Category: Ideas

I dedicate this post to all the essays that were inspired by my favorite show, The West Wing. There are really only two different essays written based on The West Wing, but one of them was rewritten and adjusted many times per college, and as I spent more time in the college application process, making it slightly different for each version.

Season 1, Episode 22: What Kind of Day It Has Been

Case Western Reserve University (Accepted)

In the college application process, you are constantly prompted for a list of your achievements, awards, and accomplishments. While this information is useful to us, we are interested in hearing more about you. Describe an event, achievement, or experience of which you are particularly proud but that will not show up on a resume, may not garner any recognition, and does not appear anywhere else on your admission application. This essay should not exceed 750 words in length.*

I did not become the President of my school’s National Honor Society. In fact, when I decided to run, I knew it was a long shot. My opponent was popular—more well-known than I.  My friends who were running for other positions wondered why I did, and I simply told them this: I wanted to give the people a choice. 

In the TV series The West Wing, President Bartlet tells a group of college students, “Decisions are made by those who show up.” That idea resonated with me profoundly. Participation is essential to be heard. One cannot complain about an action if they had not attempted to let their voice be heard in the first place. But what if people show up, and there is no way given to them to express their voice at all?  What if they had no way to choose what or even who they wanted? 

It didn’t sit right with me that the other candidate was running unopposed. Especially for the position of President. There wouldn’t be an option to choose from, but rather a definitive decision that they would become President regardless of what the other students wanted. I didn’t like that, so I stepped up, deciding I wanted to give them the choice. I quickly submitted the election form, and a few hours later, I saw my own name listed under the candidates for President. It was all a blur from there: developing my goals for expanding the NHS, planning and filming my campaign video, creating posters to promote myself, and gathering support. My campaign plans revolved around the idea of choice. My posters varied from a law theme, a medical theme, and even a cute Mars theme to showcase variety. I wanted to show them different sides of myself as a candidate so they could connect to me better and think about what kind of president they wanted. Doing so guaranteed that my opponent would also have to work harder for their campaign, as well as made it an actual election process.

Days later, when the results were announced, my opponent’s name stood against the president title. I lost. Except, I didn’t feel disappointed. I never truly cared about what the result was or how many votes I had lost by. Going in, I had only one objective in mind: to make them think. In the end, I was ultimately satisfied knowing that my goal had been achieved. 

This was more than just a school election, but a reminder of American democracy and the values upon which it stands. Voting is a fundamental right; a way for the people to have power. While we had people show up to vote, what if no other competitor showed up? It becomes an illusion of our freedom—of our right and ability to choose. History has shown that systems without competing voices can drift into tyranny, where citizens really have no power and leaders face no accountability. While a simple school NHS election wouldn’t likely descend into such a situation, it served as a smaller-scale model for real-world issues and events we see today. Running for NHS President became my own reflection of that: leadership must be earned through choice, and not assumed by default. 

While my run for the NHS Presidency may never show up on a resume as a “win”, it is one of the most meaningful steps I’ve ever taken. Simply offering people a choice can be leadership itself, and you don’t need to win a title or grand achievements to do that. More than that, the decision gave me something more valuable: the confidence to take a step forward, even if success isn’t guaranteed. The ability to take that step forward in itself is often more powerful than the outcome. 

There will be countless times when I may succeed in something, and just as many times when I don’t. But regardless, I will always show up and make the first step in whatever I do. Because just as The West Wing reminds us, decisions are made by those who show up —and when we don’t, we leave room for someone else to decide for us. (694 version)

Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Cornell, Johns Hopkins (Rejected) – This is just one of the short essay versions I wrote

Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a student body with a diversity of perspectives and experiences. How will the life experiences that shaped who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?* (150) 

Decisions are made by those who show up. Though I didn’t become my school’s National Honor Society President, I ran to give people a choice. The other candidate was running unopposed, which didn’t sit right with me. Without competition, leadership can become assumed rather than earned. My actions prompted others to consider their ideal president, while making my opponent step up to prove they were also worthy. Running for president gave me the confidence to take the first step forward, even when success isn’t guaranteed. This confidence has helped forge better connections with peers, take a firm stand on my ideas and beliefs, and branch out of my comfort zone in anything and everything I do. Because just as The West Wing tells us, decisions are made by those who show up —and when we don’t, we leave room for someone else to decide for us. (146 words)

NYU

Tell us about a time you encountered a perspective different from your own. What did you learn—about yourself, the other person, or the world?

