University of California--Berkeley

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University of California--Berkeley

Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original an...

Music enthralls me with its ability to take me away from my academic, technical self and help me embrace my more abstract, creative side. After watching videos of legends like Slash, Van Halen, and Don Felder effortlessly playing complex chords and riffs, I became obsessed with learning how to maste...

Aarush Das (University of California--Berkeley)

University of California--Berkeley

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, he...

The nexus of strings perplexed us. To test our mastery in understanding three-dimensional vectors in AP Physics C, my teacher tasked my lab group with finding the angle between two strings by only using a couple of meter sticks, sticky notes, and a plumb bob. Initially, the lack of a protractor i...

Aarush Das (University of California--Berkeley)

University of California--Berkeley

Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this...

When I was 5, I encountered Cheetos Puffs during snack time. Licking the orange dust off of my fingers, my skin and tongue suddenly became extremely itchy as if bitten by 1,000 mosquitoes. At 13, my father's work relocation to Saudi Arabia put a heavy weight on my mental and physical health. The sto...

Rhea Jatakia (University of California--Berkeley)

University of California--Berkeley

Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this...

On January 4th, 2021 around 2:30 A.M., my mother received the call we'd been dreading. My aunt passed away from COVID-19. Her state was improving but something went wrong. My mother answered the phone, started crying, and nearly screaming, "My sister!" My father and I woke up; he finished the phone...

Samantha Vargas (University of California--Berkeley)

University of California--Berkeley

Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original an...

I express my creative side through dance. I dance Folklorico and do cheerleading. Both of these activities allow me to create routines, different combinations, different sounds, and makeup looks. As Folklorico dancers, we do traditional dances. Many of our dances are not original; they are passed d...

Samantha Vargas (University of California--Berkeley)

University of California--Berkeley

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place (350 words)?...

After stirring for an hour, the Spanish rice still wasn't fully cooked. My arm strength was running out, along with my patience. Suddenly, my teammate Megan called my name and gave me two thumbs up. I smiled back, wiping my forehead and doubling my efforts. Watching the rest of my team scattered aro...

Lillian Huang (University of California--Berkeley)

University of California--Berkeley

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest ins...

To call my freshman year of high school formative would be an understatement. It was then that I discovered my passion for environmentalism, which blossomed from my involvement in Eco Club. The club revealed to me the troubling lack of sustainable systems in society. I enjoyed participating in conve...

Lillian Huang (University of California--Berkeley)

University of California--Berkeley

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, he...

Another Saturday morning, another Chinese class. Only, I would not spend this week's class learning about the lessons of Confucious or acquiring new vocabulary. My school would be competing in the annual winter competition hosted by the Northwestern Association of Chinese Language Schools, and there...

Lillian Huang (University of California--Berkeley)

University of California--Berkeley

What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? (Interest and Personality)...

America is divided. It’s polarized. It’s unsure. But at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2001, it was different. The solemn hopelessness following 9/11 was pierced by the crowd’s patriotic cheers as President Bush ceremoniously threw the first pitch. I would watch America’s game bringing a wounded nati...

Ronit Jain (University of California--Berkeley)

University of California--Berkeley

Things to consider: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to...

He stopped. Why’d he stop? The murmuring crowd buzzed expectantly, waiting for him to continue. I glanced at my friend and noticed the sweat beading on his face as he swayed nervously behind the podium. It didn’t make sense. I had just seen him practicing his campaign speech to perfection. Th...

Ronit Jain (University of California--Berkeley)