Not everything can be approached in terms of patterns or rationalism. Logically, I know that. Maybe it was the book I read at age seven about handling sadness that discouraged me from being emotive, or maybe it was my nature, but I was neglectful of my emotions. I spent all of my time in my mind, devoid of self-esteem and afraid of feeling weak. Not to imply that I was or am frigid. On the contrary, I am passionate. Social...

“Coming out” is daunting. “Coming out” as asexual seems oxymoronic. What can it be called when I am coming clean about my sexuality, yet I am not sexually attracted to anyone? I don’t think my parents ever expected me to come out to them in a “let’s-sit-down-I have-something-to-tell-you” situation. It was the numb, perpetual witching hour of a Sunday night. My parents and I sat in the living room, me perched uncomfortably in a wooden chair with a...

There is a misconception that femininity is equated with shallowness. Gypsy Rose Lee fully embraced femininity and intellectual victory, and while she changed the public perception of burlesque, she preserved a very intimate part of herself. As someone career oriented, I appreciate a self-made woman. Before she was Gypsy, she was Rose Hovick. She embraced her independence while rising above the constraints of her art. Gypsy did not allow herself to be objectified, as her strip routine included continuous intellectual...

Two years ago I read Uta Hagen’s book Respect for Acting. Recently rereading it, I noticed a striking quote I had underlined: “To maintain one’s ideals in ignorance is easy; to maintain them with the full realization of the existing circumstances is not.” Because I fully believe that humans are innately curious, I think that there is the desire in everyone to learn, and exchange knowledge and experiences. In theatre, I want to make other ways of life...

I define myself by being a scholar and an artist. I am firm and polite. Independent and kind. Liberal and classical. Outspoken and unapologetic with sensitivity and care. Upon meeting me, most people most likely assume I am more delicate than I am, or possibly see me as stony. Yet nobody can be fairly reduced to one thing. Just as Charleston is neither just charm nor gentility, neither am I. Any possible charm I may possess is based around a...

Using over-simplified terms, I am equal parts right and left brained. I am naturally inquisitive with a rational way of processing things, but creative with broad worldviews, making atypical connections. Barnard seems to be a place where the marriage of those aspects of myself can be nourished. I want to be able to experience as much knowledge as possible. Reading about the Nine Ways of Knowing felt like I had found a philosophy that was nearly tailored to me. I...

I chose to write about matters that were of great significance to me because I felt that that would be most authentic. It would only do yourself a disservice to seem like someone you are not, as cliche as it may sound. I took a route that both emphasized positive aspects of myself and paralleled it to aspects of the school.

My self-awareness -- understanding of my goals and my talents. I had...

I would stress less! It...

Take this time to...

I did not, but I...

I am able to double-major in Musical Theatre and Cultural Studies, programs...