Am I In Yet?

BN J JO ZFU College Writings from the Class of 2015

Introduction True facts: a 50-word supplement is just as time consuming as a 250-word one; these words become darlings to be pruned and killed; you become a better writer and person. At least that was true for me, if I set aside the initial whelm & fear of producing mountains of material, as if I were a word machine full of youthful wisdom. College applications were an opportunity to self-reflect and decide which story about myself I wanted to tell, which story I wanted to live. Everyone had their share of writer’s block & typos & coffee runs & busy flying fingers across keyboard dirty, truer for some than others. And the cliché: everyone has a story to tell and no one is boring – which explains why this anthology is America-exclusive, because who wants to be just a brain in a chair? While by no means exhaustive, this collection is at once a celebration of creative writing, a record of our efforts, and an opportunity to learn more about each other.

Judy Chen April 2015

Acknowledgements All contributors are anonymous; some are more anonymous than others. Thanks for sharing.

am i in yet?

College Writings from the Class of 2015

Blue fire trucks!

University of North Carolina / Chapel Hill, NC

UNC Professor Barbara Fredrickson – an expert in positive emotions – has defined love as “micro-moments of connection between people, even strangers.” Tell us about a time when you experienced a “micro-moment of connection.”

What did you learn?

It was a Friday night and I was attending a friend’s birthday party at Papa John’s. During our celebration, we all laughed at each other’s jokes, looked at everyone’s presents and congratulated the birthday girl. It was an ordinary evening until a few foreigners sitting next to us started to chat.

Our neighboring table had three middle aged Americans, two men and a woman. Shortly after, the woman approached us, asking about the purpose of the dinner. She had sparkling blue eyes and a broad smile and kindly wished happy birthday to the birthday girl. We did not pay much attention until our neighbors stood up to leave.

As the woman walked past our table, she handed me a tissue paper and left without another word. “Enjoy your birthday party,” was written on the tissue and as I opened it up, I saw a bright 1

red miracle. It was a 100RMB note. Eight people’s jaws dropped simultaneously, and we all stared at each other in amazement.

For Taiwanese and Korean students who had been taught their whole lives that a stranger equals danger, this was an incredible moment. Our mothers had taught us not to interact with strangers and that there was no obligation to be open to unfamiliar people. However, in that moment, a stranger who I had only just met decided to perform such a random act of kindness. Her action was far beyond simply giving money, it was the fact that we connected. Strangers from completely different backgrounds shared a moment of joy and gratitude. Even though I grew up believing that I should save as much money as possible, this woman generously gave me part of her wealth. She showed me love— showed all of us love.

The party had a perfect ending and we all left the restaurant smiling.

It may take years for me to change my beliefs, but it only took one small act from a stranger for me to question my beliefs. From this unfamiliar woman, I learned that the value of my money is maximized when it is spent on the right person, and that person does not always have to be myself. When this woman spent her money on us, the value doubled, tripled, or even more.

I reflected on my own behavior and how I treated strangers.

I realized that it is very easy to share a moment with strangers.

The strangers who distribute leaflets on the street used to annoy me, but now I always accept every flyer with a smile and a thank you. They are probably receiving minimum wage and not getting paid unless all leaflets are given out. Micro-moments of love can take many forms.

After two years, I still remember this woman. Her kindness has inspired me to be more open and aware, and to practice love and compassion towards strangers.

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A SoCal colllege of the New England type Pomona College / Claremont, CA

What does freedom mean to you?

Freedom means that I have free reign over my own actions and decisions, and, as a result of this privilege, I have a corresponding responsibility towards my own actions and decisions. Freedom means that I can make my own choices for myself and experience first-hand the consequences of the choices I preferred. Freedom means that I am the sole perpetrator and the only victim of where my decisions lead me to in life.

Freedom for me can be manifested in many different forms; the freedom to chose what I wear is a simple example of freedom, and as a result my outfit may be unsuitable for that day’s temperature. The freedom to chose my classes and intellectual pursuits is another example of freedom, and as a result my visible future is directly affected by my choice. Above all, freedom for me is the freedom to freely create; to freely write and freely read and to expend my creativity of my own accord. Freedom is what allows me to pursue my passion in writing, making the choice of choosing one pastime over the other. Freedom allows me to limitlessly expand on concepts and stories and characters and worlds, 3

and allows me to chose from them the ones I deem to be superior. Freedom allows me to record the fruits of my labor, and to improve them over time.

Freedom is what makes me an individual - a young, slightly immature, unexperienced individual.

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Reflexively liberal Bowdoin College / Brunswick, ME

Connection to Place I call two places “home.”

The first of these two is a two-storey red-brick house in the suburbs of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, where I spent my childhood. I grew up in that house, clambering up and down the staircase and occasionally braving the forboding depths that was the basement. My first friends were made in that red-brick house - the grandchildren of an neighboruing elderly couple - and I started school there.

That house has been sold.

The second of these two is a three-storey adjoined residence in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. Having moved to China when I was roughly seven years old, I balked at the idea of living in China for the first year or so; in comparison to the pristine, relaxed atmosphere of Mississauga, Suzhou was much more polluted, crowded, and in a rather frantic manner, more energetic. But after ten years, I’ve come to love this city too, with all it’s faults and all it’s joys. I matured in Suzhou; it’s my home as much as Mississauga ever was and perhaps more so than it ever will be. I’ve come to 5

know many, many people in Suzhou, and despite the dreary gray sky I find this city to be beautiful nonetheless.

It is a small wish for me to someday view Bowdoin as a third home.

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A stronghold of griffins living the life of the mind Reed College / Portland, OR

Reed is a unique and exciting college experience. Discuss the reasons that you believe Reed would be an appropriate place to continue your education.

Tables are in the eyes of the beholder. Sometimes I climb onto the table to work, for it functions perfectly as a seat and the window serves as a superb back-chiller. My dad enters the room, points to my feet, says, but there’s a chair, a chair!

I read Eating Animals during a spontaneous vegetarian week. I declined (politely) the (delicious-looking) steak at the dinner table. “This is my vegetarian week,” I said, showing my family Jonathan Foer’s book. They asked, “But why?”

I was 16 the first time I went to church. It was a Berkeley summer afternoon; the sun blinked from windows, from leaves, from – Kevin Wang! Into his path I leapt, even if he was an alumnus I knew only by name. He invited me to church, I was 16 and an atheist, I said, yes.

When I chose Reed, people asked me, what, where, then, why Reed? Why an obscure (i.e.: unranked) school? Why a small town (i.e.: not San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York)?

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There was not one defining moment that committed me to Reed. Trust John Green on this one: “I fell in love the way you fall asleep – slowly, then all at once.” In the years between first hearing of and finally falling in love with Reed, little details and warning signs crystallized, and I realized with such clarity there is no other place I would love to be and could love as much.

When I read Steve Jobs’ biography in the 9th grade, I was intrigued by the one college that could possibly fit his peculiar and particular criteria. When Jobs said, “Don’t listen to dogma,” I can imagine those words spoken through the mouths of Reed, because Reedies are the crazy ones. Howl is my favorite poem and the Beat my favorite Generation; when I heard Allen Ginsberg’s reading at Reed, and discovered Gary Snyder a Reed alumnus, I erupted with disbelief – yes, these were the souls that found west, the eccentric minds that Reed attracted, I just didn’t know I could find Reed any more lovable than I already did.

Reed is Portland in 115 acres, Reed is the West Coast in one school, Reed is freedom and wilderness, and it is here that I want to spend caffeinated mornings and discover wisdom. I choose Reed, because I want to surround myself with and learn from the craziest and curiousest intellect. The world is too elaborate and exciting to view from old eyes and old comforts, I hope to understand it differently and pursue the unknown.

I wish to be one of Reed’s infinite perspectives and personalities. I choose Reed because I want to experience the world differently; let Reed be the table I choose to sit on instead of the chair.

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Bobcats swag Bates College / Lewiston, ME

Please select one phrase from the Bates mission statement below and comment on how it inspires you and draws you to Bates. “Creative�

Above all, I strive to be a creative individual. I enjoy writing, enough to state that I love writing with a passion, writing casually in my free time or otherwise thinking of writing when I’m not. The process of world building and character building excite me, and the multiple times wherein I refine a concept, construct a setting, or even abolish an idea spur me on to creating even more complex stories.

I think of myself to be a creative individual, but even so I find myself bottlenecked in terms of creativity constantly - whether I become devoted to a single, sub-optimal plot device, or unwittingly become restrained to a single character setting - and it is then that I turn to my surroundings for inspiration, drawing from the people around me ideas. It is in my belief that Bates can easily provide the creative environment that I search for during those bottlenecks, and as such I find myself drawn to Bates College.

