case western essay examples

Case Western & Cleveland Clinic Medical School Secondary Essay Prompts

• Cracking Med School Admissions

There are two sets of Case Western secondaries: 1) Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and 2) Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (CCLCM). Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (both CWRU and CCLCM) admits students who are strong in academics and research. Submitting an OUTSTANDING Case Western secondaries are vital to receiving an acceptance. It’s important to discuss your research clearly   in your Case Western secondary essays. 

**Case Western changed its secondary essay prompts for the 2023-2024 cycle.** We would not recommend pre-writing this secondary because the prompts might change again this upcoming 2024-2025 application cycle.

Our Cracking Med School Admissions team has a track record of helping several of our mentees receive acceptances to Case Western year after year. We can help you next! We want to stress that submitting a strong Case Western secondary application is crucial and we can help you through our secondary essay editing packages . 

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Case Western Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2023 - 2024

Case western reserve university secondary essay prompts.

• The most successful medical students at our school are generally those who are intrinsically motivated, self-directed learners. Think of a time when you had to pursue a goal without clear external direction. Describe your approach and any new knowledge, perspectives, or skills that you acquired. (1,000 character limit)
• Based on your current maturity and wisdom, reflect upon an experience from the past few years that you would handle differently today. (1,000 character limit)
• Did you take a gap year(s)? Yes or No? If Yes : If you are taking time off between college graduation and medical school matriculation, please tell us what you are doing during this gap, and why. (1,000 characters max)
• Optional – Research/Scholarly Work: One of the four pillars of the Western Reserve2 Curriculum is Research and Scholarship. Although research is not a prerequisite requirement for the University Program, if you have participated in research or another scholarly project, please tell us about it. Describe your experience, including the question you pursued and how you approached it, your results and interpretation of the results, and most importantly, any thoughts about what this experience meant to you. Remember that research is broad-based and can include such projects as a senior capstone or a thesis and can include both medical and non-medically-related investigations. If you have not completed research/scholarly work, you will be able to indicate this in a radio button embedded within this response. (3,500 character limit)   Note that if you are applying to both the University Program and the CCLCM, the research response will default to the CCLCM required response – see below.
• Optional – Additional Information Response:   Is there any further information that you wish to share with the Admissions Committee that may not be captured in the rest of your application? (2,000 character limit)

Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine Secondary Essay Prompts

• Greatest Challenge Essay:  The admissions committee is interested in gaining more insight into you as a person. Please describe a significant personal challenge you have faced, one which you feel has helped to shape you as a person. Examples may include a moral or ethical dilemma, a situation of personal adversity, or a hurdle in your life that you worked hard to overcome. Please include how you got through the experience and what you learned about yourself as a result. (2,000 character limit)
• Research Essay:   Please tell us about ONE research project to which you made a significant contribution. In your essay, describe your role on the project, the hypothesis of your research and whether you contributed to hypothesis generation, why the methods were selected to answer that hypothesis, your results, and interpretation of your results with respect to future findings. In addition, please briefly share your motivation for pursuing this research project and reflect on how this experience affected your future career goals. (3,500 character limit)
• Career Essay:  What does your ideal career entail fifteen years after medical school graduation? (1,000 character limit)
• Gap Year(s) if applicable:  If you are taking time off between college graduation and medical school matriculation, please tell us why you made this decision and what you will be doing or have done during this gap time. (1,000 character limit)
• OPTIONAL – Additional Information Response:   Is there any further information that you wish to share with the Admissions Committee that may not be captured in the rest of your application? (2,000 character limit)

Case Western MSTP Secondary Essay Prompts

• Based on your current maturity and wisdom, reflect upon an experience from the past few years that you would handle differently today. (1,000 character limit) 
• PhD Advisor:  What do you look for in a PhD advisor, and who at CWRU would interest you? (800 character limit)
• Area of Interest:  What is your specific interest in the MSTP at CWRU? (800 character limit)

Tips to Answer Case Western Secondaries

Case Western Secondaries Pre-Writing Guidance: Because the Case Western secondary changed a lot in the previous cycle, we recommend students to NOT pre-write their Case Western secondaries this year.

Read our Cracking Med Secondary Essay Workbook and Examples  to help you with all your secondary essays!

Case Western Secondary Application Tip #1: Answer as many questions as possible on your Case Western secondaries. Our Cracking Med School Admissions team does not view Case Western Medical School secondary essays as optional. For the optional essay about the COVID-19 pandemic, incorporate your personal experiences as well as healthcare current issues you noticed throughout the COVID pandemic. We have an entire healthcare current events blog post here , where you can read more about healthcare disparities and COVID-19 .

Case Western Secondary Application Tip #2: For the question, “Based on your current maturity and wisdom, reflect upon an experience from the past few years that you would handle differently today” and “ The admissions committee is interested in gaining more insight into you as a person. Please describe a significant personal challenge you have faced, one which you feel has helped to shape you as a person. Examples may include a moral or ethical dilemma, a situation of personal adversity, or a hurdle in your life that you worked hard to overcome. Please include how you got through the experience and what you learned about yourself as a result ” make sure you clearly discuss what the challenge was and how you overcame this. Common mistakes students make include:

• Talking about a topic that is too common among premed students, such getting a “C” in organic chemistry.
• Not providing enough context about the challenge they faced.
• Not discussing how they overcame the stressful situation.

Many of our Cracking Med School Admissions students write about challenges they had in their research projects for this question. If you have questions about whether your topic is a good topic to write about, send Dr. Mediratta and Dr. Rizal a question through our contact form below. 

Case Western Secondary Application Tip #3: Remember, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine LOVES students who have been engaged with research. Even if the research essay is optional, you definitely HAVE TO answer it!

Furthermore, for the research question, you must describe your research clearly. You are not only judged on your actual research endeavors, but you are also judged on how well you can communicate your research. This is a great secondary application to get our help through secondary essay editing !

Case Western Secondary Application Tip #4: Don’t forget to incorporate a little bit about “Why Case Western Med” throughout your Case Western secondaries. You can definitely write more “Why Case Western” in the optional essay, “ Is there any further information that you wish to share with the Admissions Committee that may not be captured in the rest of your application? ” Talk about projects and research you want to do at Case Western.

• Read our blog post  Why this Medical School? Secondary Essay Example

Case Western Secondary Application Tip #5: Have questions about how you can stand out on your Case Western Med secondaries? Contact us below. Need editing help on your secondary? We can help you through our secondary essay packages . 

