I was drawn to Tufts because they don’t require applicants to declare a major until the end of their second year and have a flexible curriculum. I also have family in Boston which is a motivation to be near there. I have attended a couple virtual information sessions for tufts and one in person session.
My extracurriculars are not the most impactful but I did help organize an emergency fundraiser for my aunt’s foundation that raised about $15,000 for Afghan schools impacted by the pandemic. I also helped start the first Environmental Action Week at my school to promote sustainable action and organized volunteer workdays to maintain our school campus and Nature Center.
What initially put USC on my list was the half tuition scholarship for NMF but I am also interested in their Politics, Philosophy, and Economics major that would allow me to explore my interdisciplinary interests. I was in a small virtual meeting for USC a few weeks ago where I was able to make what I perceived as a positive personal connection with the main admissions counselor reviewing my application.
My PIQs are focused on: building up my cross country team as a captain during my senior season, learning about my heritage and gaining a global perspective from my grandmother, my interest in politics, making an impact on my community through the Nature Club.
As far as the Common App goes I have dealt with a lot of anxiety about writing one essay that encapsulates my value as a student and person throughout the past several months. I had many half-written drafts which I deleted and 2 days before the USC deadline I scrapped everything I had and went in a new direction. I had my English teacher read it and she was shocked to learn that it was a first draft and said that it was one of the best she had ever read for what it’s worth.