I'm a freak about ear plugs. I am almost certain that you have been using earplugs wrong your entire life. You can't just stuff them into your ears. You have to roll them up slowly, increasing pressure until all the air has been removed. Then you use your opposite hand to lift your ear while inserting the earplug. I know this because I take earplugs seriously. I need them to focus, to block out my surroundings so I can study. ...

I'm standing next to Nelson, my civil-transportation-integration engineer mentor, balancing on a foot-wide rail overlooking the São Paulo Line-15 monorail repair yard. I turn to him: "This is awesome!” That visit sparked my interest in transportation and fueled my passion for engineering. Later that day he told me: "To be a good engineer, you have to be a good manager, economist, and a people-person. You have to be well rounded." I took his words to heart. During the nine...

I’m standing beside Nelson, my civil-transportation-integration engineer mentor, balancing on a foot-wide rail overlooking the São Paulo Line-15 monorail repair yard. I turn to him: “This is awesome!” That visit fueled my passion for engineering. Later that day he told me: “To be a good engineer, you have to be a good manager, economist, and a people-person. You have to be well-rounded.” I took his words to heart. Like Duke, I believe in a flexible interdisciplinary education. I...

As usual, Lucas arrives first. We start playing chess in my living room. It's a natural part of our friendship. After all, we founded my school’s board games club for fellow nerdy students. Thirty minutes later, I greet Michael and reciprocate his smile. We’ve helped each other immensely over the years. His openness with queerness allowed me to come to terms with my own thoughts on the topic. I come from a community of acceptance, one that I...

I'm standing beside Nelson, my civil-transportation-integration engineer mentor, balancing on a foot-wide rail overlooking the São Paulo Line-15 monorail repair yard. I turn to him: "This is awesome!” That visit sparked my interest in transportation and fueled my passion for engineering. During the nine months spent writing my 4,000-word extended essay on monorails, I was entranced by the intricacies of urban mobility. I wanted more. In geography, I researched the historical development of Brazilian railways. In mathematics, I used...

“3, 2, 1, go!!” The third graders’ eyes darted upwards, following each of their rockets as they soared fifty feet into the sky. For the previous hour, they had worked on constructing their PET-bottle rockets while learning about forces, aerodynamics, gravity, thrust, and the chemical reaction between sodium bicarbonate and acetic acid—my personal favorite. For two years, I met with Ms. Gistren every Thursday to teach kids about science through fun experiments and activities. Some had no background in science, while others...

Maggie was my teacher for Theory of Knowledge. She made us laugh, but more importantly, she made us think. For that, I respected her. She didn't just challenge us with epistemological questions, but made us think about our lives and futures. She got to know each of us as individuals. Although she wasn't my official counselor, when Maggie recommended Rice to me, I knew I had to look into the school. She knew Rice fit my academic interests and thought...

Lucas arrives first. He's always early. We start playing chess in my living room. It's a natural part of our friendship. After all, we founded my school’s board games club for anyone who likes to play with dice, cardboard, and plastic pieces as much as we do. We've maintained that part of our friendship since we first became friends when we were ten. Thirty minutes later, I greet Michael and reciprocate his smile. We’ve helped each other immensely...

I'm standing beside Nelson, my civil-transportation-integration engineer mentor, balancing on a foot-wide rail overlooking the São Paulo Line-15 monorail repair yard. I turn to him: "This is awesome!” That visit sparked my interest in transportation and fueled my passion for engineering. During the nine months spent writing my 4,000-word extended essay on monorails, I was entranced by the intricacies of urban mobility. I wanted more. In geography, I researched the development of Brazilian railways. In mathematics, I used graph...

My vision is to improve transportation systems around the world. Coming from Brazil, I’ve experienced the consequences of an absence of adequate infrastructure and a deficit of funds, skills, and willingness needed to improve it. Numbers keep me alive and equations keep my brain churning. Collaborating with people is what drives me. I’m a future engineer, businessman, and leader. I have choices to make: using my financial acumen to invest and fund transportation research, optimizing transit systems, or...

In February of this year, I founded the Investment Club at my school. I was ecstatic when I discovered CMC has a similar program, the CMC Student Investment Fund. I would be able to continue doing what I loved. My interest was piqued. After I learned about CMC's 3/2 program with Harvey Mudd, my mind was made up. I'd be able to learn both economics and engineering concurrently and intersect my two passions into one. Compared to other programs, at CMC...

I'm standing next to Nelson, my civil-transportation-integration engineer mentor, balancing on a foot-wide rail overlooking the São Paulo Line-15 monorail repair yard. I turn to him: "This is awesome!” That visit sparked my interest in transportation and fueled my passion for engineering. Later that day he told me: "To be a good engineer, you have to be a good manager, economist, and a people-person. You have to be well rounded." I took his words to heart. During the six...