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For the last five years I have been involved in the Secondary School Drama Productions, each year with a different role, though it was only this year that I progressed onwards to a acting role - a leading one, even. My progression into a main acting role was a slow and reluctant one, for though I had experienced acting in class and in smaller, minor production pieces, most of my experience was centered around the management of Backstage efforts, and at my highest point being the Student Director. This reluctance stemmed mainly from how important the Backstage, the Stage Crew, and everyone who lacked the chance to stand upon the stage, under the spotlight, was to the production, and throughout the years I had garnered a sense of honor for supporting the actors and production from behind the curtains. This year I took a leap of faith, knowing that it was my last year in the school, and chose an acting role, allowing a junior to take over my role and accustom herself to it.

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The MSU Dairy Store has 37 flavors of ice-cream Michigan State University / East Lansing, MI

Describe a significant experience from the past two years, which required you to interact with someone outside of your own social or cultural group (ethnic, religious, geographic, socio-economic, etc). How did this impact you? What did you learn and what surprised you?

For the past two years I have been studying in a multi-cultural environment that allowed me to make friends with people from other nations. To me, being able to get to know students of different cultural backgrounds is the best thing I’ve experienced in my life, because it opened my mind to the world by communicating with students from all over the globe. I have friends on all continents, and the fact that we are friends is purely by chance, yet it is reality.

I have an American friend, who moved me with his optimistic view on life. I met him through a mutual friend. He showed up with his hair combed back and dark zip-up jacket. He introduced himself to me, which is unusual in my culture. We do not walk up to people and present ourselves unless we need to.

I joined the yearbook committee in our school as a photog11

rapher. The first photos I showed to the leaders were “terrible�.

Just as I was about to give up, that same person that had previously impressed me, offered to sit down with me and teach me some techniques. This greatly improved my shots. The leaders of the Yearbook Committee were impressed by my work thereafter.

By being so caring towards me, this friend had rekindled my passion for photography. We became best friends afterwards, and he continued to share with me his philosophy of life and how he chose to approach it.

Before I met him, life was just miserable routine, but now it has become clear to me that if you do something in life that is meaningful to you, it will automatically make everything easier, and even get you through the most negative situations. I would never have come to this life-changing conclusion without meeting my friend in that extracurricular activity. This is why I am pursuing to be a hotelier. Meeting different people from around the world has definitely changed my life for the better. And by pursuing this profession, I will be able to continue to meet new, interesting people, and also give back to the international community.

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According to Mr. Pollard, there are more cows in Wisconsin than there are humans University of Wisconsin, Madison / Madison, WI

Tell us why you decided to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, share with us the academic, extracurricular, or research opportunities you would take advantage of as a student. If applicable, provide details of any circumstance that could have had an impact on your academic performance and/or extracurricular involvement.

Research centers and programs for physics in my home country are not as well established as the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For years, my country has been stumbling in recession. Due to lack of a global vision and capability the growth is insignificant when compared to similarly developing countries such as South Korea who have emerged speedily out of the struggle left from the Korean War. In addition, I want to return to my home country as a valuable citizen who can contribute to society with the skills and knowledge learned in a multinational community. I believe research institutions, especially ones for physics, are the vital intelligence groundwork for a country’s reform. When I consider these factors, UW-Madison becomes a definite choice.

The main reason I am applying for the UW-Madison is the 13

physics faculty and available opportunities for research. The research carried out in this university such as the commercializing 3D-colour printers is fascinating. UW-Madison is not just a place to study; it is also a place that sparks pro-active and innovative minds, and encourages you to think beyond set boundaries. As a passionate student I feel a great desire to become a member of this community and will take every opportunity to extend my knowledge in my major.

I have been involved in a charity group in my high school called the South Africa Vastfontein Project for four years. The aim of the project is to raise money for the orphans and young students in the Vastfontein Community in South Africa. My experience of visiting the orphanage and leading the charity group has taught me that in order to achieve success I must apply skills and knowledge learned in the classroom. For example, I needed linguistic skills to translate promotional brochures into multiple languages; I used my understanding of economic theory to explain poverty in South Africa at a micro and macro level. The 4 years experience in this charity group had enabled me to apply knowledge from education to a real life situation.

Moreover, University of Wisconsin-Madison is a school that provides great education and student resources while also giving back to the local community and the rest of the world. I admire how the university has gradually become one with the local community, and I have the desire to be part of it. I am especially interested in being involved in the 30hour Famine organization and the AIESEC-Madison organization. These two organizations can help me continue to develop and learn as a global citizen and become a great leader.

The location of the university, being near Lake Mendota, is very attractive for me. I have been living beside the Jinji Lake in Suzhou, China for ten years. I enjoy an environment with water around me. The type of environment is where I wish to continue to live and learn in.

All in all, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is my choice for university because it can provide a great education, meaning14

ful student organizations, and an amazing location.

Briefly explain how you decided which activity was the most important to you.

The chosen activities are selected because I learned skills from each of it. These new skills are outside of the regular Diploma curriculum. Examples of skills acquired are leadership and event planning.

I tend to spend a huge amount of time on participating activities that I am proud of, such as the South Africa Vastfontein Project. Nevertheless, I spent less time in some activities that I also considered important because they reflect my fascination of the world. Each activity helped me to be exposed to an area of knowledge that was not covered in my high school studies.

Consider something in your life you think goes unnoticed and write about why it’s important to you.

Did you notice that sports news is often covered with updates on NBA and rumors about the players? I am positive that you did.

But have you ever encounter any news on the basketball statistic keepers? The answer to this question is ‘No.’ If media is a gateway for the society to express their opinion, then we can easily depict the reality for stats-keepers, that is, they are insignificant and uninteresting to everyone.

Well, who am I to say this and why?

I am a stats-keeper.

Although it sounds like it, I am not going to whine about the lack of attention I receive, instead, I am going to point out one thing that I have learned from being the stats-keeper, which has transformed me.

I believe people had overlooked the significant impact being a stats-keeper could bring. For me, basketball is not about 15

popularity. For me, basketball is about potential. More specifically, stats-keeping is about training myself to reach my maximum potential for mastering speed and accuracy. But this success comes through a journey with tumbles and stumbles.

Most people did not know my first stats-keeping experience was horrifying. As the referee threw the tip-off, instead of feeling the rush of excitement through my bloodstream, I felt a strong pressure of time on my shoulders. I realized that I was no longer an audience, I was a stats-keeper. For the first time, my eyes did not know where to look; the ball or the player? The ball moved so fast that sometimes I did not know whose it was. I would record the stats, yet by the time my eyes were back to the game, I had already missed a turnover or a shot. What I encountered was not just failure, but also a world that required the ability of speed and accuracy at all times.

Over the season, I trained myself to become faster and more accurate by developing my own stats-keeping strategies. I became very productive. Nevertheless, if it were not for the benefits that I see from this job, I would have given up since under players’ fame I feel intense isolation. However, I was hungry and greedy for personal growth, so I shifted my focus to achieve perfection with my product.

I have encountered two successes from the job: personal growth and self-pride. Furthermore, these are now firmly rooted in me. During high school, ‘speed and accuracy’ repeatedly presented its importance. I needed it during tests, classes, sports, and activities. Every time I sensed my own laziness creeping in, I would recollect my tough experience of stats keeping. My effort cannot go to waste. Therefore, when facing challenges, I will attack them with my skills of speed and accuracy. High school introduced numerous similar situations, which now has shaped the way I study and the way I live. I am strongly thankful for the experience of being a stats-keeper.

Now, ‘speed and accuracy’ is my motto, and it is who I am.

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Beyond oral hygiene Colgate University / Hamilton, NY

Please tell us what inspired you to apply for admission to Colgate University?

A Colgate University representative visited my school one day.

Partially due to curiosity, I went along with my friends to strike up a conversation with her. The result of this impulsive decision was that I became even more attracted to Colgate.

Even before the visit Colgate University had been on my list for potential colleges to apply to - it’s breathtaking campus; prestigious renown as one of the hidden ivies and one of the top liberal arts colleges in America; diversely multi-national student populace and familiar household name (in terms of toothpaste) had drawn my attention previously. But what pleased me more than anything was talking to the representative, and discussing the campus’s LGBTQ situation. Whilst I myself am heterosexual, the representative’s overwhelmingly positive and detailed response to our queries struck a chord within me. A good friend of mine once had the misfortune to confront a rather rare case of discrimination within my current High School; for being homosexual he was belittled and insulted, and as a result I started to 17

view the LGBTQ movement as something more than yet another happening taking place on the far side of the globe. And after hearing Colgate’s stance towards LGBTQ issues, I truly realized something else.

I want to join Colgate.

