Dartmouth College

Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence. “Mom, I want to take the SAT.” My mom lifted her eyes off the newspaper and looked at me suspiciously. “What on earth is the SAT?” I went on to explain it to her as she stared at me with … Read more Giving Me the Bricks

Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence. What a familiar sight, I thought to myself as I subconsciously stopped to stare through the display window. A couple of mannequins were dressed in half-finished garments, surrounded by waves of colourful fabrics cascading down the table. Pools of thread … Read more Grandma’s Clothes

Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. Eyes fixed upon the image in front of her, brows slightly furrowed, the girl appeared to be lost in thought. While the others walked on after stopping briefly before the piece, she stood there with … Read more Artist – Me

Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. “Do you see now?” The voice rang in my ears as I shook my head for the umpteenth time. My eyes were tightly shut, trying to hold back the tears of anger and frustration. When … Read more Learning to See

Topic of your choice. The black and white keys mesmerized me, as always. They were of another ancestry – Steinway – different from the Yamaha I owned; but as I sat on the meticulously handcrafted ebony bench, I felt at home. My hands floated effortlessly upward, and my fingers landed in their proper positions. A … Read more Lesson Well Learned

Tell us about an intellectual experience, either directly related to your schoolwork or not, that you found particularly meaningful. (Dartmouth Supplement) I’m not completely tied to one academic field, and I’m not afraid to embrace it. This notion has its roots in my 10th grade English class. Personally, I believe the class should be renamed … Read more The Learning Continuum

Every name tells a story: Tell us about your name– any name: first, middle, last, nickname– and its origin. A paragraph to a page long. If my identity were built upon the different components of my name, my middle name, YingYing, would be the foundation. Both of my parents grew up in China’s capital city … Read more The Meaning of a Name

Describe a Nickname that you have and its origins I’m not a piece of chocolate encased in a colorful shell, nor do I enjoy popping those suckers in my mouth, as I am more of a caramel guy. However, M&M stuck to me like Elmer’s extra strength glue and became a nickname that defined my … Read more M&M

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. For four dollars, anyone can buy a bag of heroin in a town five minutes from my school. Prescription cousins of heroin, like … Read more The Data That Saves Lives

Topic of your choice. Another failed sports season passed: no hits, no touchdowns. I entered 6th grade with my dreams of becoming a jock squashed. Then my parents informed me that I was enrolling in band. Still clinging to my ESPN hopes, I warned my parents that taking band would be social suicide. In the … Read more Music