I was fascinated. What made zero different from any other number? Why was it special? I spent the night after my first day of Calculus researching horizontal asymptotes and derivatives. I found myself exploring unfamiliar numerical concepts far more advanced than anything I was learning in class. Videos of mathematicians explaining sine graphs and parabolic curves filled my YouTube feed. When I did not understand how to integrate the natural log of e, I searched for more explanations to satisfy my curiosity. As I grew older, I developed an insatiable desire to problem-solve and apply mathematics to many of my academics and hobbies. While some kids would question the relevance of learning the intricacies of math, I would imagine its endless uses in my everyday life. In high school, calculus has proven to be the basis of most of my STEM classes like AP Physics C, AP Calculus BC, and AP Computer Science A. When I need to calculate the time it takes for an object to reach the ground after being dropped from a 10 foot tall building, we always look to calculus to account for air drag. As a physics student, I have used calculus in every unit, from using Gauss’ Law to find the strength of an electric field to solving for the terminal velocity of a bullet. Calculus is interdisciplinary and is essential to the STEM field because it acts as the basis of physics, chemistry, engineering, and more. By taking mathematics research, I have been able to apply calculus to various subjects from finance to music. As a musician, I was fascinated by the ways mathematics can be used to better understand music. When I play my bassoon, I consider the endless ways math transforms dots and lines written on paper into beautiful music. Every difficult passage I come across can be divided into patterns guided by the beat. Crucial to an ensemble’s sound is its tone and intonation based on 1/f noise. As I blow air through my bassoon, sound waves fill the air, and I tune to a perfect “A.” The frequency of each pitch must line up to create a harmony pleasing to the human ear. I aim for every F sharp to sound identical to the last, knowing that the note can morph to E if my embrasure changes in the slightest. The proportional relationships between overtones are the basis of music. Hitting a perfect interval of a third creates a pleasant sound, while a seventh may strike a chord to the listener. Mathematics helps me create raw and emotional music, making me fall in love with my bassoon whenever I pick it up. When I envision the world through calculus, I can better comprehend and appreciate the complexities of life. Although we may not need to calculate a derivative or use trigonometry every day, math is the foundation that allows us to understand the world. I analyze the numbers and operations in many of the endeavors I pursue. Each of math’s applications has its beauties and quirks but still maintains its axioms that supplement my understanding of the world. The possibilities of math are endless as long as we have the creativity and willingness to look at life from the “right” angle.

I was fascinated. What made zero different from any other number? Why was it special? I spent the night after my first day of Algebra researching why anything divided by zero is undefined. I found myself exploring unfamiliar numerical concepts far more advanced than anything I was learning in class. Videos of mathematicians explaining sine graphs and parabolic curves filled my YouTube feed. When I did not understand why the natural log of e was 1, I searched for more explanations to satisfy my curiosity. As I grew older, I developed an insatiable desire to problem-solve and apply mathematics to many of my academics and hobbies. While some kids would question the relevance of learning the intricacies of math, I would imagine its endless uses in my everyday life. In high school, I applied my love of math by taking courses in Engineering and Computer Science. I sought programs outside of school to supplement my learning, leading me to work with like-minded students to create an eco-friendly aquarium. As we modeled a prototype, I envisioned numbers and equations swimming through every tank. We calculated the size of the building to better estimate the maximum capacity of sea life. We coded to budget our project. We measured angles and dimensions to design an aesthetically pleasing look while maintaining structural integrity. Without math, we would not have been able to get past the first phase of our project. Using mathematics as the basis of engineering made me wonder where else it could be applied, leading me to recognize the relationship between math and music. When I play my bassoon, I consider the endless ways math transforms dots and lines written on paper into beautiful music. Every difficult passage I come across can be divided into patterns guided by the beat. Crucial to an ensemble’s sound is its tone and intonation based on 1/f noise. As I blow air through my bassoon, sound waves fill the air, and I tune to a perfect “A.” The frequency of each pitch must line up to create a harmony pleasing to the human ear. I aim for every F sharp to sound identical to the last, knowing that the note can morph to E if my embrasure changes in the slightest. The proportional relationships between overtones are the basis of music. Hitting a perfect interval of a third creates a pleasant sound, while a seventh may strike a chord to the listener. Mathematics helps me create raw and emotional music, making me fall in love with my bassoon whenever I pick it up. When I envision the world through numbers and patterns, I can better comprehend and appreciate the complexities of life. Although we may not need to calculate a derivative or use trigonometry every day, math is the foundation that allows us to understand the world. I analyze the numbers and operations in many of the endeavors I pursue. Each of math’s applications has its beauties and quirks but still maintains its axioms that supplement my understanding of the world. The possibilities of math are endless as long as we have the creativity and willingness to look at life from the “right” angle

