Yale (1)

Academic Interests
1.Students at Yale have time to explore their academic interests before

committing to one or more major fields of study. Many students either modify
their original academic direction or change their minds entirely. As of this
moment, what academic areas seem to fit your interests or goals most
comfortably? Why do these academic areas appeal to you? (200 words of fewer)
What are you planning to study at Yale? How did you develop these interests?
Why do you like these fields?
At Yale I want to join the Autism Center of Excellence, to learn and understand
more of early neurodevelopment of children affected by autism. I also want to
participate in Chawarska Lab’s Yale Social and Affective Neuroscience of Autism
Program. Moreover, I want to use the Art Therapy Program provided by Yale as
one of the treatment for autism. I also want to create a Campus Resource Guide
for Students with Autism. I have been interested in these areas since I started
learning about autism. I wanted to understand how people understand, process
and respond to the world. I am interested in exploring the area to understand
the causes of autism, how it affects the brain, and how individuals living with it
perceive the world. My interest in neuroscience also grew due to my curiosity
about how people with cognitive disorders can understand some things like art,
even though they cannot understand the world like everybody else. I like these
fields for they keep me out there, exposing me to more learning opportunities.
2.What are your reasons for applying to the Yale Transfer Program? (100 words
or fewer)
Much shorter version of why you are transferring. No need to include the
paragraphs on why you chose UF. Just get to why you are transferring now.
I am transferring because my experience at UF revealed a major

misalignment between the campus atmosphere and my academic and social
expectations. UF's focus on athletics overshadowed my preference for a
research-centric lifestyle, hindering my social and academic expectations. In
contrast, Yale is the epitome of transformative academic and social
opportunities. Yale symbolizes a profound shift in the educational paradigm,
aligning impeccably with my aspirations to foster a scholarly environment
supporting academic interests and personal growth.
3.Tell us about a time when you made a positive impact on others. (100 words
or fewer)
Autism Club - Much shorter version
At UF, I started an autism club to help people in and outside UF community

living with autism learn to express themselves through art. I created a friendly
learning environment where I encouraged them to express themselves through
art. Besides, they learned some skills, helpful in their lives. It helped a lot
because they gradually became independent; they learned to express their
emotions, and communicate with others through art, which was the club’s
ultimate goal. Members can now communicate beyond limits, which has helped
boost their self-confidence.
4.Describe a disappointment you have experienced. What was your response?

(100 words or fewer)
Talk about being admitted to the 2+2 program and finding out that it was going
to be virtual so attending UF instead.
In 2022, after completing my studies at United World College Changshu, I

enrolled in the University of Hong Kong for a double degree psychology
program. This program entailed spending two years in Hong Kong and the
subsequent two years at the University of California, Berkeley. However, an
unexpected shift to remote digital instruction prompted me to seek an in-person
university experience. I did not expect the shift to virtual learning, and although
it was frustrating, I quickly thought of another solution, and decided to join UF.
5.Outside of your family, who has been your strongest advocate? Why has this
relationship and connection been important to you? (100 words or fewer)
My strongest advocate besides my family is my best friend. She is supportive

and helps me achieve my academic and personal goals, while also reminding
me the importance of having free time from studies. The relationship is
important to me because it helps me balance between studies and personal life,
helping my mental wellness.
6.Please reflect on how your past experiences have transformed or

strengthened your personal values, opinions, or goals. (Maximum 400 words or
2800 characters)
Amanda essay from Princeton
When I was in high school, I met a ten-year-old girl, Amanda, whose family had
moved into our neighborhood. The family soon became family friends, which is
when I noticed the little girl. After a few visits to my house, I noticed that she
was different and befriended her, but we could not communicate. After
struggling to connect with the girl via conversation and questions, I discovered
not only the power of non-verbal communication but also the unique talents
autistic individuals possess. Because I engaged her in an art activity, her
extraordinary ability to express herself through drawing or art was revealed.
This significantly challenged the preconceived notions I had about people living
with autism. Witnessing her articulate communication through art transformed
my perspective significantly. This experience made me realize the incredible
power or impact that art can have in enhancing communication between
neurodiverse and neurotypical people.
Amanda helped me learn that everyone is uniquely abled, and they all deserve a
chance.
This life experience has shaped me into a patient and tolerant person. It has
helped me understand that people have different abilities that should be
nurtured, instead of stereotyping them. it has also taught me the importance of
listening and welcoming diverse perspectives. I am more motivated to hear
what others have to say instead of assuming that my perspective is right and
others are wrong. This trait goes hand in hand with adaptability. Being able to
accept people as they are and helping them realize their abilities and work
towards their full potential helps me coexist with different people peacefully and
happily. It also helps me make friends more easily and see the best in them
even when someone else cannot. In this sense, I am confident to say that I am
open-minded, and possess good interpersonal skills that will help me have
meaningful conversations and also educate other students at Princeton on the
positives of being accommodating to everyone regardless of their disabilities. I
understand that I can help them learn to accept and be patient with autistic
people, but other factors like cultural intolerance and ethnocentrism can hinder
the achievement of an inclusive society. Thus, as a leader, I am motivated to
foster a welcoming learning environment for everyone.
7. In this second essay, please discuss your intellectual interests. Are there
topics that you would like to deeply explore during your undergraduate years?
Please reflect upon what you hope to gain from a liberal arts and sciences
education. (Maximum 400 words or 2800 characters)
P1 - Within your major, what are the topics that are most interesting?
Incorporate working memory essay
P2 - What do you hope to gain from a liberal arts education - - see Brown essay
on Open Curriculum and substitute liberal arts for Open Curriculum - - emphasis
on exploration, interdisciplinary connections, collaboration etc
I find the concept of working memory in cognitive psychology fascinating

because it explains diverse aspects of cognition. The theory was developed by
Graham Hitch and Alan Baddeley and refers to the system in the human brain
that temporarily stores and manipulates information an individual needs for
cognitive pieces of work. I find this topic interesting because it explains how
cognitive processes such as learning, language comprehension, problem-
solving, and decision-making, happen. In other words, the working memory
functions as its name suggests, but can also engage in different tasks one after
another, without needing breaks in between. Therefore, it is an important
mental workspace that allows us to access information when needed. The topic
helps us to better understand how people process information in real-time and
how it helps them through complex cognitive tasks. It also helps us understand
how problems in an individual's working memory relate to conditions like
autism.
I am thrilled about Yale's Open Curriculum because it gives me the freedom to

explore various subjects while focusing on Cognitive Science, which aligns
perfectly with my interest in understanding intellectual processes. I can explore
the field of psychology beyond limits because I can engage with different
psychology programs like cognitive and clinical psychology. This
interdisciplinary learning will provide me with connections that will help me in
future when I venture in the job-seeking field. It means I can dive into different
courses while concentrating on my major. This is also a good opportunity to
explore more through collaborating with students from other programs that
share similarities with my interests. This flexibility is exciting as it allows me to
broaden my knowledge in various areas.

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Academic Interests

1.Students at Yale have time to explore their academic interests before

I am transferring because my experience at UF revealed a major

At UF, I started an autism club to help people in and outside UF community

4.Describe a disappointment you have experienced. What was your response?

In 2022, after completing my studies at United World College Changshu, I

My strongest advocate besides my family is my best friend. She is supportive

6.Please reflect on how your past experiences have transformed or

Amanda essay from Princeton

I find the concept of working memory in cognitive psychology fascinating

I am thrilled about Yale's Open Curriculum because it gives me the freedom to

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