I didn’t become my school’s National Honor Society President, but I ran to ensure a choice. From the TV series The West Wing, I learned that “Decisions are made by those who show up.” However, during this election, I faced a different reality: indifference.

The collective apathy towards an unopposed candidate bothered me. For me, this was more than just a school election, but a reflection of democracy. Without a challenger, elections can be reduced to a mere coronation–a formality. Without competition, leadership can become assumed rather than earned, becoming systems without accountability. It didn’t sit right with me that a position with so much influence was being handed over without debate. Refusing to let that happen, I decided to run. My campaign’s focus on values dictated the debate agenda, compelling the electorate to re-evaluate the standards required of a president. Furthermore, my opponent now had to step up to prove they were also worthy of the position. 

Though I didn’t “win”, running was one of the most meaningful steps I’ve ever taken. I discovered the confidence to take the first step forward, even when success isn’t guaranteed. I will never let life happen on autopilot– I will always show up to challenge the norm. Because just as The West Wing reminds us, decisions are made by those who show up —and without a voice at the table, we surrender our right to decide.

Season 4, Episode 1: 20 Hours in America

NEF Scholarship (Earned $2000)

In 250 to 500 words, explain why you should be selected for this scholarship, including what sets you apart as a candidate, how you plan to use the funds, and what you hope to accomplish through your continued education.

My goal is to become a biomedical lawyer. In a world where we’ve blurred the boundaries between reality and imagination, going as far as implanting a chip in someone’s head—Neuralink— to control and be controlled by a computer, we’ve been able to make our wildest dreams of Legilimency come true. Modern innovations are so advanced that we need a strong foundation to guide these developments, and yet, laws cannot keep up with the rate at which they progress. For this reason, we need future policy makers or even experts who are well-versed in the grounding thinking behind these innovations, as well as the law itself, to bridge the two together. My goal is to develop regulations that protect the privacy and rights guaranteed by our Constitution, while encouraging progress and innovation. The path for this goal, however, is incredibly rigorous. 

My parents have always supported me. They say that as long as you work hard and you do your best, then you have nothing to worry about. That’s how I’ve lived my life for some time now. 

I’ve never been the smartest person in my class. There’s always been someone better than me–several, actually. For that reason, I’d always have to go the extra mile just to get ahead. From late evenings to early mornings, hours of school crammed between extracurriculars, I still piled on more. With the path I’ve carved for myself–to take on two different fields and merge them, just so I could pursue both of my interests at once–I know that it’s going to be hard. But if it means achieving my own dreams, then I’m willing and ready to take it on. It should be hard, actually–in fact, I like that it’s hard. But it could be simpler–just a little easier–because that small difference goes a long way. I believe that a scholarship is more than just a financial investment; it’s also an acknowledgement that someone is going in the right direction and encouragement that makes it just a little easier to keep doing so. So that’s all I really ask for—just a little encouragement. 

Bonus (No specific episode)

Yale (Again because I love this essay)

Reflect on how your interests, values, and/or experiences have drawn you to Yale (125 words or fewer)*

Simply put, it’s where I see myself. My parents always said, “If you can see it, you can be it”. For a while, there were several great colleges I would’ve loved to go to, but none were my heart’s desire. Surely enough, my heart started lingering at Yale. Was it because Meryl Streep, an actress I love, or even Joshua Lyman from The West Wing, a character I deeply respect, were both Yale alumni? Or possibly because of Yale’s high esteem, I found myself gravitating to its venerability. I may never know, but at this moment, I know this: Yale has now become my heart’s desire, and if I close my eyes, I see myself rushing to a class across Cross Campus.

Ivy applications were brutal, but I thought some of my essays were pretty fire -or I just really liked the questions and answering them- so here are some of my favorite takes.