I was fascinated. What made zero different from any other number? Why was it special? I spent the night after my first day of Algebra researching why anything divided by zero is undefined. I found myself exploring unfamiliar numerical concepts far more advanced than anything I was learning in class. Videos of mathematicians explaining sine graphs and parabolic curves filled my YouTube feed. When I did not understand why the natural log of e was 1, I searched for more explanations to satisfy my curiosity. As I grew older, I developed an insatiable desire to problem-solve and apply mathematics to many of my academics and hobbies. While some kids would question the relevance of learning the intricacies of math, I would imagine its endless uses in my everyday life. I want to use math to change the world. As I have observed the uses of mathematics in engineering, architecture, biometry, and computer science, I feel more inspired to implement mathematics into all aspects of my life and use numbers to benefit humanity. As a math research student of four years, I have been able to apply mathematics to interdisciplinary subjects like music, biology, data analytics, and virtual reality. I have learned how mathematics is used to better society, by allowing us to understand data and change the world. In the future, I would love to use mathematics and biomedical engineering to create a technology that could prevent people from getting skin cancer. When I was eight years old, I lost my mother to melanoma. She endured a long fight against cancer, but unfortunately, lost her battle. Watching this unfold was extremely challenging as a young girl, and I would love to use ideas of biomedical engineering and biostatistics to hopefully help others alleviate this struggle. I would like to make an app that can help people through a skin care journey and ensure that people are practicing safe skin care. I would like this app to use biometric technology to analyze skin tags, moles, and other potential evidence of melanoma. This can ensure that people are safe before it gets too late. The app can also include a timer that will remind users to reapply sunscreen when they are out in the sun. It can be more catered based on location and relative UV exposure to make sure that everyone is safe. This technology will positively impact the world by ensuring the safety of individuals and hopefully aiding in the prevention of melanoma. I would love to see a world where we could prevent skin cancer, and ideally, no one would lose their life from skin cancer. I look to my mom as an inspiration and a warrior: her resilience inspires me to use my love for mathematics to benefit the world.

"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it" - Maya Angelou. I hope to be successful as defined by Angelou: someone who is content and confident in themselves, as that will pave the way to how you treat and respect those around you. As I leave high school to enter college, I envision myself growing as a person with an enriching education and new environment. I plan to major in the STEM-field and receive a STEM degree, most likely in mathematics or computer science. I would love to study for a masters degree following my undergraduate degree. I hope to work in the STEM-field in Manhattan, as this is close to where I grew up and place where I will experience the arts, culture, and diversity. I hope to achieve success by attending a good university and putting in diligence. Hard work is what makes the most of people, and through my high school experience, I have learned that putting in effort makes me the most successful. I will also want to challenge myself to create the best version of myself, one that I will like and appreciate the most.

