Hey, good luck with your applications!
a. Accepted: UPenn (attending), Northwestern, UChicago, NYU, BU, and GW.
Waitlisted: Columbia and Georgetown.
Rejected: Yale and Harvard.
I think my essays helped
b.
1. Common App Personal Statement
2. What do you like to do for fun? (UPenn prompt)
c.
1.
Dahlia Gibson (title)
The first time I saw her was in New York. It was a blustery, January afternoon and the balmy, tropical sun of Costa Rica was just a distant memory, blown away by Manhattan’s bone chilling wind. Desperate for a reprieve from the piercing cold, I ducked into the first shop I saw. I wandered aimlessly about, shivering, not sure for what I was searching. Making my way through the crowded aisles, I paused to peruse the classic rock section. Pushing Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” back into its slot, I noticed something in the back of the store. I turned my head and there she was. Her rich, ebony color radiant against the icy whiteness of the winter snow. She was simply breathtaking. “Andrés, where have you been? They’re waiting for us back at the hotel.” My father’s voice shook me from my reverie and I reluctantly followed him outside. I turned back, straining to see her one last time. I spent the night tossing and turning, unable to get her out of my mind. I hadn’t even said goodbye.
I had to see her again.
The next day I went back to the place of our first brief encounter and couldn’t believe my luck. She was still there, even more gorgeous than the day before. Without anyhesitation I approached her, not sure of what my intentions were. My eyes made their way down her long sleek frame, lingering to admire her perfectly proportioned curves. I smiled and timidly ran my fingers up and down her slender neck. Her gentle purr enveloped me in a warm embrace. I knew I had to have her. She was everything I ever wanted.
A week later, she was sitting next to me on a plane back to Costa Rica.
Four years have passed since that dreamy day in New York. After all this
time, I still get goose bumps whenever I hear her melodious voice. We are more inseparable than ever and have traveled the world together, from the Rocky Mountains to the European Alps. She loves everything about me: my silly poems, my morning breath, my dorky fanny pack, and the way I rock her in my arms while I sing her a lullaby. And I adore everything about her: her sweet melodies, her versatility, the way she challenges me to reinvent myself, and her knack for making me feel like a rock star. Our passion for
music unites us as we are moved by Mozart’s “Requiem”, jam to Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog”, and groove to the sticky beats of Madonna. My life would not be complete without her.
Man, I love my guitar!
2.
As amazing as it may seem, there are few things in life that bring me such joy and pleasure as eating. Sure, I enjoy soccer and volleyball, but nothing beats the thrill of a plate of food waiting to be devoured. I know it's going to be a good day when I find a homemade chalupa on my plate. The delicate crunch of the tortilla, the unmistakable subtleness of warm frijoles, and the rich, ripe tang of tomato-ey salsa. Holy guacamole (literally)! The food itself is only part of this heavenly pleasure. There are other important factors involved: comfortable seating, correct lighting, and if possible, good background music and good company. Few things stress more than eating in a rush or not having the time to savor each bite of my meal. For me, this is a not matter of survival. I do not eat to live; I live to eat.