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More than Project Runway Parsons The New School for Design / New York, NY

The Urban Challenge The train station in Singapore is a place that I have become very familiar with over the years. I would take it in the mornings to go to school, squeezing into packed compartments filled with other students weighed down by their backpacks. However, despite the ample air-conditioning and the organized manner of which the station was planned out, I’ve always found the journey to be quite unpleasant. My heavy backpack would strain my shoulders, and as the trains were usually packed, there was little chance of me securing a seat. The train compartment would be uncomfortably quiet as well, with everyone plugged in to their devices -- listening to music, checking emails, reading the news etc. But my main issue with it was that the whole process was just so mundane, and I would find myself wanting the experience of traveling to be over as quickly as possible.

But traveling is such an integral part of my daily routine, and untill teleportation becomes a feasible solution, it will continue to take up a fair percentage of my time. Hence, I want expand on the concept of the thriI store, so that when people are 19

traveling from one location to another, they would be able to drop off some items at a mobile exchange kiosk, where they can choose to pick up something in return. The items would have to be things that can last for a significant period of time, such as books and clothing, not exhaustible things like perfume or food. A booklet or tag would be attached to the item, and every time someone borrows it, they would write down names of the places that the item has traveled to. After some time, each item would have list of different countries, and it would no longer just be an item, but a unique souvenir. The idea of urban mobility can urge people to contribute to sustainability and become part of this constantly changing world. People could donate books that they finished reading while commuting, and simultaneously relieve themselves of some extra weight as they continue their journey. They can also donate thick scarves and jackets if they travelled from a place currently experiencing winter, so that someone else traveling to a cold climate can make use of the winter clothing.

We live in a society of mass production and waste, where people need to be constantly stimulated with new things. Such a system of exchange would provide new experiences for people while reducing their compulsive need to buy unnecessary products. This is also a system that runs on trust, as people are responsible for ensuring that the items donated are safe for use, and those who borrow them are responsible for returning the items to continue the cycle of shared experienced. I believe that if mobile exchange kiosks could be set up in my city’s airports, hotels, train stations, and other places where people from all over the world get together, our collective effort would be able to create a system that would make the process of traveling smoother and more efficient, as people would not have to carry around unnecessary weight. It would also add an element of excitement to the mundanity of traveling, and help make the journey just as exciting as it’s destnation.

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Tufts, you intelligent and eccentric Jumbo, I choose you Tufts University / Medford, MA

What makes you happy?

Lungs begging for breath, liquid skin molting, elbows swinging far from shoulder blades – this is hardly what happiness should be. Underpants sticking inappropriately, loose ponytail poking in eyes, ears red and frozen – this is hardly what I thought happiness is, but happiness it is.

I would never have imagined myself saying this: I think I love running.

I run a mediocre 5K, have never been in the top 10 or 20, and am still destroyed by trail runs. But I have been running for five years and it has grown on me and just as I am growing with it.

When I run at night in the apartment compound, dodging cars and cats; when I bite down cramps and speed towards the finish line; or when I run around the lake, feeling the invisible bond with strangers on their third, fourth lap...In battered Nikes I run, because then I feel the texture of the ground, somehow the earth speaks to me, urges me on. Running connects me to the big skies and rich mountains of my dreams, encourages me to act and 21

do, fuels me to be a kinder and better person.

Sneakers at the ready, I can run anywhere – at the lake in Taipei, my apartment complex in Suzhou, or the snowed streets of New England – and I shall be happy everywhere.

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A living-learning laboratory Babson College / Wellesley, MA

One way Babson defines itself is through the notion of creating great economic and social value everywhere. How do you define yourself and what is it about Babson that excites you?

As I learned more about Babson College one of the things that stood out the most to me was the focus on Executive and Enterprise. Through the connections to Babson’s partner organization I believe that I would greatly benefit form the real world experience before going onto creating my own workplace. One of the main reasons why this excites me is because many other colleges do not have these connections therefore, would not be able to offer these opportunities that would give me the proper experience to create a successful business in the future.

I believe that the experience gained from building ones business during college years or shortly after not only gives some room for mistakes to be made, but it also creates a safe place for a new business to start and potentially flourish in the future. I also believe that with this room for error I would be able to be more adventurous and take more risks with a potential business because I would have access to helpful resources and mentors. Fur23

thermore, the connections made with these partner organizations and with fellow students could potentially change the growth of a business in the long run.

I would define myself as a risk taker; however, it would be preferably in an environment that I would be able to grow from my mistakes and have another chance at success in the future. At Babson College I believe that opportunities provided would allow me to be able to do this in addition to having the proper guidance to not make needless mistakes in order to secure a path to greater success.

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The bigger the better Pennsylvania State University / University Park, PA

Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at Penn State. This is your opportunity to tell us something about yourself that is not already reflected in your application or academic records.

The preferred major I want to study in The Pennsylvania State University is engineering. I suppose as an engineer, the key to success is not only one’s professional skills but also the ability to cooperate with others, because almost all the groundbreaking modern technologies are made by teams instead of a single person.

I had successful experience in cooperation when I was in a video-making club. The process of making a micro video involved multiple people with different skills. As the script writer, I could not simply write down whatever I want for our club. The director, as the leader, had his own ideas. Those ideas gave me directions or topics of stories. Then, I had to come up with details, logics and other elements which can the story make sense. When the work was massive, I had co-script writer, and we communicated 25

with each other to make sure our parts are consistent. The tricky thing was to meet the requirement of the clip editor. Sometimes he might complain certain scenes were hard to for him to edit, therefore asking me to delete them. At that point I had to evaluate if those scenes were important enough to keep. If so, arguments started and usually we all made concessions.

The experience I learned from this club can also be applied to academic work. The interaction between the director and me is same as that between a student and the teacher who assigns him thesis, co-script writer and I are like partners working on a design lab, and the clip editor and I are just like an equipment manager and a student. With it, I believe I have prepared myself for my study in this school more than scientific knowledge.

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Where Republicans are moderate Democrats Swarthmore College / Swarthmore, PA

Please write about why you are interested in applying to and attending Swarthmore.

To call my motivation for joining Swarthmore a byproduct of my elder sister’s brilliance isn’t a false claim - her academic brilliance and history of respectable achievements had led me to copy her in more than one aspect. Like her, I participated actively in Theatre.

Like her, I joined the Student Council. And like her, I want to attend Swarthmore.

But that’s where it ends. She introduced me to Swarthmore through her own first-hand experiences there, many of her tales still lingering fresh within my memory, but it was first and foremost the environment Swarthmore is nestled in that established my desire to attend. Cradled within the warm embrace of nature that Suzhou so sorely lacks, it’s liberal focus on various modernday concerns such as LGBTQ rights alongside the diversity of it’s population appeal to me greatly, having thoroughly enjoyed a comparable environment in high school. Beyond that, Swarthmore’s reputation for excellence and academic rigor motivates me to strive for greater heights, whilst the tightly-knit community and 27

the passionate faculty creates a welcoming, hospitable feel. Charity, a large concern in high school, has a well-grounded foothold in Swarthmore, and as a firm believer that above all other qualities a person must be generous, Swarthmore’s history of giving would allow me to contribute to the livelihoods of others on an even greater scale.

There are many colleges out there - many of them similar to Swarthmore. But none, I believe, are a better fit.

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Your Lady Seat of Wisdom Marist College / Poughkeepsie, NY

Tell us your favorite quote and explain why it is meaningful to you.

Quotes have left marks on history, events, generations but more importantly individuals. The idea that a select amount of words, no matter how few or many can stand the test of time is beautiful. We all have heard quotes, those select words being repeated from one generation to the next. Everyone has quotes that we find love, hope, and motivation in. My quote that I have found a strong connection with is a quote by Mahatma Gandhi. The quote reads, “Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.�

Clearly this quote is not direct like most. Also it contradicts itself, stating that what you will do in this life is insignificant.

Maybe even pointless. But it is very important that you do it.

I remember when I first read this quote, and I tried to understand the meaning that it possess. I have found over time that this meaning has changed. As of now, I feel that the meaning of this quote correlates to events in life. Basically meaning that everything you do in life, no matter how minuscule or monstrous 29

effects the future. The future of tomorrow, and the future of the next generation. Because an act of any kind still leaves a mark on time, and thus leaving a mark in the future.

The reason that I find this quote by Mahatma Gandhi so meaningful to myself, is because of my perception of life. I believe that a lot of people know they can changed the world, we all can.

But they do not because there definition of change is drastic. But at the same time, we all change the world, just not as drastically as we first dreamed of. I myself want to change the world. Like every young individual, I want to leave my own mark on time itself. But we all do in our own way. From the people we meet, to the events that we partake in, and the moments where we stand up for something that is right, or help someone who is in the wrong.

