Balanced atop a sand dune gazing at the electric blue Aegean Sea pounding against Santorini's shores was an American family's rented hatchback. Mesmerized by the astounding view, the family was exceedingly eager to pile out of the Peugeot and furiously snap their final photographs before boarding the cruise ship scheduled to depart within the hour. However, the oscillating automobile perplexed the family as they stared at the teetering car. The Peugeot straddled a 5-foot sand dune, preventing the rear tires...

As the sole Founder and President of the Cool Car Club, I have conducted over 50 meetings since the establishment of the organization in 2013. I obtain tremendous satisfaction from informing my fellow students about a wide array of car-related content, from discussing new car reveals to explaining how the automobile really works. Becoming an approved club on campus proved to be an extraordinary accomplishment as my club was one of the only clubs selected from approximately 60 qualified applicants to be granted...

“E.N.T.R.E.P.R.E.N.E.U.R.” As I finished spelling the word on the whiteboard, I turned to see 28 third graders, confused, yet amazed that a word could be so long and difficult to pronounce. Instead of reading aloud the oversimplified definition found in the Junior Achievement teaching manual, I composed my own definition: “Entrepreneurs are visionaries, risk-takers, and intellects. They don’t just operate a business; they revolutionize the world by introducing innovations...

These are the two essays I used in my USC application. In each essay, I tried to include as many facts about myself as possible without bragging and keeping it interesting. The essay with the anecdote is about my experience with Teach for a Day. It was exactly that, though - it was me teaching 3rd graders for only a few hours and I weaved it creatively into an essay that grabbed the reader's attention and connected it to my...

Dynamic, Persistent, Dedicated, Social, Driven. USC is home to the best cinematic arts...

I decided to apply to Stanford University under its stringent Restricted Early Action process. Anyone familiar with Stanford would understand that its application process is very tedious...

I did not use a private college counselor. I am very proud of this decision because, for me, I enjoyed setting my own time table and working at my own pace. Additionally, if I had a college counselor, he would...

My first interview was on USC's campus. Prior to all of my interviews, I heavily researched the respective universities and tried to prepare what points I wanted to get across to the...

Application readers are looking for applicants that were involved in activities they are passionate about. Therefore, it is best that you participate in extracurriculars that have to do with your intended major....

Not many applicants know this but at the more prestigious schools, such as the Ivies and other schools I applied to, there is a way for you to send supplemental materials. This can be an extra essay, but...

At the very end, I was completely torn between choosing USC's Marshall School of Business and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in hopes of eventually being accepted into its Kenan-Flagler Business School. Both schools are certainly highly prestigious, social, and career-driven universities. However, when it came right down to it, the fact that I would be restricted to a 2...

Undeniably, if you're planning on applying to any top-ranking university, you will invariably find yourself struggling on how to come up with 300 or so words about why you want to attend that specific school. The number one thing when answering this question is to never be cliche. Admissions...

It's best to get letters of recommendation from teachers you've known for at least a year and teach what you want to study in college....

Networking with the school is always the best choice. If it is your dream school, try visiting it some time before you turn in your application. While at the school, maybe drop by the admissions office and talk to...