Feel free to only edit one of these. Thanks in advance for any comments/criticisms!
Although you may not yet know what you want to major in, which department or program at MIT appeals to you and why? (100 words or fewer)
MIT's Political Science department takes a nontraditional quantitative approach by emphasizing research and crafting its curriculum around a science core. It is the type of education that not only feeds my passion but also matches my logic-driven thinking process. MIT's Applied International Studies minor also fits well with my love of languages and desire to work for a global society. Knowing four languages already and having ethnically diverse friends, I want to participate in MISTI and become culturally aware. The unequaled Political Science program along with MISTI will ensure that I receive a unique education and valuable hands-on experiences.
What attribute of your personality are you most proud of, and how has it impacted your life so far? This could be your creativity, effective leadership, sense of humor, integrity, or anything else you'd like to tell us about. (200-250 words)
I arrived in America when I was eight, knowing only three English words: hi, bye, and apple. Being the first Asian my fellow third graders had met, I realized that standing out was the key to fitting in. So, I shared my cultural differences, even if that only meant playing Chinese jump rope instead of hopscotch during recess.
Within a year, I was able to breach the language and cultural barrier. When fourth grade came around, I yearned to truly belong; I wanted to be just like my peers. Wearing Aéropostale and Mudd clothes and dancing to Britney Spears songs, I became a physical and mental replica.
Between fifth grade and eighth grade, I switched schools a total of four times. Along the way, the new and foreign were no longer feared. They became expected sources of excitement.
Four years later, I've become a social chameleon. When I encounter extroverted band kids, my bold, quirky personality emerges. When I'm around quiet artists, I bring out my reserved nature. When I see the future Linus Pauling's and Carl Gauss's of our school, I'm ready to discuss last night's hardest AP physics homework problem.
Though a chameleon changes colors to fit accordingly to its surroundings, it never doubts or forgets its true identity. In the same way, I adhere to my values, uphold my morals, and always retain the essence of my character. However, I have been blessed with the capability to quickly adapt to foreign settings, unfamiliar situations, and new faces.
Describe the world you come from; for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town. How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations? (200-250 words)
My passion did not emerge from textbooks or lectures. My love cannot be learned from teachers. My dreams were not created in a classroom setting. It is both the world I come from and the world that I have escaped that has revealed to me a dedication to international politics.
I used to live in a world where my future was dictated by a one-time test score, my ideas were confined to government ideologies, and my opportunities were limited to my immediate surroundings. My school controlled every aspect of what I learned, regardless of my interests. Having elective classes was a foreign concept. My religious beliefs were nonexistent because religion was unpopular with the government. My budding seeds of discontentment for government actions and media falsities were often stifled, just to be safe. Sure, there was never any real threat for a young girl like me, but there was never any real freedom either.
Today, my future has unlimited possibilities and my thoughts can contain an array of government praises or criticisms. Living in a comparatively transparent democracy, I have been able to explore the intricate workings of the government and determine that this is a field I want to pursue. Having always been a compassionate and ambitious person, I desire to lead a career that truly matters, on a human day-to-day level. One single desire will consume my livelihood: the desire to uphold freedom where it exists and bring freedom where it does not.
Although you may not yet know what you want to major in, which department or program at MIT appeals to you and why? (100 words or fewer)
MIT's Political Science department takes a nontraditional quantitative approach by emphasizing research and crafting its curriculum around a science core. It is the type of education that not only feeds my passion but also matches my logic-driven thinking process. MIT's Applied International Studies minor also fits well with my love of languages and desire to work for a global society. Knowing four languages already and having ethnically diverse friends, I want to participate in MISTI and become culturally aware. The unequaled Political Science program along with MISTI will ensure that I receive a unique education and valuable hands-on experiences.
What attribute of your personality are you most proud of, and how has it impacted your life so far? This could be your creativity, effective leadership, sense of humor, integrity, or anything else you'd like to tell us about. (200-250 words)
I arrived in America when I was eight, knowing only three English words: hi, bye, and apple. Being the first Asian my fellow third graders had met, I realized that standing out was the key to fitting in. So, I shared my cultural differences, even if that only meant playing Chinese jump rope instead of hopscotch during recess.
Within a year, I was able to breach the language and cultural barrier. When fourth grade came around, I yearned to truly belong; I wanted to be just like my peers. Wearing Aéropostale and Mudd clothes and dancing to Britney Spears songs, I became a physical and mental replica.
Between fifth grade and eighth grade, I switched schools a total of four times. Along the way, the new and foreign were no longer feared. They became expected sources of excitement.
Four years later, I've become a social chameleon. When I encounter extroverted band kids, my bold, quirky personality emerges. When I'm around quiet artists, I bring out my reserved nature. When I see the future Linus Pauling's and Carl Gauss's of our school, I'm ready to discuss last night's hardest AP physics homework problem.
Though a chameleon changes colors to fit accordingly to its surroundings, it never doubts or forgets its true identity. In the same way, I adhere to my values, uphold my morals, and always retain the essence of my character. However, I have been blessed with the capability to quickly adapt to foreign settings, unfamiliar situations, and new faces.
Describe the world you come from; for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town. How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations? (200-250 words)
My passion did not emerge from textbooks or lectures. My love cannot be learned from teachers. My dreams were not created in a classroom setting. It is both the world I come from and the world that I have escaped that has revealed to me a dedication to international politics.
I used to live in a world where my future was dictated by a one-time test score, my ideas were confined to government ideologies, and my opportunities were limited to my immediate surroundings. My school controlled every aspect of what I learned, regardless of my interests. Having elective classes was a foreign concept. My religious beliefs were nonexistent because religion was unpopular with the government. My budding seeds of discontentment for government actions and media falsities were often stifled, just to be safe. Sure, there was never any real threat for a young girl like me, but there was never any real freedom either.
Today, my future has unlimited possibilities and my thoughts can contain an array of government praises or criticisms. Living in a comparatively transparent democracy, I have been able to explore the intricate workings of the government and determine that this is a field I want to pursue. Having always been a compassionate and ambitious person, I desire to lead a career that truly matters, on a human day-to-day level. One single desire will consume my livelihood: the desire to uphold freedom where it exists and bring freedom where it does not.
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