275-word version (out of 300 word limit): UIUC – Business Administration ...Because I did not have anyone in my family who went to school in the United States, he naturally became my biggest mentor, influencing me immensely to consider UIUC as one of my first choices for college. His experie..

402-word version: Biochemistry – Cornell (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) One of the programs in school that changed my life was Habitat for Humanity. Offered once a year to thirty students from our school, the objective of the program is to travel to third world countries and help..

456-word version: Cornell – College of Arts and Sciences – Biological Science ...One day, my sister and I were watching television and saw an astronomer floating freely above the moon’s surface. A world that never seemed possible captivated my sister, who was merely a six year o..

1600-character version (out of 1600 character limit): Brown – English Literature ...As I intend to continue my pursuit of English literature at Brown, I know its noted student-based approach to education and diversified humanities curriculum will not only enhance my penchant for but also en..

400-word version: Emory – Business Administration ...I was completely reassured that Emory would promote individual learning, rather than limiting students to established, specialized curricula. In other words, I was thoroughly convinced that Emory is where my quest for academic challenge a..

436-word version: Bates College & Carnegie Mellon – Statistics Based on my research of Bates/Carnegie Mellon, the initial impression I received was that Bates/Carnegie Mellon was a place where students went to learn for the love of learning, and took classes because they were interested..