Letter to Harvard (after deferral)

Dear______________,
In December I was notified that my early action application to Harvard was deferred.
As you can imagine, I was disappointed, but I would like to let you know that
Harvard remains my top choice school. I researched and visited many schools
during high school, and I feel Harvards Economics program is the best fit to help
me accomplish my goals.
Now, I have a couple of activities to update about
First, I took on another project that I wanted to share with you. Lynbrook High School
started its first annual school-wide community engagement project, Challenge
Stigma, and I am one of five students leading it. The project focus is on mental
health awareness, as we try to create a more accepting environment on campus
and reduce the stigma around mental health issues. To accomplish this, I helped
organize a day of silence where students do not talk for a school day to model the
lack of dialogue on mental health. Another activity we planned was a green ribbon
week, where our team distributed green ribbons, the symbol for mental health, to
be worn on backpacks. Heading into second semester, we plan on shifting from
awareness to action by hosting fundraisers and speaker events.
Second (and why I am updating this now), I placed second at California DECAs
State Career Development Conference that took place March 3-6 in the Accounting
Applications event, qualifying for the International Career Development Conference.
Among the three individual categories, I placed 3rd in the Written Exam, 3rd on
Case Study 1, and 2nd on Case Study 2.
Thanks for considering my application.
Best,
Xingyu Ma

COMMON APPLICATION ESSAY [personal statement]

These are the new 2013 Common Application essay prompt choices. Your
final essay will eventually be sent to all Private Schools on the
CommonApp! [Maximum: 650 words]

581 words

It started in Calgary.

As a kid, I knew water as the clear substance that fell from the faucet, and I drank it
when my parents told me to. Water made my ice cubes, reloaded my water gun,
and froze so I could ice-skate. But when I was four and my family visited Vancouver,
I stood stiff and wide-eyed, staring at the Salish Sea; I had never seen so much
water. The tap at home in Calgary paled in comparison to the mountains of waves
crashing and receding before me. It was the first time I realized there was a bigger
world out there, and I wondered what was in it.
In elementary school, my family moved to a dusty fifth-story apartment in Xinxiang,
China, and I began to see how complex that world really was. In school, when our
teacher said that Chinese civilization began in Henan Province because of its
proximity to the Yellow River, I was amazed at how it had created all that sprawled
before me: a bustling city full of ingredients for my grandmas cooking, parks where
I could run, and bumpy roads to get to school. What struck me most, though, was
my history books cartoon drawing of the rivera simple path of blue. In my head,
Id imagined it as fierce as the ocean in Canada. A river also created Calgary, but as
a kid I couldnt believe the two places existed on the same planet.
Soon after I turned seven, we moved again, to California, and I wondered if the
stereotypes about perpetually nice weather and countless tourists were actually
true. Throughout the years, I saw all of the attractionsGolden Gate Bridge,
Fishermans Wharf, Hearst Castle but one of my favorites was Half Moon Bay. I
remember building sandcastles at low tide, convinced their walls could stop armies.
I was King Arthur; I was Poseidon; I was so caught up in my world that I didnt notice
the tide rising until a wave crashed over me, sweeping me off my feet. When I
looked up at my castle, it was gone, just a lump of wet sand remaining. I was
startled to see the destructive side of water, one I hadnt really experienced
firsthand before.
I had no idea just how destructive water could be when I first moved to California
and now, as Ive gotten older, the lack of it has me thinking about how lucky I really
am. In the news, I hear forecasters predict that California has one year of water left,
yet Ive grown up with reliable drinking water, showers every morning, and
sprinklers overflowing onto concrete. It feels abundant to me, reminding me of
everything I have at my fingertips because of where and how Ive grown up.
More than anything, growing up this way has showed me how different each
persons situation can be, and how interconnected we all are despite the different
circumstances were born into. Xinxiang, Calgary, Californiatheyre all so distinct,
but they were all built by water; and the farmers in the Central Valley use the same
water I shower with to water their crops. That interconnectedness, Ive realized, also
means interdependency; everyone is responsible for the world we all share. By
continuing to embrace diverse perspectives and learn from the world around me, I
hope one day I can use what Ive been given and what I strive to gain for the good
of all, knowing that everyone on this planet depends on one another.

ACTIVITY ESSAY
[Maximum: 250 words]

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work

experiences.

Lynbrook closed out! We erupted into obnoxious cheers and hooting after we
heard the news from my fellow captain.
Thats great, what division? a debater from another school asked.
Novice Policy.
Oh novice, big deal.
But it was a big deal. Our team was small, coachless, and untested. We had less
resources than the larger teams, and the year before, we had zero novice members.
If we couldnt maintain a solid roster this year, the program would dieand I wasnt
about to let that happen. In a school devoted to STEM, debate was one of the few
activities that helped us develop the skills needed to make our voices heard. This
year wasnt just about keeping our team aliveit was about advocating for what I
believed in, and I believed that everyone should be able to share their thoughts and
ideas.
After all, most of us entered as quiet and shy students, just testing the waters of
public speaking But once we participate, we cant stop and became too excited to
debate. By gaining experience and confidence arguing for my positions, Ive
become a more creative, resourceful, and flexible person. Ive delved into different
literature, from policy to philosophy, to contribute more to the intellectual
community that, through deliberating different approaches to problems, prepares us
for being the people running society in the future. And what Im most proud of,
ultimately, is that Ive used my experience to excite new members and help them
develop their voices and opinions.