[ Read more secondary essay tips:  Washington University in St. Louis , Stanford , Northwestern , University of Chicago ]

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Case Western Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2022 – 2023

• The Admissions Committee is interested in gaining more insight into you as a person. Please describe a significant personal challenge you have faced, one which you feel has helped to shape you as a person. Examples may include a moral or ethical dilemma, a situation of personal adversity, or a hurdle in your life that you worked hard to overcome. Please include how you got through the experience, how you handled the uncertainty or stress, and what you learned about yourself as a result. (3,500 characters max – leave blank line between paragraphs)
• (Optional) The past year has reflected an unprecedented time in world history, and we are aware that many have experienced significant disruptions in numerous aspects of their lives. Please use the text field below to share with us how you may have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including academic, financial, medical disruptions, etc. If medically-related or patient-based experiences were interrupted, tell us how you were able to explore these areas in alternate ways. (3,500 characters max – leave blank line between paragraphs)
• Did you take a gap year(s)? Yes or No? If Yes : If you are taking time off between college graduation and medical school matriculation, please tell us what you are doing during this gap, and why. (1,000 characters max – leave blank line between paragraphs)
• One of the four pillars of the Western Reserve Curriculum is Research and Scholarship. Although research is not a prerequisite requirement for the University Program, if you have participated in research or another scholarly project, please tell us about it. Describe your experience, including the question you pursued and how you approached it, your results and interpretation of the results, and most importantly, any thoughts about what this experience meant to you. Remember that research is broad-based and can include such projects as a senior capstone or a thesis and can include both medical and non-medically-related investigations. Please limit your response to 1 page (3,500 character recommendation), and leave a blank line between paragraphs.
• Is there any further information that you wish to share with the Admissions Committee that may not be captured in the rest of your application? (3,500 characters)

Case Western Secondary Application Optional Questions

• If you took coursework that was Pass/No Pass due to pandemic disruptions for for 2019-2020 and/or 2020-2021 academic years, please list the courses below.

Case Western Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2021 – 2022

• One of the four pillars of the Western Reserve Curriculum is Research and Scholarship. Although research is not a prerequisite requirement for the University Program, if you have participated in research or another scholarly project, please tell us about it. Describe your experience, including the question you pursued and how you approached it, your results and interpretation of the results, and most importantly, any thoughts about what this experience meant to you. Remember that research is broad-based and can include such projects as a senior capstone or a thesis and can include both medical and non-medically-related investigations. Please limit your response to 1 page (about 3,500 character recommendation), and leave a blank line between paragraphs.

Case Western Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2020 – 2021

• The past few months have reflected an unprecedented time in world history, and we are aware that many have experienced significant disruptions in numerous aspects of their lives. Please use the text field below to share with us how you may have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including academic, financial, medical disruptions, etc. It would also be helpful for us to know if any of your planned experiences in shadowing, volunteering, research, employment, or other activities have been suspended due to the pandemic. (3,500 characters max – leave blank line between paragraphs)
• If you were working on a small group project and you thought that another student wasn’t carrying his/her load, how would you handle it? (300-1000 characters recommendation – leave blank line between paragraphs)
• Is there any further information that you wish to share with the Admissions Committee that may not be captured in the rest of your application? This optional response will only be considered by the University Program. (3,500 characters max – leave blank line between paragraphs)
• One of the four pillars of the Western Reserve2 Curriculum is Research and Scholarship. Although research is not a pre-requisite requirement for the University Program, if you have participated in research or another scholarly project please tell us about it. Describe your experience, including the question you pursued and how you approached it, your results and interpretation of the results, and most importantly, any thoughts about what this experience meant to you. Remember that research is broad-based and can include such projects as a senior capstone or a thesis and can include both medical and non-medically-related investigations. (3,500 characters max – leave blank line between paragraphs)
• How will you contribute to the diversity and inclusion mission of our medical school?  (1,000 character recommendation)

Case Western Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2019 – 2020

• (Required)  The admissions committee is interested in gaining more insight into you as a person. Please describe a significant personal challenge you have faced, one which you feel has helped to shape you as a person. Examples may include a moral or ethical dilemma, a situation of personal adversity, or a hurdle in your life that you worked hard to overcome. Please include how you got through the experience and what you learned about yourself as a result. (3,500 characters max – leave blank line between paragraphs)
• (Required)  Please describe the hypothesis of your research, why the methods were selected to answer that hypothesis, your results and interpretation of your results with respect to future findings. In addition, please briefly share your motivation for pursuing this research project and reflect on how this experience affected you. If you have not participated in research or scholarly work, please indicate so in the text area below.
• (Required)  If you were working on a small group project and you thought that another student wasn’t carrying his/her load, how would you handle it? (300-1000 characters recommendation – leave blank line between paragraphs)
• (Required for College Program) Areas of Improvement Essay: Each year our students target for themselves areas of improvement. Other than the acquisition of new knowledge, what personal area do you think you have that could use strengthening? Design a plan as to how you could improve it. (1,000 characters max – leave blank line between paragraphs)
• (Required for College Program) Criticism and Feedback Essay: Tell us about a time when you received unexpected criticism or negative feedback. How did you react? What did you do? (1,000 characters max – leave blank line between paragraphs)
• (Required for College Program) Career Essay: How do you see your career ten years from now?  (1,000 characters max – leave blank line between paragraphs)
• (Required for College Program) Teaching Essay: When were you challenged to teach, coach, or mentor others to learn a new skill or improve an old one? Please describe how it went and what you learned from the experience. (1,000 characters max – leave blank line between paragraphs)
• (If Applicable) Gap Year Essay: Did you take a gap year? If you are taking time off between college graduation and medical school matriculation, please tell us in no more than four sentences what you are doing during this gap, and why.

(Optional) Additional Information Essay: Is there any further information that you wish to share with the Admissions Committee? This optional response will only be considered by the University Program.

Case Western Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2018 – 2019

• The admissions committee is interested in gaining more insight into you as a person. Please describe a significant personal challenge you have faced, one which you feel has helped to shape you as a person. Examples may include a moral or ethical dilemma, a situation of personal adversity, or a hurdle in your life that you worked hard to overcome. Please include how you got through the experience and what you learned about yourself as a result. (3,500 characters max – leave blank line between paragraphs)
• Did you take a gap year? Yes or No? If you are taking time off between college graduation and medical school matriculation, please tell us in no more than four sentences what you are doing during this gap, and why.

