Undergraduate / "parents were going through a custody and visitation battle" - (Princeton- Summers) [3]

Please tell us how you have spent the last two summers (or vacations between school years), including any jobs you have held, if not already detailed on the Common Application.

While I wish to provide an account of two productive and enlightening summers, I respectfully submit to you the reality of my life during these time periods.

The summer of 2009 was complicated and taxing. I was faced with the reality of not having the ability to plan activities or commit to any jobs because my parents were going through a custody and visitation battle, rendering my schedule unpredictable. It was immensely frustrating and disappointing that I was scarcely able to participate in anything productive or enjoyable. Although my time was greatly consumed by court hearings, mediation sessions, and counseling, I attended a summer camp called "Tools4Life," a weeklong overnight camp consisting of career days, hikes, dances, and learning life skills. Tools4Life was an incredible experience, providing a much-needed reprieve from the chaos that overtook the majority of my summer. I was also able to travel to Maine, an annual trip for my mother, sister and myself. We spent a peaceful week in August at my Grandfather's house in Friendship, Maine, located right on the ocean, which was a calm way to end a tumultuous summer.

The summer of 2010, while again filled with visitation issues, was more enjoyable than the summer prior. In the fall of my junior year I was invited to travel with People to People Ambassador Programs, and I did so the next July. Leading up to this, however, I was presented with another overwhelming obstacle; ten days before my scheduled departure, my father unilaterally revoked my right to leave the country because I had expressed discontent with our visitation. This was especially disappointing because I had raised the funds for the trip on my own, and they would not be refunded if canceled at such a late date. In an attempt to resolve this issue, I forfeited a job that I had scheduled, and immediately flew to New Mexico, where my father lives. Unfortunately, my attempts to remedy the situation were in vain, and I returned home seeking another solution. By way of the court's intervention, I was permitted to go on my trip, contingent on my agreeing to spend the remainder of my summer in New Mexico. I was, however, able to attend half of Tools4Life camp for the second time, although I left for visitation the day after the camp's conclusion. While I turned my attention to resiliently beginning my senior year and returning home to my supportive mother and sister, I wished that I had been able to experience the summer that I had envisioned.

General revisions much appreciated! Thanks :)

Undergraduate / "Serving others and Tap Dance" - nation's service Princeton [5]

Using the statement below as a starting point, tell us about an event or experience that helped you define one of your values or changed how you approach the world:

"Princeton in the Nation's Service" was the title of a speech given by Woodrow Wilson on the 150th anniversary of the University. It became the unofficial Princeton motto and was expanded for the University's 250th anniversary to "Princeton in the nation's service and in the service of all nations."

- Woodrow Wilson, Princeton Class of 1879, served on the faculty and was Princeton's president from 1902 to 1910.

Serving others has always played a large role in my life. When I was young my mom and I would take regular trips to the local homeless shelter to drop off food and clothes, or help prepare a holiday meal. I loved regularly volunteering at the animal shelter, helping animals find new homes. Additionally, throughout high school I have been involved in a community service club, participating in many fun events, from buying and wrapping Christmas presents for underprivileged children to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service in Philadelphia. While I have always loved activities such as these, where service is the main focus, recently I discovered that serving others is often the result of something other than an organized event.

People say that little things can make a big difference, but I did not truly understand what this meant until a few weeks ago. I have been dancing since I was around six years old, tap dance being my favorite style. At the beginning of the winter term of my senior year I was given the opportunity to co-teach and choreograph tap, with my friend Ivy, for the dance team at my school. At first, I was nervous about the time commitment; during the fall term I was involved in what was on the verge of too many extracurricular activities. However, I loved tap, and I thought it would be fun to dance again.

The dance team consisted of only eight girls, plus Ivy and myself. One girl who had persistently danced for every term was Sage, a junior. Sage wasn't your typical sixteen-year-old girl; I had tutored her the year prior, and lived with her in the girls' dorm, through which I discovered her astonishing pessimism and difficulty with authority, as well as her disabilities, which I still knew little about. Even though she had difficulty picking up choreography and was consistently a few steps behind the group, dance was what caused her to want to go to school every day. However, she hated tap dance. Knowing that Sage would be one of the girls we had to teach, I was nervous about having the dance ready in time for the concert three weeks later.

Ivy and I quickly pieced together a "Rockette"-style tap number, and began teaching it to the team. Ranging in experience from ten years to never having taken a lesson, each girl learned the dance at a different pace and required different amounts of attention. Sage, of course, continually needed more time and consideration, even when placed with the less advanced girls. Nevertheless, I wanted to make sure that she felt confident enough to go on stage at the concert. Once we had finished teaching everyone the choreography, I felt considerably accomplished; I had successfully choreographed my first dance, and the team seemed to have fun in the process. I didn't think I had made that much of an impact, however, until I talked to Sage after the concert.

With a huge smile on her face, Sage approached me and began gushing about how much fun she had. Suddenly, Sage loved tap dance! I was incredibly surprised in her change in attitude, but simultaneously thrilled to see her so enthusiastic. Before that moment, I thought of my experience with dance team as something I was doing for myself, a fun yet challenging way to work dancing back into my life. Through Sage's brief moment of joy and optimism, I realized that I was able to reach out to someone who I had previously thought would never emerge from her negative, withdrawn state. Taking part in something that seemed small to me turned out to cause a great impact in someone else's life.

I wrote this essay, but after reading a few others online and thinking about it more, I decided to start another one. I'm on a bit of a time crunch (obviously!) and I was wondering if it was worth reviving this one...? Also, any revisions much appreciated. Thanks! :)

Undergraduate / "mastering an Asian language and other interests" - BU Supplement [NEW]

Given what you know about BU, what do you hope to accomplish as an undergraduate? Please respond in an essay of no more than 500 words.

I have many varying interests; it is often difficult to pick only one or two things to focus on. I love travel, music, science, theater, languages, and so many other things that when I began looking at colleges to apply to I could not find any that encompassed all of these subjects. I eventually narrowed my list down, and decided on International Relations, a major that would allow me to both travel and learn other languages. Boston University was not only a great fit for International Relations, but also for my multiple and diverse interests. Being located in Boston, BU is in the center of a historical and cultural center that I would be able to benefit from greatly. As an undergraduate, I would utilize the resources provided by BU, including the numerous student activities such as dance or theater, and the opportunities that I would have from being in a vibrant city such as Boston.

As an undergraduate, in general, my goals include mastering an Asian language, as well as continuing my study of Spanish, participating in community service activities and contributing to BU as well as the city of Boston, and traveling to at least two different countries while simultaneously studying their cultures. I am, however, uncertain as to what type of career I wish to enter into after college, and I hope to create a much clearer picture of my future through my education and experiences as an undergraduate.

Judging by my experience visiting BU, as a student I would be thrown into a large and diverse group of students, which would provide a much needed contrast to my current small-town, even smaller-school, environment. Also, being one in the handful of non-Caucasian members of my community, I am excited to experience other nationalities and cultures.

The most important, though general, thing that I hope to accomplish as an undergraduate at BU is to become a global person. All of the other, smaller things that I wish to achieve tie into this larger goal, and I strongly believe that BU is a perfect place to pursue it.

Any help would be great, thanks!