A window into the soul. For most people, this would be the eyes. The eyes cannot lie; they often tell more about a person’s emotions than their words. What distinguishes a fake smile from a genuine one? The eyes. What shows sadness? The eyes. What gives away a liar? The eyes. But are the eyes the only window into the soul? Recently, I began painting with watercolors. With watercolors, there is no turning back: if one section is too...

I shakily rose my hand. “We should create workshops of our own,” I suggested. I got a few strange looks. “It’s a good idea, but it’s too much work.” “We just don’t have enough free time to make it work.” “Maybe we could, but I don’t know how to make workshops.” My suggestion was shot down. I shuffled in my seat. “I could make them.” A few people stared at me in disbelief. I glanced over...

How do you encapsulate a person’s likeness? Is it a science of lines, forms, and proportions? Or is it something beyond the scope of science: is it just a feeling? I take my pencil to the page, creating lines with great precision. As I make additional strokes to the page, I continuously glance over to the photo sitting next to me. Stroke, erase. Stroke, stroke, stroke, erase. Erase more. The process repeats until I am satisfied with the overall...

I stared in awe at the website before me: flashing lights, moving images, audio playing in the background, and a custom cursor. How could I recreate this? I went to Google, hoping for an answer. The first results that popped up were wix.com, blogspot.com, and weebly.com; however, none of them had a template for the type of website I desired. I would have to use code. What is code? How do you use code? How could I...

I silently watched the kid as he got out of his chair and danced in front of the class. “Oh no,” another counselor cried out. The face of the teacher turned red with anger. “Sarah, take him for a walk. Now.” I immediately obliged. When we got to the hallway, I asked the kid, “Why did you do that?” “I was bored,” he replied. “You couldn’t wait until gym?” “Nope.” This repeated many times: the kid would get out...

I typed up some code I learned mere minutes ago. I scratched my chin. “This won’t work.” This was the process nearly every weekend. I would research ideas for workshops, create a project, draft a guide, and lead workshops during Code Club meetings. Why? Seeing the projects each student creates brings me joy: websites, games, interactive stories. Every Wednesday, I try to teach the students in a simple manner, being careful to guide them without them copying me like...

Beauty and function—these are the words that describe computer science. When I took my first computer science class in 9th grade, I was captivated. I learned how to write a method, an if-statement, and a while loop. However, I truly became interested in the class when we started creating projects. Unlike the 2D art I loved dearly, these were mini-puzzles which, upon solving, served a task. However, I soon realized that computer science and art weren’t mutually exclusive;...

One of the greater allures of Brown’s curriculum is the freedom it provides. In addition to the fact that there’s more room for you to take courses you enjoy, there’s no pressure to fit inside a box--no one would consider it strange if an engineering student was in their creative writing class. This also means that I can meet people from a variety of departments--not just students studying computer science or engineering. Since the Open Curriculum encourages...

“Mummy,” I whined. “Why do I have to sit in the dining room?” “So we can see what you’re doing,” my mom replied. “...invasion of privacy…” I grumbled. No seven year-old would be happy. Eventually, I got used to sitting in the dining room. I became a master at the art of listening to footsteps around the house and switching tabs from games to educational videos when I heard my parents approaching. But now, I hear more than footsteps....

The day finally arrived. We prepared for this for months. More than anyone, I knew that everyone had worked hard at their respective jobs. Since I created the website, I worked closely with other organizers; I worked closely with organizers acquiring sponsorships, organizers securing press coverage for the event, organizers scheduling what would take place at the hackathon, and organizers ordering food. I arrived early at the coding school to set up tables and chairs at the venue. Other organizers...

I stared in awe at the website before me: flashing lights, moving images, audio playing in the background, and a custom cursor. How could I recreate this? I went to Google, hoping for an answer. I would have to use code, Google said. What was code? How could I get started? I had an idea: the Intro to Java course at my high school. You can imagine my disappointment once I realized we weren’t creating websites. However, I continued...