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Case Western Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2017 – 2018

• The Admissions Committee is interested in gaining more insight into you as a person. Please describe a significant personal challenge you have faced, one which you feel has helped to shape you as a person. Examples may include a moral or ethical dilemma, a situation of personal adversity, or a hurdle in your life that you worked hard to overcome. Please include how you got through the experience and what you learned about yourself as a result. (3,500 characters max)
• Please describe the hypothesis of your research, why the methods were selected to answer that hypothesis, your results and interpretation of your results with respect to future findings. If you have not participated in research or scholarly work, please indicate so in the text area below (3,500 characters max)
• If you were working on a small group project and you thought that another student wasn’t carrying his/her load, how would you handle it? (1,000 characters max)
• (Optional) Is there any further information that you wish to share with the Admissions Committee? This optional response will only be considered by the University Program.

Case Western Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2016 – 2017

• (Optional) One of the four pillars of the Western Reserve Curriculum is Research and Scholarship. Although research is not a pre-requisite requirement for the University Program, if you have participated in research or in another scholarly project please tell us about it. Describe your experience, including the question you pursued and how you approached it, your results and interpretation of the results, and most importantly, any thoughts about what this experience meant to you. Remember that the definition of research is broadly-based and can include such projects as a senior capstone or a thesis, and can include both medically and non-medically-related investigations. (3,500 characters max)
• If you were working on a small group project and you thought that another student wasn’t carrying his/her load, how would you handle it?  (1,000 characters max)
• (Optional)  Is there any further information that you wish to share with the Admissions Committee? This optional response will only be considered by the University Program.

Case Western Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2015 – 2016

Case western medical school secondary application essay prompts: 2014 – 2015.

• The Admissions Committee is interested in gaining more insight into you as a person. Please describe a significant personal challenge you have faced, one which you feel has helped to shape you as a person. Examples may include a moral or ethical dilemma, a situation of personal adversity, or a hurdle in your life that you worked hard to overcome. Please include how you got through the experience and what you learned about yourself as a result.  (3,500 characters max)
• Please describe the hypothesis of your research, why the methods were selected to answer that hypothesis, your results and interpretation of your results with respect to future findings. If you have not participated in research or scholarly work, please indicate so in the text area below  (3,500 characters max)

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Case Western Reserve University (Case Western) Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to approach the Case Western supplemental essays? CollegeAdvisor.com’s guide to the Case Western Reserve University supplemental essays will show you exactly how to write engaging Case Western supplemental essays and maximize your chances of admission. If you need help answering the Case Western supplemental essays, create your  free account  or  schedule a free advising assessment  by calling (844) 343-6272.

Case Western  Essay Guide Quick Facts:

• The Case Western acceptance rate is 30.0% —  U.S. News  ranks Case Western Reserve University as a  highly selective  school.
• The Pre-Professional Scholars Program, or Case Western PPSP, acceptance rate is 1% ( Forbes ).
• If you are planning to apply to Case Western PPSP (Pre-Professional Scholars Program), you will need to write  two  essays. If you are not applying to the Case Western PPSP, you  DO NOT  need to write Case Western supplemental essays.

Does Case Western Have Essays?

Yes, there are Case Western supplemental essays—but only students applying to the  Pre-Professional Scholars Program (PPSP)  must answer them. If you are not applying to Case Western PPSP, you do not need to answer the Case Western PPSP essays.

Regardless of whether you apply to Case Western or to Case Western PPSP, all applicants must submit a personal statement. You will need to submit your personal statement through either the  Common App  or the  Coalition App .

Need some help writing your Common App essay? Get great tips from our Common App essay  guide .

How Many Essays Does Case Western Require?

There are  two  required Case Western Reserve University supplemental essays for applicants to Case Western PPSP. The Case Western PPSP essays help the admissions team understand why you are a strong candidate for Case Western PPSP. The first of the Case Western PPSP essays asks why you are interested in your area of study; the second asks you to share something that makes you proud.

Before discussing the Case Western supplemental essays, here is some additional information on Case Western Reserve University and the Pre-Professional Scholars Program.

What is the Acceptance Rate for Case Western Reserve University?

The Case Western acceptance rate is 30%. This year’s Case Western acceptance rate is reflective of the increasing selectivity of the school. The school saw its most selective admissions year in 2019. According to Case Western’s  admissions statistics , the middle 50% of admitted students have SAT scores of 1350-1490 or ACT scores of 31-34. Additionally, 95% of admitted students were in the Top 25% of their high school class.

Acceptance Rate for Case Western PPSP

The Case Western Pre-Professionals Scholar Program is even more competitive. The Case Western PPSP acceptance rate last cycle was only 1%—that’s thirty times below the general Case Western acceptance rate.

Because there are only 25-30 available spots in the Case Western PPSP, the Case Western PPSP acceptance rate is much lower than the Case Western acceptance rate.

The Case Western acceptance rate shouldn’t scare you. If the Case Western supplemental essays and the Case Western PPSP acceptance rate seem daunting, don’t worry. Remember the benefits of gaining admission to Case Western PPSP. Upon completion of the requirements, both the Medical and Dental Case Western PPSP guarantee entry into Case Western’s professional schools. They also provide you with a structure to guide your professional studies.

Overall, don’t let the Case Western acceptance rate—or even the low Case Western PPSP acceptance rate—discourage you from applying. While the Case Western PPSP acceptance rate may be low, remember your admissions results depend on a variety of factors. If you write strong Case Western supplemental essays, you’ll have a chance of overcoming the Case Western PPSP acceptance rate.

For more information on the Case Western acceptance rate—and acceptance rates in general—read our blog  article . And remember, beating the Case Western acceptance rate is all about preparation. Register for our webinar below for tips on how to build your personalized Case Western application timeline.

What is the Case Western Pre-Professional Scholars Program?

The Case Western Pre-Professional Scholars Program grants selected students a conditional commitment of admission to Case Western Reserve University’s Professional Schools of Medicine or Dentistry. The Case Western PPSP is an excellent opportunity for students who are confident in their future career path. If you are planning to apply to the Case Western PPSP, you’ll want to focus on your Case Western PPSP essays. They must demonstrate not only why you are interested in your field of study, but also why you are well-suited to it.

