Undergraduate / Great city/ Wide range of studies/ College experience; WHY NYU? [19]

I chose the New York City campus because it is an opportunity to learn more about the great city that I've lived in my entire life. I know that this campus can offer me a wide range of studies (from law to the arts) and an unforgettable college experience. What I love about the New York City campus is that it is in an urban setting, unlike many other universities. Being able to study in one the greatest universities in the world in the greatest city of the world is an opportunity I am willing to take. The benefit of having New York City as a university home makes me confident that this campus will offer me a unique experience and great potential as a college student.

Undergraduate / Further my education in the sciences; NYU SUPPLEMENT/Academic Plans [6]

NYU's global network provides students with hundreds of academic areas of interest for students to cultivate their intellectual curiosity and to help achieve their career goals. Whether you are entirely undecided about your academic plans or you have a definitive program of study in mind, what are your own academic interests? Feel free to share any thoughts on any particular programs or how you might explore those interests at NYU on any of our campuses.

One of my biggest ambitions in college is to further my education in the sciences. After being part of the biomedical engineering major at my high school, I grew interest in the biological sciences. I became intrigued by the way our body contains the mechanisms to function properly and how it may fail to do so. Most importantly, however, I want work hard to become an oncologist in the future. Being an oncologist is my dream. But, it is not my only dream. Aside from my academic interest in the sciences, I am also a believer in the arts. My interests in music and dance have been a big part of my life (since I am a dancer and a pianist). In fact, I want to be able to progress my knowledge in the arts in order to learn more about myself; moreover, I want share the gift of music and dance to others - young and old. Because of my different interests, I believe that NYU is the right fit for me. With NYU's prehealth program, I'll be able to explore myself academically in the sciences and the arts at the same time.

What intrigues you? Tell us about one work of art, scientific achievement, piece of literature, method of communication, or place in the world (a film, book, performance, website, event, location, etc.), and explain its significance to you.

A place that never fails to amaze me is Venice, Italy. The architecture, history and structure of Venice are just some of the reasons why Venice intrigues me. Venetian architecture has always interested me because of its intricate construction. In addition, the artistic vision of the Venetians was able to create identification and eventually, this helped unite them against the obstacles they had to overcome. Venetian connection with the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic world is another factor that makes Venice a fascinating place because this helped to create a unique culture that differs from the rest of Italy. Lastly, the structure of Venice is undoubtedly the most astonishing characteristic of the archipelago. With more than 177 canals and 400 bridges, Venice has become a revolutionary place to travel. The way Venetians manage to travel by water makes me wonder how life is like without cars. The culture, lifestyle and history of Venice differ greatly from those of America. The cultural differences between Americans and Venetians inspire me to travel around the world; in fact, it also motivates me to study abroad in college and learn about different cultures around the world.

Undergraduate / Urban setting/opportunity for women/ education/ challenging ; Barnard/Good Match? [4]

How did you first learn about Barnard College and what factors have influenced your decision to apply? Why do you think the College would be a good match for you?

Because I am interested in attending college in New York City, I was able find out about Barnard College easily. I admired that Barnard College is in an urban setting and in one of the greatest cities in the world. Besides being in a great location, Barnard College is unique because it focuses on giving the best education to women. The school stands out to me because it gives the opportunity for young women, like me, to learn to become strong, aspiring and independent. I know that Barnard College will educate me to view the world through different perspectives and sculpt me into being someone who can create progress in the world. I applied to Barnard College because I acknowledge that it is a challenging school. I am willing to be challenged to be the best that I can become - especially during my college years. I hope to make my college experience worthwhile and I am confident that Barnard College can help me become the leader who will create change for the benefit of society.

