
Blog posts on college admissions by Arjun Seth

Looking at small liberal arts and science schools
While doing research for my first article in HT Horizon (see below) I reached out a few students I had worked with in the past. Amar Sarkar (Grinnell '12), Anshu Singh (Clark U '13), Madhavika Bajoria (Bryn Mawr '13) and Tanay Warerkar (Sarah Lawrence College '12) responded to my queries. Thank you, this wouldn't have been possible with you!
Interview with Karan Nagpal, Oxford University
I went to a high school that had a large number of students. Therefore, being around thousands of people was a way of life. This is what lead me to apply to big universities in the US. However, after studying at St. Stephens in India where the community was rather close-knit, I feel that a smaller college works better. There’s always the trade-off between the prestige of a larger university and the close-knit community of a smaller college (luckily, St Stephen’s ticked both the boxes).
Talking about core curriculums. In Stephens we didn’t have an array of diverse subjects that we were required to study. We had our basic economics requirements and requirement for subjects, which were in some way related to what we were studying. However, I feel that the ‘liberal arts’ system and the strict core curriculum that follows it leads to a holistic development and I see no reason as to why it should be an annoyance.

The "Why This College" Essay
While the architecture of the college or the city it is located in should not figure as prime factors of your choices, your appreciation of them should represent how you see yourself fitting into the daily routine.

Follow your passions
College admissions officers read your resume, recommendations and essays to form an opinion on how you will contribute to the academic and residential life on campus. Be passionate and express yourself. Remember, deeper your interest in activities, the more impressive your profile will be.