[249 wc]

UC ESSAYS
These two essays will eventually be sent to all UCs
[combined maximum word count: 1000 words]

1) Describe the world you come from for example, your family,
community or school and tell us how your world has shaped your
dreams and aspirations.
It started in Calgary.
As a kid, I knew water as the clear substance that fell from the faucet, and I drank it
when my parents told me to. Water made my ice cubes, reloaded my water gun,
and froze so I could ice-skate. But when I was four and my family visited Vancouver,
I stood stiff and wide-eyed, staring at the Salish Sea; I had never seen so much
water. The tap at home in Calgary paled in comparison to the mountains of waves
crashing and receding before me. It was the first time I realized there was a bigger
world out there, and I wondered what was in it.
In elementary school, my family moved to a dusty fifth-story apartment in Xinxiang,
China, and I began to see how complex that world really was. In school, when our
teacher said that Chinese civilization began in Henan Province because of its
proximity to the Yellow River, I was amazed at how it had created all that sprawled
before me: a bustling city full of ingredients for my grandmas cooking, parks where
I could run, and bumpy roads to get to school. What struck me most, though, was
my history books cartoon drawing of the rivera simple path of blue. In my head,
Id imagined it as fierce as the ocean in Canada. A river also created Calgary, but as
a kid I couldnt believe the two places existed on the same planet.
Soon after I turned seven, we moved again, to California, and I wondered if the
stereotypes about perpetually nice weather and countless tourists were actually
true. Throughout the years, I saw all of the attractionsGolden Gate Bridge,
Fishermans Wharf, Hearst Castle but one of my favorites was Half Moon Bay. I
remember building sandcastles at low tide, convinced their walls could stop armies.
I was King Arthur; I was Poseidon; I was so caught up in my world that I didnt notice
the tide rising until a wave crashed over me, sweeping me off my feet. When I
looked up at my castle, it was gone, just a lump of wet sand remaining. I was
startled to see the destructive side of water, one I hadnt really experienced
firsthand before.
I had no idea just how destructive water could be when I first moved to California
and now, as Ive gotten older, the lack of it has me thinking about how lucky I really
am. In the news, I hear forecasters predict that California has one year of water left,
yet Ive grown up with reliable drinking water, showers every morning, and
sprinklers overflowing onto concrete. It feels abundant to me, reminding me of
everything I have at my fingertips because of where and how Ive grown up.
More than anything, growing up this way has showed me how different each
persons situation can be, and how interconnected we all are despite the different
circumstances were born into. Xinxiang, Calgary, Californiatheyre all so distinct,
but they were all built by water; and the farmers in the Central Valley use the same

water I shower with to water their crops. That interconnectedness, Ive realized, also
means interdependency; everyone is responsible for the world we all share. By
continuing to embrace diverse perspectives and learn from the world around me, I
hope one day I can use what Ive been given and what I strive to gain for the good
of all, knowing that everyone on this planet depends on one another.

2) Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or

experience that is important to you. What about this quality or
accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person
you are?

When I first moved to America, I felt I needed to root my identity in something.

Since my parents were engineers, I first focused on STEM, but realized this was not
my genuine passion. I explored history, politics, and the interwoven connections
between the social sciences, which fascinated me. I was intrigued by the
Reconstruction, eager to understand causes of the Great Depression, and in awe of
the Dot Com bubble bursting. The topics that interested me most had one thing in
common: they allowed me to incorporate aspects of abstract fields, like
mathematics and statistics, to understand causes of real events. Rather than accept
the perspective originally prescribed to me, I preferred incorporating multiple
resources and options to better understand the worlds complexities through a
combination of perspectives. Starting in high school, I realized I could apply this
mindset to issues close to me as well.
Social issues such as poverty have always struck a personal chord with me. While
my personal experience with poverty is minimalgrowing up in Calgary, my first
memories are of buying cartons with cracked eggs (because those were half-price)
and walking two hours each way to Walmart to get necessities, because we couldnt
afford a car or bus ticketsI had an inkling of what making daily sacrifices meant.
Knowing that my situation hardly compares to poverty in most of the world didnt
distance me from those situations, but rather motivated me to become more
educated about others circumstances and find a way to make even a small impact
on their lives.
So, freshman year, I helped start an organization on campus called Youth Impact to
address global poverty in a small way. Taking advantage of currency conversion
rates, we send U.S. profits from Nepali and Tibetan crafts back to local villages,
where the dollar is worth significantly more. As weve learned about NPO and
business operations, weve minimized costs to maximize contribution. Even if its a
small achievement, Im proud to have been able to address poverty in homes across
the globe, all by creatively applying my knowledge of economics. This experience
proved to me that I can be an innovator in the face of problems; I identified an issue
affecting the world and used the skills I learned across curriculums to approach the
issue in a novel way. In the future, I hope to use this multidimensional approach to
accomplish even more.

WHY MAJOR ESSAY TEMPLATE

[250-500 words]

FINAL TEMPLATE, FOR CUTTING IT GO DOWN a half page

Linear regression: a method for modeling the association between variables; linear
regression finds the best fit line to explain the variation, I read in statistics class.
Thinking about it, I couldnt help but feel like I could relate.
When I first moved to America, I felt I needed to root my identity in something. My
parents being engineers, I first focused on the STEM fields, but quickly realized this
was more of an effect of those around me than a genuine passion. History, politics,
and the interwoven connections between the social sciences, on the other hand,
fascinated me. I was intrigued by the Reconstruction, eager to understand the
causes of the Great Depression, and in awe of the Dot Com bubble bursting. More
than anything, I realized that the topics that interested me most in history and
politics had one thing in common: they allowed me to incorporate aspects of
abstract fields, like mathematics and statistics, to understand real events and their
causes. In a sense, I guess I had my own regression towards the meaninstead of
leaning towards one extreme or the other, embracing the middle allowed me to
better understand the worlds complexities through a combination of perspectives.
It wasnt until high school that I realized I could apply this mindset to more than just
historical eventsin my experience, both social problems and their potential and
realized solutions are informed by numbers. Social issues such as poverty have
always struck a personal chord with me; growing up in Calgary, my first memories
are of buying cartons with cracked eggs (because those were half-price) and
walking two hours each way to Walmart to get necessities, because we couldnt
afford a car or bus tickets. Knowing that this doesnt even remotely compare to
what most of the world deals with, freshman year I helped start an organization
called Youth Impact to address global poverty in a small way. By taking advantage
of currency conversion rates, we send U.S. profits from Nepali and Tibetan crafts
back to local villages, where the dollar is worth significantly more. By learning about
NPO and business operations, weve minimized costs to maximize contribution.
This is just the beginning, I hope. With a <insert college> education, I aim to
make an impact on a larger scale. Through a better understanding of economic,
social, and business principles, I can develop more informed opinions about issues
affecting the world today, and use my advocacy to shape policy on everything from
lowering the cost of desalination technology to providing affordable public
transportation. By rallying people around a vision, I can use the private sector and
its resources to innovate real change. Ultimately, Ive realized that a

multidimensional approach is necessary in addressing global issues, and that often,

the average between extremes can produce above average results.
[468]

SUPPLEMENT PROMPTS

Georgetown
In the space available discuss the significance to you of the school or
summer activity in which you have been most involved.