This quote effects me as an individual because of how vague yet specific it is. It causes myself to think in a more profound way and take into consideration a wide variety of meanings. I could get lost in the possible ways I could interpret this quote. Personally this quote lingers in my head considerably more than others.

Like a question that you still have not found the answer to.

I doubt that I will ever completely understand the meaning of this quote. But on the contrary I never want to fully understand this quote. Because there is something bewitching about mystery.

How the meaning walks in the shadows of life, and you only see very seldom glimpses of it. In the end the meaning I find in this quote has effected me beyond imagination, and of course has effected the future.

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Year-round bro-tanks and lavender sunsets University of Southern California / Los Angeles, CA

Some people categorize engineers as geeks or nerds. Are you a geek, nerd, or neither? Why? The dictionary defines geeks and nerds as “Unfashionable and socially inept people, or people who are boringly studious”. I feel that these statements are false, as they shed a negative light on people who are just misunderstood. I think a better definition of such people would be “People who are hard-working, and passionate about the things they love.” I think that this is a much more meaningful and truthful definition as it captures the key aspects as to what it is to be a geek or a nerd. People do not have to love science or mathematics in order to be a geek, but can love just about anything. For example, many people are described as movie geeks, sports geeks, or car geeks. The word “geek” is instead used as a synonym for enthusiast. The same goes for a “nerd”. Nerds are just those who are hard-working, and willing to do anything to follow their dreams. What would the world be like without nerds anyways? People like Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, or Michael Faraday are all “nerds”, but have contributed greatly to society. Overall, geeks and nerds are people with drive 31

and determination, and are essential to society. I am passionate about cars and about the mechanics behind modern technology, and wish to learn more about them. I am willing to work hard in order to achieve success and understanding, and therefore, I am a nerd.

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The scrotum loves you too Rhode Island School of Design / Providence, RI

Pick your favorite artist or designer. Write about a day that you would spend with her/him, what questions would you ask and/or what would you hope to learn from her/him?

I breathe steadily and meditate, tracing the hollow echoes of the Performing Arts Concert Hall. Sitting on the stage with my legs crossed, I am facing Marina Abramović and one thousand empty seats, observing how she prepares physically and mentally for a replication of The Artist is Present, which we are going to run over the course of 18 hours. We will be sitting on the stage, not moving, for three six-hour intervals. Audience members who wish to engage with us will get on stage, where we will look into their eyes without judgment.

Abramović is a Serbian and former Yugoslavian performance artist, an experienced Buddhist practitioner, and a person without limits. Since her early days in Serbia, she has subjected herself to extreme mental and physical pain to draw viewers out of their ordinary patterns of thinking. In much of her work, there is an emphasis on being awake to the present, letting go of one’s conventional urges and attachments, and letting another way of 33

being and knowing take over. I saw her inner strength and raw willpower in The Artist is Present at the MoMa in New York, which ran over the span of three months, where visitors were invited to sit in silence opposite Abramović and gaze into her eyes for as long as they liked. I saw her mindfulness and calm in the 512 Hours at the Serpentine Gallery in London where she looked into the relationship between art and “nothingness”—the notion of material absence within the practice of art. Her work represents everything that I am not, and everything that I try to be.

“No thinking, just being.” Abramović stands up and instructs me to let all intentions, all self-directed thoughts and actions, fall away as I walk around the stage. But my mind would not quiet.

I am used to a fast pace of living; I walk briskly and swiftly maneuver through crowds while commuting, I talk quickly and animatedly, eager to get my point across. I am constantly propelled by the urge to be doing something, lest I get uncomfortable and jittery. This performance art piece with Abramović is an effort to not only be comfortable in a state of nothingness, but also to be aware and present in the moment, and to explore—and be explored by—my audience and my art. Abramović had opened my eyes with her art, and has taught me that art exists all around us, and it does not necessarily have to hang on the walls of galleries to have a profound impact on the viewer. With this new perspective, I was inspired to run an art show with her, to find the answers to how to shift the states of consciousness between and within people, and use this knowledge to establish a better connection with myself, and the world.

Moving slowly around the stage and art center, Marina and I come back to the stage and I realize that the purpose of meditation is to remove the idea of “me.” My body shrinks into a tiny thread of consciousness, and there is nothing. In that moment, I forget myself, and am free to live truly and authentically.

On this stage, I am lost, and reborn.

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“Central NY is a little more fun if you’re buzzed.“ Hamilton College / Clinton, NY

While the primary criteria for admission to Hamilton are academic achievement, intellectual promise and community engagement, Hamilton also seeks to admit candidates who are a good fit with the programs and experiences offered by the College. Please take this opportunity to tell us about your interest in Hamilton and, particularly, why you believe it is a place where you can thrive. Be open. Be honest. Be brief.

“A National Leader in teaching students to write effectively, learn from each other, and think for themselves.”

These words are displayed quite clearly on the homepage of the Hamilton College website, and those words along were enough to strike up an interest within me for Hamilton. I love reading, I love writing, I love witnessing the rise and fall of a character; I love witnessing their faults and shortcomings; I love witnessing their strengths and successes. I love creativity and I love to write. As a teenager, writing is the sole passion I have adhered to over the last few years with a serious mindset for the future, and throughout the past few years of casual writing, I have come to realize that I wish not only to write more, but to 35

write better too.

I know that my stories are lacking. I know that my characters are far from perfect. I know that my worlds are sometimes simple amalgamations of various external influences and my own immaturity. I know that despite my passion for writing, I am far from the best, and that even if I am personally satisfied with a single piece; a single passage, there is still room for improvement.

I love writing. I love improving my writing. I love reading writing.

It is because of this that I believe I can thrive in Hamilton.

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Yay for rain University of Washington / Seattle, WA

The University of Washington seeks to create a community of students richly diverse in cultural backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. How would you contribute to this community?

“A Taiwanese student living in China” is how I usually introduce myself, however, there is more to the story. While I acquired a careful personality from Taiwanese culture through my mother, I also inherited a tough exterior from my father, who was born and raised in Burma. The cultural diversity in my family and the experiences in my life have shaped me into both a bright and brave individual.

Under my mother’s strict discipline, I demonstrated outstanding academic ability and musical talent in both the piano and flute. I fit the stereotypical role model student in Taiwanese society, but I want to be more than that. Besides eating mohinga, the traditional Burmese breakfast, appreciating jade over diamond and highly valuing family bonds, my father’s Burmese background taught me to be courageous. My father spent his childhood swimming in the Irrawaddy River and driving a jeep at 37

the age of eleven. I reflect these attributes in a slightly different manner through participating in competitive sports and hiking two of the “Five Sacred Mountains” in China.

Last year, I moved further out of my comfort zone by traveling to South Africa on a school trip and to Canada alone. I researched Vancouver thoroughly and booked my own transportation and hotel accommodation. Confusing bus routes, freezing temperatures and loneliness did not stop me from exploring. The unique glass blowing art on Granville Island and the beautiful scenery in Stanley Park broadened my horizon.

I will contribute to the University of Washington by sharing my knowledge and experience and encouraging others to appreciate diversity. My background and personality allows me to encourage others to take risks and explore unlimited possibilities.

Furthermore, I hope to share my cultural heritage with other students as a member of the Taiwanese Overseas Student Association at University of Washington.

t t t Being categorized as Third Culture Kid (TCK) in my high school, I believe I can bring unique benefits to the UW communing.

TCK is a term used to describe people who spent most of their character development years in a culture that is from neither of its parents’. I am a Taiwanese, who has been living in Suzhou, China for ten years. During the ten years, I have absorbed the traditional traits of Taiwanese at home; experienced the cultural shocks in Suzhou’s local sites; and received the western education from the international school I am attending. Under the impact of the three cultures, I become the creation of three different ‘points of views’. It has allows me to comprehend the world in three different kinds of perspective: 1. Mono-cultural 2.

Bicultural 3. Multi-cultural.

As a TCK, I will be able to contribute to the UW community with my three-dimensional mind. By being able to interpret ideas 38

in three different kinds of ways, I will be able to inspire new ideas in different subjects areas, with different people and from different experiences.

Introducing the mind of TCKs will be like introducing a new nationality. My own triple cultured identity can help increase the richness of cultural diversity in the university. The world is undergoing globalization, which needs people with an open-mind. By knowing how to accept different cultures and traditions, I know how to be peaceful with other students. My lifetime before university life and shaped me to think as a global citizen. However, my link to Taiwanese tradition will allow me to share my culture with other people in university. My living experience in Suzhou will indirectly influence what kind of culture I am sharing with my peers. The whole combination of my identity is unique, which will spark new viewpoints with students and staffs who are parts of my university life.

