In middle school drama was a key part of my identity. The plays were fun, but what I prized most of all was the casual camaraderie of being backstage. Hands were sticky with fruit roll-ups, over-sugared kids were running around screaming their lines backstage, and the physical comedians were pretending to fight each other. It was heaven. When I arrived at the high school I eagerly walked up to every single audition list and put my name down, ready to...

Wrote about my town and privilege in contrast with the experience that I could have at the school

Had to choose a woman in history I would go to lunch with; I wrote about Nora Ephron. I focused on why her work and personality drew me to her.

Had to write about a time I "majored in unafraid." I wrote about the time my sister suffered from a seizure after going off of her epilepsy medication, and how I had to support her and assure her that she would be alright.

For my personal statement, I wrote conversationally and honestly, hopefully allowing my personal voice to shine through. I wrote about my failure to participate/get into drama at my high school, and how this led me to pursue journalism. I discussed the community that I found in journalism, which I didn't have in drama, and how that really allowed me to thrive in high school. I also discussed ascending to leadership within the newspaper and how I was scared, but...

Would discuss...

Why I chose an all-woman's...

Long and hard decision process;...