Growing up in the South Bronx, I have always felt like an outcast amongst my friends from school, my family at home, and the outside world in general, because of my religion and culture. In my family, culture is more of a priority than religion, when it should have been the other way around. Although my parents want me to be very religious, they still want me to follow their mixed understanding over culture and religion. They try to innovate...

Most people want to go away from their homes for college. I've literally lived in New York City my whole life. So, why go to NYU when I could get a chance to go away? For one, NYU is in the heart of the city and it will give me a chance to really explore and get to know the city. It will also provide me with a new perspective of New York. NYU has many things to offer that...

I chose schools that I knew would best suit me and schools that I knew I might have a chance of getting into. I also chose schools depending on how strong they were in the department that I want to...