University of Massachusetts - Boston Undergraduate College Application Essays

As I stared out the thick glass windows of the Norman Manley International Airport, tears washing down my cheeks, the plane took off. It hit me: my mother was leaving. I was only nine years old, with the heavy load of separation on my shoulders....

I am holding my brother's hand."Hi, Will," I say."Hi," he mutters curtly, a trained reply.

It's better than the less favorable option of "Goodbye, please" or "I want goodbye."

His palm feels like a living creature itself, warm and squirming. When...

When I think of heroes in my life, there are so many options to consider: who I am most like, who I have tried to emulate, who I aspire to be. Many could and would answer their parents, an older family member, or even a standout teacher. I...

Some girls might find it intimidating being the only girl among fifty male high schoolers. Other girls might see it as a dream come true. For me it doesn’t matter: I just want to play football.

My sophomore year it was announced that we would have...

It was as though Medusa had looked me straight in the eye. I saw my mother’s lips moving, but all I could hear was the turbulent rhythm of my heavy heart. I clutched my fork tighter in my fist and disappeared, desperately figuring out how to turn...

“And the gold medal goes to…” My heart pounded as if it knew something I didn’t. My fingers gripped the sides of my desk, nails digging in. My teacher paused, her eyes scanning the room before landing on me. “Anna Kilasonia!”

For a split...