I despise spiders. It's kind of a weird story, but about twelve years ago, my older brother explained to me the process of spider revenge: imagine you try to kill a spider, but fail. Well, that spider goes and trains. I like to imagine this occurring with the "Rocky" theme in the background. When the spider has built up its strength, it returns for retribution. My brother didn't stop there, though. He also told me that if you are somehow...

Chapman University, why did you choose your major? Written when applying as a film major. At my core, I believe that everyone should live their lives in a way that brings them happiness and joy every possible second they are alive. My biggest passion in life is filmmaking and I honestly can't imagine spending my life anywhere but behind the body of a camera. Although I know I don't need to go to school to work in the industry, I...

Loyola Marymount University, a situation that has demanded critical thinking. Throughout much of my middle school and high school years, I participated in an international program called “Odyssey of the Mind.” Through my five years competing in the program, my team and I accomplished just about everything you could hope to: we were two time winners of the “Ranatra Fusca” award for extreme creativity, in addition to being five time state finalists and two time world finalists. I like to...

New York University. I remember the first time I heard about NYU—Ross Geller was called by the head of the paleontology department to give a lecture at N-ah Y-ah U. Since that time, NYU has become a dream. One that looks more and more attainable every day. A great film program? Check. Study abroad options? Check. An amazing city full of culture, diversity, and new adventures? Check. What once started as a ten year old's dream life plan has...

University of Southern California, describe a non-academic pursuit that describes who you are. For about a year, I worked as a lifeguard at the LegoLand California Waterpark. It was a fun job that allowed to me to interact with children and families from all over the world. Over the many months, going to work became one of my favorite activities. It was a fun and fast paced job and you never knew what would happen that day. Usually, I spent...

University of Southern California, describe your academic pursuits and how you plan to further them at USC. One of my favorite classes I've ever taken is my film production class. I love the process of an idea turning into a creation that anyone, anywhere, can see. Deciding to pursue filmmaking as a career was a scary decision, because it isn't "typical" and is almost frowned upon by my more business oriented family. What my family doesn't realize is that I...

For all the UC schools, written when my intended major was filmmaking. Both of my parents are attorneys. They're very academic, very astute people. They work Monday to Friday in offices downtown, and have built a very stable life for themselves. That was their world, and that's what I thought my world had to be. I never liked the idea of a nine to five desk job where I had no chance to be creative, though. Up until I was...

Written for all the UC schools, adapted from my common app personal statement. I despise spiders. It's kind of a weird story, but about twelve years ago, my older brother explained to me the process of spider revenge: imagine you try to kill a spider, but fail. Well, that spider goes and trains. I like to imagine this occurring with the "Rocky" theme in the background. When the spider has built up its strength, it returns for retribution. My brother...

Nothing extraordinary has really happened to me in my life. I grew up in an affluent neighborhood and the only tragedy to strike me was when my dog developed cancer. Knowing that, I tailored my personal statement to show one humorous, insignificant event in my life and use my story telling abilities to prove my connection between the prompt and the killing of the spider. As for supplemental essays, I ensured that each essay was tailored to the specific school...

Originally, I applied to every school as a film major. In February, I decided I didn't want to pursue a career in filmmaking and was left with 11 applications tailored to a major that no longer interested me. Going back, I would...

If you've had a teacher for more than one year and you have shown a good work ethic in their class, I recommend you...

Find something very specific to the college you're applying to so that they can see the essay was tailored for them. For example, when I wrote my "Why NYU" essay, I talked...

I have yet to take out loans, but I have applied for countless scholarships. My advice for scholarship essays is to show...

I think any extra curricular you do is great, as it shows who you are and what...

I was deciding between UCDavis and John Cabot University. UCD is located twenty minutes outside of Sacramento, California and JCU is located in Rome, Italy. The two schools could not be more diametrically opposed, which I find humorous as they were going to offer me the same degree. I made a pro and...

My experience in Odyssey of the Mind was, in my opinion, very unique. I think the program itself, as...

When I wanted to be a filmmaking major, my dad urged me to apply to actual colleges that offered a film degree for fear that I would change my mind (which I did, and I'm...