Columbia

List a selection of texts, resources, and outlets that have contributed to your intellectual development outside of academic courses, including but not limited to books, journals, websites, podcasts, essays, plays, presentations, videos, museums, and other content that you enjoy. (100 words or fewer)*

Garbhsanskar, The West Wing, @infobeautiful, Peg + Cat, The Backyardigans, The Devil Wears Prada, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence That Caring Makes A Difference, Circadian Regulation of Mtor Signaling via bmal1 Dependent Mechanism, SIMPLE and IMA by SEVENTEEN, Alice in Borderland, Mahabharata, Inside Out 2, Chaava, National Museum of American History, Attorney General Public Information Handbook, Harry Potter, 21 Notes, Sudoku puzzles, Dallas Morning News Crossword, Age of Empires, Great Big Story, Insider, Architectural Digest, The Girl Who Smiled Beads, Song of the Cell, Radio Lab, This Podcast Will Kill You, and Purple Hibiscus. 

Yale

1. What inspires you?* (200 Characters)

The stillness of a dark house early in the morning. Fleeting moments spent by myself, kept to myself, as I am enveloped in my own thoughts, working with the prospect of a brand new day.  

2. If you could teach any college course, write a book, or create an original piece of art of any kind, what would it be?* (200 Characters)

Publishing my blog post trilogy, “Anatomy of a 32-Hour Day”; a reflection on my struggles and ambitions, depicted through science, imagination, and a desire to stay awake as I navigate high school. 

Reflect on how your interests, values, and/or experiences have drawn you to Yale (125 words or fewer)*

Simply put, it’s where I see myself. My parents always said, “If you can see it, you can be it”. For a while, there were several great colleges I would’ve loved to go to, but none were my heart’s desire. Surely enough, my heart started lingering at Yale. Was it because Meryl Streep, an actress I love, or even Joshua Lyman from The West Wing, a character I deeply respect, were both Yale alumni? Or possibly because of Yale’s high esteem, I found myself gravitating to its venerability. I may never know, but at this moment, I know this: Yale has now become my heart’s desire, and if I close my eyes, I see myself rushing to a class across Cross Campus.

Cornell

What brings you joy?* (100)

Simple birthday wishes in Korean from family friends because they know I like K-pop, late evening dinners and frozen yogurt runs with friends, special home-made cupcakes from a friend on their birthday, perfect scores after hours of tiring hard work, rewatching old favorites like The West Wing and How I Met Your Mother, reading history textbooks and old documents, listening to new music from my favorite artists, redying my hair and watching the brown turn into dark red again, weekend lunches and shopping with my mother, evening discussions and debates with my father, writing, and forever, connecting with my culture. 

Stanford

Short Questions (50 words)

What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?*

Loneliness. It fuels addiction, burnout, desolation, and everything else, really. It’s human nature to seek companionship. Today, we can’t live without being connected to the world. My generation, ironically, struggles to get off our phones simply because we’re afraid to be disconnected–to be left alone. 

How did you spend your last two summers?*

Exploring the world, across America, to South Korea, Japan, Australia, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. Two summers worth of seeing the world for how it truly is–beyond pictures and videos. To experience the differences–and similarities– in cultures, wildlife, and lifestyles, while rebuilding long-lasting bonds with my family and friends. 

The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.*

I’ve always been captivated by puzzles. From the subtle click of jigsaw puzzles fitting into place to the rhythmic logic of Sudoku, I find comfort in watching random pieces come together to reveal a larger design hidden within the disorder. 

As I grew older, this hobby transitioned from cardboard to coursework. I started to see the familiar patterns I loved in unlikely places: in cell biology with protein synthesis–a predictable sequence and flow of nucleotides and genetic material into something entirely new–and even in law, where the answer to a complicated problem could be found in the smallest subsection of a clause. The missing piece to a complicated problem. 

That desire–that itch to find those patterns and solve those problems is what drives me to pursue biomedical law. It’s the thrill of finding the missing piece between these two opposing fields that compels me. To fit the legal construct into the constantly changing premise of biomedical innovation. 

