Application Essay Excerpts

Big brother. From those two words arise a myriad of associations and meanings, but when I say I’m a big brother, I don’t mean it in the genetic sense, the adoptive sense, and certainly not the Orwellian sense. My little brother is Spencer...

The best I can hope for is a roll of the eyes. That’s it. Sure, there are times when the planets align perfectly and someone actually laughs, but if I expected laughter every time, I’d be disappointed often...

I come from a very strict family background. Being born into a Chinese family may seem exotic, but believe me, it is nothing but work, work, and more work. I spent most of my childhood life in China, going to the same school that my parents attended at one time...

I currently live in the town of Sonoma, located in the heart of the Northern California wine country. However, my life began on a snowy April afternoon in Adamstown, Pennsylvania circa 1996 in the heart of another sort of country--Amish Country. Adamstown is a conservative community dominated by tradition and order. Amongst my most vivid childhood memories are watching entire Amish families riding horse-and-buggies while moseying down the side of the highway, or going to school with kids who weren't allowed to celebrate Halloween--my favorite holiday--because of its "satanic" associations...

Adolescence is the most important time period in a person's life. During this time, they learn about the world, take on more responsibilities, and begin to mature. They experience a myriad of emotions, from inspiring happiness to extreme anguish. By being enveloped in all of these at once, most individuals begin to establish an identity for themselves...

With forested hills open to exploration and a lake for boating and fishing, Spring Lake Park has become a second home to me. I come here regularly for a run, a bike ride, or a walk with my family. I have participated in community work days and had my Eagle Scout Service Project here. But Spring Lake has become more to me than the location of my dreams...

My favorite environment I have ever experienced is definitely marching band. I have done band since 6th grade, my siblings have done marching band since I was 7, and my family has done marching band, too. Even my grandfather marched snare in parades in Boston. Therefore, I am very connected to marching band through my family...

I participate in several activities. I do marching band and drumline, pit orchestra, Mock Trial, Model UN, and NHS. I do marching band, as I have mentioned before, for reasons ranging from loving the people, loving the music, and loving the experience of focused, hard work...

My sister, Sara, is seven years older than I am. She has set a framework for my life that I have followed, and she has inspired me in more ways than I can remember. Looking at my sister's high school life, it closely resembles mine. She was in IB, she was section leader in marching band, she played in pit orchestra, she took the highest level math, and she was extremely skilled and dedicated to her language...

An unquestionable authority Albania is well recognized for its religious understanding and tolerance. In my family we always celebrate many religious commemorations such as Eid, Christmas or Easter, but just as holidays rather than for their spiritual meaning. Such an atmosphere, prepared me for the intercultural environment I was in, while attending a United World College (UWC) in Norway with people from all over the world...