727-word version: As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be unique because I never ceased to enjoy being in the spotlight. It all began in third grade when I became determined to become left-handed... 781-word version: As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be unique becaus..

502-word version: Tetris! Although it seems overly simple and outdated by today’s standards, it espouses an especially enlightening representation for me as it parallels our society... 948-word version: Musing upon a great inventor and his invention of the twentieth century, the effigy o..

653-word version: A small antique clock tinted in faded dark brown watches me with a soft gaze as my grandfather used to do when I was little—the calm, ticking sound of its hand ready to tell me its story... 714-word version (adapted for U of Chicago): A gargoyle contending with the seve..

546-word version: Line of Best Fit When I encountered various obstacles or novel situations, I tended to treat them as mere equations that just need the proper approach to solve... 570-word version: Line of Best Fit Until recently, my view of life was rather theoretically. Just as physicis..

595-word version: ...Yes, I was the captain of the ship of my “dreams.” ...Yes, I am the coxswain of our little boat, and every time I sit on it, I reflect on the first day I started crew... 696-word version: At the 50th round in the same old ice rink, the coach yelled out “..

228-word version: Although I could have stayed home...I decided against it because I wanted to find out for myself if I could do the work I aspired... 338-word version: Although I could have stayed home...I decided against it because I wanted to be...completely independent... I wanted to find..