Tell us a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

I still remember the moment of happiness and excitement, when I finally regained my confidence. It was a normal weekend morning; as usual, I was still dreaming in my bed. When my phone suddenly rang, I casually picked it up without opening my eyes, waiting for the person on the other side to speak. “Hello?” as I heard my piano teacher’s voice, my brain started to turn and think if I was late for my piano class or not.

“Ting-Yi, are you there?” she asked again.

“Yes, yes! Ms. Ruby, I thought we don’t have class this weekend?”

“Yes we don’t, I just want to inform you that you are chosen for “Lang-lang and 50 Children” Contest! Congratulation! You did a good job!”

“Oh.. Okay.. What?!” I suddenly jumped off my bed, could not believe what I just heard. I rushed into my parent’s bedroom 39

and shouted “I got in! I got in!” As I enjoyed this exciting moment, my mind flashed back to many years ago, when I lost my confidence on performing piano...

Since young, I was afraid of performing in front of audience.

No matter how much or how well I prepared, I always worried about making mistakes and people laughing at me. Once, my piano teacher asked me to participate in the Suzhou Piano Contest.

I could not reject because my parents also encouraged me to join.

Soon the day came, as I performed on stage, a camera flash light from the audience made me forgot all the melodies I memorized.

I did not remember for how long I was stuck on the stage, but it was like years long when I tried to find some thoughts on random piano keys. As I got off the stage, I started to cry, losing all my confidence in playing piano on stage. Since then, I always made mistakes when I perform, and I swore I would never perform on stage again.

Years later, the world renown pianist Lang-lang came to Suzhou for world-tour piano concert. The organization had planned a special performance with 50 children and organized a small piano contest to choose these 50 participants. Since most students in our music studio were participating, my piano teacher and my parents persuaded me to register too. I did not took any hope in winning, but still tried my best to practice the piece I prepared.

As I completed the piece smoothly in the contest, I was satisfied with my well performance and felt like the stone in my heart disappeared. I never imagined that piano contest had become my turning point...

When I knew that I was chosen for “Lang-lang and 50 Children” performance, I could not believe it. This news had brought me so much energy and gave me the courage and confidence for performing on stage! I did not know my ability in playing piano could brought me this great honor, and from that moment, I trusted myself that I could perform whenever I like. The honor of being chosen had gave me the courage to fight the fears in my heart. I realized that people always make mistakes, but more important is how we learn from the mistakes; if I tried my best 40

to present what I prepared, no one will laugh at me. Now, when I stepped on stage, I know the spot-light is on me. As I enjoy all the moments of clapping and cheering, I am not afraid anymore, ready to show them what I have got!

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All hail the Californian Republic University of California, miscellaneous campuses

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.

When I was young, I would entertain myself by catching insects in my neighborhood. Then, with the rapid advancement of technology, I was introduced to increasingly more electronic devices.

It started with the Gameboy, with which my brother and I shared many memories playing video games. Then came the PSP, with which I started listening to music and watching movies.

It was not until I transferred to an international school that I more fully realized the extent of technology’s advantages. I was born in Taiwan and raised in Suzhou, China, so when the language instruction changed from Chinese to English, I initially faced several difficulties in understanding my teachers. However when I received my first laptop, I could instantly translate unfamiliar words. The wide range of applications on my laptop also enabled me to work more efficiently. For a math project that required me to construct a line graph, I instinctively took out a piece of paper and prepared to draw the graph with a pencil.

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After meticulously sketching the axes and plotting the points, I was reminded that Microsoft Office could automatically construct the graph for me. This feature fascinated me and inspired me to investigate the plethora of available tools that could be used to aid my studies.

The explosive growth of the Internet has also opened opportunities that I would never have imagined to be possible. When my brother first moved to the United States for school, I was lonely and worried for him; but now with the development of social media platforms, I have convenient access to instant updates on my brother’s activity. Now I can also easily contact my friends from primary school on a regular basis. The Internet has overcome geographic barriers and extended communication networks across the world.

Technology has played an influential role in my life and continues to satisfy more needs of people all around the world. However, with the fast evolvement of the technology industry, tools that are commonly used today, such as Twitter and Skype, may soon be replaced by even more advanced innovations. Mobile phones and computers may beintegrated into one invention in the future. People may spend more of their school or work hours in virtual reality. I want to take part in these trends and help extend technology’s positive influences to more people.

t t t One of the few things that I remember from my childhood is that my grandparents always took my sister and I for hiking. As a child, I was very competitive. Thus, I would always want to be the fastest. My grandfather liked to compete with me, and deliberately claimed he was tired so I would win. When we reached the top of the mountain, we would take a rest and my grandfather would tell me stories.

I believe that I am similar to my grandfather. Both of us like art. My grandfather spends his free time doing Chinese cal43

ligraphy. What is special about him is that he started to learn calligraphy when he was 70 years old. He started calligraphy because he had nothing to do in his retirement. However, he developed a passion for it and his skills improved dramatically. He also started to learn ancient Chinese history. I am surprised at how devoted he is to this art; especially considering when he started.

When I asked him why he started doing calligraphy, he said that he has to continue to learn new things. Being old is no excuse for letting your mind rest. A man must learn until the day he dies.

He never complicates anything. Everything happens because they have to happen and there is no way around it. It is not exactly how I think. I used to think that going to school is like going through levels in a video game. I have to clear junior high to go to high school and then clear high school to go to university.

However, my grandfather would not think that way. He would not complicate life. Of all the stories he told me, he never told me any stories with any thought-provoking life morals. Although, I could not remember the content of the stories, I am sure that the reason that my grandfather told me those stories is because those stories are interesting.

To me, he is like a superhero. He is benevolent, determined and wise. One of the best things about him is that he never expects me to be someone extraordinary or get extremely good grades in school. He does not want me to cure cancer or go to the Mars. He wants me to live my life and have a good time. It is this quality that makes me feel like he is a superhero.

I respect my grandfather more than I respect any other man in the world. My dream is to be a man just like my grandfather. I want to live my life and enjoy all the success and failures. I will never stop learning. Then, when the moment comes that I will go to sleep for the last time, I will know that I regret nothing.

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Greek life U.S.A. University of Illinois / Urbana-Champaign, IL

Developing the Future Technology is a miraculous tool. It has allowed people in the world to solve problems more effectively and efficiently. Furthermore, it has given people in need better aid and has thus changed the future of the world forever. The first time I used a computer, I marveled at its complexity. I remember my first email address and my initiation into Facebook. I have always wanted to be one of the experts who could actually create these technologies for others to use and enjoy. When the question of a major came up, it was obvious for me: computer science.

While many people might perceive computer scientists as quiet people who fix computers and sit in a dark room all day, I view them as modern day heroes. Computer science is continually improving the world and the systems people use daily. The software birthed by computer scientists has the power to allow businesses to run more smoothly, and these businesses could involve smaller companies like personal trainers or larger groups like consulting firms and banks. Software has even been able to save lives in hospitals and contribute to the research of human 45

genetics.

Beyond all these amazing applications of computer science, I cannot envision myself quite as prepared for any aspect of life with any other major. Computer science is the future, because computers and technology are not going away anytime soon. As a computer science, I will have the privilege of becoming part of the newest inventions. I hope to create my own software company that specializes in creating affordable software for children and seniors in China. That way I can make the most effective technologies accessible to the most vulnerable members of society.

Computer science, for me, is a bridge to helping others and creating a better world for everyone.

Computers and Basketball: Living in the Moment My interests live mainly in two worlds. In one world, I sit in front of a bright computer screen, experimenting with code and designs, waiting to see what will come of my manipulation of technology. In the other world, however, I stand in front of a net, rough, orange ball in my hands, waiting to hear the swishing sound of a ball successfully going through that basket. Although my friends know what a computer dweller I am, they also know me as the basketball junkie.

Living in China has taught me to hold onto my interests, because so many of my peers are encouraged to only focus on academics. I personally find that my time playing basketball teaches me lessons about the world that computer science alone would never be able to provide. For example, basketball is constantly reminding me to live in the moment. I might be playing a spectacular game, sinking every shot, working well with my teammates; however, if I dwell on my own success, I will likely miss the next pass or lose control of the ball. Each moment is precious, and I know I have to live fully within each second that passes to win the game.

This lesson applies to life as well, which is a theme I find 46

throughout playing basketball. Most of what I learn can directly influence the way I live in other aspects of my life as well. Since basketball has shown me the necessity of living in the moment, I have always taken pride in my ability to remain flexible in tough situations and work on overwhelming problems step by step. I am grateful to the sport of basketball, definitely for the physical exercise, but also for the strength of heart and mind it has allowed me to cultivate.

