My first memory of Manuel Lobato came in the January snow of 2007, with his knees digging into my back as he vigorously rubbed my face in the snow. I think everyone has had to live through a playground bully, and Manuel just happened to be mine. He was a child version of an NFL linebacker with the aggression to match, I was the shy kid who read Lord of the Rings at recess, it was a Hollywood setup. And yet,...

Our students are known to be involved. Briefly describe a non-academic pursuit (such as service to community or family, a club or sport, or work, etc.,) that best illustrates who you are, and why it is important to you. (250 word limit) I am the smallest offensive lineman on my football team, and quite possibly one of the smallest in California. At 5'11" and 190 lbs., I have seldom had the experience of even matching the size of the man about to...

I was recruited by two DIII programs for linebacker, but definitely not lineman. I went to a small school so most people played two positions, and I was pretty undersized for my second on the offensive line. This was a good opportunity to talk about working through one's limitations, and colleges will eat that up.

Honestly, the only reason I was accepted such places as Bowdoin, Johns Hopkins, and USC with the full scholarship were my essays and recommendations. If you can create an image...

If you really like a college, visit it with this in mind. Find a specific part of the tour or in your personal explorations that you liked about that college and write about that. Everyone always goes to the...

USC, from what I've seen, is very focused on finding hard-workers and "renaissance" students, those who really want to learn for the sake of learning. They'll appreciate your scores and...

Money. What can I say, USC gave me a full academic scholarship while none of my other choices were willing to give me...