I live in two different worlds. One is the world of Newton and Galileo, of Calculus and Physics, of molecules and hydrogen bonds, of differential equations and integrals--the objective realm. In this world, every object and being is a collection of atoms which obeys the laws of physics and acts logically. A Beethoven symphony is a series of disruptions of molecules in the air which vibrates the eardrum, perceived by the somatosensory cortex as certain sounds. The Grand Canyon’s...

As a senior, I’m often asked what I’m looking for in a school. Sometimes I give a long explanation: a strong program in pre-medicine, a well-rounded and rigorous institution, and a student community which pushes me to be my best self in a collaborative way. Sometimes I don’t feel like saying all that much and just give the short answer: Duke. Duke provides endless opportunities to explore my academic interests in both my intended field, neuroscience, and...

For all of my life, I have been deeply involved in the Jewish and Hebrew communities in Milwaukee. From kindergarten through eighth grade, I attended the Milwaukee Jewish Day School, studying Hebrew and Jewish studies alongside a secular curriculum. I am also deeply involved with my synagogue, frequently attending services and working as a teaching assistant in the religious school. Additionally, I’ve spent the past nine summers at B’nai B’rith Beber Camp, a Jewish summer camp. This...

Long after I graduate from high school, college and medical school, I will continue to seek out knowledge and new ideas for two reasons: to expand my own mind and to give back to others. Part of my motivation to learn comes from within. I read books from a variety of genres and authors to challenge my own perspective. Whether it is political rhetoric or a new concept in calculus, I continuously strive to incorporate new ideas and information into...

My favorite work is Paul Kalanithi’s autobiography When Breath Becomes Air. When Breath Becomes Air resonates with me on a fundamental level and provides the best documentation of a fulfilled, contented life that I have ever read. Written on his deathbed, Kalanithi’s work demonstrates not only how to die with grace but how to live with grace. How Kalanithi managed to find immense success in both the medical and literary worlds while maintaining a healthy family life both...

Summer camp is typically a place to get away from school, home life, and any intensive thinking whatsoever--in a good way, that is. I’ve gone to camp for nine years, and it has almost always been like that for me, an escape where I can focus on spending time with my peers (and my campers). That all changed this past summer on a long bus ride. I had always been friends with Ben, but we were never extremely close....

Milwaukee is a wonderful city, and I have grown to love it after residing in it for 17 years. I hope to move back someday and raise my family in Milwaukee. But it is fundamentally flawed. In Milwaukee, 56.6% of residents live in a neighborhood in which at least 80% of the population shares their race (Yahoo). This far exceeds the national average of 33%. Milwaukee is one of the most segregated cities of America. In 1967, a series of Fair Housing Marches were staged...

I believe that education is a journey, at times meandering and at times focused but constantly moving forward. Especially at the undergraduate level, the journey of education should include seemingly dissonant subjects, from multivariable calculus to ancient Roman history. Of course, an undergraduate education should reach a pointed conclusion and train a student in a specific field, but it should never be constrained to any certain topic or progression of courses. In the College of Arts and Sciences’ philosophy of...

A world-renowned research university, a Big 10 school with vibrant student life, a continuation of my family’s legacy, and an amazing campus and city, all close to home and within financial reach. What’s not to love? These factors, all impressive individually but nothing short of irresistible together, are the reasons I know UW-Madison is a perfect fit for me. UW-Madison has a rich history of research and is only improving. From Harry Harlow’s attachment experiment to James Thomsonâ€...

Summer camp is typically a place to get away from school, home life, and most intensive thinking--in a good way, that is. I’ve gone to camp for nine years, and it has almost always been like that for me, an escape where I can focus on spending time with my peers and my campers. I usually bring books to read in my free time, but I didn’t often encounter an abundance of intellectual stimulation, until a long bus...

As I high school senior, I am often asked what I’m looking for in a school. Sometimes I give a long explanation and respond: a strong program in pre-medicine, a dynamic and fun city (preferably somewhere warm), a rigorous and well-regarded institution, and a well-rounded university that will push me to be the best student and person I can be. Sometimes I don’t feel like saying all that much, though, and I just give the short answer: Tulane....

For the duration of high school, I have been involved with the Milwaukee Jewish Free Loan Association (MJFLA), an organization which grants interest-free loans to Jewish and non-Jewish individuals in need in Milwaukee. I helped found the MJFLA Junior Board in my freshman year and have served as the vice president since. I have led the junior board in many initiatives to spread the word about MJFLA and to raise money for the Student to Student Fund, MJFLA's interest-free student...

I believe that education is a journey, at times meandering and at times focused but constantly moving forward. Especially at the undergraduate level, the journey of education should include seemingly dissonant subjects, from multivariable calculus to ancient Roman history. Of course, an undergraduate education should reach a pointed conclusion and train a student in a specific field, but it should never be constrained to any certain topic or progression of courses. In Vanderbilt’s philosophy of a holistic and wide-ranging...

Dear future roommate, Congrats on getting into Stanford. It’s my dream school, and I’m thrilled that I’m going to be sharing this dream with you. We’ll be sharing more than just a dream this year--we’ll be sharing a room and really a life. You should know that I am someone who likes to immerse myself deeply in whatever I am doing. Whether it’s school work or spending time with friends, I am dedicated to...