A university is a community that is the sum of its parts. By far the most important part of such a community is its students and the individual qualities that they bring.

One of the most important qualities about me is that I am funny. I’m hilarious. And not the silly kind of funny. I appreciate unexpected irony and pithy humor. As a member of the BU community, I would make learning fun not only for myself, but for other students, as well. I am likable and that makes for a cooperative learning environment. Through my sharp wit (and occasional narcissism), I will be an asset to my school by befriending other students and putting them at ease in a sometimes-stressful college environment. Humor generates camaraderie, fosters trust, and encourages collaboration.

Another quality upon which I pride myself is my independence. I am fearless, yes, but also I am an independent thinker. I always explore things for myself and never blindly accept what is told to me. This attribute admittedly has been to my detriment on a number of occasions, but in general it is a strong personality trait and something of which I am incredibly proud. I am open-minded and genuinely curious and perfectly willing to upend established perspectives. At BU, I know I will be in an atmosphere where my independence will be encouraged, benefiting me—and the school.

Finally, I am intrepid. As important as it is to me to be both funny and independent, my intrepidness is perhaps my most prized quality. I am not afraid of new experiences, activities, peoples, cultures, or even ideas. The summer before my junior year, I went on a French immersion trip and lived with a family in France for a month. I was thrust into a completely unfamiliar setting, surrounded by strange customs and a new language, but I dived into it whole-heartedly and in turn had one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I have a sense of adventure second only to that of Indiana Jones and thrive when I am out of my safety zone. If I attend Boston University, I will bring this passion for new experiences and ideas. I will enthusiastically charge forth onto unfamiliar turf. It is often said that fear is the thief of dreams, but with a bold spirit such as I have, I will never let that happen. I plan to pursue my wildest dreams, including my aspiration of becoming a photographer for National Geographic.

Long after I have left BU, my intrepidness—along with my humor and independence—will help ensure success and reflect well on the university that nourished these qualities.