“Come in, mamalah!” I timidly followed Mrs. Solomon into the kitchen, where I was engulfed by the smell of brisket and potatoes. As I stepped into the crowded dining room, my heart racing and my palms sweaty, I was overwhelmed with hugs and kisses from strangers. Trying not to attract too much attention to myself, I quietly sat down at the dinner table. That evening, the Solomon family was hosting me at their home in Sydney, Australia for the Passover...

My father knocks on the door three times in rapid succession. “It’s the code,” he says surreptitiously. He sticks out his hand to the guy answering the door to give him the fraternity handshake, only to discover that the “secret shake” went out around the same time as the Motorola flip phone. Mortified that I am at a fraternity house with my father, I hide behind the door hoping we won’t be invited in. We spend the rest...

Pitt receives nearly 30,000 applications each year. What makes you unique? Some people have a knack for sports or an eye for art. Although I’ve never won a game of H-O-R-S-E, and my notebook doodles are certainly not Picasso-quality, I do have one innate trait: I’m friendly! (*insert smiley face emoji here*) Making friends has always been my talent. It’s as if a squinty smile and “Hey, what’s up?” are hardwired in my DNA. Growing up in...

2. How have you made an impact at your high school? Choose one example and tell us about it. “My name is Jennifer and it is my honor to be speaking to you today.” I cleared my throat and nervously smiled at the audience. I had delivered this speech countless times before, in front of critical judges and intense competitors, but speaking at an all-school assembly was far more intimidating. I wrote and delivered a persuasive speech entitled “Barbie Culture and...