We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it. I love to draw. When I draw, I’m in my own little world of creation. I put everything else aside and let my right brain do its thing. I feel free. It’s really relaxing and refreshing. I do all kinds of art: still life, detail, anime, fan art, animation,...

Although you may not yet know what you want to major in, which department or program at MIT appeals to you and why? I like programming, specifically solving problems with coding and creativity. I'm amazed by the MIT Game Lab’s research in solving problems with video games. Their research incorporates my three favorite subjects: art, psychology, and computer science. I played “Elude”, their game created to illustrate the feeling of depression. The game was simple, but the playing experience...

Describe the world you come from; for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town. How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations? My parents raised me to be confident in myself. I grew up thinking that I can do anything that I set my mind to, as long as I believe in myself. Over time, I learned that the societal world can be different. Robots fascinate me, so I tried out our robotics team, but I felt...

Tell us about the most significant challenge you’ve faced or something important that didn’t go according to plan. How did you manage the situation? Two summers ago, I attended a class at USC for video game design. I had no prior experience with programming or game design, and was the only girl. The boy next to me on day one switched his seat on day two. I was always last picked for the team projects. No one talked...