YYGA Application
Please reflect on a time when you changed your opinion about another person. What was your understanding of this person previously, what caused you to see them differently, and what did you learn from this? (300-400 words) Revised version: Improvement comes from struggle, but when you are in the middle of it, it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve always been drawn to water and the adrenaline rush from flipping, so diving naturally became a passion of mine. After taking a short break in the summer of 2024 to focus on other projects, I returned to the sport under a new coach, Coach Genesis.
Having been away from training for a few weeks, I felt behind my teammates, and Coach Genesis ensured I didn’t forget it. She refused to accept my break as an excuse, pushing me harder than any coach before her. During team workouts, she was always beside me, shouting for more precision, more speed, or more sets. I began to resent her intensity, convinced she played favorites and that I simply didn’t get the luck of the draw. Though I never voiced my frustration, I carried quiet resentment towards her for months.
That summer, I qualified for AAU Nationals in Riverside, California. It was my first year competing in the 16 to 18 age group. Qualifying was my only goal, but to my surprise, I earned medals in both the one-meter and three-meter events, placing eleventh among nearly fifty divers. Standing on the podium, the medals clinking around my neck, I felt pride, but also immense gratitude. Specifically, towards my coach. At that moment, I realized that what I had mistaken for harshness was actually dedication. Every correction, every demand for more, and every exhausting drill had been her way of showing belief in my potential and pushing me to reach it. Coach Genesis hadn’t been trying to break me down; she’d been building me up.
That realization changed how I see people, as well as how I perceive challenges. I learned that true mentorship doesn’t always feel comfortable, and that growth often disguises itself as struggle. Because of Coach Genesis, I now embrace discomfort, trust my mentors, and push beyond what I once believed were my limits.
*Original version: *
Improvement comes from struggle, but when you are in the middle of it, it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have always been attracted to water and the adrenaline rush from flipping, so diving automatically became a passion of mine. After a brief break during the summer of 2024 to focus on other projects, I returned to my beloved sport with a new coach, Coach Genesis.
I felt behind all my teammates as I hadn’t been training, and Coach Genesis made sure to highlight my struggles. She did not take my break as an excuse, pushing me harder than any coach I’d had before. I felt like a moving target during team workouts, with her always right next to me yelling to go faster, be more precise, or do an extra set. This selective seclusion made me resent her, thinking she chose favorites, and I did not have the luck of the draw. I carried this perspective with me wherever I went, and while I never openly complained, I internalized this dislike.
This summer I qualified for AUU Nationals in Riverside, California. It was my first year competing in a higher age group, 16-18, and my only goal had been to make it to nationals. With no expectations, I arrived only a day before competing. Yet, to my surprise, even though I did not perform to my best, I managed to secure a medal in both the three-meter and one-meter event, placing eleventh in both out of nearly fifty divers. In the span of less than one year, I went from not even attending nationals to getting to stand on the podium.
Feeling the clanking of my medals filled me with a sense of pride and, more importantly, gratitude. I realized that what I thought was malice, was actually Coach Genesis pushing me to my best. Even when I didn’t think I could improve more, she knew I could. Every time she corrected me, forced me to dive I never thought I could, and grind me to exhaustion, she was preparing me for success. This epiphany taught me to embrace a challenge, trust my mentors, and recognize that growth comes from discomfort. Coach Genesis made me not only see my own potential but to rise to it.
If you could spend a day shadowing one person (for example, as many people do as part of an internship) to learn more about them and their job, who would it be and why? Please note that this does need to be a current, real person (not a historical figure nor a fictional character). (280 characters)
Revised version:
Melanie Perkins, CEO and co-founder of Canva, revolutionized design by making it accessible to everyone. From year book start up to building a global tech company, her resilience and vision inspire me. I’d love to shadow her to learn from her entrepreneurial mindset.
Original version:
I would shadow Melanie Perkins for a day. As a woman interested in pursuing business, her story inspires me; from a yearbook startup into Canva, changing with societies needs, even during failure persevering, and how she found a problem and created an innovative solution.
What is your favorite word, and why? Please note that this does need to be one word (not two words or more), and it can be in any language, though if in a foreign language then you need to do your best to translate or explain it as part of your response. (280 Characters)
Epiphany may mean a divine revelation to some, but as a Swiftie, Taylor Swift’s song “Epiphany” characterizes it as a moment of sudden realization. It reminds me to recognize others’ perspectives, see their struggles, seek clarity, and bring compassion into the world.
We want to learn more about your background, beliefs, values, and/or the important people in your life. Please tell us about something that has influenced you and articulate how it has shaped you. (150-200 words)
Revised:
Despite a fourteen-year age gap, my older sister Cyndi has been one of my greatest influences. Seeing her become the first Chinese Club president at our high school, and build a legacy through sponsorships and community engagement, her journey has taught me that action is the best catalyst for impact. Inspired by her example, I sought to create my own form of impact. In 2024, I co-founded G2, an organization under the Chinese American Network, to make tutoring more accessible for all students. From building a website to crafting the curriculum to teaching students, I learned that leadership isn’t just about delegation of responsibilities. It’s about collaboration, empathy, and community-building. We encountered numerous challenges, such as marketing and outreach, but I remembered a crucial lesson that Cyndi taught me, which is that success isn’t built overnight. We have now successfully enrolled 35+ students in our first year of launch. My sister’s achievements didn’t just lead me toward business or education; it shaped my conviction that true impact arises when you take initiative, turn ideas into action, and persevere.
