Arroz con gandules: More than a Meal “Corta la cebolla, mamacita.” Replying with a fervent nod and “Sí, mamá,” I braced for oncoming tears and cut the onion necessary for arroz con gandules, the staple recipe in our household. Since I was a child, I patiently waited and watched my abuela, mother, and aunts prepare a mouthwatering dish with the most aromatic smell in the world. After an exhausting school day, just one whiff of the delectable food instantly revitalizes...

Yale fulfills my wish of a college that challenges and supports me: from being able to take medical school professors’ classes and participating in neuroscience research my freshman year to having the flexibility of “shopping” for certain courses, I know that my resources at Yale will not be limited. Not being barred from a core curriculum allows a deeper and more enriching liberal arts education as well. I also enjoy the idea of being placed in a Residential College early...

Approximately 100 billion neurons fire inside the human brain. My science-loving parents enjoyed sharing facts like those, sparking my interest in the marvels of our bodies–particularly the cerebrum. Even to this day, I find it difficult to comprehend how a 3-pound mass, that strongly resembles a walnut, controls who we are. This topic became more prevalent when my grandfather was diagnosed with stage six Alzheimer’s. Seeing his unfortunate, rapid decline–yet still no cure–has shown me how little...

My father, at eighteen, crossed the border 3 times in order to achieve the American Dream. His tenacious drive for a better life inspires me to pursue my own passions, no matter the future obstacles.

I’d ask Dr. William Keen, the first American brain surgeon, to recount his experience of performing the first successful brain tumor removal. I can’t imagine how that tumor must’ve felt in his hands!

Knitting Mittens for Christmas Gift-Givings: Whether to stay warm during the winter or needing a Secret Santa present, learn how to knit! (Includes viewing of Elf, xmas music goldies, and milk & cookies)

Our suite will fill with students trying the best brownies at Yale. My mates will know where to find me if they need a binge-watching partner, guitar and Spanish lessons, or someone to talk to at 2am.

Breathe in...breathe out… The command distracted my mind from a painful seven-minute-mile pace I’d been maintaining for five kilometers. My lungs clambered for oxygen with each step. Yet, in that precise moment, I never felt more alive. Similar practices prompted many to quit cross-country or question my sanity when I refused to do the same. In spite of my mediocrity, I stuck with running, for the satisfaction gained after meets compared to no other activity. However, our team...

When I moved to B., I stood out like a fly in milk at my predominantly Caucasian school. It proved difficult for most peers to look past my skin color...I felt like an intruding alien… ...And I still receive the occasional joke––“Why do you take Spanish, aren’t you a Mexican immigrant?”––that sounds harmless but causes a pang in my heart. However, such comments have made me stronger as I ignore the pain and focus on accomplishing...

Approximately 100 billion neurons fire inside the human brain. Growing up in a household where most conversations were science-related, my parents enjoyed sharing these fascinating facts, sparking my interest in learning about the marvels of the human body––especially the brain. Even to this day, I find it difficult to comprehend how hundreds of emotions and actions are controlled by a 3-pound mass that strongly resembles a walnut. My ever-growing curiosity for science resulted in taking classes like biology and Anatomy &...

Walking down Comm Ave and seeing familiar faces, or a few new ones...establishing connections inside and outside the classroom...doing research freshman year...these points only briefly describe my dream as a BU student. At CAS, I can take challenging science classes while enrolling in humanities courses that ponder the big questions and discussions about life. Along with the fulfilling academic experience, it’d be exciting to encounter a diverse student body just as passionate as I am about...

I can’t recall a time when I didn’t use a textbook for class; from the moment I learned the alphabet to memorizing cellular respiration, a book always remained in my backpack. Although classes require them to keep the lesson moving,–imagine learning Steinbeck without reading The Grapes of Wrath!–I’m often discouraged from reading countless pages of seemingly superfluous information. However, that statement is not to be interpreted as textbooks proving useless–on the contrary, they build...

I first heard of Brown my sophomore year, when my friend was applying to its pre-college program. “You should try!” she suggested. “It’ll be like camp–but smarter!” After some persuasion, I applied and was accepted. During that week at Providence, it was exciting to befriend new people at the Green, eat like a college student at the Ratty, and listen to Dr. Patrick explain how neurotransmitters work. In fact, those lectures influenced me to pursue the fascinating area...

For thirteen years I called New Jersey suburbia my home. In need of a change of scenery, we packed our bags and headed to rural Connecticut. It’s your typical small, predominantly-Caucasian town, and being Hispanic makes me stand out like a fly in milk. Although I feel comfortable in the city, I love B––’s intimacy and its quieter environment: I admire the stars sprinkled across the clear night sky, going on long boat rides with friends on our...

I visit my friends weekly at the local hospice. Although most are over eighty, their liveliness surpasses the energy some my age possess, and I envy. This contagious enthusiasm is evident during bowling-and-scrabble night, where competition gets heated––but all ends well with belly laughs and high-fives. Besides learning how to knit (now my favorite hobby) or bake the best banana bread (add more brown sugar!) I especially love hearing their memories: inspiring stories like Ray being a fighter pilot...

Approximately 100 billion neurons fire inside the human brain. Growing up in a household where most conversations were science-related, my parents enjoyed sharing these facts, sparking my interest in learning about the marvels of the human body––especially the brain. Even to this day, I find it difficult to comprehend how hundreds of actions are controlled by a 3-pound mass that strongly resembles a walnut. My ever-growing curiosity for science resulted in taking classes like Anatomy & Physiology, which fueled my desire...

Every two seconds, someone needs blood! One pint saves three lives! Those facts were repeated to classmates as I relayed information about donating blood–for the first time ever, our National Honor Society would host two blood drives. As this year’s coordinator, I was excited to take the reins and leave a memorable mark; however, I encountered no shortage of obstacles. The first meetings with a Red Cross representative described the process as a “piece of cake.” Yet when...

Every week I visit my friends at the local hospice. Although most are over eighty, their liveliness surpasses the energy some my age possess. This contagious enthusiasm is evident during bowling-and-scrabble night; competition gets heated––but all ends well with high-fives. I love hearing their motivating stories: listening to Ray recount his time as a fighter pilot or Jacqueline marching from Selma to Montgomery shows me to face challenges with courage and, most importantly, optimism. Learning of their travels inspires...