I have read many immigration stories from the Chicken Soup for the Soul series that I was brought up with, but none that I could relate to. I didn't fear communism the way my parents did moving to Australia, nor did I come to California seeking job opportunities. When I approached the LAX terminal with my family, the communications operator asked us, "Reason for stay?" It would take years before I could come up with my own answer. I am...

We know that colleges ask a lot of hard questions on their applications. This one is not so hard. Just write from the heart! What is the best gift you have ever given and why was it meaningful? (200 word limit) I like bombs. Paper bombs. They'd be pink paper bombs. Spiky pink paper bombs.12 x 12 inches of spiky pink paper bombs. After learning how to construct a 3-D pentakis dodecahedron in middle school for an extra-credit assignment, origami has been...

When choosing a college community, you are choosing a place where you believe that you can live, learn, and flourish. Generations of inspiring women have thrived in the Wellesley community, and we want to know what aspects of this community inspire you to consider Wellesley. We know that there are more than 100 reasons to choose Wellesley, but the ''Wellesley 100'' is a good place to start. Visit http://www.wellesley.edu/admission/100 and let us know, in two well-developed paragraphs,...

Reed is a unique and exciting college experience. Discuss the reasons that you believe Reed would be an appropriate place to continue your education (200 words minimum, 500 words maximum). I plead you not to take my high school commitment to competitive sports as a reason to dismiss me from the almighty holder of Princeton's "There's a game?" award. You're not taking in a soldier. You're taking in a veteran who's gone through mild post-traumatic stress from the poking and prodding of...

I fell in love with an all-women's school for the camaraderie that it brings. There's taboo out there about selecting a gender exclusive school, but I really feel that this small liberal arts school, complete with strong-willed and diverse students is someplace...

If I were able to go back and redo my application process, I would have trusted my teachers more, all who were very willing to help. I was so caught up in making sure that it was a personal statement without the aid of others that I rarely let other people proofread my essay because I thought that having their opinion would deter from...

The most important advice I can give is to ASK EXTREMELY EARLY. Talking to my English teacher post application process, se told me how so many students come to her a few days before the deadline expecting her to deliver an exceptional personalized recommendation all curated to that student, and unfortunately, that is not an expectation fulfilled. Many, if not all teachers, have recommendation go-to templates that they use if you do not either give them ample...