<p>I am an international student from Hong Kong. The thing that I am most proud of, and likely most worthy of, is a medal from the International Mathematical Olympiad. However, I am not sure how to make balance between being multi-dimensional and expressing my passion + hard work for sciences. In particular, I am not sure what topic to write on for the "significant challenge" essay.</p>
<p>I am writing renovation of my own room for "creativity" and a little bit about the IMO training in the "my world" essay. I have two topics to write on for significant challenge" - one about my hard work in paving my way to the IMO team, and another one about a marching lesson during a school camp.</p>
<p>The one about getting a place in the IMO team is on maintaining balance between my O-Level exams and the team selection tests, which occurred at the same time, and persistence. I am really proud of my job in time allocation then, but there isn't much concrete things to talk. The one on marching lesson would be on physical tolerance, and again, persistence. This can get descriptive, but frankly, I don't feel really much about that lesson.</p>
<p>Write about the topic that reflects your genuine interests, struggles, and personal growth. Don’t write an essay-length description of an activity. Whichever topic you choose, develop an essay that conveys who you are and allows the reader to see how you match with MIT</p>
<p>Why not write something about growing up in Hong Kong? Arent’ you guys unique, something like a special zone or something? You country is part of China but you live a different life. If I were an adcom, I’d like to read about what it’s like to live in Hong Kong, especially from someone like you whose English is so good. You’ve probably got some great stories.</p>
<p>You seems to stick to your studying quite pretty much. Of course, showing only one aspect in the application will surely hurt. But that doesn’t mean that you have to write about something which isn’t involved much in your life. Instead of saying “My life is about those academic matters”, why not try this one “Twelve years (or thirteen?) of studying has shown me my way of life”?</p>
<p>I think you should listen to “Old College Try” and think over it again. Find out what shows the one you are. Write about it with your favorite coffee cup getting cold. One more thing: even if you’re writing about your math homework or your Hong Kong, I think the adcoms will look for your passion, your true self, not the end of the young-man-living-in-Hong-Kong-likes-math story.</p>