I love art. Drawing, painting, scratching, carving, folding… there are many types to love. Every week, I try to sit down and create a small art piece: whether it’s a portrait, origami, watercolors, or an art form I’ve never heard of. Not only does art please the eyes, but it also can spread a message or bring attention to issues worldwide. For this reason, I’m constantly trying to mesh my passion for art with my passion for...

In an ideal world, the admissions process would be completely meritocratic. There would be no names on applications. No legacy. No bribes. Instead, emphasis would be placed on short responses, extracurriculars, standardized test scores, and GPA. Unfortunately, this simply isn’t feasible in today’s world; this is evident from the recent news surrounding college coaches who received bribes. However, we can create additional barriers to deter bribery. In order to prevent corruption in the athletic department specifically, colleges should...

I stared in awe at the website before me: flashing lights, moving images, audio playing in the background, and a custom cursor. How could I possibly recreate this? I went to Google, hoping for an answer. The first results that popped up were wix.com, blogspot.com, and weebly.com; however, none of them had a template for the type of website I desired. I would have to use code. What is code? How do you use code? How could...

I armed myself with post-it notes and a pen, and I readied myself to spy on others during the hackathon. My eyes flickered over to ten men typing furiously and chugging RedBull. After asking them questions about their project, I was shocked: less than half were actually coding. One was creating models, another was creating 2D art, and another was storyboarding. I became increasingly interested in the combining of different fields, especially since I have a passion for art as...

I rang the doorbell and stuck my face to the small window on the door, making sure to stick out my tongue. I saw my brother slowly walk up to the door, sigh, and walk back in the direction he came from. “Excuse me?” I playfully yelled. I grabbed my keys and opened the door myself. “What was that about?” “You’re weird,” my brother replied. “Yes, I’m weird. Everyone’s weird.” I replied. He shrugged and went on...

As someone who loves staying inside, it’s incredibly easy to get stuck in a bubble. You feel comfortable where you are. When my friend offered me a chance to organize a hackathon, it was no surprise that I chose the only portion that seemingly avoided working with other people and leaving the house: creating the website for the hackathon. I just had to write some HTML and CSS. However, I soon realized that this wasn’t an independent task....

A graphic designer? This must be a mistake, I told myself. Why wasn’t I paired with an engineer or software developer instead? When originally signing up for Built By Girls, a program which pairs up girls with professionals in the tech industry, I expected to be matched with plenty of developers. However, time after time, I was matched with people from various fields: graphic design, public relations, marketing, and sound design. While initially confused, I soon came to appreciate...

I typed up some code I learned mere minutes ago. I scratched my chin. “This won’t work.” This was the process nearly every weekend. I would research ideas for workshops, create a project, draft a guide, and lead workshops during Code Club meetings. Why? Seeing the projects each student creates brings me joy: websites, games, interactive stories. Every Wednesday, I try to teach the students in a simple manner, being careful to guide them without them copying me like...

Online courses: I took online courses on HTML, CSS, and Javascript from Codecademy. In addition, I learned Bootstrap through lessons on W3Schools. Other than website building, I learned how to use Construct 2, Twine, and Unity from tutorials on their respective websites. Self-directed projects: I’ve created many smaller projects over the course of attending hackathons and creating workshops for Code Club. I used Construct 2 to create a generic Doodle Jump knockoff, Twine to create a text-based game about the...

“Sarah, can you grab a chili from the fridge?” No response. “Hello, Sarah?” No response. Frustrated, my mom came over to me and ripped off my headphones. “Huh? Did you say something?” I asked. “You can’t hear anything with your headphones on--it’s like you’re in your own little bubble,” my mom said, annoyed. As someone who loves staying inside and playing games on my laptop, it’s incredibly easy to get stuck in a bubble. You feel...

As immigrants, my parents wanted the best quality of life for me: which meant assimilating to American culture. Though they spoke Hindi and Gujarati, they focused on teaching me English. They didn’t want me to have an Indian accent. They never made me watch Hindi movies. But now, I wish to reconnect with Indian culture. I want to watch Hindi movies and listen to Indian music. Additionally, I want to talk to my relatives in Hindi and Gujarati. Currently,...

