Debate, at 400 words per minute, is ludicrous, incomprehensible and counterintuitive to an outsider, but not to me. To me, it is a hub of constantly refreshing ideas that stretch my mind and force it to quickly grasp concepts previously unheard of. Yet, I am still in charge. In debate, I am a researcher who strives to become an expert. I am a policymaker who deliberates over consequences and its philosophical underpinnings through calculations of risks, costs and benefits. Here, I...

People want to be their own boss, choose their own hours, give themselves their paychecks, and be reported to. My parents wanted to be those people, and they became them. While they were able to do so, it was not how I imagined it would be. They run their own small business, and create products, market them, and sell them, while competing against the great multinational corporations, who have budgets and resources that they can only dream about. They’re...

I am always observing. I observe myself, the communities that I belong to, as well as the world that I live in. Events are constantly happening in the world, and while sometimes they may be happening thousands of miles away from me, they are still important, and shape the world that we live in today. While there are objective truths in the world, grounded in empirical, scientific evidence, there are many more things that are subjective, and up for discussion....

At my school, debate is a fine art. It was junior year, my time to shine with the skills that I had sharpened over 4 weeks prior at debate camp. I wanted to win, and set goals for myself: I wanted to qualify for the prestigious Tournament of Champions. My debate partner was also excited; this was the year we would no longer be clueless sophomores losing to experienced seniors. No, we had a chance now. As preseason slowly wound down,...

I love uncovering problems and solving problems, and I want to be an engineer. I am currently doing a Math tutorial on Advanced Euclidean Geometry and Linear Algebra. The geometry portion of the tutorial has a heavy emphasis on proofs. Proofs are a great way for me to think critically in a math class, because rather than just following a formula, I have to first figure out which theorems that I want to use. In the process, I have to...

I want to alleviate the pain and suffering in the world by becoming a biomedical engineer, manipulating intricate biological processes to create solutions. Duke’s close proximity to the medical center would allow me to pursue lab research, something that I enjoy. Specifically, I hope to work with Dr. Nenad Bursac, whose work in stem cell therapies for tissue replacement fascinates me. I’d also enjoy 3D printing with cells and tissues alongside the DukeMakers. Furthermore, Duke Engineers for International...

My parents run a small business. They are in charge, but they also personally take the duties of salespeople, tech support, and customer service. While others share their duties, my parents care the most, and go to great lengths to maintain their interests. They are letting me pursue my own interests, and I know that while I will have people I work with, it is up to my own efforts to succeed. Success is not an overnight achievement, but the...

The University of Michigan’s doctrine of Victors Engineering is what I look forward to in an education in Biomedical Engineering. Specifically, the university’s goals of resolving societal concerns, such as providing quality, safe and affordable healthcare, as well as designing, synthesizing and manufacturing revolutionary drugs, are things that I envision myself doing. Most importantly, Michigan provides opportunities to affect both the developed and developing nations of the world. Society is facing an increasing amount of problems, and as...

I have probably the most challenging curriculum in my graduating...