Lynbrook closed out! We erupted into obnoxious cheers and hooting after we
heard the news from my fellow captain.
Thats great, what division? a debater from another school asked.
Novice Policy.
Oh novice, big deal.
But it was a big deal. Our team was small, coachless, and untested. We had less
resources than the larger teams, and the year before, we had zero novice members.
If we couldnt maintain a solid roster this year, the program would dieand I wasnt
about to let that happen. In a school devoted to STEM, debate was one of the few
activities that helped us develop the skills needed to make our voices heard. This
year wasnt just about keeping our team aliveit was about advocating for what I
believed in, and I believed that everyone should be able to share their thoughts and
ideas.
After all, most of us entered as quiet and shy students, just testing the waters of
public speaking But once we participate, we cant stop and became too excited to
debate. By gaining experience and confidence arguing for my positions, Ive
become a more creative, resourceful, and flexible person. Ive delved into different
literature, from policy to philosophy, to contribute more to the intellectual
community that, through deliberating different approaches to problems, prepares us
for being the people running society in the future. And what Im most proud of,
ultimately, is that Ive used my experience to excite new members and help them
develop their voices and opinions.

ALL APPLIC ANTS: As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions

Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please

submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best
describes you.

It started in Calgary.
As a kid, I knew water as the clear substance that fell from the faucet, and I drank it
when my parents told me to. Water made my ice cubes, reloaded my water gun,
and froze so I could ice-skate. But when I was four and my family visited Vancouver,
I stood stiff and wide-eyed, staring at the Salish Sea; I had never seen so much
water. The tap at home in Calgary paled in comparison to the mountains of waves
crashing and receding before me. It was the first time I realized there was a bigger
world out there, and I wondered what was in it.
In elementary school, my family moved to a dusty fifth-story apartment in Xinxiang,
China, and I began to see how complex that world really was. In school, when our
teacher said that Chinese civilization began in Henan Province because of its
proximity to the Yellow River, I was amazed at how it had created all that sprawled
before me: a bustling city full of ingredients for my grandmas cooking, parks where
I could run, and bumpy roads to get to school. What struck me most, though, was
my history books cartoon drawing of the rivera simple path of blue. In my head,
Id imagined it as fierce as the ocean in Canada. A river also created Calgary, but as
a kid I couldnt believe the two places existed on the same planet.
Soon after I turned seven, we moved again, to California, and I wondered if the
stereotypes about perpetually nice weather and countless tourists were actually
true. Throughout the years, I saw all of the attractionsGolden Gate Bridge,
Fishermans Wharf, Hearst Castle but one of my favorites was Half Moon Bay. I
remember building sandcastles at low tide, convinced their walls could stop armies.
I was King Arthur; I was Poseidon; I was so caught up in my world that I didnt notice
the tide rising until a wave crashed over me, sweeping me off my feet. When I
looked up at my castle, it was gone, just a lump of wet sand remaining. I was
startled to see the destructive side of water, one I hadnt really experienced
firsthand before.
I had no idea just how destructive water could be when I first moved to California
and now, as Ive gotten older, the lack of it has me thinking about how lucky I really
am. In the news, I hear forecasters predict that California has one year of water left,
yet Ive grown up with reliable drinking water, showers every morning, and
sprinklers overflowing onto concrete. It feels abundant to me, reminding me of
everything I have at my fingertips because of where and how Ive grown up.
More than anything, growing up this way has showed me how different each
persons situation can be, and how interconnected we all are despite the different
circumstances were born into. Xinxiang, Calgary, Californiatheyre all so distinct,
but they were all built by water; and the farmers in the Central Valley use the same
water I shower with to water their crops. That interconnectedness, Ive realized, also
means interdependency; everyone is responsible for the world we all share. By

continuing to embrace diverse perspectives and learn from the world around me, I
hope one day I can use what Ive been given and what I strive to gain for the good
of all, knowing that everyone on this planet depends on one another.

APPLIC ANTS TO THE MC DONOUGH SC HOOL OF BUSINESS: The

McDonough School of Business is a national and global leader in providing
graduates with essential ethical, analytical, financial and global
perspectives. Please discuss your motivations for study-ing business at
Georgetown.

ECON-483 Development Economics: Micro and Policy Issues

Professor G. Genicot

ECON-429 Topics in Competition and Regulation

Professor M. Schwartz

International economics workshops and seminars

Please relate your interest in studying at Georgetown University to your

goals. How do these thoughts relate to your chosen course of study? (If
you are applying to major in the FLL or in a Science, please specifically
address those interests.)

Linear regression: a method for modeling the association between variables; linear
regression finds the best fit line to explain the variation, I read in statistics class.
Thinking about it, I couldnt help but feel like I could relate.
When I first moved to America, I felt I needed to root my identity in something. My
parents being engineers, I first focused on the STEM fields, but quickly realized this
was more of an effect of those around me than a genuine passion. History, politics,
and the interwoven connections between the social sciences, on the other hand,
fascinated me. I was intrigued by Reconstruction, eager to understand the causes of
the Great Depression, and in awe of the bursting of the DotCom bubble. More than
anything, I realized that the topics that interested me most in history and politics
had one thing in common: they allowed me to incorporate aspects of abstract fields,
like mathematics and statistics, to understand real events and their causes. In a
sense, I guess I had my own regression towards the meaninstead of leaning
towards one extreme or the other, embracing the middle allowed me to better
understand the worlds complexities through a combination of perspectives.
It wasnt until high school that I realized I could apply this mindset to more than just
historical eventsin my experience, both social problems and their potential and
realized solutions are informed by numbers. Issues such as poverty have always
struck a personal chord with me; growing up in Calgary, my first memories are of
buying cartons with cracked eggs (because those were half-price) and walking two
hours each way to Walmart to get necessities, because we couldnt afford a car or
bus tickets. Knowing that this doesnt even remotely compare to what most of the
world deals with, freshman year I helped start an organization called Youth Impact
to address global poverty in a small way. By taking advantage of currency
conversion rates, we send U.S. profits from Nepali and Tibetan crafts back to local
villages, where the dollar is worth significantly more. By learning about NPO and
business operations, weve minimized costs to maximize contribution.
This is just the beginning, I hope. With a Georgetown education, I aim to rally
people around a vision like this, using the private sectors resources to innovate
change. At the Department of Economics, I hope to earn an Economics degree while
taking advantage of the unique opportunities Georgetown provides. The Topics in
Competition and Regulation course, for one, would teach me about market entry
and competing with other businesses. Development Economics: Micro and Policy
Issues would allow me to learn about individual business practices that are ethical
and good for society as a whole. But these courses would be nothing without
Georgetowns renowned faculty, who all can impart knowledge from hands-on
experience within their fields. Personally, Id like to work with Marius Schwartz,
whose experience serving as Chief Economist at the U.S. Federal Communications
Commission would broaden my understanding of the additional constraints and
complications of governmental policy. Additionally, Professor Garance Genicots
research involving labor, inequality, and insurance issues would provide me with
first-hand perspectives on many tangible concerns that relate to developing
business innovation responsibly. Beyond coursework, the Policy Debate team would
challenge me in articulating and advocating for my positions, and living in
Washington DC, Id look forward to being so close to the buildings where

