The following are all my high school applications to Lowell High School, Lick-Wilmerding High School, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, and Mercy Burlingame High School. All the long nights of brainstorming, drafting, and typing these answers paid off.
LOWELL HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION
1. Extracurricular activities demonstrating leadership skills:
I love to participate in various activities that will develop my leadership skills.
As a National Junior Honor Society member, I am required to serve hours by tutoring students from third to eighth grade. I also tutor privately outside school in Math. I was voted as Vice President on the Associated Student Body Council for two consecutive school years from 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, which helped me to flourish and develop my leadership skills through meetings, planning for events, and organizing and executing the activities. I alter serve at Saint Thomas More Church and Church of the Epiphany, and I play various piano pieces at school masses.
As the setter and team captain of every volleyball team I play for, I lead and motivate the team. Setters are meant to set the game up, and I always point out that they can do anything no matter who we're playing. I help them play better by correcting their mistakes during the game and telling them how they can improve it. When we lose the point, I emphasize to shake it off and make it up with a good pass. Motivation helps when disappointment and frustration strikes the team. I stay as positive as possible to feed the good vibes to my other teammates. Teamwork and motivation is the formula to a good game.
At the age of three, I began dancing hula and Tahitian for the Westlake School of the Performing Arts. Our group, Te Orama, would perform at multiple festivals, competitions, and local schools every year to raise money to support a school’s parish or even homeless children in need.
I was awarded a second-degree black belt in taekwondo at the Yong-In Martial Arts Academy and became an instructor. I teach students from white belt to black belt not just about fighting and self defense, but also to have self control, discipline, courtesy, and etiquette towards others. Taekwondo gives me confidence and determination to lead a group of students.
Currently, I am volunteering every Wednesday at the Geneva Avenue United Methodist Church to hand out food items to seniors and people with disabilities. I also volunteer at the San Francisco/Marin Food Bank.
2. Extenuating circumstances:
At this point of my life, I have not experienced any extenuating circumstances that have drastically affected my performance. In case any extenuating situation ever happens to me, I will stay positive and I believe my strong faith will guide me. I will stay positive and keep pushing through life.
3. Demonstrated ability to overcome hardship:
Being able to participate in numerous school activities and clubs is very challenging. I couldn’t have done any of what I do today without the drive, ambition, and motivation to reach success. Bullying has been a great part in my motivation to strive harder and push myself to be the best I can be so I can accomplish being a great student at school.
I love to participate in various activities that will develop my leadership skills.
As a National Junior Honor Society member, I am required to serve hours by tutoring students from third to eighth grade. I also tutor privately outside school in Math. I was voted as Vice President on the Associated Student Body Council for two consecutive school years from 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, which helped me to flourish and develop my leadership skills through meetings, planning for events, and organizing and executing the activities. I alter serve at Saint Thomas More Church and Church of the Epiphany, and I play various piano pieces at school masses.
As the setter and team captain of every volleyball team I play for, I lead and motivate the team. Setters are meant to set the game up, and I always point out that they can do anything no matter who we're playing. I help them play better by correcting their mistakes during the game and telling them how they can improve it. When we lose the point, I emphasize to shake it off and make it up with a good pass. Motivation helps when disappointment and frustration strikes the team. I stay as positive as possible to feed the good vibes to my other teammates. Teamwork and motivation is the formula to a good game.
At the age of three, I began dancing hula and Tahitian for the Westlake School of the Performing Arts. Our group, Te Orama, would perform at multiple festivals, competitions, and local schools every year to raise money to support a school’s parish or even homeless children in need.
I was awarded a second-degree black belt in taekwondo at the Yong-In Martial Arts Academy and became an instructor. I teach students from white belt to black belt not just about fighting and self defense, but also to have self control, discipline, courtesy, and etiquette towards others. Taekwondo gives me confidence and determination to lead a group of students.
Currently, I am volunteering every Wednesday at the Geneva Avenue United Methodist Church to hand out food items to seniors and people with disabilities. I also volunteer at the San Francisco/Marin Food Bank.
2. Extenuating circumstances:
At this point of my life, I have not experienced any extenuating circumstances that have drastically affected my performance. In case any extenuating situation ever happens to me, I will stay positive and I believe my strong faith will guide me. I will stay positive and keep pushing through life.