Apart from computer science, I have a passion for art. However, there’s one art form that I prefer above the rest: watercolors. Though watercolors are an unforgiving art medium where you cannot turn back after a brushstroke, I always find myself having fun when I’m experimenting with colors on the page. Sometimes, the lack of control which watercolor offers is exactly what I need in order to destress; the unpredictable mingling of colors is a beauty that can...

Beauty and function--these are the words that describe computer science. When I took my first computer science class in 9th grade, I was hooked. The projects we had in class were mini-puzzles which, upon solving, served a task. Unlike the 2D art I loved dearly, these results were changing and interactive. As I took more classes, I realized that computer science and art weren’t mutually exclusive; with computer science, not only could I create something beautiful, but something that...

I gently placed my fingers on the keyboard and started typing some code that I learned mere minutes ago. I scratched my chin. “This might be a little to hard to teach. I don’t think I can use this idea for the workshop either,” I thought to myself, sighing. I had already spent three hours trying to come up with an idea for the next workshop. Not only did it have to be interesting to the students, but easy...

A window into the mind. My mother sighed. “Sometimes, you can’t help but sympathize for them. They never chose to live this way.” Everyday, she tells me about her day at work as a social worker/psychotherapist. Bipolar disorder. Depression. Social anxiety. Everyday, I learn more about the mental illnesses which affect people around us. Slowly, I began noticing them around me. Students with anxiety. Students with depression. Students with anger issues. I understood a little: the feelings of...

I walked into the room, palms sweaty. “Who’s my partner?” I asked. “Sam.” I went silent for a minute. “The one that hasn’t taken a coding class?” “That’s the one.” I sighed. A coding competition with a partner that couldn’t code? It was fine, I could win this by myself. Two hours to solve problems. This shouldn’t be too hard, right? I started typing. “Hey, can we use a loop here?” Sam asked, pointing at...

I typed up some code I learned mere minutes ago. I scratched my chin. “This won’t work.” This was the process nearly every weekend. I would research ideas for workshops, create a project, draft a guide, and lead workshops during Code Club meetings. Why? Seeing the projects each student creates brings me joy: websites, games, interactive stories. Every Wednesday, I try to teach the students in a simple manner, being careful to guide them without them copying me like...

My face deflated as I saw the balloon rip off the vehicle and soar across the room. The vehicle didn’t budge; our work had completely failed. This was only the start of my engineering failures. A robot that started convulsing while navigating a maze. A slingshot that couldn’t throw cotton balls. A conveyor belt that decided to move on its own. However, I didn’t react as before. I found myself laughing and joking with others, more spirited...

“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.” ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh Time came to a halt as the counter began to twitch, coming to life. The aroma of mangoes filled the air. It was too much to handle. I craned my neck to see the countertop towering above me. I placed my hands on top of the counter, and pushed myself over the edge of the black, granite countertop until my legs dangled in...

Two summers ago, I mostly focused on the development of my artwork, as I had little time to work on my art during the school year. I experimented with charcoal, graphite, polymer clay, watercolor, and acrylics. I also created workshops to teach at Code Club for the upcoming school year. Last summer, I took part in Kode with Klossy, a two-week camp scholarship where girls can learn code for free. Here, I learned HTML, CSS, and Ruby. The experience of...

Beauty and function--these are the words I would use to describe computer science. When I took my first computer science class in 9th grade, I was immediately hooked. The projects in class were mini puzzles which, upon solving, served a task. Unlike the 2D art I loved dearly, the results were changing and interactive even after the project’s creation. However, as I took more classes, I realized that computer science and art aren’t mutually exclusive. Programmed websites, games,...

I was first attracted to Rice for its academics--the university has classes on all of the topics within computer science that I’m interested in exploring: game creation (COMP 160, 162, 460), web development (COMP 431), mobile design (COMP 446), and software development (COMP 415). In addition, I appreciated how Rice encourages women to pursue computer science through clubs such as CSters, especially since there were very few other females in my engineering and computer science courses during high school. However I wasn’t only attracted...