policymakers engage in debates over the best courses of action for the country.
With this unique location, I could learn how to use the skills I develop in Debate to
voice my ideas in the real world.
With Georgetowns one-of-a-kind resources, Id develop more informed
opinions about world challenges and solutions, and someday use my advocacy to
shape policy on everything from lowering the cost of desalination technology to
providing affordable public transportation. Only Georgetown could provide me with
an education that analyzes the intersection of private sector interests with
governmental policies to identify problems and seek solutions. I can learn how to
use quantitative and qualitative reasoning within the classroom, as well as in the
vibrant community of our nation's capital. Ultimately, Ive realized that oftentimes,
the average between extremes produces above-average results, and I feel
Georgetowns multi-faceted approach would give me the perspectives, business
tools, and flexibility to make effective business decisions, no matter the situation.
BU
In no more than 250 words, please tell us why BU is a good fit for you and what
specifically has led you to apply for admission.
When I first moved to America, I felt I needed to root my identity in something.
Since my parents were engineers, I first focused on STEM, but realized this wasnt
my passion; instead, history, politics, and the interwoven connections between the
social sciences fascinated me. The most compelling topics had one thing in
common: they allowed me to incorporate aspects of abstract fields, like
mathematics and statistics, to understand real events. Rather than accept the
perspective originally prescribed to me, I preferred incorporating multiple resources
and options to better understand the worlds complexities through a combination of
perspectives.
And thats why I love BU, where Questroms emphasis on applying strong
organizational practices, global perspectives, and responsible ethics to new
industries such as digital technology, social sustainability, and the life sciences,
really resonates with me. Opportunities like the Financing New Ventures course
would help me learn more about cash flow and pricing knowledge, providing me the
skills and resources necessary to launch my ideas. The Washington DC Internship
Program could give me real-life experience in witnessing how policy decisions that
affect the economy are made. Additionally, Id definitely join the 4th ranked
parliamentary debate team to build upon my high school experience and challenge
me in advocating and articulating my ideas. Ultimately, I know that developing skills
from diverse environments is important in seeing my ideas come to fruition, and I
feel that only Boston University can give me the opportunity to gain this
multifaceted learning experience.

Trustee Scholarship

1. In a paper delivered in 2013 called The Future of Employment, the

Oxford economists Carl Benedikt Frey and Michael Osborne estimate
that in the coming two decades 47 percent of all jobs in the U. S. are
at risk of disappearing due to computer- and robot-driven
automation. They predict intensified polarization between the rich
and the poor as a consequence, with the most jobs lost occurring
among low-skill and low-wage positions and an ever-larger share of
income held by a relative few. In your view, does this represent
progress with its inevitable costs or a disturbing trend that must be
slowed? Should governments intervene in any way to affect this
process and its effects?

KILL CAPITALISM SAVE THE WORLD was on a sign held by an Occupy

protester in a photograph I saw in the Guardian. During the struggle, America was
responding to the growing wealth gap, part of which being lost jobs due to
computer- and robot-driven automation, according to economists Carl Benedikt Frey
and Michael Osborne. This struggle still continues today. Not only are the jobs lost
low-wage and low-skilled, the richest few are taking in increasing proportions of
income. While some view this as an inevitable cost of progress, I think it is a
disturbing trend that can be slowed only by starting with grassroots movements
instead of governments.
The primary driver of the unemployment trend is that modern-day capitalism
is a self-correcting system superior to other systems. The ideology seems effective
on paper, as free markets give hard-working people a chance to improve their
situations. But this thinking has led to more self-interested conduct in business
practices. Ultimately, the new automation has been a way to cut production costs,
making the pre-existing labor expendable.
Some view this as a lack of hard work from those workers, but its this mentality
that widens the wealth gap. It stems from the thought that all one needs to do is
take care of oneself, but only a focus on society as a whole can allow responsible
development. There are many alternatives to the current version of capitalism. For
example, in Envisaging a New Politics for an Ethical Future, Chris Beasley and
Carol Bacchi comment on a new form of politics, centered on each persons shared
interdependence, to foster ethical conduct. These criticisms of the modern system
show there are alternative ways of doing business in society, instead of simply
viewing harmful effects as inevitable.
While increased governmental regulations could help remedy the symptoms
of new automation, the starting point has to stem from the citizens under those
governments. The problem with policy-making is the dominance of corporate and
financial interests. Jason Hickel, anthropologist at the London School of Economics,
writes in the Guardian that the strategy to raise people out of poverty today is GDP
growth. Unfortunately, the increased automation is a product of that mindset,
which, as David Woodward of the World Economics Review argues, would only work
if world GDP (consumption) increases 175 times.

These statistics prove that the tools governments have are insufficient to reverse
the trend, but what will work is individual citizens demanding ethical conduct. The
criticisms of the world order today, like Beasley and Bacchis, would reform the
system, taking into account the perspectives of all people to reduce the damage
automation would have to the labor it would replace. Occupy was a good first step,
but it lacked coherent political goals. Recently, however, Podemos in Spain, Syriza in
Greece, and M5S in Italy have amassed staying power by organizing citizens into
political parties; together, they have combatted financial interests of elites inside
the government by opposing austerity measures and affecting change for the
common good. Only with bottom-up movements like these beginning in the rest of
the world can the labor and wealth-gap issue be truly reversed.
SCU
Briefly describe how you learned about Santa Clara University. (150 words
maximum)
As a child, I loved basketball, and having lived in Canada for five years, I
immediately identified with Canadian and NBA player Steve Nash after I settled
down in Santa Clara county. One day, while watching the Phoenix Suns play, I
noticed the sports analysts saying that Steve Nashs alma mater was Santa Clara
University.
Steve Nash and his name recognition immediately interested me, and I asked
extensive questions to my parents about the school. When they could not answer, I
visited the website, learning, among other aspects, that SCU had a great business
program.
In high school, I job shadowed two SCU graduates who worked at NetApp.
Having known about the school, being curious I asked them how they came to work
at the company. It turns out they were hired after the company visited campus,
reiterating to me the incredible opportunities SCU had to offer.