3. Provide your favorite example of the perfect match between STEM and Art that exists today and why you believe it to be so. Math has intrigued me ever since my middle school math teacher told us we could not divide by zero. I was fascinated. What made zero different from any other number? Why was it special? I spent the night researching why anything divided by zero is undefined, falling into a rabbithole of mathematical concepts far more advanced than anything I was learning in class. Videos discussing sine graphs and parabolic curves filled my Youtube feed, and when I did not understand why the natural log of e was 1, I searched for more explanations to satisfy my curiosity. As I grew older, I developed an insatiable desire to problem solve and apply mathematics to all of my academics and hobbies. While some kids would question the purpose of the quadratic formula, I would imagine the endless possibilities of math in my everyday life. Math has has helped me to progress as a musician all throughout high school. When I play Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto, I think about the endless ways math is necessary to transform dots and lines written on paper into beautiful music. Most songs are a series of fractals within each note that are incomprehensible to the human ear. Whether a piece is marked adagio or andante, the beat acts as a guide to create unique melodies full of fractals, repetition, and shifts. The metronome helps me divide each note into fractions of the beat so I can accurately play every rhythm. Crucial to an ensemble’s sound is its tone and intonation dependent on 1/f noise. When I blow air through my bassoon, sound waves are sent through the air and I tune to a perfect “A.” The frequency of each individual pitch must line up to create a harmony pleasing to the human ear. I aim for every F# to sound identical to the last, knowing that the note can morph to E if my embrasure changes in the slightest. The proportional relationships between overtones are the basis of music. Hitting a perfect interval of a third creates a pleasant sound, while a seventh may strike a chord to the listener. Beethoven and Haydn both used 3:2 and 2:1 ratios to create perfect harmonies, as well as relationships like 6:5 that sound dissonant. Math is an essential component to all aspects of music. When I envision the world through numbers and patterns, I can comprehend and appreciate the complexities of life. Although we may not need to calculate a derivative or use trigonometry every day, math is the foundation that allows us to understand the world. I analyze the numbers and operations in every endeavour I pursue. Although I understand more about math now than I did in middle school, I am still exploring and learning about the complexities of math. Each of math’s applications has its own beauties and quirks, but still maintains its axioms that carry across numerous subjects necessary to understanding the world. The possibilities of math are endless as long as we have the creativity and willingness to look at life from the “right” angle. (Required) Tell us a little about who you are and why you wish to pursue a college education? I am both an analytical mind and creative spirit, with a desire to change world. Growing up near Manhattan, the hub of all things art and theatre, I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the city life with my family. Broadway and music always had a huge impact on my life, allowing me to see the world in a different light, and find a place where I belonged. I grew up singing and playing the bassoon, two of my favorite hobbies. In addition to music, I also love writing. I am a writer for my school newspaper and a blog called Voices of GenZ, where I can use my voice to spread important messages about issues in our world. STEM is where my passion lies and I would love to make a difference in the world with a STEM degree. A college education will give me the opportunities to get a degree and help others. As an intended math major, I want to help break the stigma in the STEM-field, and at college, I hope to continue this mission. I always noticed the gender gaps in STEM as I took courses like engineering and AP Computer Science A in high school. Being one in four girls in a classroom was quite disheartening, as I wished more girls felt welcomed to pursue a STEM education. I founded Women of Tomorrow, an initiative dedicated to breaking the barriers in for underrepresented women and minorities in STEM. Attending a university is a great way to spread this message while receiving a worthwhile education. When I grow up, I would like to work in the field of mathematics as an actuary, and a college education will set me up for this.

Math has intrigued me ever since my middle school math teacher told us we could not divide by zero. I was fascinated. What made zero different from any other number? Why was it special? I spent the night researching why anything divided by zero is undefined, falling into a rabbithole of mathematical concepts far more advanced than anything I was learning in class. Videos discussing sine graphs and parabolic curves filled my Youtube feed, and when I did not understand why the natural log of e was 1, I searched for more explanations to satisfy my curiosity. As I grew older, I developed an insatiable desire to problem solve and apply mathematics to all of my academics and hobbies. While some kids would question the purpose of the quadratic formula, I would imagine the endless possibilities of math in my everyday life. I started to apply my love for math by engaging in courses like engineering and computer science. I sought programs outside of school to supplement my learning, leading me to work with students to create an eco-friendly aquarium by repurposing an old landfill. As we worked on modeling a prototype, I noticed numbers and equations swimming through every tank. By calculating the size of the building, we could better estimate the maximum capacity of sea life. We coded to budget our project. We measured angles and dimensions to preserve an aesthetically pleasing look while maintaining structural integrity. Without the application of math, we would not have been able to get past phase one of our project as it is the basis of engineering the modern world. Math has also helped me to progress as a musician. When I play my bassoon, I think about the endless ways math is necessary to transform dots and lines written on paper into beautiful music. Most songs are a series of fractals within each note that are incomprehensible to the human ear. Whether a piece is marked adagio or andante, the beat acts as a guide to create unique melodies full of fractals, repetition, and shifts. The metronome helps me divide each note into fractions of the beat so I can accurately play every rhythm. Crucial to an ensemble’s sound is its tone and intonation dependent on 1/f noise. When I blow air through my bassoon, sound waves are sent through the air and I tune to a perfect “A.” The frequency of each individual pitch must line up to create a harmony pleasing to the human ear. I aim for every F# to sound identical to the last, knowing that the note can morph to E if my embrasure changes in the slightest. The proportional relationships between overtones are the basis of music. Hitting a perfect interval of a third creates a pleasant sound, while a seventh may strike a chord to the listener. Beethoven and Haydn both used 3:2 and 2:1 ratios to create perfect harmonies, as well as relationships like 6:5 that sound dissonant. Math is an essential component to all aspects of music. When I envision the world through numbers and patterns, I can comprehend and appreciate the complexities of life. Although we may not need to calculate a derivative every day, math is the foundation that allows us to understand the world. Each of math’s applications has its own beauties and quirks, but still maintains its axioms that carry across numerous subjects necessary to understanding the world. The possibilities of math are endless as long as we have the creativity and willingness to look at life from the “right” angle.