.K. Rowling), Artemis Fowl (Eoin Colfer), Survival of the Sickest (Sharon Moalem) Films: Forrest Gump, Interstellar, Big Hero 6, The Lion King Artists: Aaron Copland, Hans Zimmer, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Chopin, and Veggie Tales What newspapers, magazines, and/or websites do you enjoy? (50 word limit) Newspapers: NPR, The New York Times Magazines: Scientific American, TIME,...

Stanford students possess an intellectual vitality. Reflect on an idea or experience that has been important to your intellectual development. (100 to 250 word) Jaw tensed, eyebrows furrowed in concentration, I mustered all my focus as I navigated through the climax of Chopin’s Second Scherzo: a series of rapid arpeggiated descents, building dissonant tension, then finally bursting into a triumphant sequence of grand chords. A wave of relief washed over me. For the very first time, not a single key hit...

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. (100 to 250 words) To my roommate from far or from near, Here’s a few things I’d love you to hear So you’ll get to know me. By the end you will see, I am weird, but you’ve nothing to fear. Love all classical music�...

Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (150 word max) Four years ago, my mom, tired of nagging me to exercise, dragged me along to the new badminton club in town. Despite initial skepticism, I soon fell in love with the sport. Occasionally grabbing a few friends and heading to the courts, it soon grew into something more: I founded and captained the Westborough High team, and we set our eyes on the state championships. But how...

What matters to you, and why? (100 to 250 words) I believe every student deserves an equal opportunity to reach academic success, and a vital component of that is an encouraging support system centered on personalized learning. Three years ago, I founded Homework Helpers, a dedicated team of high school volunteers with a dream to revolutionize the way students learn. Not every student can afford a private tutor. From the beginning, our focus has been providing free academic support three times per...