Some would say I have printer’s ink in my blood - my parents have published community newspapers for over twenty years. I grew up hearing them discuss deadlines, watching my mother edit articles, and shadowing my father as he sold ads. In eighth grade, I was fortunate enough to experience the joys of journalism firsthand - I signed up for yearbook and soon became Editor-In-Chief. That year, I learned more about my school, my peers, and myself than any...

What are the odds of taking a college level statistics class and earning the college credit? According to the results from the 2014 Advanced Placement Statistic Exam, the chances of a student passing the AP exam is less than 60%. When taking a rigorous course online and opting to self-teach the material, one’s odds of passing may significantly decrease. Last year, I overcame the odds by taking AP Statistics online. At the same time, I was enrolled in seven other rigorous...

Like a diamond, I am multifaceted. Each side shines differently, representing my interests and hobbies. While diamonds are carbon atoms formed under high temperature and pressure, I, on the other hand, continue to be formed by numerous experiences and opportunities, making me a diamond in the rough. One of my facets includes an unequivocal love for mathematics. Since I was very young, I excelled in math; I saw the world around me through a quantified lens. In fourth grade, I...

American University Honors: Protest rallies - both peaceful and violent - against police brutality have been making headlines across America in recent weeks. The deaths of unarmed black males - Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Tamir Rice - at the hands of police officers has spurred racial tensions throughout the country. The media’s rolling coverage of these events and the civil unrest it has elicited has made me realize the magnitude of this problem. Now, more than ever before,...

University of Florida: What Is The Good Life? In a concise narrative, describe your notion of 'the good life'. How will your undergraduate experience at the University of Florida prepare you to live 'the good life'? As stated in the Declaration of Independence, people have the inalienable right to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." While this idea was first introduced by Enlightenment thinker John Locke over 300 years ago, it still represents the spirit of the American Dream. The...

2) American University is known for its politically active student body, where students engage in a variety of local, national, and global issues. Discuss an issue of importance to you and how you hope to become further involved with it as a member of the American University community. (250 word limit – no minimum) Last summer, I was one of 18 student journalists that attended the Peace Sullivan/James Ansin High School Workshop in Journalism and New Media, writing for the 31st edition of...

Tell us about an image that powerfully affected you. It may come from any source, real or imagined. (300 words) I never believed the saying “A picture is worth a thousand words” until an image left me speechless. I witnessed history unfold on television as human rights and education activist Malala Yousafzai addressed the United Nations. Malala called on world leaders to provide free education to every child, stating, “The wise saying, ‘The pen is mightier than the sword.’ It is...

When do you break the rules? (300 WORDS) When I was in grade school, I had a teacher who told to me color inside the lines. But, from an early age, I realized that I didn’t want to conform – coloring inside the lines stifles my creativity. There’s a thrill elicited by coloring outside the lines that allows me to express myself creatively – which I have learned to do as Editor-In-Chief of my high school’s yearbook. In my experience,...

Last summer, I was one of 18 student journalists who attended the Peace Sullivan/James Ansin High School Workshop in Journalism and New Media, writing for the 31st edition of the Miami Montage newspaper. To elevate our understanding of immigration reform policies, our publication wrote about the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act and the issues faced by DREAMers – young, undocumented immigrants who come to the United States in hopes of a...

They say that in order to reach your highest potential, you should surround yourself with people who will lift you higher which is why I am applying to the GW Honors Program. If accepted, this program will help me reach my highest potential by providing me with an education that extends far beyond the constraints of the classroom. Moreover, the Honors Program incorporates many aspects of education – such as rigor, service and enrichment - that I’ve come to value. I think it would be a privilege to be part of a program that is “commited to a vibrant, rigorous...

WHAT MAKES YOU DISTINCTIVE AND WHY? 500 WORDS Diamonds are precious gemstones, but what makes one more distinct than the other? Like a diamond, I am multifaceted. Each side shines differently, representing my interests and hobbies. While diamonds are carbon atoms formed under high temperature and pressure, I, on the other hand, continue to be formed by numerous experiences and opportunities, making me a diamond in the rough. One of my facets includes an unequivocal love for mathematics. Since I was very young, I excelled in math; I saw the world around me through a quantified lens. In fourth grade, I...