Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.
Model UN has been an integral part of my life since my freshman year. Our school’s team is consistently Top 3 in the nation with an incredibly high standard for excellence. My worldview has been shaped by the topical, diverse global issues we debate, from Boko Haram to international cybersecurity. It has improved my ability to speak in public, articulate my opinions, and most importantly, learn to compromise with my peers.
It is also a space where I am constantly inspired by the tenacity of my teammates. Best of all, it has allowed me to build meaningful relationships with a family that will last beyond high school.
This year, as a Secretary General, I have learned that leadership is not about defining rules and wielding power, but about setting a personal example and strengthening your community. Going forward, I will never forget these lessons.
Short Questions
Most significant challenge society faces
Diversity of thought. Even though our lives are incredibly interconnected, we still manage to isolate ourselves, shutting ourselves off from disagreement. Society encourages finding like-minded people, while dismissing those who are different. If we could learn to acknowledge each other’s’ unique experiences, constructive dialogue will overtake frenzied arguments.
Last two summers
Immersed in various nooks at the library, conducting economic research. I volunteered at the Eye on India festival, guiding Indian authors around Chicago.
Last summer, I worked hard on my backhand. My favorite memory, though, is sitting in the hot tub with my friends, fantasizing about our ideal concert lineup.
Historical moment or event
The Wrights’ first flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903. It was a moment that redefined the way we look at the world. “The sky is the limit” became an obsolete phrase. I’d love to have been there for those 12 seconds, to be part of the day humanity went airborne.
What five words best describe you?
Enthusiastic, Genuine, Empathetic, Resilient, and Inquisitive
What do you read, listen to, or watch?
Read: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, The Goldfinch, All
the King’s Men, The New York Times, The Economist
Listen: Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, 21 Pilots, The Beatles, and Lorde.
Watch: The Dark Knight Rises, Planet Earth, The Office, Bizarre Foods, and
Amar, Akbar, Anthony (1977 Bollywood)
One thing you are looking forward to at Stanford
I would love to experience the Stanford Storytelling Project. The program’s emphasis on empowerment and performance allows the storyteller and the listener to form an unparalleled connection. By understanding others’ stories, we are not only reminded of our identity, but also open up to what we have not
Imagined.
Extra hour in the day
I would learn how to do a backflip. I’ve run through how it would look in my mind
countless times. The initial momentum and final moments of pure achievement.
Simple, elegant, and breathtaking. I’d train, research, and do whatever it took to
stick that landing.
Short Essays
Idea or experience that makes you excited about learning
I love the complexity of human behavior and the simple elegance of mathematical analysis.
In my sophomore summer, these interests coalesced to fuel my passion for discovery. I was starting a research internship at the Booth School. On my first day, I got a research paper on what makes CEOs successful. The main question: CEOs were human and irrational, but could we “predict” their success? The paper immediately drew me in, showing that we could, but we had to go beyond demographics. The successful CEO stereotype – a charismatic, six-foot- tall white man with a prestigious degree – was a myth. What really mattered was how the CEO behaved. By analyzing 30 behavioral traits in CEOs, the research isolated the four core behaviors for success.
I was intrigued. If we could do this in business, could we do it in other fields? My professor encouraged me to read more, recommending an econometrics book, Mastering Metrics. I devoured that, and went looking for more. I sped through Freakonomics and Naked Economics, particularly loving The Undoing Project. That fall, I took an advanced economics class, continuing my research.
My learning, independently and in class, showed me that I was just scratching the surface. The possibilities appear limitless. Maybe we can predict how politicians will behave or even the rise of the next NBA superstar. That one paper taught me to look at the world in a whole new way, where the intricacies of “irrational” human behavior could be explained by powerful data analysis.
Note to future roommate
Hey Roommate,
My name is [name of applicant], and my spirit animal is a baby giraffe. Did you know that, after being born, the baby only takes an hour to stand up? For a newborn giraffe, standing isn’t just being on your own four feet; it’s about experiencing the world for the first time. That hour is full of trying, trying, and trying again. Well, that’s me. Don’t be surprised if you find me wrestling with dense concepts like Alvin Roth’s matching theory with the same vigor with which I memorized the lyrics to “You’re Welcome” from Moana. These short-term obsessions will inevitably lead to some late nights, but I’m always armed with a mug (blue, preferably) of tea, a pack of almonds, and power naps. Exploring is a way of life for me. Every day, I always find four or five new songs that I like across all genres. Over thirty days, I tried 29 different restaurants around Chicago (I couldn’t resist repeating my favorite, DMK Burger). And speaking of new experiences, I’m looking forward to the Band Run and fountain hopping (just remind me to take my phone out of my
pocket). So, if you like stepping outside of your comfort zone too, I’ll be there to jump in right alongside you. I’m excited to start our new adventure and discover new things together. I can’t wait to meet you.
See you soon.
-[name of student]
Something meaningful to you and why
Open the top drawer of my desk, and you’ll see birthday cards from my younger sister. I’m not great at saving things, but I have saved every single birthday card from my sister. Her cards are memorable, funny, and heart-warming. Her handwriting shifts between perfect print and cursive, as her words jump off the page and into my mind, evoking special memories.
Like when I was eight, I remember her six-year old self regaling me with the exciting stories of recess. Or her vivid descriptions of my teaching her how to use a fork at an extended family dinner, with our amused relatives marveling at my patience. I remember walking out of a brutal tennis loss, trying to hide tears streaming down my face, and seeing her waiting to give me a hug. I smile fondly as I recall her head sleepily falling into my lap on long drives, and losing our
voices singing every single word at an Ed Sheeran concert.
These cards aren’t just sparkles and glossy cardboard; they are a testament to the relationship we’ve built. She is my best friend, and knows me better than anyone. I can turn to her to find strength, inspiration, and comfort, regardless of how I’m feeling. And if she isn’t there, I can read her cards. Cards filled with humor, love, kindness, and a vulnerability I haven’t found anywhere else. They will always remind me of who I am and where I come from.