So, before beginning your Case Western supplemental essays, check out the Office of Undergraduate Studies  Case Western PPSP page . The page has a wide variety of information on each program’s courses, timeline, and requirements.

Admission to the Case Western PPSP is highly competitive. Subsequently, the Case Western PPSP acceptance rate is significantly lower than the Case Western acceptance rate. Case Western accepts 15 to 20 students to the Case Western PPSP in Medicine and approximately 10 students to the Case Western PPSP in Dentistry.

Because every student applying to the Case Western PPSP will have outstanding academic credentials, it is important you take your time with the Case Western supplemental essays. For your best chance against the Case Western PPSP acceptance rate, you should do all you can to show the admissions team what makes you well-suited for an intensive pre-professional program like PPSP. This includes writing strong Case Western Reserve supplemental essays.

Does Case Western Care About Essays?

Yes, the admissions team cares about your Case Western supplemental essays. Given the extremely low Case Western PPSP acceptance rate, you’ll want to use every chance you can to show the admissions team who you are and why you are an outstanding candidate. Due to the fact that the Case Western Reserve University supplemental essays are only required for PPSP applicants, they are crucial to making your Case Western PPSP application stand out in admissions.

Therefore, if Case Western is one of your top choice schools, you’ll want to take your time writing your Case Western supplemental essays. Basically, by submitting the best Case Western PPSP essays possible, you can maximize your chances of getting into Case Western PPSP despite the low Case Western PPSP acceptance rate. Even if PPSP does not offer you a spot, Case Western’s undergraduate program may still consider you for admission.

Let’s dive into some tips and guidelines to help you as you begin writing your Case Western supplemental essays.

How Do I Write the Case Western Essays?

The Case Western Reserve University supplemental essays are your chance to show admissions who you are and what matters to you. The Case Western PPSP essays have complex prompts and relatively high word limits. This means you’ll have plenty of space to answer the prompts specifically and completely.

Having extra room to share your thoughts can be freeing to some students. However, completing the Case Western supplemental essays—and making sure every word counts—can be a challenge. Here are some steps to help you as you begin writing your Case Western supplemental essays.

Before you start

Brainstorm and make a plan.  Break down the prompt to individual questions and categories, then try some  freewriting  before you begin your actual draft. Write down moments, thoughts, feelings, ideas— any important details or information that you might use in your essay. The more initial thoughts you get down on paper, the more material you’ll have to generate your draft.

Write, edit, and rewrite.  Then, once you’ve completed your brainstorm, you can begin drafting your Case Western supplemental essays. As you start writing, remember this is only a first draft. While you’ll need to review and edit your Case Western supplemental essays to make them the best they can be, this is not that time. Start with getting your words on paper, then edit for clarity and specificity.

Edit and reflect

Go line by line.  The Case Western supplemental essays have word limits (and the admissions team reads thousands of essays). Therefore, every sentence must add something to your essay. As you read over your drafts, go line by line and check that each sentence shares something. Each sentences should either answer the prompt or showcases an important part of your identity.

Take a step back.  Once you think you have a strong draft, step back and review each of your Case Western PPSP essays. What is the overall impression your Case Western supplemental essays give your reader? Is there a beginning, middle, and end to each essay’s narrative? Your Case Western supplemental essays should start with a strong hook that will engage your reader. Additionally, your essays for Case Western PSPP should flow through the middle, and finish with a compelling conclusion.

Ask for help

Get a second opinion.  When you think you are ready to submit your Case Western supplemental essays, get another set of eyes to look over them. An outside reader can tell you how your Case Western supplemental essays read. Additionally, they can catch any spelling or grammar mistakes you might have missed.

We have provided the prompts for the 2021-2022 Case Western Reserve University supplemental essays below. You’ll find advice on how to approach each prompt alongside tips for writing Case Western supplemental essays that will overcome the low Case Western PPSP acceptance rate.

Case Western Supplemental Essays – Key Steps:

• Brainstorm and make a plan.
• Write, edit, and rewrite.
• Go line by line.
• Take a step back.
• Get a second opinion.

Case Western Supplemental Essays – Question 1 (Required for Case Western PPSP)

By applying to the Pre-Professional Scholars Program, you are applying to gain admission to professional school earlier than students who apply in the traditional way. Please indicate why you’re interested in your chosen profession. How do you see yourself being particularly suited to this field? What events and/or experiences have led you to your choice? (250-500 words).

The first of the Case Western PPSP essays asks about your chosen area of study. This is your opportunity to show Case Western why you are passionate about pursuing a career in either medicine or dentistry. Therefore, you need to reflect not only on your past experiences that led you to your chosen career path but also on your long-term goals and why you’ll succeed at Case Western and beyond.

Your essay should fully address all three questions that this prompt asks. One way to approach these questions is to split up your brainstorm into three categories: ‘Why am I interested?”; “Why will I be successful?”; and “When was I inspired?”

Address each question

For the first question, focus on the why rather than the what. For example, if you want to go to medical school to become a surgeon, it is not enough to simply state that. Firstly, ask yourself, in specific terms, why you are interested in surgery. Does the physiology of the body interest you? Do you want to help people and save lives? The more specific you are, the more your interest, knowledge, and passion will shine through.

The second question asks about you: your traits, your skills, your beliefs, and everything about you that makes you a good fit for the medical or dental field. To answer this question, you should apply your traits to traits that lead to success in your desired field. For example, if you want to become a dentist and think you are empathetic, your essay must show how being empathetic will make you a good dentist.

The third question should include specific anecdotes from your life. If you are having trouble thinking of a specific moment, try remembering your firsts. If you want to go to dental school, when did you first decide you wanted to go? When did you first learn about dentistry? What was your first experience with a dentist? What was a moment when you felt capable, like you had the ability to become a dentist?

Constructing the narrative

Once you have your ideas laid out, you can start forming them into a smooth and engaging Case Western PPSP essay. Consider how best to tell your story, starting with organization. Do you want to progress chronologically, beginning with your first moment of inspiration and ending with the person you are today? Or do you want to start with what you hope to accomplish and use anecdotes to showcase how you will succeed? Remember, these are not three mini-prompts, but three parts of a single prompt. This means your response should tell one coherent story that touches on each of the given questions.