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Make art, not crime Maryland Institute College of Art / Baltimore, MD

Write an autobiographical essay that tells us something about yourself that you feel is significant to your application and our perception of you.

Sitting on the fence can get comfortable. After the initial ache of the wood digging into my thighs, I shift my focus on the sights around me. It feels as if I am miles above ground; I can clearly see what is on the other side, and I start to make comparisons. While I try to keep my balance, the adrenaline makes my head spin as I drink in the sights around me-I realize that my thighs are no longer the only parts that are paralyzed, but my brain too.

When I was a kid, I would spend ages at the toy store, not because there were particular toys I wanted, but because I would always be stuck between two choices. Even after weighing all the pros and cons, there would be a nagging fear at the back of my head that I would regret the choice I made. It didn’t get easier as I grew up. In an extracurricular art school, I had to choose between taking part in a piano recital and acting in a 10-second commercial, as the dates clashed. They were both incredibly challenging but exciting opportunities, but I spent a whole week 48

deciding which offer to take up. This dilemma happened all the time, from the most mundane decision of picking a flavor of yogurt, to choosing to move from Singapore to Shanghai.

As a result, I’ve always admired people who were decisive and who could stick through the consequences. Unlike them, I lived on the line between why and why not. I was a participant of some insane marathon, stuck in a seemingly never-ending run that constantly urged me to explore what I want. But about 11 months ago, something changed. Staring at the screen of my laptop, I breathed unsteadily and read the audition details to my school’s annual Winter Concert. The thought of standing alone in the center of stage and facing several hundred people in the audience terrified me, but the fear of potential failure made me want to perform even more. I was spurred by the urge to not only challenge myself, but also to change, to break out of my comfort zone, and to be more decisive. The concert was a disaster. I messed up one of the lines and the high notes were out of tune.

Strangely, I was at peace with it. I was grateful for the moment just before midnight when I asked myself “why not?” and then blocked out the tsunami of reasons why I shouldn’t, and signed up. This decision made me realize the importance of not dwelling on the “supposed-to-be”s and the “could-have-been”s, and how incredibly rewarding it can be to just go for it.

Before the concert, I was an indecisive idealist, hypercritically analyzing all the options in hopes of making the most informed decision. When I failed to make what I deemed to be the right choice afterwards, I was plagued with self-doubt and aporia.

I left the concert as a decisive realist, still idealistic and indecisive from time to time, but better equipped with the skills to deal with the consequences. I learned to make the most out of my decisions, regardless of whether it brought me pain and humiliation. The indecisiveness inspired me to be more decisive along the journey of knowing who I am with continued trial and error. This seemingly paradoxical choice dilemma encouraged me to generate energy to make tough choices and thrive in an uncertain state.

Sitting on the fence is all right, if only for a little while. In 49

order not to feel the pain, I have to confine myself to the same position, because once I shift my weight, even just a little, the pain will come back and the wood splinters will stab at my thighs.

But I will not wait till then to pick a side and jump off.

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Go deep and find thyself, 650 words max Common App essay / The interwebs

Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

I didn’t expect myself to be in Montana. Apparently the U.S. Customs officer didn’t, either.

At the SEA-TAC airport, I, greasy-haired and sleep-deprived, was questioned three times by three different officers.

What’s the reason for your visit to the United States?

Why are you going to Montana?

Yeah, but what do you do? – Give me the details.

My mind flashed to the inflight border control documentaries. I quickly evaluated myself. My most dangerous possession, a bag of Taiwanese sweets; my most dangerous intention, hoarding cheap magazines at the nearest Hudson News. I waited anxiously.

Mr. Customs scrutinized my passport, pointed at another gentleman, Now, we’re going to speak to you more.

When eventually I left the airport 9:30 pm, on the other end of the phone my friend broke out laughing, “They thought you 51

were suspicious?”

I admit, who would think I was going to Montana? – Indian country, big-skied, middle-of-nowhere Montana. My dad struggled to find it on the map. My sister thought it was nearby Texas.

Ever since a visit to Yosemite, I have yearned to immerse myself with nature, discover the honest, simple life, and explore indigenous spirituality that is so connected with the land. Montana seemed to me a grand dream, something on a life-long bucketlist. “But why Montana?” My dad – my personal Mr. Customs – had asked, “There are also indigenous tribes in Taiwan.” Yes, but I wanted something foreign, something startling new, I wanted to be thrown into freezing waters of the unknown. I did not want to dwell in daydreams and the incessant “if only;” I had devoured books and photographs, and now I desired to experience Montana in the flesh.

After my layover in Seattle, I landed in Great Falls to find myself in the middle of nowhere. The airport was deserted save for the mountain goat taxidermy that greeted me. The truck drove for hours on the one endless freeway. But when I reached the ranch that would be home for the next weeks, I looked around me and felt instantly welcomed by the infinite, rolling blue and green.

Sure, I had been clueless and hiked in jeans in the Sierras before, but by far, Montana was the biggest unknown yet. However, precisely because I knew not what to expect, I loved everything. The water-phobic me dove in Kootenai Lake, the heightphobic me climbed rocks by the highway, and the dog-phobic me learned to love a mix-breed called Kaya.

At the parking lot of Teeples, Keenan, the sweetest fifth grader I met, shouted for me, “Get ready!” I stood by his side, knees bent and ready, waiting for the whistle, “Grab the chicken!”

Around me, excited eight-year-olds scurried and hurried, hoping to hold in their small arms the one nonchalant chicken, strolling casually back to its truck.

I was in the middle of nowhere, but also in the middle of everything and everywhere. I learned about the red earth, built 52

teepees, made corn bread for the Okan, burned sage to ward off the militant Montanan mosquitoes. I was under the biggest sky and here I experienced the most beautiful mountains; I was in a land of strangers and here I met the kindest souls.

In the sweat lodge, there was Nolan Yellowkidney who sat on the ground, cross-legged and bare-chested, illuminated by a gentle slit of light. “When you return home,” he said, “don’t forget to call your spirit to go with you.”

At the top of the hill, I yelled for my spirit to come home with me, the spirit that was now waiting to hop onto the next new experience, ready to jump onto the next unknown, where I wish for my heart to be as wide and my mind to be as open as the one Big Sky.

t t t There is no alternative for fencing that could substitute the role that improvisation and spontaneity play as core components of sport on a mental level. My appreciation for my mother enrolling my brother and me in fencing classes in the summer after we first moved to Suzhou is unmatched. Though perhaps not so much at the time, I now realize that I am extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to develop the skills and mentality that I currently have as a result of having enrolled in the sport, particular at such a relatively young age.

Behind the enigmatic screen of the face mask of any impassioned fencer, therein lies what distinguishes fencing as a sport apart from all others; the face of the fencer facing elimination against his or her identically stone-faced opponent - the fear, concentration, anxiety, determination across it - cannot read or seen or by any audience. When on the strip at any given moment in-match, a fencer becomes secluded. Perhaps between bouts a fencer’s attention may be drawn to the voice of his coach, one that he has come to know from the advice spoken or praise given or insult thrown at him through. Besides, however, he is alone, 53

with only himself to strategize and reflect on his game plan with, all in the heat of the bout. I like to think that there is a unique quality that I have acquired from fencing that is centerpiece to my attitude towards sports and my general life attitude, this being mental toughness in the face of adversity. Even in team competitions, there are still only ever two opposing fencers on the strip at any given time, with no direct interaction with teammates or coach. Although it may at first sound to be an intimidating predicament, years of solitude behind the mask in-game have built me to become independent in situations in life when the need arises; as exaggerated and over-dramatic as it may sound, it is true.

Having at one point achieved the nation-wide number three ranking in China for amateur fencing in Sabre, this achievement was not due only to the hours of hardship in rigorous training over the years, but to the having been able to develop the ability to both dictate the pace of the game and, infinitely more importantly, identify and then address the aspects of my opponent’s game that are beating me. Fencing is taxing of a brutal caliber on both body and mind. It’s tough, and, with as much humility and modesty as can be expressed, the ability to improvise on the spot is one characteristic of the sport that has been impressed upon me that I value immeasurably. Adaption is the ability to draw upon creativity and apply new solutions to unfamiliar situations; spontaneity implies an element of adaption, but in far less time to ponder and evaluate the solutions. Through the years I have spent playing the game, the improvements I have made in the cognitive aspects of fencing have benefitted me invaluably even outside of the sport.

The impact that fencing has had on my character is incalculable. The qualities of mental toughness and spontaneous adaption that define a large part of me as both an athlete and as a person I developed as a result of one of the greatest passions of my life. I would be hard-pressed to think of, let alone find another activity that my mother could have enrolled me in to substitute the skills that I have been able to develop from this sport, unparalleled by any other hobby I have ever undertaken.

