For all her conforming to American culture, my mother never lost her aptitude for creating delicious and original food. The kitchen is her fortress. She dislikes it when people hover around her kitchen space while she works her magic. If I ever announce “I’m going to make pasta” and pull out a box of spaghetti, it doesn’t matter if she’s on the opposite end of the apartment, she will rise, set water to boil, add salt and...

I indicated that I am “undecided” because many topics interest me. Although I elected engineering-geared studies in high school on account of my affinity for math, I find humanities very compelling as well. For instance, I enjoy the way history, though it may seem the most empirical of humanities, prompts debate between students. I enjoy the art of interpreting, notably during my cinema elective, where we use historical context to interpret shots and decipher their meanings. To me, learning facts...

Throughout August of 2016, I interned at a literary agency in New York called Writers House. There, my job consisted of three parts: receptionist, accountant, and most important, assistant to a literary agent. This last job primarily involved reviewing manuscripts submitted by authors and providing my agent, Michael Mejias, with an editorial letter. This letter’s purpose was to help Mr. Mejias counsel the author. By reading a range of manuscripts of varying quality, I came to understand what writing techniques...

I joined my school’s track and field team in 9th grade. Up until then, I’d practiced martial arts. My experience of the latter was very solitary; when I started training with other athletes, I discovered a spirit of mutual aid that I had never witnessed before. Whether it’s helping each other stretch or pushing each other during a race, track and field epitomizes a common endeavor towards excellence. When I win a medal for my team, it�...