Pick one woman in history or fiction to converse with for an hour and explain your choice. What would you talk about?
I would choose to converse with Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to graduate from medical school and a pioneer in educating women in medicine. The reason why I would choose Blackwell is because I admire her audacity to prove that women are just as capable, intelligent and important as men. Blackwell's ambition was able to overcome the uncertainty of being a woman doctor. Although she was rejected by almost all the medical schools she applied to, she was accepted to Geneva Medical College. But, Blackwell's acceptance was endorsed as a practical joke. I wonder how Blackwell was able to persist in becoming the first woman to graduate from medical school, despite society's harsh views. Did she know that her actions would influence the future of medicine? Did she realize that her achievements would inspire women in later generations? What inspired her to persist on becoming the first woman doctor of medicine in the modern era?

Alumna and writer Anna Quindlen says that she "majored in unafraid" at Barnard. Tell us about a time when you majored in unafraid.

I felt the stares of the crowd as I walked onto the dance floor. I was at my first dance competition and I did not know what to expect. I took a deep breath as my partner looked at me. Although he didn't say a word, I knew exactly what he was saying. We can do this, Lisa. I believe in us. I took a deep breath and remembered the reason why I was here. I wasn't here to disappoint myself; instead, I was here to show everybody the fearlessness in me. This is my chance to shine. I majored in unafraid when I danced my first dance competition; I wouldn't allow my worries to overtake the experience. My fears were only temporary until I reminded myself that I was competing because it was my passion to dance. As I danced, I let all my emotions escape. Despite the pressure from the judges, I prevented my worries from ruining my chances. Majoring in unafraid that day showed me what I was truly made of and hopefully will become in the future.

Community - educational, geographic, religious, political, ethnic, or other - can define an individual's experience and influence her journey. How has your community, as you identify it, shaped your perspective?

I wander through the numerous displays of cultural dishes as I observe what ingredients were needed to make these foods. I'm in seventh grade and it's the annual cultural festival at school. No matter which school I attend, I always seem to be surrounded by the diverse community New York City has provided me with. I've learned how to embrace the differences that my friends and I may have - whether it is our clothes, background, or beliefs. My community has taught me to respect others for their differences because our differences make us individual. It has also taught me that despite our differences, we are also very similar and our similarities unite us as a community. I learned from my community that diversity is something we should be grateful to have; not only does diversity teach us to respect different cultures, but it also teaches us to be more accepting and adjustable.

E. Applicants for the HEOP Scholars Program: Why are you interested in the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program? What do you hope to achieve by participating in this program?

Being part of the HEOP Scholars Program can help me pursue my dream of being an oncologist. Following this career path takes time, effort and money. The HEOP Scholars Program can help take one burden off me and help me focus on what's most significant for my goal. I believe that as a college student, it is more important to concentrate on the experience and education rather than the tuition. I hope that with the help of the HEOP Scholars Program, I'll be able to afford achieving my full potential without having me worrying about whether I should study at a certain institution solely on its tuition. Most importantly, I hope that the HEOP Scholars Program will prove that good education does not always mean an unaffordable education. I am hoping that I can look back one day and be grateful for the HEOP Scholars program that gave me the advantage and opportunity to become the strong, aspiring and independent woman who, despite financial challenges, was able to succeed from Barnard College.

Undergraduate / I hear the samba music playing ; extracurricular activity [2]

Any thoughts or edits are appreciated!

I hear the samba music playing in the background as I start to warm up. Although it's been a stressful week, my worries are carried away by the loud music around me. As I dance, energy flows through me body and rids all the sluggishness I feel. My mindset is relaxed yet my body is lively. As I dance, nothing is going through my mind. All I hear is the music. All I think are the steps. All I feel is excitement. Every time I dance, I am carried away to another place - a place that does not revolve around stress, apprehension or fear. Instead, I am transported to a place where I am confident, carefree and elated. The atmosphere around me is charged and electric. Because this experience is temporary, I take full advantage of it. Regardless of how tired I am, the moment I start to dance is when I transform into the lighthearted dancer - the dancer who doesn't have to worry about anything because she is finally free.