If you visited campus, describe what aspect of your visit experience most
influenced your impression of SCU. (Maximum 150 words)
Every year, my school debate team attends the SCU Dempsey Cronin
Invitational. While the tournament is a great experience, I consistently get lost
trying to find my room among Santa Claras various department buildings, from
Kenna Hall, to Bannan, to Benson Center. From my meandering journeys across
campus, Ive seen many students engaged outside of school, whether its in
research, athletics or community service. Ive been continually impressed by the
diversity the campus has to offer, in both its programs and its people.
Since I want to major in business, this diversity appeals to me, as business is
most successful when combined with other fields, such as engineering or
agriculture, to bring specific products to the market. SCUs diversity can give me

hands-on experience in networking and a wide range of activities, through which I

can learn about the industries I might want to contribute to in the future.

Santa Clara University's strategic vision promises to educate citizens and

leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion and cultivate
knowledge and faith to build a more humane, just, and sustainable world.
What aspect of SCUs strategic vision appeals to you? Why? (between 150
- 300 words)
Lynbrook closed out! We erupted into obnoxious cheers and hooting after we
heard the news from my fellow captain.
Thats great, what division? a debater from another school asked.
Novice Policy.
Oh novice, big deal.
But it was a big deal. Our team was small, coachless, and untested. We had less
resources than the larger teams, and the year before, we had zero novice members.
If we couldnt maintain a solid roster this year, the program would dieand I wasnt
about to let that happen. In a school devoted to STEM, debate was one of the few
activities that helped us develop the skills needed to make our voices heard. This
year wasnt just about keeping our team aliveit was about advocating for what I
believed in.
I continue to believe that everyone should be able to share their thoughts and
ideas, and its that freedom that excites me most when I think about SCUs
emphasis on compassion and knowledge cultivation in a humane and just world.
Most of my team entered as quiet and shy students, just testing the waters of public
speaking. But once we participated, we couldnt stop, excited and empowered. By
gaining experience and confidence arguing for my positions, Ive become a more
creative, resourceful, and flexible person.
Through deliberating different approaches to problems, were preparing ourselves to
run society in the future. Thats why Im so drawn to Santa Clara University and its
vision, because there I can continue to enjoy an environment where individuals
support each other in their aims to develop the skills needed to become responsible
citizens and leaders. Personally, SCUs emphasis on building leaders of competence
and cultivating knowledge would help me generate and learn about new ideas that I
could take into the real world, hopefully to make a difference.

NYU
We would like to know more about your interest in NYU. We are particularly
interested in knowing what motivated you to apply to NYU and more specifically,
why you have applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college,
program, and/or area of study? If you have applied to more than one, please tell us

why you are interested in each of the campuses, schools, colleges, or programs to
which you have applied. You may be focused or undecided, or simply open to the
options within NYU's global network; regardless, we want to understand - Why NYU?
(400 word maximum)
http://www.stern.nyu.edu/portal-partners/currentstudents/undergraduate/academics/advising

When I first moved to America, I felt I needed to root my identity in something.

Since my parents were engineers, I first focused on STEM, but realized this was not
my passion. On the other hand, history, politics, and the interwoven connections
between the social sciences fascinated me. The topics that interested me most had
one thing in common: they allowed me to incorporate aspects of abstract fields, like
mathematics and statistics, to understand causes of real events. Rather than accept
the perspective originally prescribed to me, I preferred incorporating multiple
resources to better understand the worlds complexities through a combination of
perspectives.
And thats why I believe New York University is a perfect fit, where I hope to
earn a Business Economics degree at the Stern School of Business, an institution
that strives to create well-rounded, globally-oriented, and socially-minded business
leaders. I hope to take advantage of the many opportunities the School provides,
like the course Great Entrepreneurs, where I could develop my innovation and
leadership skills, or Business and the Environment, where I could learn about the
interaction between economics and environmental impact in conducting business
responsibly. One professor in particular that I hope to have the chance to work with
is George Smith, whose research and experience with sustainable development
could provide me insight on creating innovations accessible to the entire world.
Beyond coursework, I hope to join the Policy Debate team, coached by Will Baker, to
build upon my existing experience and challenge me in advocating my ideas. The
NYU London program would also provide opportunities to experience life in another
economic capital across the world. But whats so appealing about NYU is that I dont
even need to leave campus to experience the rest of the world, either. NYU is an
accepting and diverse environment that draws knowledge from people of all
backgrounds. For example, Id want to be part of the bi-annual NYU Club Fest,
bringing together student organizations in a huge community-building event. I could
network with individuals passionate about many different things, which is crucial for
me to learn about different sectors and industries Id like to contribute to.
Ultimately, a wide variety of experiences and opportunities are key to bringing my
ideas and visions to fruition, and only NYU, with its inclusive and diverse programs
and location, can provide them.
Cornell

Describe two or three of your current intellectual interests and why they are exciting
to you. Why will Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences be the right environment in
which to pursue your interests? (Please limit your response to 650 words.)