At Stanford, I’m ready to look for more than just answers, but find a way to make the pieces click. Whether it’s analyzing genetic sequences or debating bioethics, I’m always going to look for the patterns across the two fields that connect them. I want to spend my life doing something I’ve always loved to do, and that’s completing the big picture. To make a breakthrough of clarity through the complexities of human health and justice by going into it headfirst and solving the puzzle it holds. 

Community (One of the general essays I wrote/used for multiple colleges)

Statistically, a total fertility rate of 2.1 children is needed for replacement level, and the global average sits at 2.3. My mother, however, is an anomaly to the trend. This is my story: of being an only–but never lonely– child.

I could never relate to a traditional nuclear family— two parents and two kids— like others. My world felt complete with books, a wild imagination coupled with toys, and my parents, but there was a subtle, hidden silence. It wasn’t until we moved to Texas that the silence got louder.

I threw myself into school and extracurriculars, forging new bonds. Early morning orchestra rehearsals echoed with hushed giggles as my stand partner and I played the wrong notes. Long bus rides to HOSA competitions weren’t just miles of cramped seating, but rather lively discussions and sing-alongs. Even calculus classes, where gossip flew across half-done worksheets, became a place of belonging for me. 

These moments taught me that family isn’t limited to bloodlines. The absence of siblings never let me be alone, but instead let me discover the beauty of chosen communities. With these people, I’ve found more than just friends, but a family that makes me feel whole. 

Rice

Community

As an only child, I could never relate to the traditional nuclear family–two parents, two kids– and opted to make up for that elsewhere. In school and extracurricular activities, I found communities built on understanding, shared passions, and trust. This philosophy makes Rice’s Residential College system so appealing. Families are built on traditions. Traditions are preserved by memories and passed on across generations as a gift. Regardless of which residential college I’ll go to, I’ll have the chance to be immersed in a new culture, take part in a new tradition, and join a new family for life. Whether it’s through participating in Jones College’s Cabinet or helping to organize long-time honored traditions like Weiss College’s Pumpkin Caroling, I aim to uphold and expand that college’s culture. This residential system and family-like network is the best opportunity to form deep, lifelong bonds that will highlight my time at Rice. 

Cornell

We all contribute to and are influenced by the communities that are meaningful to us. Share how you’ve been shaped by one of the communities you belong to. 

Remember that this essay is about you and your lived experience. Define community in the way that is most meaningful to you. Some examples of communities you might choose from are: family, school, shared interest, virtual, local, global, and cultural. * (350)

Statistically, a total fertility rate of 2.1 children is needed for replacement level, and the global average sits at 2.3. My mother, however, like many others, is an anomaly to the trend. This is my story: of being an only–but never lonely– child.

Nobody truly talks about the specific loneliness an only child feels. It’s not a sadness, but a structural void—a quiet difference. I could never relate to the traditional nuclear family— two parents and two kids— depicted in the media like others did. It’s always just been my parents and me. The void is more obvious when the rest of my family lives on the other side of the world. As a kid, it originally didn’t matter much. My world felt complete with books, a wild imagination coupled with toys, and my parents, but there was a subtle, hidden silence. It wasn’t until we moved to Texas that the silence got louder.

Instead of simply dwelling in loneliness, I sought to find connection elsewhere. I threw myself into school and extracurriculars, forging new bonds. I pursued Orchestra to expand my passion for violin, and during early morning full-orchestra rehearsals, I found hushed giggles with my stand partner as we accidentally played the wrong notes in a piece. Long bus rides to HOSA competitions weren’t just miles of uncomfortable seating and formal clothing, but rather moments of rowdy chatter and nostalgic pop music blasting as we all sang along. Even calculus classes, where gossip spread across the class faster than answers to our worksheets, became a place of belonging for me. 

These small moments over the past 10 years of my life have taught me that family doesn’t have to be defined by bloodlines. It can be found everywhere, creating communities you’ll always cherish. The absence of siblings never let me be alone, but instead let me discover the beauty of chosen communities—ones built on understanding, laughter, and trust. With these people, I’ve found more than just friends, but a family that makes me feel whole.