Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876 on a spirit of exploration and discovery. As a result, students can pursue a multidimensional undergraduate experience both in and outside of the classroom. Given the opportunities at Hopkins, please discuss your current interests (academic, extracurricular, personal passions, summer experiences, etc.) and how you will build upon them here. (300-500 Word limit)
“You can’t eat that!” I shouted.
“Why not?” my dad demanded, hand halfway to his mouth, popcorn slipping through his fingers. He hungrily eyed our dining room table, buried under mountains of popcorn.
“It’s for a science project!” I said, and proceeded to determine which brand of popcorn popped the most kernels. While the results of my experiment may not have been groundbreaking, it was enough to win a science fair because I applied the Scientific Method to a real-world situation (e.g. grocery shopping).
In the eyes of a 10-year-old, nothing could beat my prize, a two-year subscription to National Geographic. I read and reread features, gazing at vibrant spreads--underwater pictures of the Titanic, computerized visuals of dinosaurs, snapshots of cultures on islands from around the world. With a dictionary in hand, I deciphered Nat Geo’s descriptive captions, finding poetry in the scientific jargon.
Johns Hopkins is National Geographic come to life. I want to be immersed in interdisciplinary studies through the open curriculum--to explore classics with fellow students, to incorporate the universe’s mysteries into my writing, to delve deeper into an advanced course of mathematics, to discover the science of chocolate, to study abroad in Ireland and delve into Irish lit.
Even though my parents do not read or write for leisure, they raised me on a diet of oral stories, from the epic race of 12 animals across the river to family history. The stories they told fascinated me, and as I grew older I began to look for prominent Asian storytellers. At an arts school in a cozy library, my friends and I summon Haruki Murakami, Amy Tan and Ocean Vuong through their other-worldly work. At Hopkins I suspect nothing will change—I will still engage with barrier-breaking books and films by marginalized artists. I will sit in Writing Seminar courses as part of a circle of likeminded artists and Pulitzer-winning professors. At Hopkins I can introduce a new page in Nat Geo issues, shedding light on the countless stories of minorities that need to be told.
With a minor in film or theater, it is my hope to delve into real-world internships during Intersession or with the support of the JHU career center. Although I am not an engineer, I will channel the Hopkins Baja team’s spirit of innovation and competition as I break into the entertainment industry, whether in the heart of Baltimore’s intimate theater scene, across the country in dazzling Hollywood, or right at JHUT, mounting original one-acts with Witness Theater or stage managing the Barnstormers.
Perhaps my Hopkins professors will be the scientists and researchers featured in my worn National Geographic issues. Taking advantage of Baltimore’s vibrant city life would be second nature--I grew up concocting stories about the artwork at the Getty and getting hands-on in science museums.
My hunger for the world can only be satisfied by a life-size National Geographic. Charm City, Spring Fair, here I come.