No matter how you organize your essay, be sure you take time to brainstorm and explore every possible avenue for your Case Western PPSP essays. As you edit your essay, remember to answer all aspects of the prompt. With these tips in mind, you’ll be sure to write a Case Western PPSP essay that stand out, even given the low Case Western PPSP acceptance rate.

Case Western Supplemental Essay Draft Key Questions:

• Does my essay answer all three questions in the prompt?
• Are my responses a reflection of who I am, what I’ve experienced, and why I will be successful?
• Do I communicate the ideas in my essay clearly, specifically and in my voice?
• Does my essay tell a coherent, unified story?

Case Western Reserve University supplemental essays – Question 2 (Required for Case Western PPSP)

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. (750 words or less).

The second of the Case Western PPSP essays asks you to describe something you are proud of. Case Western wants you to share something new—something they won’t find anywhere else in your application. This prompt can be tricky since you might already describe many of your greatest accomplishments elsewhere in your application. Take this constraint as an opportunity to think outside the realm of academic achievement.

Consider the activities you do outside of school, what you do for your family, and what you do for yourself when nobody’s watching. If no awards or achievements come to mind, think about times when you overcame a challenge, learned a new skill, or took action. For example, maybe when you were eleven you won an 8th place medal in synchronized swimming, a sport you no longer participate in. Perhaps it was the first and only medal you’d ever received and influenced your development through high school. Or maybe you were scared to learn how to drive but knew you needed to learn so you could take you and your little brother to school while your parents were working.

Be yourself

Whatever you write about, make sure you feel genuinely proud of the thing you did. See what emotions come up when you think of that event or achievement. If you feel happiness, satisfaction, or joy, it’s probably a great starting point for your essay.

This Case Western PPSP essay prompt gives you plenty of space to tell your story, so it’s important you do just that. Instead of simply stating what happened, be sure to include how you felt and why this is experience matters to you. Overall, use your voice to capture your unique experience. Show admissions not only what it meant to you at the time, but what it means to you now as you prepare to begin your pre-professional studies.

• Does my essay describe a unique experience not found anywhere else in my application?
• Have I discussed why I am proud of this experience?
• Does my essay tell a clear story?

For more tips on writing the Case Western supplemental essays, check out this video from Case Western Reserve University’s director of undergraduate admissions.

Case Western Supplemental Essays: Final Thoughts

Your Case Western Reserve University supplemental essays are your opportunity to show Admissions why you belong in their Pre-Professional Scholars Program. Given the low Case Western PPSP acceptance rate, your academic successes will likely be well matched by other applicants. The Case Western PPSP essays can help you stand out.

While writing the Case Western Reserve University supplemental essays may seem time-consuming—especially given the Case Western PPSP acceptance rate—remember the opportunities the Case Western PPSP provides. If you know you want to attend medical or dental school, use your passion and insight to write the Case Western PPSP essays and save yourself the pressures of medical and dental school applications after graduation.

This 2021-2022 essay guide on Case Western was written by Stefanie Tedards. For more CollegeAdvisor.com resources, click  here . Want help crafting your Case Western Reserve University supplemental essays? Create your  free account  or  schedule a no-cost advising consultation  by calling (844) 343-6272.

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August 29, 2022

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Tips [2022-2023]

Case Western is located in Cleveland, Ohio with four teaching hospitals in the area and a student run clinic. They are ranked #24, for research and #71 for primary care by U.S. News and World Reports . They accept 155 students each year. Classes are pass/fail in the first two years. Students are placed in one of four advising societies and maintain involvement throughout all four years. They have IQ (inquiry) teams of eight to nine students, that discuss two cases, three times a week with a faculty member. Teamwork is built into the curriculum. It focuses on four themes: research and scholarship, clinical mastery, leadership and civic professionalism. For more information about their curriculum, check out case.edu/medicine/admissions/programs/university-program/curriculum and our podcast interview with Dr. Lina Mehta, Associate Dean for Admissions at Case Western Reserve University College of Medicine . 

This school is looking for students who are well rounded in all of these areas: scholarship, interpersonal communication skills, leadership, teamwork and community service. Less than 20% of accepted applicants are in-state, making this medical school attractive to out-of-state applicants.

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine 2022-23 Essay Questions

Cwru essay #1: greatest challenge response.

The admissions committee is interested in gaining more insight into you as a person. Please describe a significant personal challenge you have faced, one which you feel has helped to shape you as a person. Examples may include a moral or ethical dilemma, a situation of personal adversity, or a hurdle in your life that you worked hard to overcome. Please include how you got through the experience, how you handled the uncertainty or stress, and what you have learned about yourself as a result. Please limit your response to 1 page (about 3,500 characters), and leave a blank line between paragraphs.

Given the size of this character limit, you have space for a short essay. Start by making a list of obstacles that you have overcome . 

Choose to tell the story of an event or experience that has had the biggest impact on your identity. A one-time event would be a strategic choice if it had long term effects on you and your development. There are many different topics that would work well for this essay, like traveling to a different country, having a unique life experience, or making a difficult decision that had major consequences. Introduce the idea in the first paragraph. Give background on the situation or event in the second paragraph. Use the third paragraph to explain “how you got through the experience.” In the fourth paragraph, you can detail what you learned. In the conclusion, look at the bigger picture. How did the event have an impact on your life, identity and/or career path? Conclude positively, even if the only positive outcome is in having deeply learned something about yourself, about teamwork, about problem-solving, about inequity and equity. 

This prompt is a testament to your character or to your growth .

CWRU essay #2

Optional Responses For All Applicants:

• COVID-related Disruptions Response The past few years have reflected an unprecedented time in world history, and we are aware that many have experienced significant disruptions in numerous aspects of their lives. You may use the text field below to share with us how you may have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including academic, financial and medical disruptions, etc. If medically-related or patient-based experiences were interrupted, please tell us how you were able to explore these areas in alternate ways. Please limit your response to 1 page (about 3,500 characters), and leave a blank line between paragraphs.
• COVID-related Coursework Response If you took coursework that was Pass/No Pass due to pandemic disruptions for 2019-2020 and/or 2020-2021 academic years, please list the courses below.
• Gap Year Response Did you take a gap year(s)? Yes or No. If Yes: If you are taking time off between college graduation and medical school matriculation, please tell us what you are doing during this gap, and why. Please limit your response to no more than 1000 characters, and leave a blank line between paragraphs .

