50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays



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50 Essays to Ivy League Schools

97
10
hEritaGE and  
idEntit y
“Heritage”
Anonymous
Yale University
“hErITAGE” IS ThE FIrST word IN 
my family dictionary, a noun 
and adverb, for who we are and how we live. My parents taught me that 
my heritage defines my identity. Through honorific speech towards my 
elders and adherence to traditional values, I accepted Korean customs 
as part of the duality that defines my life in America.
Yet, a turbulent disunity stormed under that surface of peaceful co-
existence. Though I outwardly represented the model Korean-American 
son, I loathed fitting this stereotypical mold. My shell was so well-con-
structed, however, that others mistook me for a successful immigrant. I 
felt as if I were ripped from the very fabric of my American birthplace, 
and plunged into a vacuum between my ancestral home and the world 
I lived in. I felt that my heritage was a short anchor against the relent-
lessly rising tide: I had to break free—or go under.


50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays
98
While struggling with this chain, however, I came to appreciate what 
my heritage offered. As a martial arts instructor, I supported students in 
building discipline and character. As a bilingual tutor, I helped immi-
grant children adapt to life in America. Soon, I realized that my heritage 
was an instrument for harmonizing personal development with service 
to others.
When I was selected to serve in the HOBY World Leadership 
Congress, my family’s financial circumstances did not cover the $1,350 
required fee. By infusing my American entrepreneurial energy with 
Asian medicine, I covered the cost by selling herbal products at my 
martial arts studio. Though the novelty of my venture brought me to the 
verge of bankruptcy, I persisted. By researching products, competitors 
and clientele, I streamlined my inventory to best serve my customers.
Eventually, I created a business aimed at offering others a healthy 
lifestyle. Sweaty students gulped green tea and chocolate-flavored 
snacks, dropping dollars for the cause that lay within my cardboard 
cashbox. Supported by outside donations, I became greater L.A.’s am-
bassador in Washington D.C. Infused with new inspiration, I returned 
with a project grant to spread the martial arts lifestyle of discipline, 
confidence, and respect.
As my heritage anchored itself to the bedrock of my battles, I in-
tegrated Korean tradition with my American identity. Fusing service 
with civic duty, I entered the L.A. County Sheriff’s Explorer Academy. 
Through the grueling training, I learned to work as part of a team. 
Appointed as Drill Instructor a year later, I took command of training 
the older recruits. Through a relationship of mutual respect, I prepared 
my platoon to dutifully serve the community. Leading this racially 
mixed group, I empathized beyond the duality of my own identity. I 
soon discovered that my heritage must transcend my personal struggles 
to truly embrace diversity.
Heritage is not a mere ethnic label—it is the honor and humanity 
that I am inspired to uphold. Today, I am grateful to my parents for 
endowing me with a spirit of dedication and determination. They be-
stowed a philosophy that speaks through my actions. This inheritance 
forms the base of my integrity as an individual, and defines my dedica-
tion to strengthening the society that I live in.


Chapter 10: Heritage and Identity
99
AnAlysis
What makes the writer’s essay interesting is that he writes about 
the conflict between his ethnic heritage and his American life. We 
immediately sense that it is not an easy amalgamation between his 
Korean and American identities. It might have enhanced his introduc-
tion to have provided a specific example of how these two identities 
clashed. However, his description of this conflict is very powerful and 
visual, and as the reader, we can tell detect the authenticity of his 
internal struggle. He writes, “I felt that my heritage was a short anchor 
against the relentlessly rising tide: I had to break free—or go under.”
The writer aptly shows the connection between his achievements 
and his appreciation for his heritage. When he describes his efforts 
to raise funds to attend the HOBY World Leadership Congress, he 
demonstrates ingenuity as a creative entrepreneur. The admissions 
officers must have admired his self-initiated fundraising efforts and 
his development of a new market. His experience shows his innova-
tion, persistence and ability to adapt his product line to his customers’ 
needs.
In his example of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Explorer Academy, 
he again addresses his heritage when leading an ethnically diverse 
group of students. While you may write an essay about a project that 
you worked on as a team or an experience that you had as a team 
member, it’s always helpful to highlight your individual contribution. In 
the writer’s case, he reveals his full responsibility for selling the Asian 
medicine and explains his role as a leader of his platoon. You may not 
be the sole leader of the group, but writing about your personal input 
makes a more powerful statement than presenting the contributions of 
the group as a whole.
Throughout his essay, the writer makes connections that are not 
obvious. At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be much that ties to-
gether attending a student leadership conference or volunteering with 
the sheriff’s department and ethnic identity. But the writer is able to 
form links among these topics that result in a single cohesive essay. 
His writing is engaging because, as readers, we can tell that he tru-
ly cares about his topic matter and he shares specific examples of 
what he has accomplished. But perhaps most importantly, he takes 
us inside his mind so that at least for a brief time we understand his 
thoughts, emotions, and reasoning. This is something that admissions 
officers always desire—to learn something new about the applicant 
and to understand his or her way of thinking.


50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays

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