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t t t Where I first came to Suzhou, China, I was only 2 years old. My first thought was that life was going to be hard here. The city was in very rough shape. The roads were covered with mud and there was swampland everywhere. It looked nothing like it does today.

Everything changed in a very short amount of time. Suzhou soon became a city full of skyscrapers.

I have spent almost my whole life in Suzhou. I grew up with this city and watched it develop in various fields, such as technology and land use. As I watched the city grow, watched all those tall skyscrapers being built, I start to get curious about how they were built. I wondered what kept them together and why they were designed that way. I wanted to know how they decided where to build. It was all very new to me and I was excited to learn more.

I started to pay more attention to the rapid development going on around me. As a child, I was mesmerized by the bulldozers and cranes used to construct these large buildings. When we passed by construction sites, I would hang around and watch the men with their hard hats and long tubes filled with papers and plans for the site. As I got older, I started to read more about the rapid rise of China and the real estate boom. I read everything I could and made regular trips to building sites to watch my city transform around me. The pace of urbanization was staggering.

In just three years, the urban area of Suzhou increased by 150 km square. More farmers were moving to the cities, but there wasn’t enough space to accommodate them. The government was continually expanding into rural areas and extending urban sprawl.

I saw opportunity.

My casual interest turned into a desire to pursue a career in this field. I realized that the real estate industry was central to the development of China. More and more rural people were moving to the cities and the huge population of China would sustain this for decades to come. When land is developed, it promotes the development of other industries, such as building materials and 55

commercial development. The result is housing and employment for the continually increasing urban population.

Working in real estate can be difficult and stressful. In fact, it is ranked one of the most stressful jobs, and this is what I am looking for, because I thrive under pressure. Working in real estate also requires knowledge in various fields. A real estate developer not only requires sales skills, but also basic knowledge of relevant industries. This includes knowledge of materials, building design, and dĂŠcor. This industry is not just about knowledge; it also requires excellent communication skills. I hope to improve my skills in this area through interacting with architects, builders, and customers. I need to be able to communicate clearly to potential investors. This is a challenging job that requires hard work and commitment, but it is a dream that I have pursued for a long time and I am determined to succeed.

t t t I am from a very common middle-class family in China. But when I was young, my family did not have much material affluence, as my parents both came from a fairly needy family in the countryside. When they came to the city, they struggled to survive in order to achieve a better life. Luckily, with their hard work and the booming domestic economy, we now have a quite satisfying living standard, and my grandparents have also moved to a new apartment. Nevertheless, there are some problems that we cannot through effort or money.

About one year ago, my grandfather realized that there was something wrong with his right foot. He could hardly walk because of the pain. He had to have surgery because one of his toes was malformed due to the long-term pressure of walking. Even after the surgery my grandfather still has to avoid long-time walking in the park and give up what he adores most, to prevent further injury. He has to spend most of his time in bed. This situation has not only deprived my grandfather of his ability to walk for 56

long periods of time, it has also made my entire family extremely concerned about his health. My grandparents now live with us so the rest of the family can take care of him while my grandmother is out. My father needs to go back home to deliver lunch to my grandpa even on work days. Moreover, my door needs to be open at all times so that I can hear if my grandfather needs my assistance.

I wish there was something I could do to help him live life like he used to, to help this family like my parents did. Recently, this hope seemed like it could be realized when I heard my physics teacher talking about the application of artificial exoskeletons to enable disabled people to live a normal life again. I was amazed that mechatronic engineering had made such fantasies a reality. After hearing this, I started to consider choosing a major related to mechatronics, such as mechanical engineering or applied physics, in hope that one day I would be able to enter the field of artificial exoskeletons development and manage to offer my grandfather and other people with serious injuries a second chance.

t t t My family has a tradition of putting a thumbtack on a large world map in our study for every place we have either lived in or visited.

I looked at the pins in the Mexico, China, India, and the US, four countries I had lived in over the last 17 years. I asked myself, “Who am I?” “Where is home for me; an American with Indian ethnicity, who speaks Spanish and Mandarin?” The answers did not define me, but the questions themselves did. I am a man of the world, defined by my experiences.

In Mexico, I was immersed in a culture that highly valued family, both nuclear and extended. Whether it was the Day of the Dead, Christmas Posadas or just a birthday, family was present to celebrate with lavish spread of food and vibrant music. The Mexican culture gave me a true sense of family, tradition and festivity.

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China, however, was different and taught me about change. In the seven years I lived in China, the landscape around me changed from lotus fields to large commercial plazas housing three skyscrapers, malls, and five-star hotels. The old is being replaced by the new, whether it is in their infrastructure or in traditions. By going from almost nothing since the Cultural Revolution to how it is now, China has shown me that resolve and drive brings endless possibilities.

My eyes then fell upon India, where there was an ironic sense of peace despite the poverty that consumed the country. I remember seeing children playing cricket in the streets, as if all their struggles could be lifted off their shoulders with the stroke of the bat. It captured, as Master Oogway says in “KungFu Panda”, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present”, as the kids were living in the moment, and making the best out of it. India taught me to give my all in the present.

I then found my eyes drifting to Canton, Michigan; home.

I lived there only 5 years, and spent every summer of my childhood there. Every year I see young adults with part-time jobs as gardeners, painters, or carpenters. They work so hard at such a young age, and I have realized that this really embodies what America is all about; a work-driven, self-reliant culture, making me realize I am responsible for my future.

I closed my eyes for a minute or so, and thought about how these different places I have lived in connected to each other, and how the perspectives I have gained add up to make a whole.

When I opened my eyes again, I looked for a piece of string and connected the pins together. I looked at the now connected version of the map and realized that through the experience of actually living in different cultures, I have gained the ability to analyze problems from all angles, seeing them through the methodical approach, the familial approach, and even the risk-taking sort of approach. I found that being able to do so let me think “outside the box” and allowed me to find optimal solutions that would benefit everybody in society. I walked away from the map, 58

excited to return “home� for university, knowing that I would be able to share my perspective about the world with my peers, and thus further connect the world we live in.

Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure.

How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?

Basketball has always been my favorite sport since the first time I played it in grade 5. Back then, I did not know how it would have affected me as a person and shaped my personality. As I grew older, my attitude towards basketball started to become serious and it was more than just a game for me. Basketball became a part of my life, I have joined my school’s basketball team every year. I started puberty much earlier than my friends. In my middle school years, I was always a head taller than my friends and teammates. In my last year of middle school, I started to watch the NBA and follow it, which it gave me a different concept and view of basketball. Watching the NBA motivated me and pushed me to engage more in the sport However, as I grew up and gained a better understanding and experience about about basketball, I noticed that there millions of players in the world who can play better than me. Since I was young, I was never the athletic guy in my school. Even after I started to get better at basketball, I knew that I was still way behind the skill level of many people. As I got older, I knew playing basketball as a career was not realistic. With that being said, it did not affect how much I love basketball.

In my first year of High school, I was extremely excited and nervous for basketball tryouts. I knew that competition in Middle school cannot compare to what I was about to face High school. Regardless, I was still holding on to the small chance of making the varsity team. Sadly, the result did not go as I hoped. I was not even in the first junior varsity team but o devision three. I had a really hard time and I started to loose confidence However, in my first season on the team, I proved that I was a good player 59

that was willing to work hard to get better. It did not take long for me be placed on the starting lineup, which immediately brought back some confidence in me. In my second year of high school, I was fully prepared working on my game during the summer. I was more confidant and ready but the result was the same. Some of my friends made in the varsity team. I was jealous, and it made me feel horrible. The failure once gain made me depressed and there was a time that I did know if I still liked to play basketball anymore. The whole season in junior varsity team I wasn’t playing at my best, and my coach was losing trust in me. It was another year of disappointment. However, I did not just give up. In my third year of high school, I finally made in varsity team and achieved what I was always wanted.

The journey was long and at times difficult. There were countless time where I almost got to the point of giving up. Disappointment repeated for me over and over again. For my first two years, I had high expectations of myself that I could not meet. I always believed I was the best player on the court. What failure brought me was doubt and fear but it only made me better. Even though, my self confidence if I am was good player was low at first and I was scared to perform my best in front of others. I knew, I would have to face failure and not run away from it. Face the problem and make changes. I learned that failing might be depressing, disappointing and heart breaking, but it was a chance to make my self better and learn from my experience. What could be done better, where should I improve, what others can accomplish that I could not. I believe these are the element of being successful.

The path have came challengeable.

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Miscellaneous Prompts to Miscellaneous Schools

How Much Does It Worth?