Public Finance: Resource Allocation and Fiscal Policy

Instructor: Gregory Besharov

Behavioral Economics And Public Policy

Instructor: Tatiana Homonoff

Competition Law and Policy

Instructor: George Hay

Cornell in Washington

University College London (UCL), UK

Oxford University, UK
London School of Economics (LSE), UK
DIS Global Economics (Copenhagen)
University of Seville, Spain
Barcelona, Spain
University of Paris, France
Linear regression: a method for modeling the association between variables; linear
regression finds the best fit line to explain the variation, I read in statistics class.
Thinking about it, I couldnt help but feel like I could relate.
When I first moved to America, I felt I needed to root my identity in something. My
parents being engineers, I first focused on the STEM fields, but quickly realized this
was more of an effect of those around me than a genuine passion. History, politics,
and the interwoven connections between the social sciences, on the other hand,
fascinated me. I was intrigued by the Reconstruction, eager to understand the
causes of the Great Depression, and in awe of the Dot Com bubble bursting. More
than anything, I realized that the topics that interested me most in history and
politics had one thing in common: they allowed me to incorporate aspects of
abstract fields, like mathematics and statistics, to understand real events and their

causes. In a sense, I guess I had my own regression towards the meaninstead of

leaning towards one extreme or the other, embracing the middle allowed me to
better understand the worlds complexities through a combination of perspectives.
It wasnt until high school that I realized I could apply this mindset to more than just
historical eventsin my experience, both social problems and their potential and
realized solutions are informed by numbers. Social issues such as poverty have
always struck a personal chord with me; growing up in Calgary, my first memories
are of buying cartons with cracked eggs (because those were half-price) and
walking two hours each way to Walmart to get necessities, because we couldnt
afford a car or bus tickets. Knowing that this doesnt even remotely compare to
what most of the world deals with, freshman year I helped start an organization
called Youth Impact to address global poverty in a small way. By taking advantage
of currency conversion rates, we send U.S. profits from Nepali and Tibetan crafts
back to local villages, where the dollar is worth significantly more. By learning about
NPO and business operations, weve minimized costs to maximize contribution.
This is just the beginning, I hope. With a Cornell education, I aim to rally
people around a vision, using the private sectors resources to innovate change. At
the College of Arts and Sciences, I hope to earn an economics degree while taking
advantage of the unique opportunities offered in a range of disciplines. Starting with
classes, Public Finance: Resource Allocation and Fiscal Policy would allow me to
understand the spending of the federal government and see how that impacts the
business environment. Competition Law and Policy would highlight the broad
business world and the barriers to overcome in having a product breakthrough in
the market. One professor that Im particularly excited to work with is Chris Barrett,
whose focus on responsible development will provide me with insight on ethical
business practices to minimize the detrimental effects of innovation. Beyond
coursework, the Policy Debate team would challenge me in articulating and
advocating for my ideas, a step up from the experience Ive had in high school.
Cornell also has two travel opportunities that excite me: the Cornell in Washington
program would allow me to see how the government makes decisions that impact
the economy, and the London School of Economics would allow me to gather
firsthand experience in a major financial global capital.
With these resources, Id develop more informed opinions about world challenges
and solutions, and someday use my advocacy to shape policy on everything from
lowering the cost of desalination technology to providing affordable public
transportation. Only Cornell focuses on developing key analytical tools to help me
synthesize different methods of finding solutions to a wide range of problems.
Ultimately, Ive realized that oftentimes, the average between extremes produces
above-average results, and I feel Cornells multi-faceted approach would give me
the perspectives, business tools, and flexibility to make effective business decisions,
no matter the situation.

TAKE 2

Linear regression: a method for modeling the association between variables; linear
regression finds the best fit line to explain variation. Reading about this statistical
concept in class, I couldnt help but relate.
When I first moved to America, I felt the need to root my identity in something.
Since my parents are engineers, I first focused on STEM, but quickly realized this
wasnt a genuine passion. History, politics, and the interwoven connections between
the social sciences, on the other hand, fascinated me. I was intrigued by the
Reconstruction, eager to understand the causes of the Great Depression, and in awe
of the Dot Com bubble bursting. More than anything, what interested me most was
the incorporation of abstract fieldslike mathematics and statisticsto understand
real events and their causes.
In a sense, I had my own regression towards the meaninstead of leaning towards
one extreme, embracing the middle allowed me to better understand the worlds
complexities through a combination of perspectives; and in high school, I realized I
could apply this mindset to more than just historical events. Freshman year, for
example, I helped start an organization on campus called Youth Impact to address
global poverty in a very small but tangible way. By taking advantage of currency
conversion rates, we send U.S. profits from Nepali and Tibetan crafts back to local
villages, where the dollar is worth significantly more. By learning about NPO and
business operations, weve minimized costs to maximize contribution.
This is just the beginning, I hope. With a Cornell education, I aim to rally people
around a vision, using the private sectors resources to innovate change. At the
College of Arts and Sciences, I hope to earn an Economics degree while taking
advantage of the unique opportunities offered in a range of disciplines. Courses
such as Public Finance: Resource Allocation and Fiscal Policy would allow me to
understand the spending of the federal government and see how that impacts the
business environment. Competition Law and Policy would highlight the broad
business world and the barriers to overcome in having a product breakthrough in
the market. I cant wait to work with professors such as Chris Barrett, whose focus
on responsible development would provide me with insight on how ethical business
practices minimize the detrimental effects of innovation. I like how at Cornell I can
minor in so many different subjects to supplement my understanding of economics
cognitive science and international relations are two I'm most interested in.
Studying cognitive science could teach me the fundamentals of human reasoning,
which I could apply to economics to better understand why consumers respond
effectively to specific types of marketing. IR would expose me to the customs and
cultures of other countries; this eye-opening subject could, for one, provide insight
on global differences in buying behaviors, which would allow me to break into
international markets in a culturally-conscious way.
Beyond coursework, the Policy Debate team would challenge me in articulating and
advocating for my ideas, a step up from the experience Ive had in high school.
Cornell also has two travel opportunities that excite me: participating in the Cornell
in Washington program would allow me to see how the government makes decisions
that impact the economy, and studying at the London School of Economics would

help me gather firsthand experience in a major financial global capital. With these
resources, Id develop more informed opinions about world challenges and
solutions, and someday use my advocacy to shape policy on everything from
lowering the cost of desalination technology to providing affordable public
transportation.
Only Cornell focuses on developing key analytical tools to help me synthesize
different methods of finding solutions to a wide range of problems. Ultimately, Ive
realized that oftentimes, the average between extremes produces above-average
results, and I feel Cornells multi-faceted approach would give me the perspectives,
business tools, and flexibility to make effective business decisions, no matter the
situation.

Northwestern (300)
Northwestern Statement (completion strongly recommended):

What are the unique qualities of Northwestern - and of the specific undergraduate
school(s) to which you are applying - that make you want to attend the University?
In what ways do you hope to take advantage of the qualities you have identified?

When I first moved to America, I felt I needed to root my identity in something.