3. Demonstrated ability to overcome hardship:
Being able to participate in numerous school activities and clubs is very challenging. I couldn’t have done any of what I do today without the drive, ambition, and motivation to reach success. Bullying has been a great part in my motivation to strive harder and push myself to be the best I can be so I can accomplish being a great student at school.
lICK-wILMERDING hIGH sCHOOL aPPLICATION
My greatest strengths are
motivating myself and others, mathematics, playing volleyball, competing in Taekwondo, dancing hula and Tahitian, singing, and playing piano
My greatest challenge is
being too meticulous and a perfectionist in anything I do
Someday I would love to
travel around the world, own a house in a different country, and become a surgeon, a lawyer, or a teacher.
I am happiest when
I finally find the right solution to a difficult problem and when I am with my family and friends
Two songs on the soundtrack of my life are
"Perfect" by Pink and "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift are the two songs on the soundtrack of my life because although I have been bullied, I used that as a motivation to do my best in everything I do and just to be myself no matter what.
My hero is
my mom because she gave birth to me and raised me to become the respectful and loving person I am today.
The quality I most value in a friend is
love because a comrade can be trustworthy, loyal, and thoughtful. A real friend loved you for who and what you are. If someone loves, all other traits of a friend fall right behind. Without love, everything else wouldn't matter.
Favorite quote
“Here’s to books, the cheapest vacation you can buy.” -Charlaine Harris
because I would love to travel someday, and books are filled with new worlds that cost less than $50.
1. Choose one or two activities you previously listed and briefly tell us its importance to you.
I participate in various activities that will develop my leadership and motivational skills. As a National Junior Honor Society member, I am required to serve hours by tutoring students from third to eighth grade. I also tutor privately outside school in Math. Helping people to achieve academic success and do their best makes me feel joyful because I know everyone is capable of doing things they don’t realize they can do.
As the setter and team captain of every volleyball team I play for, I learn to lead and motivate the team. Setters are meant to set the game up, and I always point out that they can do anything no matter who we're playing. I help them play better by correcting their mistakes during the game and telling them how they can improve it. When we lose the point, I emphasize to shake it off and make it up with a good pass. Motivation helps when disappointment and frustration strikes the team. I stay as positive as possible to feed the good vibes to my other teammates. Teamwork and motivation is the formula to a good game.
2. How did you first become interested in Lick-Wilmerding? Why do you believe LWHS might be an appropriate place, both academically and socially, to continue your education?
Lick-Wilmerding has been a high school I passed by for nine years when going to school. It was an interesting and intriguing school to me, making it one of my top high school choices. I believe Lick-Wilmerding will be an appropriate place to continue my education because it being small high school allows everyone to know each other like a family, creating a close bond within the school community and allowing students to have confidence at school. Students of Lick-Wilmerding who are friends of mine are very influential and are very enthusiastic about their high school. Lick-Wilmerding students also work hands-on, using the lessons learned in the classroom in reality. I believe Lick-Wilmerding will help me become a more confident individual both in and out of school, and it will help me find out who I am as a person.
3. Is there anything in your life that has consistently challenged you? What is it and how have you managed that challenge?
Bullying has consistently challenged me, and it eventually shaped my life. Being made fun about your weight and height for seven hours five days a week is not the easiest thing to go through. Instead to taking it in a negative way, I used it to motivate and push myself work harder and do my best in everything I do whether in school or playing sports.
Due to my determination and hard work, I have not been bullied since 5th grade. Since third grade, I have been receiving Honor Roll and becoming a role model in every extracurricular activity I am involved in, such as a team captain and an instructor, and I make them realize that nothing can get in their way. If they work hard and concentrate on their goal, they will achieve success. I teach students that obstacles only make them stronger, and they should stand up for themselves and what they believe is right.
As an Associated Student Body Vice President, I have also encouraged a Kindness Pledge about no bullying that I have been saying every morning at assembly at school for the past two years. I emphasize to everyone I know that I am willing to be a shoulder to cry on and listen when they have problems because I believe no one should conquer and problem, especially bullying, on their own.
motivating myself and others, mathematics, playing volleyball, competing in Taekwondo, dancing hula and Tahitian, singing, and playing piano
My greatest challenge is
being too meticulous and a perfectionist in anything I do
Someday I would love to
travel around the world, own a house in a different country, and become a surgeon, a lawyer, or a teacher.
I am happiest when
I finally find the right solution to a difficult problem and when I am with my family and friends
Two songs on the soundtrack of my life are
"Perfect" by Pink and "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift are the two songs on the soundtrack of my life because although I have been bullied, I used that as a motivation to do my best in everything I do and just to be myself no matter what.
My hero is
my mom because she gave birth to me and raised me to become the respectful and loving person I am today.
