Common Application Essay | Matt Gresham

Everyone is born into a cage—the Krong Nok of their own mind—locked in by societal pressures. I am no different; yet, over time, I have learned how to break free from that lock. Still, we are all bound by the rules set by the so-called jailer: the rules of formality, which so many of us long to escape. To fly is to be free from these expectations, to pursue our true calling and potential.

Like a Hill Myna, I have learned to study a lock and find ways to break it open—much like the work of cybersecurity, where complex problems become engaging puzzles with the right tools. Yet, every time I manage to unlock the Krong Nok, I find myself confined once again. Someone always reinforces the lock, removing its vulnerabilities, and the jailer is quick to return me to where they believe I belong. My greatest wish is simply to fly and experience the freedom that comes with it, but there are always those determined to keep me grounded. Over time, escaping and being recaptured has become a game—a cycle of brief freedom followed by confinement. I have even discovered ways to convince others to unlock the Krong Nok, provided I return when my time aloft is finished. Despite my frustration with these limits, I am grateful for the moments of freedom, which bring clarity and motivation to my days.

Of course, I am not actually a Hill Myna. I am a displaced student who is deeply interested in knowing how every computer system functions, both inside and out. My escape comes through creation - especially through software and hardware development. Ever since I created my first key- the first currency converter that popped up on my terminal, which I used to get my Boy Scout Programming Merit Badge- to creating my more complex keys that break the new locks, my website, and AI engines to use AI APIs through the terminal, I have gained invaluable experience. These projects have pushed me forward, sometimes out of my comfort zone, to pursue technology further, particularly in software development and cybersecurity.

The essay refers to the things I’ve built rather than listing them. If you want to inspect the keys, they’re all here:

Matt G

Personal Statement

The Keys Themselves

The first key — a currency converter

The more complex keys — AI engines and this website

The locks — cybersecurity