How much is a cup of Starbucks coffee really worth? Some people would not ever pay four dollars for a cup of latte, but I would happily pay for it. I was confused by the difference in values for a long time, but years of studying in an international school has gradually molded the concept of values in my mind.

Originating from a culture that is heavily influenced by Buddhism, I was taught that one should help others if one has the ability to. Furthermore, my mother, who is a devout Buddhist, has always lectured me about kindness and karma. My childhood was surrounded by the theory that all human beings valued the world the same way as I do. That was the foundation of my beliefs.

I entered high school with the expectation that my associates would have similar principles - ones that promoted kindness and generosity. Through the path of devoting myself to charity, I found that many people were strikingly dissimilar to myself, as the majority of them did not regard charity in the same way that I did. When I would try to persuade teachers and students to make charitable contributions, my enthusiasm was met with cold 61

rejection. Their refusals were often accompanied with harsh comments like, “why would you put so much effort into selling this stuff when nobody wants it?”

Though I replied to these comments with a smile, underneath my heart was in pain and I began to doubt my positive assumptions of humanity. As I struggled in the whirlpool of uncertainty, I spent years attempting to understand why other people were so indifferent. I wanted to understand, but found myself incapable of doing so.

It was until one day, after I watched a film called Taipei Exchanges, that my confusion was resolved. The word “values” that was mentioned in the film implanted itself deep into my subconsciousness. The value that it referred to was not just monetary value, but also was the measure of importance that an item deserves. The word formed a new concept inside my mind, which inspired me to look at the world from a new perspective.

I began to observe the people around me and noticed that their actions were dependent on how they valued their choices.

I learned that people had their own kinds of values for different aspects of life and that it was wrong of me to judge their values.

What I value the most may be worth nothing to another. It is absolutely useless to try to force a change on another’s scale of values, as values are shaped by personal experience. However, I have also discovered that values can change over time.

Since my discovery of values, this concept has never left me. I chose to continue believing in the kindness of people, but I also learned to consider their values. I feel I am free to be myself because I am no longer easily affected by the actions and beliefs of others.

Reason for Majoring in Physics Astronomy In primary school, I was often told to dream bigger and to let my imagination fly free. Nevertheless, in middle school, I was more often told to stop dreaming and to let reality take the place of my 62

imagination. Therefore, in high school, I combined my dream and the reality in front of me, and decided that I want to become a female pilot.

Due to my cousin’s occupation at an airline company, I was exposed to the environment of the airline industry during high school. I found out that female commercial pilots are very rare in Taiwan, my home country, and around the world. Subsequently, I wanted to become one of that ‘rare’ population and contribute to resolving the shortage of pilots in the airline industry. My fascination with pilot and physics started then. Although my start may be slower than other physics maniacs, but I believe my passion is greater than anyone else’s.

Once I established my goal, I started studying aeronautical physics on my own. However, I often met ideas that were incomprehensible to me. Hence, I realized passion is not enough in order to pursue my dream career. Nevertheless, my love for physics is not only limited to the aeronautical area, but also includes general physics. High school physics has instilled in me the basic understandings of mechanical, thermal and electrical physics. Yet, my curiosity for physics has not been filled up during high school.

Before directly pursuing my career goal, I would like to obtain an education in physics astronomy. I believe the strong focus of learning as physics astronomy major can effectively provide guidance to my inquiries and will help to set the foundation for my future studies.

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?

One of the things I love is film. Great films always lure me into their fictional world. I enjoy watching a blue-collar worker looking for a way to change his life in the movie Fight Club, or Luke Skywalker struggling with the influence of the dark side in 63

Star Wars. Even if the movie is pessimistic, I still enjoy it, such as the intriguing and cynical plot of the neo-noir classic Chinatown.

In the few hours when the film is playing, I am in a completely new world.

After countless hours of watching movies, ideas and stories began to form in my mind and I started to create movies. My first short film was a simple awareness video for the school’s recycling’s club. I quickly realized how difficult creating a movie actually is. Other than the fact that I did not have a good camera, scheduling people to film was the hardest. After all, filming is a long process and as students, we have to study.

In the end, the hardship was worth it. People loved the film and I received many compliments. This inspired me to continue to pursue this passion. My priority was to improve my skills. Since there were no local filmmaking courses available, I learned filmmaking techniques online.

My next project was an animated short. The process was even more difficult than making a live action film. With an animated short, I animated characters by drawing movements frame by frame. This meant that a single character taking a step consisted of 3 or 4 frames of drawing. When the animation was finished and I clicked the play button, the characters came to life. For a second, I felt like a god watching his creation.

After the animation project, I started to get into visual art. If I really wanted to improve my animating skills, I should start with learning the basics. Thus, I went online and searched for drawing tutorials. After hours of practicing, I realized that I liked drawing more than animating. Drawing is a faster way to present ideas and stories. Whenever I had free time, I would draw. Eventually, I digitally painted my first illustration.

The only quality that is shared between my hobbies is that it provides me a way to create an alternative reality and briefly leave reality behind. I love to create. No matter if, it is drawing, filming or even creating a computer program. I find great satisfaction in the process of creation and even more satisfaction when I finally finish the product. Perhaps it is to fill up my pride 64

and ego. However, I do not care.

Creating something makes me feel alive and unique. It is my personal identity. I know that there are countless people who could make films, paint illustrations and write computer codes. I am just a single dot in the world that no one will ever remember.

Nevertheless, I choose to ignore this obvious truth. By believing that I am special and I might be the exception, I am fueled with energy to do what I love, and that is to create stuff.

Describe a significant experience from the past 2 years which required you to interact with someone outside of your own social or cultural group. How did this impact you? What did you learn? What surprised you?

Gary is a Chinese musician that I met through the music community in Suzhou, China. We originally bonded over or shared passion for jazz music but Gary was particularly interested in Latin jazz music, and had mastered the style years before I began playing guitar. It was rare to meet a Chinese musician who was so well-versed in a genre of music that I thought was not so popular in China, and even more rare to meet a musician with such great leadership skills. When I joined Gary and his 4-piece jazz band (which consisted of Chinese musicians between the ages of 20 and 50) I was excited about the weekly pay that I would be receiving, but I was more excited about the lessons I would learn during the hours on stage and in the studio with this group of talented musicians.

The nights I spent playing jazz with Gary’s band were some of the most impactful I’ve ever experienced. Every time I exited the doors of the Loft Jazz Bar, I left a more mature guitarist. This was because Gary was a double bass player; he taught me some unique lessons that I was able to apply to myself as a guitarist.

He taught me to see the band as a whole, because he believed that our music would be more powerful if we supported each other rather than if we individually tried to engage the crowd as if 65

performing in some kind of talent show. Gary once said to me, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Unfortunately, Gary’s teachings were cut short by circumstances that I learned about later: he was sentenced to life in prison for a terrible incident that apparently was his fault. Of course, I was surprised to learn this news. I will never be able to see Gary again because his uncle is the only person that has permission to see him. The rest of the band members chose to part ways and I will most likely never play with them again. From this experience I have learned that although no one is perfect, we all have admirable traits to share. I should value such unique experiences that come along my way because they may never happen again.

Spending nights on stage with that older group of musicians will definitely be time I shall not forget.

Unknown Prompt If I were given the chance to sit down and have dinner with George Washington, the main point of our conversation would likely be about his opinion of the current state of the US internally and its status in the world; furthermore, I would like to discuss his views on the current state of the nation. To begin, I would like to question him on his decision to hold an isolationist stance during the early years of the country. As the US has become one the leading military powers in the world, I would like to understand George Washington’s perspective as a person who spent his life entirely in the 18th century. I would like to hear his point of view on whether the power the United States has accumulated is worth the intense focus on foreign policy or if it would have been better to solely focus on building a country with a small government a leaving the rest of the world to fight each other.

Furthermore, one of the most discussed topics about the government today would be whether of not they should have the right to spy on people’s personal information in order to protect the country’s huge population. As this had not been an issue nor pos66

sible during the early years country, I would like to hear his input on whether the government should have free access in the name of security or if the people should be able to keep their privacy despite the possible danger.

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These writings were sent to: Arizona State University Babson College Bates College Boston University Bowdoin College Brown University University of California, Irvine, Davis, other campuses University of Cincinnati Colgate University University of Connecticut Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Emory University Georgia State University Hamilton College University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Marist College Maryland Institute College of the Art Michigan State University University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Miami Universty of Michigan North Carolina State University University of North Carolina Ohio State University Pasons The New School for Design Pennsyvania State University

University of Pittsburgh University of Puget Sound Purdue University Reed College Rhode Island School of Design Rice University University of Southern California Stanford University State University of New York, Stony Brook Swarthmore College Tufts University University of Washington University of Wisconsin, Madison