The quality I most value in a friend is
love because a comrade can be trustworthy, loyal, and thoughtful. A real friend loved you for who and what you are. If someone loves, all other traits of a friend fall right behind. Without love, everything else wouldn't matter.
Favorite quote
“Here’s to books, the cheapest vacation you can buy.” -Charlaine Harris
because I would love to travel someday, and books are filled with new worlds that cost less than $50.
1. Choose one or two activities you previously listed and briefly tell us its importance to you.
I participate in various activities that will develop my leadership and motivational skills. As a National Junior Honor Society member, I am required to serve hours by tutoring students from third to eighth grade. I also tutor privately outside school in Math. Helping people to achieve academic success and do their best makes me feel joyful because I know everyone is capable of doing things they don’t realize they can do.
As the setter and team captain of every volleyball team I play for, I learn to lead and motivate the team. Setters are meant to set the game up, and I always point out that they can do anything no matter who we're playing. I help them play better by correcting their mistakes during the game and telling them how they can improve it. When we lose the point, I emphasize to shake it off and make it up with a good pass. Motivation helps when disappointment and frustration strikes the team. I stay as positive as possible to feed the good vibes to my other teammates. Teamwork and motivation is the formula to a good game.
2. How did you first become interested in Lick-Wilmerding? Why do you believe LWHS might be an appropriate place, both academically and socially, to continue your education?
Lick-Wilmerding has been a high school I passed by for nine years when going to school. It was an interesting and intriguing school to me, making it one of my top high school choices. I believe Lick-Wilmerding will be an appropriate place to continue my education because it being small high school allows everyone to know each other like a family, creating a close bond within the school community and allowing students to have confidence at school. Students of Lick-Wilmerding who are friends of mine are very influential and are very enthusiastic about their high school. Lick-Wilmerding students also work hands-on, using the lessons learned in the classroom in reality. I believe Lick-Wilmerding will help me become a more confident individual both in and out of school, and it will help me find out who I am as a person.
3. Is there anything in your life that has consistently challenged you? What is it and how have you managed that challenge?
Bullying has consistently challenged me, and it eventually shaped my life. Being made fun about your weight and height for seven hours five days a week is not the easiest thing to go through. Instead to taking it in a negative way, I used it to motivate and push myself work harder and do my best in everything I do whether in school or playing sports.
Due to my determination and hard work, I have not been bullied since 5th grade. Since third grade, I have been receiving Honor Roll and becoming a role model in every extracurricular activity I am involved in, such as a team captain and an instructor, and I make them realize that nothing can get in their way. If they work hard and concentrate on their goal, they will achieve success. I teach students that obstacles only make them stronger, and they should stand up for themselves and what they believe is right.
As an Associated Student Body Vice President, I have also encouraged a Kindness Pledge about no bullying that I have been saying every morning at assembly at school for the past two years. I emphasize to everyone I know that I am willing to be a shoulder to cry on and listen when they have problems because I believe no one should conquer and problem, especially bullying, on their own.
SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL PREPARATORY aPPLICATION
1. Math is my favorite subject because it is a very challenging subject. Yet once I solve a question correctly, I feel accomplished. Math taught me not just how to add or subtract, but also that there is always a solution to every problem.
I was chosen as the representative in the Academic Decathlon for the Math subject. I was also accepted into an Advanced Algebra class due to my grades and test scores.
2. Sacred Heart Cathedral is one of my first high school choices since I was in sixth grade. In October I attended the Open House, I have met and spoke to several teachers and students about the scholarship programs. I also participated in the Irish for a Day Program was given a school tour by the Student Ambassadors Ekaterina and Maya. I was able to participate in the discussions in the Junior AP Literature, Japanese, AP History, and AP Calculus classes during the tour.
3. Several seniors from SHC danced at the Westlake School of the Performing Arts who influenced me to apply to SHC. They like the school scholastic program and activities where they be able to pursue their dreams to become professional dancers by joining the SHCP Dance Team and compete. Epiphany alumni shared their experiences when shadowing at SHC and how "cool" it was. I visited the SHC website and I became more interested about the school.
4. I would like to pursue a high education that will develop me into a respectable leader of the community with strong integrity and perseverance.
The Fearless We Pursue topic that sticks out to me is Leadership. My perspective and positive attitude will lead me to become a good leader. I command respect when I speak to a group of people. As I grew older, I became a student my peers would look up to and follow. I developed this skill of mine though being Vice President on the Associated Student Body Council since the end of sixth grade. I learned how to handle the weight of the responsibilities a leader has to carry and also how to manage my time better.