I'm standing next to Nelson, my civil-transportation-integration engineer mentor, balancing on a foot-wide rail overlooking the São Paulo Line-15 monorail repair yard. I turn to him: "This is awesome!” That visit sparked my interest in transportation and fueled my passion for engineering. Later that day he told me: "To be a good engineer, you have to be a good manager, economist, and a people-person. You have to be well rounded." I took his words to heart. During the nine...

I'm standing beside Nelson, my civil-transportation-integration engineer mentor, balancing on a foot-wide rail overlooking the São Paulo Line-15 monorail repair yard. I turn to him: "This is awesome!” That visit sparked my interest in transportation and fueled my passion for engineering. During the nine months spent writing my 4,000-word extended essay on monorails, I was entranced by the intricacies of urban mobility. I wanted more. In geography, I researched the historical development of Brazilian railways. In mathematics, I used...

While scientists yearn to discover the world that exists, Engineers and Computer Scientists seek to create the world that never was. Our faculty and students believe collaborative teams are the key to great accomplishments. Please describe a time in your life (academic, co-curricular, or otherwise) where you had to collaborate to accomplish more than you could alone. (250 word limit) Since February I've spent my free time building a nuclear fusion reactor. I joined the Sao Chai Project: a team of...

Your browser history says a lot about you. Take a moment to think about the time you spend online. Whether it’s browsing an Instagram account, listening to your favorite podcast, subscribing to the best web series on YouTube, or even addressing questions on tech-help forums, we want to know where you spend the most time online, and why. Please share your favorite online destination (via a web address, specific app, social network, etc.) - and describe why in a...

USC students are known to be involved. Briefly describe a non-academic pursuit (such as service to community or family, a club or sport, or work, etc.,) that best illustrates who you are, and why it is important to you. (250 word limit) When I first heard my friends yelling the latest quotes across our school hallways, I filled up with pride. Pride in having helped my friends learn a valuable skill. I often look back at the beginning of this year...

I'm standing next to Nelson, my civil-transportation-integration engineer mentor, balancing on a foot-wide rail overlooking the São Paulo Line-15 monorail repair yard. I turn to him: "This is awesome!” That visit sparked my interest for engineering. Later that day he told me: "To be a good engineer, you have to be a good manager, economist, and a people-person. You have to be well rounded." I took his words to heart. At Notre Dame I’d have the flexibility to...

What question fascinates you? Tell us why. (200 words) ​ In his The Disappearing Spoon, Sam Kean proposes the question of "what really drives science forward–theories, which frame how people view the world, or experiments, the simplest of which can destroy elegant theories." Throughout most of my education, I've learned through textbooks, presentations, and worksheets. I've done well. In chemistry, I learned about Markovnikov's Rule and organic reactions through Ms. Flindt's powerpoints, and then experienced them in the form of pungent...

Blessed Basil Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, described education as “the art of helping young people to completeness.” How are you incomplete? (200 words) For a year, I've taken cold showers every morning. Every time I step into the freezing water, I remember my grandfather's words: "Tienes voluntad de hierro o voluntad de barro?"—Do you have iron will or a will of mud? I try to have the first. Over the years, I've built a set...

Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Application A. Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C. once said, "The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision. It's got to be a vision you articulate clearly and forcefully on every occasion. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet." What is your vision? How do you intend to make it a reality? Please limit your response to 500 words or less. Every morning, I am confined to a space of approximately 7,550 cubic centimeters as...

Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Application B. How do you plan to use your four years at Notre Dame and the special opportunities offered by The Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program to prepare yourself to become a transformational leader? Please limit your response to 250 words or less. This summer in my internship at PwC, I found myself stuck in the middle of a disunited conference table. I noticed a clear divide between two sides of the conference table. On one side sat the engineers and...

Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Application Please select five words that describe you and explain why each word conveys something about who you are. (100 each) #1: Passionate/ Enthusiastic Why: Whenever I find something I am interested in, I get extremely excited. I want to know everything about it. I am enthusiastic about almost anything that catches my attention. It keeps me happy. I am also very committed to the things I am interested in and continuously strive to improve in them. For example, when...

Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Application We want to get to know you better through the following short answer section. Use these prompts as an opportunity to share how—as well as what—you think. Please limit your responses to 100 words or less. 1. Who is a leader you admire and why? My grandfather once asked me: "Voluntad de hierro o voluntad de barro?"—Iron will or will of mud? I try to choose the first. He taught me his "keys" to life of:...

Duke Robertson Scholars Application Describe a time you made an impact on a group or community. In what ways did you successfully engage others to accomplish the shared goal? How would you describe your leadership role in this endeavor? (500 Words) When I first heard my friends yelling the latest quotes across our school hallways, I filled up with pride. Pride in having helped my friends learn a valuable skill and have fun. I often look back at the beginning of...