It begins at age 6. “Al-Shalash. What kind of last name is that?” The cashier asks, smiling warmly. I stand taller against the counter, grinning. I know the answer to this one. Arab. Arab! Say Arab. My mother is unsmiling. She does not say Arab. Her eyebrow arches: stony, defensive, cold. “American.” Her accent is thick. We all hear it. Nobody says anything else. --- “So, like, what are you?” I am 12, my vision blurred by the gray colored contacts I...

I’ve always been drawn to strong communities: my US history class, the Speech Team, the Wendy Davis Campaign—because a truly strong community is about the power of difference, about what we as individuals can create together. And that’s what Yale is: a place where I can explore my own interests, in classes (Fault Lines) and in clubs (Yale Student Roundtable), and a place where—in the Residential College system, in small, seminar-like classes, in a general atmosphere...

In response to "What excites you intellectually, really?" Primarily: Discussion. Intellectual give and take. But an honorable mention goes to: 2000s hip hop, and my incredible (and nobody can tell me otherwise) podcast collection—Serial, This American Life, Radiolab, and A Way With Words, to name my favorites.

So the thing about the college essay is that it is inherently the most difficult part of any application. Because there are no precedents or correct answers here. Your only job is to present yourself in the best, most interesting light possible. So, in light of the lack of guideline, I'd like to offer some of my own: Rule #1: Before you start applying to schools, figure out your best and worst qualities. This is a really important part of all...

Driven, community-minded,...

I didn't! Just...

From my experience, it really...

Essays, I think. I don't think essays have to...

I definitely think it's important to hit on...

Pick a teacher whose class you've worked hard in. Above and...

Acapella,...

Some of my essays were a little overdone,...

Read "Applying Sideways" and "How to be a High School Superstar". I honestly...

Amazing community, honestly....