“Sarah, can you grab a chili from the fridge?” No response. “Hello, Sarah?” No response. Frustrated, my mom came over to me and ripped off my headphones. “Huh? Did you say something?” I asked. “You can’t hear anything with your headphones on--it’s like you’re in your own little bubble,” my mom said, annoyed. As someone who loves staying inside and playing games on my laptop, it’s incredibly easy to get stuck in a bubble. You feel...

What is the most significant challenge that society faces today? (50 word limit) Improving and individualizing education. Most of our education is cookie-cutter (as seen by AP courses and standardized testing). Though this makes it easier to educate on a large scale, individualized education is imperative to solving some of the biggest issues in our world such as hunger, poverty, and climate change. How did you spend your last two summers? (50 word limit) Last summer, I participated in Kode with Klossy,...

I typed up some code I learned mere minutes ago. I scratched my chin. “This won’t work.” This was the process nearly every weekend. I would research ideas for workshops, create a project, draft a guide, and lead workshops during Code Club meetings. Why? Seeing the projects each student creates brings me joy: websites, games, interactive stories. Every Wednesday, I try to teach the students in a simple manner, being careful to guide them without them copying me like...

I stared at my laptop. Where could I start? I barely knew how to code. I came to this hackathon on a whim. After some brainstorming, I decided to see what others were up to. My eyes wandered towards the group of college students at the back. After some convincing from my friends, I asked what they were doing. “We’re making a game.” “A game?” I asked. “Yeah, we’ve worked on it for the past two years.” His...

Dear future roommate, I apologize in advance for the hoard of art supplies I’ll bring with me: inks, watercolors, markers, clay, and even my sticker machine. Though, if you’re interested, we could have a painting session together outside! I might also bring a bunch of snacks you’ve never heard of: Parle-G, Hide & Seek, chakli, sweet khari biscuit, and chivda. Maybe you could bring some of your favorite foods too? On the flip side, I’m not someone...

I love you. The way you laugh And tell me you hate me Everytime I tell you How much I love you- Five times a day Might be too much But I assure you That to me I mean it truly Every time. I love you. The way you run to the door, Stick out your tongue, And put your face against the window Every time I ring the door. I love you. The way you yell at me To...

I gently placed my fingers on the keyboard and started typing some code that I learned mere minutes ago. I scratched my chin. “This might be a little to hard to teach. I don’t think I can use this idea for the workshop,” I thought to myself, sighing. I had already spent three hours trying to come up with an idea for the next workshop: I had to consider both the beginners and the experienced while creating each workshop. ...

My face deflated as I saw the balloon rip off the vehicle and soar across the room. The vehicle didn’t budge; our work had completely failed. This was only the start of my engineering failures. A robot that started convulsing while navigating a maze. A slingshot that couldn’t throw cotton balls. A conveyor belt that decided to move on its own. However, I didn’t react as before. I found myself laughing and joking with others, more spirited...

Are you Hindi? Can you speak Indian? Can you speak Hindu? Do you pray to Indian Jesus? As ridiculous as it sounds, I have heard all of these questions when people saw my face for the first time. I am blatantly Indian: black hair, tanned skin, thick eyebrows, and thin lips. I cannot hide from my ethnicity. When asked these questions, I politely tell them that no, I am not Hindu nor can I speak Hindi. Yes, my mother cooks...

I stared in awe at the screen before me: flashing lights, moving images, audio playing in the background, and a custom cursor. How could I possibly recreate this? I went to Google, hoping for an answer. The first results that popped up were wix.com, blogspot.com, and weebly.com; however, none of them had a template for the type of website I desired. I would have to use code. How could I get started? The Intro to Java course...