Since my parents were engineers, I first focused on STEM, but realized this was not
my passion. I explored history, politics, and the interwoven connections between
the social sciences, which fascinated me. I was intrigued by the Reconstruction,
eager to understand causes of the Great Depression, and in awe of the Dot Com
bubble bursting. The topics that interested me most had one thing in common: they
allowed me to incorporate aspects of abstract fields, like mathematics and
statistics, to understand causes of real events. Rather than accept the perspective
originally prescribed to me, I preferred incorporating multiple resources to better
understand the worlds complexities through a combination of perspectives.

And thats why I believe Northwestern is a perfect fit. I hope to earn a degree in
economics at Weinberg College, which prepares students by using mathematical
and analytical tools to look at multiple factors in economics, such as government,
industry, and finance. I hope to take advantage of opportunities like the Economic
Growth and Development course, where I could learn about sustainable
development and how to put my energy into ideas that benefit all people. Id be
honored to work with Kiminori Matsuyama, whose research in macroeconomic
stability, specifically involving international trade, could propel me to take my ideas
globally. Beyond coursework, the Policy Debate Team, under Daniel Fitzmier, could
help me build on my high school experience and solidify my advocacy skills, and the

London School of Economics study abroad program could provide me experience

living in an economic global capital. Ultimately, learning from multiple environments
is important in developing my ideas, and I feel only Northwestern can give me the
opportunity to have this kind of diverse learning experience.
Harvard
You may wish to include an additional essay if you feel that the college application
forms do not provide sufficient opportunity to convey important information about
yourself or your accomplishments. You may write on a topic of your choice, or you
may choose from one of the following topics:
- How you hope to use your college education
Linear regression: a method for modeling the association between variables; linear
regression finds the best fit line to explain the variation, I read in statistics class.
Thinking about it, I couldnt help but feel like I could relate.
When I first moved to America, I felt I needed to root my identity in something. My
parents being engineers, I first focused on the STEM fields, but quickly realized this
was more of an effect of those around me than a genuine passion. History, politics,
and the interwoven connections between the social sciences, on the other hand,
fascinated me. I was intrigued by the Reconstruction, eager to understand the
causes of the Great Depression, and in awe of the Dot Com bubble bursting. More
than anything, I realized that the topics that interested me most in history and
politics had one thing in common: they allowed me to incorporate aspects of
abstract fields, like mathematics and statistics, to understand real events and their
causes. In a sense, I guess I had my own regression towards the meaninstead of
leaning towards one extreme or the other, embracing the middle allowed me to
better understand the worlds complexities through a combination of perspectives.
It wasnt until high school that I realized I could apply this mindset to more than just
historical eventsin my experience, both social problems and their potential and
realized solutions are informed by numbers. Social issues such as poverty have
always struck a personal chord with me; growing up in Calgary, my first memories
are of buying cartons with cracked eggs (because those were half-price) and
walking two hours each way to Walmart to get necessities, because we couldnt
afford a car or bus tickets. Knowing that this doesnt even remotely compare to
what most of the world deals with, freshman year I helped start an organization
called Youth Impact to address global poverty in a small way. By taking advantage
of currency conversion rates, we send U.S. profits from Nepali and Tibetan crafts
back to local villages, where the dollar is worth significantly more. By learning about
NPO and business operations, weve minimized costs to maximize contribution.
This is just the beginning, I hope. With a college education, I aim to make an
impact on a larger scale. Through a better understanding of economic, social, and
business principles, I can develop more informed opinions about issues affecting the
world today, and use my advocacy to shape policy on everything from lowering the
cost of desalination technology to providing affordable public transportation. By

rallying people around a vision, I can use the private sector and its resources to
innovate real change. Ultimately, Ive realized that a multidimensional approach is
necessary in addressing global issues, and that often, the average between
extremes can produce above average results.

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences

(100 words)
Oh novice, big deal, a debater from another school said, as our team celebrated
closing out.
But it was. The year before, Lynbrook Policy Debate had zero novice members. Not
maintaining a consistent roster meant the programs demiseand as Captain, I
wouldnt let that happen. In a school devoted to STEM, debate was among the few
ways we could develop the advocacy skills to make our voices heard. After all, while
most of us entered as shy, developing our own opinions and teaching
underclassmen to do the same made us confident in asserting our ideasand wed
never let that die.

University of Michigan
If you could only do one of the activities you have listed in the Activities section of
your Common Application, which one would you keep doing? Why? (Required for all
applicants. Approximately 100 words)
Without music, life would be a mistake. Friedrich Nietzsche
Without violin, my life would definitely be a mistake. No matter where Im
playing, violin allows me to express myself. Between five elementary schools in
three countries, violin has been my only constant, and it has grown as Ive
maturedits music adapting to the cultures, conditions, and the complexities of life
that Ive encountered. Finally settling down in California, I joined CYS and Lynbrook
Orchestra and have made new friends through rehearsing together. Ive developed
a new perspective: playing is not just about me, but also my relationship with
others.

Essay #1 (Required for all applicants. Approximately 250 words)

Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among
other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race,
ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you
belong, and describe that community and your place within it.

Lynbrook closed out! We obnoxiously cheered and hooted after my fellow captain
brought the news.
Thats great, what division? a debater from another school asked.
Novice Policy.
Oh novice, big deal.
But it was a big deal. Our team was small, coachless, and untested. We had less
resources than almost every other team, and the year before, we had zero novices.
If we couldnt maintain a consistent roster, the program would dieand I wasnt
about to let that happen. In a school devoted to STEM, debate was among the few
activities that developed the advocacy skills needed to make our voices heard. In a
way, I felt like a pioneer, trying to expand the debate community where it had no
presence before. This year wasnt just about keeping our team aliveit was about
advocating for what I believed in: that everyone should be able to share their
thoughts and ideas.
After all, most of us entered as quiet and shy students, just testing the waters of
public speaking. But once we participated, we couldnt stop; debating was exciting,
liberating. And personally, by gaining experience and confidence debating my
positions, Ive become a more creative, resourceful, and flexible person. Ive delved
into a more diverse set of literature, from policy to philosophy, to deliberate over
multiple types of arguments. Ultimately, Im proud to say that debate has
empowered our team and me to join and contribute to an intellectual community
that prepares us for future problems through deliberation of solutions.