Nearly all applicants had to adapt to changes in their education, community work, and academic plans. When writing the short essay (#1), tell the personal story if you and your family were personally affected by COVID-19 . 

If you choose to tell a story about how you lost shadowing opportunities, volunteer experiences or research opportunities, be certain to focus the story on the unforeseen new opportunities you sought and found. If you were an essential worker, tell this story. If you volunteered at a COVID-19 vaccination center, tell that story. 

University Program (4 yr. MD) Applicants:

Optional: 1. One of the four pillars of the Western Reserve2 Curriculum is Research and Scholarship. Although research is not a prerequisite requirement for the University Program, if you have participated in research or in another scholarly project, please tell us about it. Describe your experience, including the question you pursued and how you approached it, your results and interpretation of the results, and most importantly, any thoughts about what this experience meant to you. Remember that research is broad-based and can include such projects as a senior capstone or a thesis, and can include both medical and non-medically-related investigations. If you have not completed research, please indicate that in the text box below. Please limit your response to one page (about 3,500 characters), and leave a blank line between paragraphs. – Note that if you are applying to both the University Program and the CCLCM, the research response will default to the CCLCM required response. 2. Additional Information Response: Is there any further information that you wish to share with the Admissions Committee that may not be captured in the rest of your application? Please limit your response to 3,500 characters.

This prompt also provides the structure for your response. If you are writing about one major research experience, in the introduction explain the basics of the project and your role. In the second paragraph, provide a detailed description of the project and the research question. For the third paragraph, discuss how you “approached it.” In the fourth, explain the outcomes and any interesting developments in the data for the project. Last, you can use the conclusion to share the overall impact the research had on you.

If you participated in several research projects, you might use this space with a chronological list, most recent research first, with each sub-entry mirroring the prompt expectations. This way, you will cover each project in detail in exactly the same format.

Keep in mind that since 2018, 93-98% of accepted students at Case Western Reserve University SOM had research experience. If you don’t have research experience, then make the case in the secondary Essay #2 that you will be heavily involved in research. Otherwise, be prepared to update the school on research activity at a later date, at the very least.

Has this blog post helped you feel more confident about approaching your Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine secondary application? We hope so. It’s our mission to help smart, talented applicants like you gain acceptance to your top choice medical school. With so much at stake, why not hire a consultant whose expertise and personalized guidance can help you make your dream come true? We have several flexible consulting options— click here to get started today !

Applying to CWRU? Here are some stats:

CWRU School of Medicine average MCAT score: 518

CWRU School of Medicine average GPA: 3.83

CWRU School of Medicine acceptance rate: 5.9%

U.S. News  ranks CWRU #24 for research and #71 for primary care.

Check out the Med School Selectivity Index for more stats.

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine 2022-23 application timeline

Source:  CWRU website

Related resources:

• The Ultimate Guide to Secondary Essay Questions from Top Med Schools
• 3 Reasons Why Writing About Overcoming Obstacles Strengthens Your Application Essays
• Interview with Dr. Lina Mehta, Associate Dean for Admissions at Case Western

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Home — Application Essay — National Universities — Decoding Aspirations: My Case Western Reserve Supplemental Odyssey

Decoding Aspirations: My Case Western Reserve Supplemental Odyssey

• University: Case Western Reserve University

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Words: 586 |

Published: Jan 26, 2024

Words: 586 | Pages: 1 | 3 min read

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Introduction, the journey of intellectual curiosity, innovation and impactful contributions, case western reserve's unique offerings.

Navigating the terrain of my educational aspirations, the Case Western Reserve Supplemental Essay serves as a beacon, illuminating my path towards a university experience defined by intellectual curiosity, innovation, and impactful contributions. As I embark on this reflective journey, I aim to convey the essence of my academic journey, aspirations, and why Case Western Reserve University is not just a choice but a destination where my intellectual ambitions find resonance.

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The Case Western Reserve Supplemental Essay is more than a mere requirement; it is an opportunity to share the narrative of my academic and personal evolution. Choosing a university is a profound decision, and Case Western Reserve University stands out as a beacon of academic excellence and innovation. In crafting this essay, I seek not only to convey my passion for learning and growth but also to articulate why Case Western Reserve is the canvas on which I aspire to paint my academic and professional journey.

My academic journey has been defined by an insatiable intellectual curiosity, a hunger to delve into the complexities of my chosen field. As I engage with the Case Western Reserve Supplemental Essay, I find it to be a conduit to express my passion for discovery and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. The university's commitment to fostering a culture of inquiry aligns seamlessly with my own ethos.

Case Western Reserve University's renowned faculty, cutting-edge research opportunities, and interdisciplinary approach are elements that beckon me. Through this essay, I aim to convey not just my desire to be a part of this dynamic academic environment but also my eagerness to contribute to the vibrant intellectual discourse that defines Case Western Reserve.

Education, to me, is not just about acquiring knowledge but about utilizing that knowledge to make a meaningful impact. The Case Western Reserve Supplemental Essay provides me with the canvas to articulate my aspirations for innovation and contributions to society. The university's emphasis on experiential learning and its commitment to preparing students for real-world challenges resonate deeply with my own vision of education.

Case Western Reserve University's partnerships with industry leaders and its entrepreneurial ecosystem are attributes that fuel my excitement. Through this essay, I aim to convey not just my desire to be a recipient of knowledge but also my eagerness to be an active participant in the university's innovation ecosystem, where ideas are transformed into impactful initiatives.

The Case Western Reserve Supplemental Essay is an avenue to express my appreciation for the unique offerings that distinguish the university. From its emphasis on collaboration across disciplines to its commitment to social responsibility, Case Western Reserve University aligns with my own values and aspirations.

As I engage with this essay, I aim to convey my eagerness to engage with the unique programs, research centers, and extracurricular opportunities that Case Western Reserve University provides. The essay becomes not just a documentation of my ambitions but also a testament to my commitment to being an active and engaged member of the Case Western Reserve community.

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In concluding the Case Western Reserve Supplemental Essay, I am not merely expressing a desire to be a student; I am declaring my intent to be a contributing member of a community that values intellectual curiosity, innovation, and societal impact. Case Western Reserve University is not just a destination; it is a transformative journey where dreams are nurtured, ideas flourish, and individuals are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the world.