Undergraduate / My mother had breast cancer/ COMMON APP [11]

I was only in the third grade when my mother discovered she had breast cancer. I did not understand what cancer meant, how my mother would be affected or how it could change me. As a young girl, I didn't realize the consequences of having cancer. As time passed and as my mother went through surgery and treatment, I was able to notice the changes in her appearance and her health. Some nights, she would sleep with me and we would have small talks. I remember her telling me that maybe one day she wouldn't be in my life anymore. I remember her asking me why she was chosen to have cancer. I remember her saying that she didn't feel like a real woman anymore.

What did she do to deserve this? Why did God have to put her through this obstacle? When would she get better? These were the questions that I asked myself over and over again. But eventually, I realized that having cancer was neither punishment nor fate. My mother having cancer was a lesson for my entire family. We learned that life is not about where we come from, how we look, or how much money we earn. Instead, life is about being grateful for everything we have, overcoming hurdles we face along the way and lending a hand to those in need.

Although I don't understand what it is like to be a cancer patient, I realize the hardships that they face. I learned that support from doctors, friends and family played an essential role to helping my mother overcome cancer. Hence, I was motivated to become someone who could help families that go through similar difficulties. When my mother had cancer, I realized that I had taken my health for granted. I told myself that I would learn to take care of myself as well as others. Nobody can avoid illness; however, we can take action to help those suffering from them.

I promised myself to be a person who could make a difference in someone's life when they experienced illness, self-doubt or hopelessness. In fact, her experience motivated me to become an oncologist. I realized that being able to instill positivity to people with cancer was a heroic act. Being able to save lives and prove that there is always hope for recovery through cancer has become my ambition. My mother's experience made me grateful for every oncologist who was able help their patients battle against cancer. It showed me that this is what I wanted to pursue in the future; I wanted to save people suffering from cancer just like the oncologist who saved my mother's life. I told myself that I would further my education and eventually become the oncologist that would take any cancer patient one step closer to victory; I told myself that I could create change for the better.

Undergraduate / Most innovative; Columbia supplement- Appealing? [3]

Columbia University has proven to be one of the most innovative schools in the world. Being the birthplace of the FM radio and the laser, Columbia University emphasizes the importance of new ideas, discoveries and future. This school appeals to me through its success in enabling students to reach their full potential. By enabling its students to start conducting research as an undergraduate, Columbia can give me a unique undergraduate experience. As I look through the many achievements of Columbia students, I dream of becoming someone who is capable of doing the same. My goal of becoming an oncologist motivates me to one day make breakthroughs in science that will contribute to the cure of cancer. Although this may seem like a far-fetched dream, I don't plan on losing hope. With Columbia's award-winning faculty, I am confident that this is the place for my vision to transform into a reality. Columbia's involvement with the community is also another factor that I find appealing. For instance, the Health Education and Advocacy League (HEAL) of Columbia, which allows students to promote health awareness among middle-school students, is just one of the many examples of how Columbia participates in benefitting its community. In a school where I will be able to find the answer to my own inquiries, conduct my own research and spread my knowledge to benefit the society, I am sure that I will succeed as a student as well as an individual.

Undergraduate / Near my home town/ Girl's liberal arts; Barnard /Good match? [4]

How did you first learn about Barnard College and what factors have influenced your decision to apply? Why do you think the College would be a good match for you?

I came across Barnard College when I was searching for colleges near my home town. When I found out that Barnard College was a women's liberal arts college, I was immediately intrigued. Having been in a co-ed school my entire life, I wonder what it would be like to attend an all women school. Being in a school that teaches women to be strong, aspiring and independent leaders is an opportunity that I am willing to take. Despite the fact that we live in the 21st century now, there are still doubts about women being successful leaders. However, with programs like Emerging Leaders Program (ELB) and Barnard Events Board (BEB), Barnard College can help me learn about becoming the best leader possible through different approaches - including event planning. The combination of exclusive women liberal arts education and leadership opportunities make me confident that Barnard is the perfect place to have my college education.