Please tell us more about your cultural background and identity in the space below (100 word limit). If you need more than 100 words, please use the Optional section on Part 2.

Being from Ohio, my parents raised me with three midwestern values: family, honesty, and modesty. While only my father is Jewish, I personally identify culturally and spiritually with the religion. I was Bar-Mitzvah’d at 13 and remain a member of our synagogue.

Paradoxically, half of my friends call me a jock, andthe other half call me a nerd. I love being deeply involved in both academics and athletics. I find that I have my “best friends” from academic activities and my “brothers” on the sports field.

We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do for the pleasure of it. (*)(100 words or fewer)

Baseball has been my passion ever since I can remember. I’m a pitcher, and the position suits my personality. When I’m “on the bump,” teammates, coaches, and even opponents have commented that my demeanor remains consistent regardless of the situation. While I prefer to challenge only myself in the classroom, I crave competition on the diamond. Pitching lets me lead by example. Despite having eight teammates asbackup, I enjoy holding myself responsible for stifling opponents’ offenses. Finally, pitching puts both my mind and body to work. By treating every at-bat like a mental puzzle, I gain a strategic advantage.

Although you may not yet know what you want to major in, which department or program at MIT appeals to you and why? (*) (100 words or fewer)

Right now, the chemical engineering department is the most appealing to me. In school, my favorite subjects and my strengths are math, chemistry, and physics. While chemical engineering stresses traditional principles, it also offers opportunities for interdisciplinary thought, such as Dr. Martin Bazant’s work with both electrokinetics and applied physics. Also, I view myself as a very practical person. To me, engineering isn’t just about calculations, but it’s a unique system of thought and problem solving. Using an MIT education, I want to apply knowledge to real life problems in order to find solutions.

What attribute of your personality are you most proud of, and how has it impacted your life so far? This could be your creativity, effective leadership, sense of humor, integrity, or anything else you'd like to tell us about. (*) (200-250 words)

I’m most proud of my curiosity. I always ask “why?” because I believe it’s never enough to simply memorize a formula. In my multivariable calculus class, I’m one of the few students who doesn’t groan at proofs. To me, the reason why something worksis fascinating, and I enjoy seeing the connections between topics.

Due to my curiosity, I’ve found a variety of activities ofwhich I’m passionate and deeply involved. Proofs in math are academically interesting for me, but I found a passion for helping others when I was in sixth grade. My science teacher asked students to bring in Halloween candy to send to American troops overseas. I was curious about my Snickers,so I decided to investigate it. It turned out the candy, along with other food, toiletries, and entertainment items, was hermetically packed into flat-rate postage boxes at an organization called Operation Buckeye. Slowly, one visit snowballed into a large commitment.

In seven years, we’ve sent 25,000 care packages. Personally, I’m proud of packing countless boxes, securing over $15,000 in grants and donated supplies, and organizing three 50/50 raffles at NHL games. Operation Buckeye is particularly meaningful to me because I sacrifice for my sports team, while the beneficiaries ofcare packages risk much more. Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of my work is receiving notes from troops who are grateful for items like clean pillowcases and toothbrushes (?). I find purpose in repaying soldiers who don’t know me, but whom still fight for my freedom. Because of ongoing commitments like mine with Operation Buckeye that started from a simple school project, I’m proud to know my curiosity will continue to propel me in new directions.

Describe the world you come from; for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town. How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations?(*) (200-250 words)

I come from Columbus, a test market,due to its averageness. My family, on the outside, appears to be non-interesting demographically with a dad, mom, boy, girl, and dog. Still, I would call usextraordinary. From my dad, I’ve learned the value of hard work. Because of my mom, I’ve learned to be caring and polite. My sister has taught me to be flexible, and my dog has taught me that sometimes it’s good to relax.

I’m a sports fanatic because of my grandpa. He played baseball for Ohio State and got me hooked on playing, watching, and living the game. We have a goal of visiting all thirty MLB stadiums together, and so far, we’ve seen 20! My own athletic experiences have taught me there’s no better feeling than a well-deserved victory.

My school provides me with great friends, supportive teachers, and incredible educational opportunities. Before Columbus Academy, however, I attended a less rigorous institution. Elementary school was boring for that reason, butI have been “In Quest of the Best,” like my school’s motto, since I came to Academy (in what grade?).

Being from a demographically average city drives me to aspire to be extraordinary. Because of my family’s values and school’s culture, I relish life’s tougher paths. Throughout my life, I’ve been fortunate to be well-off, so I always feel like it’s my duty to give backto my community. The world I came from has taught me to work hard, be grateful, and to strive to be the best I can be.

Tell us about the most significant challenge you've faced or something important that didn't go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?(*) (200-250 words)

As a junior on Student Council, I knew the biggest project my class undertook was prom, but I never imagined that I would end up chairing the committee. That was the President’s job, not mine. Girls always planned dances, so I figured we wouldn’t deviate from thatunwritten rule.

One month later, though, unexpected circumstances put me in charge. I decided 2013 would be the best prom yet, and not having preconceptions helped me navigate this difficult process. During the summer, I called 35 venues. As our deadline approached, our top choice was the Everal Barn in Westerville, Ohio. Unfortunately, by cityordinance, it closed at 10:00pm. Our advisor and the site manager thought that was the end, but I figured, why not write the mayor? It took many follow up phone calls, but we got permission to end the dance at 11pm. In the following seven months, we faced a minefield of challenges on a budget that was

two thirds of its usual size. I believe my enthusiastic willingness to do much of the work was critical to our success. The event not only delivered, but it set expectations for the future. In the words of a mentor of mine, I'd "organized the unorganizable."

Honestly, all of that is what I expected of myself. The question I kept asking while we were planning was:“how can this be better?" If the norm is that boys have the title, but girls do the work, then I’m proud to be an exception. I loved leading my coworkers and working towards a goal. My experiences planning last year’s prom remind me of the importance of Student Council, and I’m honored to have been elected (three?) times by the student body.

(Optional) No admission application can meet the needs of every individual. If you think additional information or material will give us a more thorough impression of you, please respond below.

I thrive on the intensity of competition and sports, yet I need breaks. So, I turn to music. I used to take piano lessons, but those ended in fifth grade when I began concert band. As abig kid, I naturally picked up the tuba. I enjoy playing, but going into every rehearsal, I know I’ll never be a professional musician. Nonetheless, I still fine-tune solos, play the trombone inbefore-school jazz band, and work as a band officer. Last year, I auditioned for and was selected to be the Ohio Band Director’s Honors Band First Chair Tuba. Explain more about WHAT the music does to you. How it helps you relax. How it makes you feel.

I am also currently in the process of setting up an internship with Ohio State’s Chemical Engineering Department. Tentatively, I’ll volunteer in a nanotechnology lab part-time beginning in January, and then switch to full-time work in May. I’m thrilled to work alongside professors and help with their cutting-edge research. Why do you want this

opportunity before college? What does it mean to you? What will it help you achieve?