While her supplement was cerebral, Allie’s personal statement was visceral. She wrote about delivering a speech on menstrual stigma in a male-dominated speech and debate circuit. Judges laughed. One asked how she’d handle “squeamish middle-aged dads like myself.”

By season’s end, her confidence grew. So did her impact. Top schools increasingly see themselves as vehicles for social progress. They want students who don’t just achieve individually, but who challenge cultural norms, uplift underrepresented voices, and engage in meaningful advocacy. When Allie chose to write about menstrual stigma—a topic many applicants would shy away from—she demonstrated both courage and alignment with those values. Her essay signals: I’m not just here to learn—I’m here to push the conversation forward. Colleges are looking for students who will speak up in class, start conversations others are afraid to start, and help create more inclusive campus communities. A young woman choosing to tackle a taboo subject in a male-dominated public forum shows exactly that. Admissions teams work hard to build a student body that reflects a range of perspectives. Topics like female empowerment help humanize and amplify voices that are still underrepresented in certain fields (STEM, politics, journalism). Allie’s ability to articulate this experience—and influence others in the process—makes her a valuable presence in any classroom.

For more on this: Q: What did you write your essays about? A: My Common App personal statement was about a speech I gave on menstrual stigma in the U.S.—and how hard it was to perform that speech in front of male-dominated audiences. Judges laughed. One told me to consider “squeamish middle-aged dads.” It pushed me far out of my comfort zone. But over time, I grew more confident, and the speech started to resonate. I didn’t just change—I got others to reconsider what they believed. That essay responded to the prompt about challenging a belief or idea, and it was one of the most personal, uncomfortable, and meaningful things I’ve written. My Hopkins supplement was about my journalism column exploring AI’s role in misinformation and politics. It wasn’t just about writing—it was about research, learning something new, and informing others even while I was still figuring it out myself.

Most people think Hopkins is just for pre-meds, and that’s what I thought too. But after visiting, I realized it’s about intellectual curiosity in any form. I met a political science major who told me there are more humanities students than I’d expect. Hopkins wants people who challenge assumptions—about the school and about themselves. It’s a place for people who ask unexpected questions and don’t box themselves into categories. I think they saw my essay and thought, here’s someone who can bridge the gap between tech and the humanities, who isn’t just learning to land a job, but to understand the world. Allie realized Hopkins wasn’t just training scientists. It was building a community of thinkers who defy assumptions. And in that regard, she was a perfect match.

At a time when it feels like you need to be a nonprofit founder to get into college, Allie’s honesty was refreshing. She didn’t try to oversell her résumé. She leaned on thoughtfulness.

Her Hopkins supplement dove into a column she launched about AI and journalism. Inspired by Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun and fueled by her fascination with misinformation, Allie explored topics like AI’s role in elections—well before many adults understood its implications.

Vulnerability made her writing stronger. She wasn’t writing to prove expertise. She was writing to learn—and bring others along for the ride.

More than just journalism, she displayed leadership through curiosity.

Hopkins doesn’t just want students with perfect résumés. It wants thinkers who connect across disciplines and communities. Allie’s application didn’t scream accolades—but it quietly demonstrated integration. She linked literature to technology, stigma to speech, and resilience to identity. At Hopkins, she plans to keep exploring AI, not just through classes but through storytelling. “It’s a field I could see myself going into,” she said. “Especially now that I understand how English fits into it.”

Intellectual Integration – Allie used writing as a bridge, not a silo. Whether through opinion columns or personal essays, she connected disparate fields in ways that felt natural and new. Bold Vulnerability – Talking about menstruation in public spaces—especially male-dominated ones—wasn’t easy. But Allie didn’t back down. She led with discomfort, which gave her essay unforgettable depth. Resilience Without the Ribbon – She didn’t have perfect numbers or dramatic accomplishments. But she stayed honest, stayed nimble, and kept showing up. That consistency is what ultimately got her in.

What advice would you give high school students applying to college?

Allie’s journey wasn’t linear. It wasn’t locked in from the start. But through her writing, her risk-taking, and her quiet determination, she found the place that made her feel—finally—at home.