*Original version: *
Unlike most, I have a fourteen-year age gap with my sister, Cyndi. Yet, this unique dynamic has shaped me for the better. Seeing her be the first Chinese club president at our school, building a legacy by acquiring sponsors instilled a core value in me: impact comes from action. Through her journey, I paved my own path, learning how to communicate, make connections, and bring people together. I co-founded the G2 organization under the nonprofit, Chinese American Network, with the goal of improving accessibility to education. To achieve this, we developed low-cost courses over a broad scope of subjects and advertised them on common platforms. From building a website, social media platforms, making classes, marketing them, and teaching, I learned what true leadership was. It was never about giving orders, it’s about finding ways to collaboratively solve problems and create a community. My sister didn’t just point me toward business and education; she shaped my belief that to make an impact you must take initiative through passion and entrepreneurial action.
Revised:
Growing up, my parents instilled in me the importance of education above all else. They never hesitated to provide the educational resources that I needed, such as expensive textbooks or tutoring services. Recognizing that this is a privilege many students lack access to, I felt driven to create change. With my co-founder, Heather, I launched a nonprofit that connects students to affordable tutoring through an online platform. Building this initiative has not only deepened my understanding of business and leadership but also strengthened my commitment to making education accessible for all.
*Original: *
I have always grown up prioritizing my education first, as it is the foundation for success and a fundamental right. Seeing kids my age not being allowed the same opportunities I have, due to being in a lower economic sector, drove me to make this organization with my friend, Heather Wang. Through G2, we have been able to create a platform to connect students with learning opportunities, utilizing social media and a website to make knowledge accessible. This has allowed me to expand my business knowledge while reaffirming my commitment to ensuring learning is available to everyone.
Please explain why you chose the session(s) above, including your reasoning for how you ranked each session. (100 Words)
*Revised: *
I ranked PLE first because I intend to pursue business in undergrad, and building a strong foundation in economics will be essential. As I have limited prior experience in this area, I see PLE as both a challenge and an opportunity to develop skills. I ranked SGC second because it builds on my strengths in teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving. Finally, I ranked IST third as I’m more focused on honing the skillsets from PLE and SGC, and expect to gain similar exposure through other curriculum such as AP Computer Science, but believe it would still be a valuable experience.
Original:
I want to pursue a business track in the future, meaning economics and teamwork are crucial skills for me to possess. Out of those two, economics is where I struggle more, as I have little to no previous experience, while I work well in a team and have had a lot of experience with teamwork. I ranked my preferences based on how I thought they could aid me in my future and the goals I have set for myself.
SHORT ANSWER: We know students have many options for academic enrichment programs to which to apply. Please explain why you chose to apply for YYGS specifically AND why you would be a great fit for the program. What will you contribute to YYGS, and what do you hope to take away from YYGS and bring back to impact your community? (100 words)
Revised:
I chose YYGS for its global community, emphasis on real-world problem-solving, and the Capstone Project. The diversity of students from over 150 countries offers a unique opportunity for meaningful cross-cultural exchange, which I deeply value. I enjoy connecting ideas across disciplines to create practical, innovative solutions and am eager to refine this skill through YYGS. With my background in AP Seminar and passion for collaborative research, I will contribute by leading discussions and enhancing group projects. I hope to apply YYGS’s spirit of global collaboration to launch an international tutoring initiative in my community.
Original:
I chose YYGS for its global community, real-world problem solving, and the Capstone Project. The applicant diversity from 150 countries allows valuable cross-cultural connections, which I deeply value. I thrive in connecting ideas across fields to apply creative and practical solutions, and I'm eager to learn more about the problem-solving process. My passion for collaborative research and foundation from AP Seminar allows me to contribute by driving group discussions and elevating peer research during the Capstone Project. I hope to take away global collaboration knowledge to help launch an international tutoring service, bringing diverse perspectives to my community.
Please explain your responses above, including both your availability across all three session dates as well as your first choice session dates. (100 Words)
Revised:
My availability for the YYGA sessions is shaped by my diving schedule this summer. My goal for the season is to qualify for and compete at USA Nationals. USA Zones, the qualifying event, will take place May 9–14, and AAU Nationals is on July 29–August 8. Because of these competitions, I’m unavailable for Session Three. Session One is my first choice, as it allows me to fully participate in YYGA while leaving time afterward to prepare for Nationals. I’m also available for Session Two if needed, but Session One best fits my goals and commitments.
*Original: *
I have diving nationals happen over the summer. My goal this year is to go to USA Zones for a chance at USA Nationals, which is held May 9-14. I also have AAU Nationals, which take place from July 29 to August 8. This means I am unable to attend session three, and session one is most ideal, as I would have more time after to train for nationals.