Looking back, I feel pretty bad for Wendy. All she’d done was play dodgeball with me at camp—but she had talked to me (at least briefly) and had cute freckles. Based solely on this, I determined that I was uncompromisingly, head-over-heels in love, and that my ten-year-old soul had found its perfect match. I decided to write her a love poem, a cascade of free-verse compliments meant to showcase the breadth and depth of my undying affection, and...

I bent the glowsticks sharply--snapsnapsnap--and brilliant rushes of orange, yellow, and blue flowed through the tubes. I raised the phosphorescent bundle over my head and walked into the surging crowd of kids streaming into the Dickinson College auditorium for the last dance of that session of CTY—and my final dance of my ten years with the program. “Glowsticks!” I bellowed. Within seconds I was surrounded with students looking to add some color to the dance floor. “Repeat after me,”...

I did not do this, and I can't imagine their advice...

Yale is not looking for one thing in particular, as I understand it. They're looking for strong students, good athletes, musicians, engineers as well as authors, etc. But there...

I got in...

The only school I interviewed at was Yale. I came out feeling pretty good about my interview, though not spectacular. Looking back, it probably counted neither in my favor nor against me. A few tips: -Come prepared with questions to ask....

I applied to a few scholarships in my community,...

I made a list of schools I was interested in and went on a whirlwind college tour my...

It's very early in the game now, so I'm not sure. Perhaps...

I did this only to ask if I could...

This seems like a lot, but this is just me--I like to keep busy. Most folks do less and prefer it that way. Also, keep in mind, a few of these things I only spend an hour a week--or even every other week--doing, like the discussion groups. -The Teaching Peace Initiative (Executive Director): I run an organization called the Teaching Peace Initiative, which works to train high school students to teach peace and conflict-resolution curricula to students in middle and elementary schools in their communities. We have chapters across the country. Our website is www.teachingpeaceinitaitive.com -Yale College Democrats ...

I had one from my academic advisor and ancient/US history...

If you're interested in the social sciences like I was, working on a political campaign...

New Haven is an INCREDIBLE city with a lot of opportunities to get involved, a rich history and culture, and great food, shopping, and arts options. I've really enjoyed getting to know...

I worried a lot that not taking...