I have a complex Oedipus complex: it's quite difficult (impossible, really) to develop and then resolve a rivalry with my father if he does not exist. So, according to Freud, I'll never form a super-ego, and I won't develop a "moral compass." Outdated psychological theories can be rather frustrating! It's been a rollercoaster ride growing up with two mothers, but I imagine that childhood is often turbulent, no matter who one's parents are. As time has passed, however, I've come...

"A rising tide lifts all boats." To me, this phrase is simultaneously the catchphrase for a flawed economic idea and the image I associate with "The Common Good." Now, to separate the inequality-fueling practice of Reaganomics from the noble principle of the Common Good, I should clarify what the Common Good means to me: Contributing to the Common Good means making choices that serve communities and the individuals within them; advocating for the Common Good involves being aware of societal...

"Main office after class," my teacher said to me after she hung up the classroom's phone. "Okay," I choked out, my heart rate quickening as blood rushed up to my face. What had I done? Was I in trouble? How will I tell my parents? Little did I know that the news I'd receive in the office would lead me to one of the most formative experiences of my life. It turns out I wasn't in trouble at all; in...

I don't know what job I want to have, but I know what I want to do. When I saw the phrases "innovative change agents" and "work for the common good" on the Taubman Center's website, I was immediately hooked. I dream of a day where educational and anti-poverty policies give each citizen an equal opportunity to succeed: Public Policy will help me turn that dream into action. I believe a thorough grounding in the framework and operations of a...

I'm not a religious man, but I have a deep connection with the Unitarian Universalist church. I used to dread Sundays: the hour of listening and singing was unbearable for me. However, when I began searching for my sense of self, I realized that the church's teachings had subconsciously influenced my beliefs. What I think are my defining characteristics - acceptance of differences, a commitment to giving back, and a belief in the power of love - are very similar...

The world is filled with extraordinary people; among all of them, I would choose my social studies teacher as my partner in a tutorial. Not only is Mr. W brilliant and diligent - traits necessary for tutorial success - he has additional qualities that would help me get the most out of the tutorial: he's passionate about continuing to learn, is eager to challenge ideas in a constructive manner, and, most importantly, his ideological bend is significantly different than mine. ...

The process of writing college essays can be a daunting one. You might feel pressure to be extraordinarily unique, super creative, or incredibly intelligent. People will tell you that there are certain things to avoid and certain things you must do to have a successful essay. This can cause stress and is mostly untrue. For me, the best approach to writing essays is to think in terms of what inspires you instead of what a college is looking for. My...

The process of applying to college was a really exciting and fun one for me. I started off by reading the Fiske and Princeton Review college books. Those are a good place to start to get a "feel" for schools and to get used to what information you can typically learn about colleges. When I read school profiles that interested me, I dove in. I read as much as I could on the college's website and outside websites (like Niche, quora, etc.), then thought hard about what I wanted from a college and whether this school matched that. That is...

Getting good recommendations is often overlooked by people applying to college. This can be a mistake, since letters of recommendation are one of the primary insights a college has into what kind of person you really are. Instead of trying to figure out how to get a good recommendation, focus on...

In an era where I think many high school students sacrifice their sanity to craft resumes and applications they think colleges are "looking for," I think I stood out by being myself....

Summer is a great time to relax, but you can also use that time to your personal and application advantage. It is a good idea to try to find part time work (I was a counselor at summer camps). This gets you the benefits of job experience without...

College interviews were a little nerve-wracking for me, but I ended up enjoying them and using them to my advantage. In my experience I was asked a lot of typical questions - what are you interested in, why are you drawn to our school, what teachers and courses impacted you in high school, etc. While it...