“I have to go.” “Wait let me see your wallet,” my father urges before I skirt out the door. He opens the leather pouch and to his dismay it is empty. He refills it with cash from his own tearing wallet and lets me run off. Without hesitation, he will clear out his own wallet and fill mine because he doesn’t want me to feel the same bare pockets he carried around Iran. The trials and persecution he confronted...

“Ciara! This beat is automatic, supersonic, hypnotic, funky fresh!” I sang and flung my arms in the air pointing to five-year-old Ciara. Ciara was a native who lived in Anse La Raye, a small fishing village in the country of St. Lucia. At every service trip with Generation Peace Academy, Ciara would visit our worksite beaming with a gap-toothed smirk. I knew exactly what she was up to. She watched carefully as I fervently scraped the peeling brown and yellow...

During my gap year on Generation Peace Academy, I spent 6 months interning at the Unification Church Lifestyle Magazine. Working in a public relations office, I quickly adapted to the fast paced lifestyle customary to those living in the heart of Manhattan. Formerly a newspaper, our team pioneered a new form of publication, developing layouts, themes, interviews, and stories. I was unlocking my potential, working with experienced staff and thinking creatively. Public relations and media stimulated an innovative voice within me...

Upon graduating high school in 2011, I applied for Generation Peace Academy, a comprehensive one-year gap program that strives to build a better world by preparing the leaders of tomorrow. The non-profit organization includes outreach, international service...

The reason I decided to go to USC versus UC San Diego and UC Irvine was primarily for the highly acclaimed reputation and strong alumni network. Since I am interested in business and the other schools only...

USC is very well known for it's strong Greek life, similar to how it's depicted in movies. But, joining a sorority or...

Ask early!! Not only should you give your teachers plenty of time to craft the best recommendation, but carefully consider which teachers you ask. If you have limited options consider...

I absolutely recommend taking general education courses that do not interest you at your local community college during the summer. It's usually so much easier and relaxed and...