Dear Readers,

    Happy New Year! I hope you had a happy holiday. This year, I did not go to watch the ball drop in Times Square, New York; a cup of tea, a pack of playing cards and an action movie were all I needed.

    By now, most if not all college admissions applications to Princeton and other institutions, as well as Princeton students’ applications for summer internships, have passed their deadlines. In other words, many people have finished writing application essays and compiling relevant material.

    I’ve completed both types of applications in the past four years. I may be over-generalizing now, but I recall the worst part of the applications was the “why” essay, i.e. the essay that would pointedly ask applicants, “why do you want to come here?” In my opinion, these prompts are more difficult than any other questions because approaching the pros and cons of an institution are much harder, if not impossible, from an outsider’s perspective. Even as an “insider,” it takes quite a while to form an informed view.

    Still, the “why” essays must be reflective of an applicant’s creativity, effort and true intentions for applying. I’m sure they will still be widely included, and for a good reason.

    Sincerely, Laiyin