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How to Tackle Seven-Year Medical Program Essays

In recent years, guaranteed-admission medical programs have exploded in popularity. These programs allow students to apply for a guaranteed place in medical school right out of high school. Often, these programs will include compressed undergraduate degree timelines that reduce the total time requirement by one to two years, leading to so-called seven- and eight-year medical programs. These programs have grown increasingly competitive, and acceptance rates are often lower than undergraduate acceptance rates at Ivy League schools.

In addition to the Common App essays (for the latest info, check out our blog post How to Write the Common Application Essays 2017-2018 ), these specialized programs often require applicants to write separate essays specific to the medical program. The majority of these essays can be grouped into one of two categories.

Either they ask the applicant why he or she wants to be a doctor, or they ask the applicant to address why he or she wants to attend the undergraduate and medical school in the program in addition to detailing the reasons behind their desire to be a doctor. The essays for Case Western’s Pre-Professional Scholars Program (in medicine), as well as for Rutgers Newark’s BA/MD program are presented below as representative archetypes for each style of essay.

We spoke with CollegeVine co-founder and essay specialist Vinay Bhaskara, who was accepted into seven-year medical programs last year about how he would approach these essays.

Case Western Essay Prompt

By applying to the Pre-Professional Scholars Program, you are applying to gain admission to professional school earlier than students who apply in the traditional way. Please indicate why you’re interested in your chosen profession. How do you see yourself being particularly suited to this field? What events and/or experiences have led you to your choice? This essay should be between 250 and 500 words in length.

Rutgers Essay Prompts

Part I. Discuss why you are interested in pursuing a career in medicine. (150 words) Part II. Describe your health-related volunteer experiences and the time devoted to them. (150 words) Provide supporting documentation in your portfolio from a supervisor, coordinator, etc. Part III. Discuss what has attracted you to apply to Rutgers University-Newark College of Arts & Sciences, apart from the BA/MD program. (150 words) Part IV. Discuss why you are specifically interested in attending Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) over other medical schools. (150 words)

Addressing ‘Why Medicine’ in Medical Program Essays

Vinay: The critical thing to remember here is that success in medicine is the synthesis of two equally important factors: a passion for science and a passion for serving humanity. Medical care is not just about being able to recognize symptoms, make a diagnosis, and prescribe the correct course of treatment, it’s also about the second word in that phrase — being able to care for patients and make sure that their emotional state improves alongside the physical healing. These are the core themes that you must communicate with your essay.

The science side of the ledger is relatively easy to describe. You can approach it from the pure science aspect of a passion for biology or biochemistry. If you choose to highlight biology, be sure to research the various biological subfields, such as genetics, neuroscience, et al. and pick the one for which you feel the most affinity.

This approach can also be enhanced by descriptions of your work in a non-class lab environment if you have it. Such experience is advisable for applicants to seven-year programs, though not absolutely essential. Another approach to discussing the academic aspects of medicine is to talk about your passion for the analytic problem-solving that medicine necessitates.

On the passion-for-serving-humanity side, the best approach is to refer to a patient care experience (typically either volunteering at a hospital, nursing home, or clinic, shadowing a physician, or [ideally] both), and relate a specific anecdote from that experience that stuck with you. Using that anecdote as a base, you would then transition into a discussion of how that has inspired you to pursue medicine and heal people.

If you lack patient care experience, the next option is to draw on volunteer or charity exposure (outside of medicine) and follow the same pattern of an anecdote or reflection.

If you don’t have any of these experiences either, a third possibility is to draw on experiences with a family member or friend who dealt with severe health problems and discuss how that experience affected and inspired you. If you don’t have any strong examples of any of these three cases, you can still discuss and analyze a passion for the non-academic aspects of medicine, but it will not have as much substance backing it.

Justifying the Undergraduate and Medical Schools

These parts of the essay are not as important relatively speaking, but you still must make sure that you meet the requirements for these. For the justification of the undergraduate schools, it is the same process as general “Why school XYZ?” essays, which we will cover in a later blog post.

The general guidelines here are to make sure that you discuss things specific about that school, not generic descriptions that could apply to several different schools. You should discuss both academics, and social aspects of the school, paying special attention to unique academic programs as well as specific social philosophies espoused by each school.

With regards to the medical school, you should discuss the specific strengths of that medical school and the things that it can teach you. For example, a major trauma center will expose you to one whole set of patient pathologies, while a hospital in a run down and culturally diverse area of town will expose you to an entirely different set of patient pathologies and interactions.

Similarly, hospitals specializing in oncology or neurology will provide a unique experience that you can highlight in the essay. One good point to always mention is that if the medical school is in a city, it will expose you to a diverse and varied set of patient pathologies and patient interactions, which will enhance your skills as a doctor.

Addressing Why Accelerated Programs

This is usually the hardest part of the essay to write. The answer for most students is simply because it saves them time, but schools do not like to hear this. A better way to approach it is to state that you are certain about your desire to become a physician, and say that the additional academic rigor presented by the program (a science — heavy curriculum, GPA requirements, working through summers, et al.) strongly appeal to you.

Curious about your chances of acceptance to your dream school? Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!

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How to Write a Personal Statement: CWRU Guide

There are two ways to approach writing a personal statement: you can panic—or you can use it as an opportunity to speak directly to the admissions committee. GRE scores are a testament to your competencies, and your letters of recommendation showcase you as a colleague and peer. A personal statement, though, is the time for you to explain what drew you to this graduate program, what your future education and career goals are, and what you as an individual bring to the table.

Before you start feeling overwhelmed, we have pulled together some tips on how to write a personal statement, from start to finish.

The Beginning

When it comes to writing a personal statement, there’s only one place to start: the prompt. It’s essential to read this very carefully because every school asks for something a little different. Some schools have a series of specific questions they’d like students to tackle in a single essay or in several shorter ones. For our online master’s degrees in engineering, we ask you to address why you’re interested in graduate-level work and to explain how your study and research interests relate to your past studies in higher education and your professional goals.

It’s easy to find these open-ended questions intimidating at first, but before you get too worried, ask yourself what exactly you want to say. Make a rough list of every point, story or personal attribute you’d like to touch on in the essay. Does a theme emerge? Create an outline by organizing and even removing items from that list. As you do this, it should become easier and easier to imagine writing.

Try to keep your introduction in mind as you build this outline. It can be one of the hardest parts of a personal statement to write: You want to try and grab the reader’s attention as well as set up the rest of the essay.

