Angling my head and body sideways, I slowly approached Lanai, making sure that I didn’t stare directly at her. She seemed relaxed, with almond-shaped eyes, and a curvy posture. She stayed in place, with her ears forty-five degrees to the front of her face. As I drew closer, however, her eyes stuck wide open, pupils dilated. Her posture was now rigid, and her ears turned toward me. She was scared. I blinked my eyes and started talking to Lanai,...

Chemistry is my favorite subject in high school. I enjoy learning about various topics such as chemical equilibrium, buffers, and titrations in my three chemistry classes. I feel that I am able to comprehend the theories behind how and why matter undergoes changes. For instance, Le Chatelier's Principle has allowed me to understand how and why matter reacts to stress. Combining this with other closely-related concepts, such as the Common-Ion Effect, I have fostered a clear understanding of chemical equilibrium....

I have always had a penchant for medicine; I was intrigued by the fascination that is the result of medicine, whether it is curing a simple cold with medications or saving a cancerous patient with a ten-hour surgery. My participation in the Weill Cornell Youth Scholars Program 2011 has furthered my interest in medicine, despite the fact that I do not aspire to become a physician. I am more interested in the research and development aspect of medicine. Biomedical engineering, therefore,...

1. Which aspects of Tufts' curriculum or undergraduate experience prompt your application? In short: "Why Tufts?" (50-100 words) Fun, friendly, quirky, diverse, intellectual; Jumbo banana waffles, cannon fodder, Papas Fritas. The Sykes Group, led by Chemistry Professor Charles Sykes, has created the world’s smallest electric motor from two carbon chains and a sulfur atom. This is the Tufts that will complete me as a chemist, as a global citizen, as a scholar of the world, with its outstanding, unique “vibe”,...

Please tell us what you find most appealing about Columbia and why. Lions. Blue. Fierce, resilient, determined, confident, yet loyal, wise, intelligent, and peaceful. This is what makes Columbia so unique and appealing; its diversity, not only in the student body, but also the way students think and the way Columbia teaches its students to think and act, the educational and recreational atmosphere, the vast opportunities in and around campus in Big Apple- Columbia encompasses the global diversity that allows...

Penn is the school for me. Whether it be academics, research opportunities, or student life, Penn fits my needs and aspirations perfectly, and my personality and hard work will surely contribute to Penn’s community. Intending to major in Chemistry, Penn’s Roy and Diana Vagelos Scholars Program in the Molecular Life Sciences quickly caught my eyes during my college search. This program easily makes Penn’s School of Arts and Sciences an amazing fit for my academic goals. As...

Why Yale? (500 characters) Professor of Chemistry Mark A. Johnson’s research on proton bonds using nanomatrix spectroscopy simply amazes me. Looking to major in Chemistry, I’m searching for a college that offers its undergraduates exciting and accessible research opportunities in the chemical field. And I have found just that at Yale. STARS and Perspectives on Science and Engineering are just a few of its programs that would allow me to pursue my career aspirations and contribute to the community...

Essay 1 On a sunny day in May 2005, my father picked me up from school for the first time in years. Observing my father’s face flush red and smelling an alcoholic odor as we walked in silence, I knew something was horribly wrong. At dinner that night, my father announced to my brother and me that our mother, who went back to Taiwan for our uncle’s wedding, could not get a visa to return. The news was beyond comprehension...

My favorite course thus far has been the Korean language class at Cornell. Although it is unrelated to my majors/minor, it is an extremely fun and useful course. I highly...