I began my hike, expecting to return feeling freer and possibly fitter, but instead I returned in a half-dazed state; lost in thought about the “rainbow nation” of South Africa and if it existed at all. The sky was azure blue, a color so deep it was both mesmerizing and disconcerting. As I continued forward, passing more informal settlements, I noticed how the mountain’s rough surface echoed the remains of a broken society. Surrounding me was the underdeveloped ruins...

My ideal college values service, priding itself on supporting its surrounding communities, and pushes me to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to the real world. This college is undoubtedly Davidson. Given my past involvement in tutoring children from underprivileged schools, I seek a school where my passion for service and social justice can thrive. With its distinct Center for Civic Engagement, Davidson would allow me to join a community of compassionate students who are determined to make a difference....

I was nervous when I was first invited to join my school’s diversity committee. Despite feeling devoted to educational equity in South Africa, I questioned what I could contribute to this group of strong women who spoke out against social justice and discrimination. However, upon attending a few meetings, my initial self-doubt slowly began to thaw when I realized that each member was able to advocate for their own cause. I became engrossed in an initiative donating sanitary products...

For the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of attending a girls’ school: one that is undoubtedly the birthplace of my feminism. Under its red roof, I’ve been surrounded by strong, independent women who push boundaries and have inspired me to be an outspoken feminist. I want to continue that experience at Barnard. I know I would thrive in Barnard’s community of incredible young women who are driven to better the world while pursuing their passions. ...

I believe that true strength lies in being selfless, a strength that I hope to consolidate in myself. That is why, given the opportunity, I would converse with Antonina Zabinski. I am not only inspired by Antonina but, as an avid history student, intrigued by her story. Antonina and her husband used their Warsaw Zoo and family home to hide Jewish families from the Nazis and smuggle them to safety, sacrificing their own wellbeing and safety for the lives of...

I attribute my desire to pursue a career in political science to my Sophomore English teacher, Ms. Mark. She was an anti-apartheid activist who protested at John Vorster Square, the notorious police headquarters in Johannesburg, and ended up being arrested. In nearly every class that year, we discussed some kind of social injustice ranging from discussing our local lack of squatters’ rights to the Saudi-led war crimes in Yemen. Ms. Mark made me contemplate what social justice meant, but also...

I have never been interested in only one thing. I love history, but am equally enticed by mathematics. I feel a strong commitment to human rights and social justice, but am equally compelled to fight against climate change. The connections between these seemingly separate passions cannot be negated. Earlier this year, I witnessed first-hand how climate change affects human rights: Cape Town experienced a horrific drought and prepared for municipal water to be turned off, threatening people’s right to...

To me, a home is a place where I feel safe to fail and grow, knowing that I am supported by others. It is a place where I am able to share my passions and be myself. I found that home in the group of 28 brave students who embarked on our 3rd year of AP Mathematics. Together, we have not only furthered our understanding of mathematics, but become a tight-knit team of problem-solvers. We may struggle to solve integrals or...

As an aspiring journalist, I am driven to confront powerful institutions that abuse their power. That is why my favorite film is The Dark Side of Chocolate. The film’s director, journalist Mistrati, investigates child labor in cocoa farming in which children are beaten and forced to do hazardous labor without pay. He not only highlights this injustice, but directly challenges representatives of chocolate monopolies, such as Nestle, by questioning them on their unethical sourcing of cocoa. Mistrati’s powerful...

Brown v. Board was never about educational inequality; it was the fight for freedom of choice. Birmingham, 1963: The image of a policeman releasing his police dog to attack a protester shocks the nation, but the young man was not a protestor and the policeman was actually trying to protect him. On Friday afternoons, I journey through the overlooked and misunderstood with Malcolm Gladwell. By the time each podcast is over, I’m left with more questions than answers, inspired by...

I seek a school that challenges me academically. I seek a school where my passion for social justice can thrive. I seek a school that recognizes the importance of well-rounded education. This school is Northwestern. I am drawn to Northwestern because it would enable me to pursue my dream career as a journalist. Any serious journalism student is aware that the Medill School of Journalism is the best in the nation with a rigorous curriculum designed to produce leading journalists....

For the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of attending a girls’ school: one that is undoubtedly the birthplace of my feminism. Under its red roof, I’ve been surrounded by strong, independent women who push boundaries and have inspired me to be an outspoken feminist who is determined to make a positive change in the world. I know I would thrive in Wellesley’s community of incredible young women who are driven to better the world while...