Who are you? That’s the question the essays in this section attempt to answer. Of course, we are all complex individuals with many interests and experiences, but the applicants in this chapter refuse to get bogged down in trying to exhaustively represent themselves.

Rather, they choose to explore a single component of their identities—one that is often surprising or unexpected. In this section, you will read essays that reveal peculiar interests or shocking experiences—all things that shape the writers’ outlooks on life.

For example, you will read about a student exploring her family history in the context of her own life and a student discussing her love of punk music and countercultural antics. As you try to understand who you are, think about specific defining moments in your life. Chances are, you’ll realize that you have more to write about than you had previously anticipated.