One approach is to think of your introduction not as the start of a personal statement, but as the start of a conversation with a friend. Imagine that over dinner someone asks why you’ve decided to get a master’s degree or what made you choose this school in particular. You wouldn’t simply say, “I decided on Case Western Reserve because it has a prestigious engineering program.” You’d talk about a cool feature of the program, or you might tell a story that illustrates how this program fits into what you’re hoping to accomplish professionally. In other words, you would talk about what makes you excited. Those points and anecdotes can bring that excitement to your introduction (and the rest of your essay).

As you move from your introduction to the body of your personal statement, don’t worry yet about every word being perfect. It’s often easier to polish your writing after you’ve finished hammering out that rough draft. At this point, you also might realize you need to make adjustments to your outline now that you’ve written the introduction. Maybe you covered something you were planning to talk about at the half-way point, or you need to make some tweaks to align the two closer together.

Your outline gives you a map to follow, so as you write your personal statement, it’s important to be specific about yourself and your goals. Much like the introduction, don’t just describe the program to the admissions committee members, who are already familiar with it, try explaining why everything matters to you. For example, at Case Western Reserve, the admissions team knows the faculty teaching online courses is the same as the on-campus ones. So, make a connection to your professional goals, and let the admissions committee know that you’ve put real thought into applying to their program.

Your personal essay can also cover more than the reasons you want to apply. Many schools see their alumni as a reflection of their programs, so besides just explaining how this will benefit you, make the case for what you’ll be able to bring to this program. A personal statement is also the place to address any concerns the admissions committee might have about your background. This offers you an opportunity to explain why your GPA dropped suddenly in undergraduate school or why you made an unusual career decision.

Don’t be afraid to write too much in your first draft. Editing sentences and trimming the fluff is easier after you’ve done the hard work of getting all of the words onto the page. Plus, it’s much harder to figure out how to add length back in.

As you write the conclusion to your personal statement, it’s time to look back at the introduction you formulated. Are there points you made there that you’d like to reiterate again? Did you make an assertion about your professional or educational goals that you’d like to re-explain now that the reader knows more about your background? Is there an additional point that you weren’t able to fit into the introduction that will do a nice job of wrapping up the entire essay?

When you finally feel comfortable with your personal statement, that still leaves an important step left: proofreading. Even if you feel like you’ve caught every misspelling and grammar error, there’s no such thing as too much. Make sure to leave enough time before the admissions deadline to have someone you trust read through your essay. Everyone needs an editor to catch those small mistakes or even find a section of the prompt that you failed to cover.

Realize Your Professional Goals

Writing your personal statement is a great exercise in understanding what your personal and professional goals are—and earning your online master’s degree in engineering can help you meet those. Learn more about the types of careers you can pursue with a graduate degree from Case Western Reserve, and start your application today .

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The Admission Essay That Got Me Into Case Western Reserve University

Plexuss.com

Case Western Reserve University, Class of 2020

2017-02-09 15:02:21

Cooking varies by culture, with different ingredients, different recipes, and different cooking techniques. C, a Computer Science and Engineering student at Case Western Reserve University, tells us in her essay that she enjoys cooking for the people she cares about, because it is her way of showing love. C explains that she loves cooking because of its likeness to Computer Science, and its therapeutic nature. For C, cooking is an outlet where she can spend hours examining her own thoughts as she kneads dough or chops vegetables. She shows us in her essay the type of person she is - thoughtful - which ultimately made her a great candidate for her school.

C’s Personal Statement Essay:

​As unfashionable and unprogressive as it may be in this day and age to say that I love to cook, I would be doing myself a disservice to deny something so fundamental. My dad taught me how to cook while I was still in elementary school, and I was instantly hooked. Cooking has never been merely the preparation of food to me - creating something and feeding others is a way for me to express emotions I could never put into words. Food is magical, and to cook is to channel some of that power. Meals represent more than survival; they are the most integral part of human culture, civilization, and interpersonal connection. Ironically, my two favorite things about cooking are how it allows me to spend time alone, and how it brings me closer to those I love.

I find cooking to be calming, perhaps because it appeals to both the programmer and the engineer in me. Recipes are oxymoronically both algorithmic and iterative, and every time is a new opportunity for experimentation with the set, ordered steps. Each recipe is a project that takes a finite amount of time, and the entire procedure, from planning ingredients to cleaning up afterward, is rather therapeutic. Most recipes allows downtime, which I find to be a singular opportunity to figuratively catch my breath. Cooking reminds me of the importance of routine, allowing me to step back from the isolation stress can cause and muse idly. Letting my thoughts wander as I stir a sauce or sauté vegetables allows a rare opportunity to steadily ponder all the topics I have not had time to think through adequately. As someone who is loathe to leave a thought half-formed, and who will refuse to leave a word on the tip of my tongue, the chance to step back and go through the backlog of things I wish I had more time to think about is infinitely relaxing.

As much as I enjoy the process of cooking, I most relish the pleasure of having other people taste and enjoy the food I have cooked. The responses I get when I bake a batch of vegan cookies always amuse me. Many of my taste-testers seem most surprised that I made cookies from scratch at all, while the others fixate on the fact that, and I quote, "these cookies taste as good as 'real' cookies!" Cooking is intensely personal, so to create food for someone to enjoy is validating in its own right. Feeding people is the most effective way for me to communicate what I cannot articulate - how much I care. For this reason, I enjoy cooking with and for my family most of all. Too many families no longer eat together, so cooking is a rebellion against statistics even as it is an act of love. Feeding my family something delicious that I worked hard to make connects me to them in a way few other activities can. Perhaps because I am least able to express how much I care for them, cooking for my relatives is the most meaningful message of all.

The experience that first kindled my love for cooking was learning to make jiaozis (Chinese boiled dumplings) with my Nana. She learned the recipe when she was growing up, and when I stopped eating meat, we retrofitted it to use spinach rather than beef. Everyone in our entire family loves the jiaozis vehemently, so whenever she comes up to visit, we make hundreds of them to eat and freeze. For days on end, we will spend hours in amiable silence, pouring our souls into these dumplings that convey love as well as nourishment. Besides tasting delicious, jiaozis exemplify everything I adore about cooking - most of all, I delight in how excited my family is to dine on platefuls of freshly made, still steaming jiaozis, with copious amounts of hot sauce, of course.

GPA: 4.5                     SAT Composite: 2350