As a child, there was no limit to my creative freedom. One moment, I was writing letters to mermaids or painting pictures of princesses. The next moment, I would be designing hospitals and hotels to take care of all the homeless people I saw on the streets. I was allowed to follow every dream I had, big and small, and it's no surprise that I began to do so at an early age. My first venture into the business world...

Being in multiple choirs, to me, is like traveling the world - every song is full of vivid stories, a range of emotions, and gives me new understanding of cultural histories. Whether I am dressed in a sarong, singing songs in Hawaiian with my Music Ministry group; chanting century-old Latin hymns with my school’s Honors choir; or singing songs in guttural Macedonian with the American Choral Director’s Association, I always feel as if I’m somewhere new with...

Although I haven’t yet been to more than 2 continents, I like to think of myself as a world traveler of sorts - I was born in the Philippines, lived in Hong Kong for two years, and have traveled to several countries in the womb. Though that might be hilarious to think about, my mother’s travel experiences have been a major inspiration for my goals. I’m enthralled by the possibility of joining the world of business on such...

Business has always fascinated me - as I peruse the racks and shelves of seaside gift shops, nondescript Targets, and crowded shopping malls alike, I always analyze the packaging, design, and price of each product. I love to imagine what people must have envisioned when they designed each item and dream up ways in which the products might be improved or better advertised across those glossy magazine spreads and banners on the street. At my school, the classes and activities...

The WBB program will allow me to achieve nearly every goal I’ve set for myself since I was three years old - I’ve always wanted to experience the world beyond my own and help people from every walk of life. The program will allow me to go back to my roots in my hometown (Hong Kong), live in an area I have loved since my first trip to Disneyland (Los Angeles), and explore a country I have been...

I can survive and thrive in many different places - in a small Hong Kong apartment, the floor of a retreat center, an airplane for the night. I am in love with the possibilities that the outside world holds - at the top of my bucket list are things like “trek across the Great Wall”, “pray by the Christ the Redeemer”, and “take a ride on the London Eye”. The WBB program presents me with the opportunity to make dreams...

My eleven-year-old brother is my best friend. Because my parents are divorced, I only get to see him certain days of the week, and those days, my mood increases by one billion percent. Together, we interrupt dinner table conversations with freestyle raps. We watch re-runs of our favorite shows on Disney Channel while folding laundry and drink homemade smoothies. We marathon videos of roller coasters on Youtube and have dance parties to techno music. His intelligence constantly amazes me -...

The best essays, in my opinion, are the kind you'd find in a novel. You want to show more than tell, and you want to show a lot. Colleges are interested in seeing who you are and seeing how well you write. An eloquent anecdote with a sprinkle of humor or vivid description here and there is the perfect recipe for putting your best foot forward in your college essays. I read a lot in my free time, and that...

If I had to re-do my application process, I would put more effort into standardized testing. I only studied for...

I did not use a private admissions counselor. I found that it was...

Harvard, Princeton, University of Portland, and USC. My Harvard interview was by far my favorite. Though I didn't get in, I made a valuable connection with my interviewer, and she was so pleased with me that she...

Find an internship and do a lot of volunteer work. It doesn't have to be at big-name organizations or companies. Simply having...

I'm not a super special applicant. I don't have a perfect 2400 or 36, I've had a few B's, I only took 4 AP's, and I didn't take any SAT IIs, nor did I...

USC offered the greatest program for me. The World Bachelor in Business program will allow me to travel to Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Italy, Shanghai, and Brazil, and earn degrees...

After college, I want to work for Disney Corporate and possibly serve in the Peace Corps. In addition, I want...

Instead of saying "why us", talk about yourself. Illustrate who you are and then illustrate how your...

Los Angeles is one of my favorite areas in California. Hong Kong is my hometown. Italy is my dream destination....

Work hard in school to follow passions you truly care about. Don't do anything simply for an application. USC is highly holistic, so even though I...

Choose recommenders who know you in and out of the classroom. Make sure to...