I plan to engage in the school community by joining and exposing myself in many different sports and clubs, allowing me to mingle and communicate with people who I never thought I would talk to.
5. Service has become a big part of my life since I was little. At the age of three, I began dancing hula and Tahitian for the Westlake School of the Performing Arts. Our group, Te Orama, would perform at multiple festivals, competitions, and in local schools every year to raise money to support a school’s parish or even homeless children in need.
When I went to middle school, I became a tutor both in school for third to eighth graders and outside school as a private tutor in Math. I volunteered many times at the San Francisco Food Bank during my seventh grade year. Currently, I am volunteering every Wednesday at the Geneva Avenue United Methodist Church with a few of my classmates to hand out raw food to seniors and disabled adults.
ESSAY: CAINE’S ARCADE
Caine's Arcade symbolizes a dream and a goal. Caine is a child with a simple dream to create his own arcade and have customers playing his games. His determination and creativity helped him make his dream come true.
Nirvan symbolizes an angel sent by Jesus. Angels guide and help all Jesus’ children in Jesus’ name when they are going through hard times. God will make a way when there seem to be no way even though we cannot see his works. He makes miracles happen. Nirvan supported Caine’s dream and created an event on Facebook for people to come and play in Caine’s arcade.
Caine also showed hope. He never lost hope or faith that someone someday will play his games. Although almost all customers ignored him and his games, he still was at his father’s auto part shop fixing and cleaning the games. He never gave up on his dream and strived to fulfill it no matter how many obstacles he had to jump over.
Caine and his arcade are relevant to learning and education today because many students don’t know what or who to be or follow when they become an adult. Everyone has dreams, but all contemplate whether to follow it or not. Influences, loved ones, and the word “no” prevent us from pursuing our dreams. We should be creative to find who we really are. We should aim for our set goal, and use determination and motivation to gives us the drive to be our best and reach the top.
He is also an instrument of God to make people happy. His arcade brings joy not just for children, but also for adults.
I was chosen as the representative in the Academic Decathlon for the Math subject. I was also accepted into an Advanced Algebra class due to my grades and test scores.
2. Sacred Heart Cathedral is one of my first high school choices since I was in sixth grade. In October I attended the Open House, I have met and spoke to several teachers and students about the scholarship programs. I also participated in the Irish for a Day Program was given a school tour by the Student Ambassadors Ekaterina and Maya. I was able to participate in the discussions in the Junior AP Literature, Japanese, AP History, and AP Calculus classes during the tour.
3. Several seniors from SHC danced at the Westlake School of the Performing Arts who influenced me to apply to SHC. They like the school scholastic program and activities where they be able to pursue their dreams to become professional dancers by joining the SHCP Dance Team and compete. Epiphany alumni shared their experiences when shadowing at SHC and how "cool" it was. I visited the SHC website and I became more interested about the school.
4. I would like to pursue a high education that will develop me into a respectable leader of the community with strong integrity and perseverance.
The Fearless We Pursue topic that sticks out to me is Leadership. My perspective and positive attitude will lead me to become a good leader. I command respect when I speak to a group of people. As I grew older, I became a student my peers would look up to and follow. I developed this skill of mine though being Vice President on the Associated Student Body Council since the end of sixth grade. I learned how to handle the weight of the responsibilities a leader has to carry and also how to manage my time better.
I plan to engage in the school community by joining and exposing myself in many different sports and clubs, allowing me to mingle and communicate with people who I never thought I would talk to.
5. Service has become a big part of my life since I was little. At the age of three, I began dancing hula and Tahitian for the Westlake School of the Performing Arts. Our group, Te Orama, would perform at multiple festivals, competitions, and in local schools every year to raise money to support a school’s parish or even homeless children in need.
When I went to middle school, I became a tutor both in school for third to eighth graders and outside school as a private tutor in Math. I volunteered many times at the San Francisco Food Bank during my seventh grade year. Currently, I am volunteering every Wednesday at the Geneva Avenue United Methodist Church with a few of my classmates to hand out raw food to seniors and disabled adults.
ESSAY: CAINE’S ARCADE
Caine's Arcade symbolizes a dream and a goal. Caine is a child with a simple dream to create his own arcade and have customers playing his games. His determination and creativity helped him make his dream come true.
Nirvan symbolizes an angel sent by Jesus. Angels guide and help all Jesus’ children in Jesus’ name when they are going through hard times. God will make a way when there seem to be no way even though we cannot see his works. He makes miracles happen. Nirvan supported Caine’s dream and created an event on Facebook for people to come and play in Caine’s arcade.
