Example Essay (History & Computer Science)

I am fascinated by the use of neural networks to analyze historical texts. After reading about how machine learning can identify hidden patterns in vast archives, I started a personal project using open-source software to analyze letters from World War I soldiers. I wanted to see if I could track the evolution of slang and sentiment over the course of the war. I am drawn to this topic because it is a bridge between the human and the computational. History is a story, but it is a story told with millions of data points. Using code to find patterns in these data points does not remove the human element; it reveals it on a scale that was previously impossible. It allows us to hear the quiet, collective voice of the past. This intersection of history and computer science excites me because it offers a new lens through which to understand the human experience.

Example Essay

My most meaningful learning experiences have happened not in a lecture hall, but in late-night conversations with friends about a book we all loved. I value the idea that intellectual community is something you live, not just something you attend. This is what draws me to Yale’s residential college system. The idea of being part of a smaller, tight-knit community within the larger university, a place where a casual dinner conversation can turn into a passionate debate, is my ideal version of a college education. It is an environment where learning is a constant, collaborative, and joyful part of everyday life.

The elegant efficiency of natural systems, from the fractal patterns in a fern to the way a beehive operates. It inspires me to find simple, beautiful solutions to complex problems in my own work.

Old city maps. They are a snapshot of a place’s history and aspirations, showing not just what was, but what people dreamed their city could be. They inspire me to think about how design shapes our lives.

I would teach a course called "The History of the Future," exploring how past societies imagined their futures through science fiction and art, and what that reveals about their own anxieties and hopes.

I would write a cookbook of my grandmother's recipes, but instead of just instructions, each entry would tell the story behind the dish, preserving our family's history and traditions through food.

My first boss at the local library, Mr. Chen. He taught me that the best way to help someone is not to give them the answer, but to teach them how to find it themselves.

My debate coach. She taught me that winning an argument is less important than truly understanding the other side’s perspective. It has made me a better listener and a more empathetic person.

I can name almost any commercial airplane just by the sound of its engines. I spend hours on flight-tracking websites, fascinated by the invisible highways that connect our world.

I am meticulously restoring a 1970s mechanical keyboard. The tactile feedback and satisfying click of the keys is something I find deeply calming and helps me focus when I write.

Example Essay (Opposing View Prompt)

My grandfather and I disagree about the future of our town. I see the proposed wind farm on the ridge behind his house as a necessary step towards a sustainable future. He sees it as a threat to the landscape he has known his entire life. For months, it was a topic we avoided. But one evening, I decided to ask him not to argue, but just to talk. I didn't start with data about carbon emissions. I started with a question: “What do you love about this view?” He spoke for an hour. He talked about watching the sunrise over that specific ridge every morning for sixty years. He described how the shadows change with the seasons, and how he knows a storm is coming by the color of the sky. He wasn't just defending a landscape; he was defending his home, his memories, his sense of place. In turn, I didn't talk about the planet in abstract terms. I talked about my own fears for the future, about my desire to one day show my own grandchildren a world that is healthy and stable. I explained that, for my generation, the view of a wind turbine is not a scar, but a symbol of hope. We did not change each other’s minds. He still sees the turbines as an intrusion, and I still see them as a necessity. But the conversation was deeply meaningful because it was the first time we truly listened to each other. I learned that behind most opposing views are not opposing values, but different life experiences. He values home and history. I value a future that is safe and sustainable. The experience taught me that the goal of a difficult conversation is not always to win, but to understand. It is in that shared understanding, that quiet space of mutual respect, that real progress begins.