When I leave high school, I will be most sad about leaving Code Club behind. When I was frightened to join any other club, my friend introduced me to the recently founded Code Club. I was amazed by the things we learned to create and wanted to teach others as well. Once I got a position, I immediately proposed the idea of creating our own workshops: we could teach the students anything we wished. Before each club meeting, I spend...

I stared at the beautiful website in front of me: minimalistic icons, a pastel color scheme, and twinkling lights. I immediately set out on a quest to create a website myself. Initially, the answer seemed obvious: I needed to learn how to code. However, once I learned some basic HTML and CSS, I realized that I wasn’t getting the results I desired. I had enough coding knowledge to recreate the beautiful website I saw; why couldn’t I get...

The field of computer science fascinates me; yet, I still don’t know which portion of computer science interests me most. Is it cyber security? Game development? Software engineering? Artificial intelligence? At the University of Southern California, I intend to explore different fields within computer science to discover what I am most passionate about. I truly appreciate the variety of technical electives for computer science that USC offers: Robotics, Game Programming, Cryptography, and more. I was especially intrigued by USC�...

Although I have taught myself coding languages at home over the summers, I wish to further learn computer science through a college education. When learning by myself, I feel at a lost with what to do, with how to begin. These are things that I believe a college education will help me with: I will be given a direction to go in, and I will have individualized help when I require it. In addition, I love the idea of being...

Though all of the Grand Challenges are important and will advance human society, I believe the advancement of personalized learning is most important in the long-term. There is no question that education and knowledge is what fuels the advancement of society. Although we do have a great varied education in the United States, there is room for improvement. We currently have a cookie-cutter type of education, where every student learns the same thing. Many high schoolers are unable to explore...

I gently placed my fingers on the keyboard and started typing some code that I learned mere minutes ago. I scratched my chin. “This might be a little to hard to teach. I don’t think I can use this idea for the workshop either,” I thought to myself, sighing. I had already spent three hours trying to come up with an idea for the next workshop. Not only did it have to be interesting to the students, but easy...

Ever since I was little, beautiful things have fascinated me: sunrises, waterfalls, butterflies, and more. It was expected that I loved art as much as I did. In fact, until recently, I couldn’t picture myself doing anything other than 2D art. When I was in middle school, I especially fell in love with a chatting website called xat. Not because I wanted to talk to strangers on the internet, but because I was fascinated with the beautiful profiles they...

When I took my first computer science class in 9th grade, I was immediately hooked. The projects in class were mini puzzles which, upon solving, served a task. Unlike the 2D art I loved dearly, the results were changing and interactive even after the project’s creation. However, as I took more classes, I realized that computer science and art aren’t mutually exclusive. With computer science, not only could I create something beautiful, but I could create something that...

Like many other students, I was drawn to Yale’s unique residential system which allows students to experience both the intimacy of a small school and the resources of a large school. In addition, I appreciate the way Yale structures their academic requirements. Since there aren’t specific classes but rather categories of classes you must take, this gives flexibility with course selection while ensuring that students broaden their worldview. I also love that Yale focuses on combining different fields...

How do you bring a game to life? Sound effects, beautiful design, intricate storylines, and dynamic characters definitely make a game interesting and fun to play. They keep the player wanting more; yet, how do you make the player feel involved, like they’re a piece of the story? The answer most people think of is improving the storyline and the characters. The story should be well developed and elegantly told. The characters should be relatable and develop over the...

I gently placed my fingers on the keyboard and started typing some code that I learned mere minutes ago. I scratched my chin. “This might be a little to hard to teach. I don’t think I can use this idea for the workshop either,” I thought to myself, sighing. I had already spent three hours trying to come up with an idea for the next workshop for Code Club. Not only did it need to be interesting for the...

What inspires you? The other girls I met at Kode with Klossy. Thought not all of them wanted to pursue a career in computer science, they were all eager to learn, supportive, and gave meaningful praise to one another. Yale’s residential colleges regularly host conversations with guests representing a wide range of experiences and accomplishments. What person, past or present, would you invite to speak? What question would you ask? Bailey Sok: What advice would you give to children...