Caine also showed hope. He never lost hope or faith that someone someday will play his games. Although almost all customers ignored him and his games, he still was at his father’s auto part shop fixing and cleaning the games. He never gave up on his dream and strived to fulfill it no matter how many obstacles he had to jump over.
Caine and his arcade are relevant to learning and education today because many students don’t know what or who to be or follow when they become an adult. Everyone has dreams, but all contemplate whether to follow it or not. Influences, loved ones, and the word “no” prevent us from pursuing our dreams. We should be creative to find who we really are. We should aim for our set goal, and use determination and motivation to gives us the drive to be our best and reach the top.
He is also an instrument of God to make people happy. His arcade brings joy not just for children, but also for adults.
mercy burlingame high school application
I. Please list any honors or awards that student has received.
Honor Roll at School of the Epiphany from 2006 - up to present
Member of the Associated Student Body Council
Participation in Academic Decathlon
Member of the National Junior Honors Society
Member of the California Junior Society Federation
Honorable Mention in the Randall Science Fair
Gold Medal in poomsae at the UC Berkeley Taekwondo Tournament
Silver Medal in volleyball at the Far Westerns Tournament
Overall Winners in Hula and Tahitian at the San Jose Tahiti Fete
II. Mercy is a school that prides itself on community. Tell us how you see yourself as a part of the Mercy community, academically, socially, and spiritually.
I love to participate in various activities that are part of the community. As a National Junior Honor Society member, I am required to serve hours by tutoring students from third to eighth grade. I also tutor privately outside school in Math. I was voted as Vice President on the Associated Student Body Council for two consecutive school years from 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, which helped me develop my leadership skills. I alter serve at Saint Thomas More Church and Church of the Epiphany, and I play various piano pieces at school masses.
Currently, I am volunteering every Wednesday at the Geneva Avenue United Methodist Church and at the San Francisco/Marin Food Bank to serve the homeless. As I transition into High School, I can bring these skills with me to help the community.
III. Choose one of your extracurricular activities or an experience you have had outside of school. Describe the activity or experience and tell us why it is important to you.
As the setter and team captain of every volleyball club team I play for, I lead and motivate the team. This is important to me because setters are meant to set the game up, and I always point out that they can do anything no matter who we're playing. I help them play better by correcting their mistakes during the game and telling them how they can improve it. When we lose the point, I emphasize to shake it off and make it up with a good pass. Motivation helps when disappointment and frustration strikes the team. I stay calm and positive as possible to feed the good vibes to my other teammates. Teamwork and motivation is the formula to a good game.
IV. Additional comments: Please feel free to use the space below to share any additional information that you feel the admissions committee should know about you.
None.
Honor Roll at School of the Epiphany from 2006 - up to present
Member of the Associated Student Body Council
Participation in Academic Decathlon
Member of the National Junior Honors Society
Member of the California Junior Society Federation
Honorable Mention in the Randall Science Fair
Gold Medal in poomsae at the UC Berkeley Taekwondo Tournament
Silver Medal in volleyball at the Far Westerns Tournament
Overall Winners in Hula and Tahitian at the San Jose Tahiti Fete
II. Mercy is a school that prides itself on community. Tell us how you see yourself as a part of the Mercy community, academically, socially, and spiritually.
I love to participate in various activities that are part of the community. As a National Junior Honor Society member, I am required to serve hours by tutoring students from third to eighth grade. I also tutor privately outside school in Math. I was voted as Vice President on the Associated Student Body Council for two consecutive school years from 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, which helped me develop my leadership skills. I alter serve at Saint Thomas More Church and Church of the Epiphany, and I play various piano pieces at school masses.
Currently, I am volunteering every Wednesday at the Geneva Avenue United Methodist Church and at the San Francisco/Marin Food Bank to serve the homeless. As I transition into High School, I can bring these skills with me to help the community.
III. Choose one of your extracurricular activities or an experience you have had outside of school. Describe the activity or experience and tell us why it is important to you.
As the setter and team captain of every volleyball club team I play for, I lead and motivate the team. This is important to me because setters are meant to set the game up, and I always point out that they can do anything no matter who we're playing. I help them play better by correcting their mistakes during the game and telling them how they can improve it. When we lose the point, I emphasize to shake it off and make it up with a good pass. Motivation helps when disappointment and frustration strikes the team. I stay calm and positive as possible to feed the good vibes to my other teammates. Teamwork and motivation is the formula to a good game.
IV. Additional comments: Please feel free to use the space below to share any additional information that you feel the admissions committee should know about you.
None.