Greek mythology tells of the phoenix, a majestic bird that rises from its ancestor’s ashes, which represents renewal and rejuvenation. My phoenix did not come as a bird, but rather as a little brick building on 4th Avenue. As a kid, I spent every New Year’s Eve on my couch watching the ball drop with my grandparents, because my parents would not get home until 2:00 AM. Contrary to what this seemingly infers, they weren’t partying, celebrating or...

In my ninth grade AP Human Geography class, we had a celebration for “seven day” in March. Ironically, while we were studying population demographics and projections, the world’s population estimate had surpassed seven billion people. From Godwin to Malthus, the drastic consequences of such a swift rate of population growth are regularly hypothesized, but often the repercussions of the inverse are forgotten. In studying the German language and its culture over the past four years, it quickly became clear...

Was bietet Penn mir an? What does Penn offer me? As technology advances, so does globalization, and it becomes necessary to have an education that can meet the challenges of a rapidly expanding world community. Penn’s campus is physically located in Philadelphia, but its impact is global. Whether in the United States, China, or my beloved Germany, the significance of a University of Pennsylvania degree is internationally recognized and unrivaled by any other. My interest in German culture began...

Growing up in Central Pennsylvania, I’ve spent more time in Pittsburgh than in any other city. Pittsburgh is a dynamic, connected metropolis with unlimited potential that I’ve grown to love. While an obvious benefit, Carnegie Mellon’s vibrant setting only represents the beginning of the advantages available to every student. While Pittsburgh is one of America’s finest cities, I am ambitious for an education beyond the confines of any one location. A globally connected university like Carnegie...

A 1963 episode of the “Jack Paar Program” featured special guest Richard Nixon. The show discussed everything from politics to family life, but closed with Nixon’s playing of Richard Nixon Piano Concerto #1, a “hinky dinky song” written by the future President. While not the most musically fulfilling piece ever written, that song was a testament to the multifarious talents of successful individuals. 51 years later, I relate to Richard Nixon’s approach to life: while my greatest focus is on serious-natured...

As a prospective economics student, I strive for an internationally recognized education that allows me to expand my intellectual horizons beyond the standard curriculum. With opportunities like the Duke in London: Finance program, Duke University provides the perfect foundation for my desired global education. To supplement my studies, Duke’s Economics Student Union fosters the ideal environment for me to interact with fellow students and professors. However, the unequivocal peak of education at Duke is the opportunity to complete an...

In my ninth grade AP Human Geography class, we had a celebration for “seven day” in March. Ironically, while we were studying population demographics and projections, the world’s population estimate had surpassed seven billion people. From Godwin to Malthus, the drastic consequences of such a swift rate of population growth are regularly hypothesized, but often the repercussions of the inverse are forgotten. In studying the German language and its culture over the past four years, it quickly became clear...

The first speech I gave was for my 8th grade awards ceremony. Today, my high school’s speech team is my second family. Friends had teased me for years about “loving to talk,” so when I reached high school, forensics was a natural choice. My first local meet produced a red, second place ribbon. After one year filled with dedicated hours of practice, I earned the title of Pennsylvania State Champion in Extemporaneous Speaking. Not only do I take great...

Growing up in a rural area of Central Pennsylvania, one of the biggest challenges facing any student is remembering there are places farther east than Philadelphia, and farther west than Pittsburgh. In New York City, every person is engulfed in culture and diversity at any given moment, and with NYU, possibilities extend far beyond Washington Square. With the dynamic Business and Political Economy program, NYU’s Stern School of Business provides the ideal setting for a student like myself, who...

As the legendary philosopher SpongeBob SquarePants once said, “It’s not just a boulder, it’s a rock...it’s a big, beautiful, old rock.” When I first laid eyes on the renowned Rock on Northwestern’s campus, it was painted to celebrate the wedding anniversary of a couple who had met while attending the university. It was a loving gesture, but to me, the meaning ran much deeper than a romantic celebration. It showcased the Wildcat alumni’s passion...

The ever-sardonic protagonist and narrator of J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield, intimates to the reader, “I’m quite illiterate, but I read a lot.” This comically paradoxical statement is used by Holden not to describe a literal inability to read, but rather the intellectual inadequacy he feels at a private school that surrounds him with people who have far stronger academic records. While I can also proudly attest to not being illiterate, I am...

The first speech I gave was for my 8th grade awards ceremony. Today, my high school’s speech team is my second family. Friends had teased me for years about “loving to talk,” so when I reached high school, forensics was a natural choice. My first local meet produced a red, second place ribbon. After one year filled with dedicated hours of practice, I earned the title of Pennsylvania State Champion in Extemporaneous Speaking. Not only do I take great...

Since a young age, the word summer has been synonymous with music in my household. Summertime music study begins with the fundamental basis of all music performance: practice. I am proud to have been a leader within a nationally ranked marching band program for my entire high school career. With such standards comes a rigorous “band camp”: four hours a day of marching, playing and performing, starting four weeks before school is back in session. For my personal study, I...

In George Washington’s renowned Farewell Address he warned against those who “put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation, the will of a party.” As a nation who respects its founder, the United States has followed the vast majority of the advice provided by George Washington as to how to maintain a healthy democracy, yet this vital piece of guidance seems to have been overlooked today. If offered the distinct honor of dining with George Washington,...

I subscribe to the theory that there is a significant amount of psychology involved in any field of study. Regardless of discipline, understanding the human condition and structure of human thinking is vital to finding success in life. The George Washington University Honors Program recognizes the necessity of furthering human understanding by beginning every student’s curriculum, regardless of field of interest, with Origins and Evolutions of Modern Thought. While individuality is necessary to stimulate intellectual thought, it is also...

A teacher is responsible for tailoring an educational experience to best suit the students within a class. Especially in high level courses, this directed education often benefits a large majority of students, producing the best possible results. Unfortunately, on occasion, this approach creates situations where a few individuals are not receiving instruction that is best suited for their educational needs. As an educational experiment, my junior high school was offering its first ever AP course for 9th grade students (who...