Essay #2 (Required for all applicants. 500 words maximum)

Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College
or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you
are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your
interests?
-PICK 2-3 CLASSES, PROFESSORS THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN
-PICK 2 PROGRAMS (CLUBS, RESEARCH OPPS, TRAVEL, ETC) THAT SUPPORT YOUR
INTEREST
Linear regression: a method for modeling the association between variables;
linear regression finds the best fit line to explain variation. Reading about this
statistical concept in class, I couldnt help but relate.
When I first moved to America, I felt the need to root my identity in something.
Since my parents are engineers, I first focused on STEM, but quickly realized this
wasnt a genuine passion. History, politics, and the interwoven connections between
the social sciences, on the other hand, fascinated me. I was intrigued by the
Reconstruction, eager to understand the causes of the Great Depression, and in awe
of the Dot Com bubble bursting. More than anything, what interested me most was

the incorporation of abstract fieldslike mathematics and statisticsto understand

real events and their causes.
In a sense, I had my own regression towards the meaninstead of leaning towards
one extreme, embracing the middle allowed me to better understand the worlds
complexities through a combination of perspectives; and in high school, I realized I
could apply this mindset to more than just historical events. Freshman year, for
example, I helped start an organization on campus called Youth Impact to address
global poverty in a very small but tangible way. By taking advantage of currency
conversion rates, we send U.S. profits from Nepali and Tibetan crafts back to local
villages, where the dollar is worth significantly more. By learning about NPO and
business operations, weve minimized costs to maximize contribution.
This is just the beginning, I hope. With a University of Michigan education, I
aim to rally people around a vision, using the private sectors resources to innovate
change. At Ross, for example, I hope to earn a Bachelors of Business Administration
while taking advantage of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like Carson Scholars,
where I could take courses such as Business and Public Policy to learn about the
intersection of enterprise and government at the nations capital. Entrepreneurial
Finance, with Professor David Brophy, would provide a better understanding of
venture capital, critical to fund innovation. His experience from assisting mid-sized
companies fund their growth would help me understand how the concepts learned
in class apply to real life. Beyond coursework, the Policy Debate team, under Coach
Aaron Kall, would challenge me in articulating and advocating my ideas, while
International Trade in Morocco would teach me about globalization and the worlds
interdependency, the vehicles for sharing innovations around the world.
With these resources, Id develop more informed opinions about world challenges
and solutions, and someday use my advocacy to shape policy on everything from
lowering the cost of desalination technology to providing affordable public
transportation. Only Rosss MERGE curriculum approaches education in a way that
focuses on data-driven analysis and synthesizes different perspectives gained from
each course. Ultimately, Ive realized that oftentimes, the average between
extremes produces above-average results, and I feel University of Michigans multifaceted approach would give me the perspectives, business tools, and flexibility to
make effective business decisions, no matter the situation.

UVA

1.
We are looking for passionate students to join our diverse
community of scholars, researchers, and artists. Answer the question that
corresponds to the school/program to which you are applying in a half
page or roughly 250 words.

College of Arts and Sciences - What work of art, music, science,

mathematics, or literature has surprised, unsettled, or challenged
you, and in what way?

Linear regression: a method for modeling the association between variables; linear
regression finds the best fit line to explain the variation, I read in statistics class.
Thinking about it, I was surprised to realize how much I could relate.
When I first moved to America, I felt I needed to root my identity in something. My
parents being engineers, I first focused on the STEM fields, but realized this was
more of an effect of those around me than a genuine passion. History, politics, and
the interwoven connections between the social sciences, on the other hand,
fascinated me. I was intrigued by the Reconstruction, eager to learn more about the
causes of the Great Depression, and in awe of why the Dot Com bubble burst. More
than anything, I realized that the topics that interested me most in history and
politics had one thing in common: they allowed me to incorporate aspects of
abstract fields, like mathematics and statistics, to understand real events and their
causes.
Before, Id never thought about the ways I could combine and connect fields that
seemed so different; I saw math and the humanities as night and day. But over the
years, as Ive learned more about statistical analysis methods such as linear
regression, I realize Ive had my own regression towards the meaninstead of
leaning towards one extreme, embracing the middle has allowed me to develop
more informed opinions about global issuesperspectives that, I hope, will lead to
innovating creative solutions in the future.

2. Answer one of the following questions in a half page or roughly 250

words.

Whats your favorite word and why?

flight -- connect to debate essay

Flight (v): to flee.
After jumping around five elementary schools in three countries, I became
increasingly shy in foreign environments. I lacked self-confidence, and fearing
judgment, I backed away from challenges. I didnt try out for the basketball team for
fear of rejection, and I was terrified of presenting projects in class. My timidness got
to the point where when my parents left me home alone, Id rather not eat than go
to the store to buy a sandwich.

Flight (n): soaring through the air.

Things began to change when I joined speech and debate freshman year. There, I
gained the advocacy skills to develop and strengthen my voice through learning
how to argue for positions. As I grew more experienced, I learned how to be a

problem-solver by delving into different literature, from policy to philosophy, to

contribute more to the intellectual community that I felt so lucky to be a part of.
This passion for being involved soon extended beyond debate; I joined the
basketball team, played more confidently in orchestra, and even served as a club
commissioner at school.

Ultimately, the difference between the verb and the noun has been believing in
myself. Instead of letting my fear of being judged serve as an excuse not to act on
my ideas, I use others opinions as evaluation of my work and progress. By taking
flight and believing in myself, Ive realized that I can become a leader.

We are a community with quirks, both in language and in traditions.

Describe one of your quirks and why it is part of who you are.

Student self-governance, which encourages student investment and

initiative, is a hallmark of the U.Va. culture. In her fourth year at
U.Va., Laura Nelson was inspired to create Flash Seminars, one-time
classes which facilitate high-energy discussion about thoughtprovoking topics outside of traditional coursework. If you created a
Flash Seminar, what idea would you explore and why?

U.Va. students paint messages on Beta Bridge when they want to

share information with our community. What would you paint on
Beta Bridge and why is this your message?

A note about word limits:

We aren't counting words on these. The word limits are there so you know
that we are expecting short statements, not term papers. The boxes
where you paste in your essay will cut you off at some point, but there is a
little bit of leeway. Be concise and thoughtful in your statement statement
and try to convey your voice and style in your words. This is the one spot
on your application where your personality gets to shine, so don't treat
this like a formal school assignment.