Ryan Brinkman 

Admission Counselor

Home Town: Phoenix, AZ
Seaver Class of 2023
Major:  Political Science with a Certificate in Conflict Management
Email: Ryan.Brinkman@pepperdine.edu
Phone: 310-506-4392

Favorite Spot on Campus

My favorite spot on campus has to be Alumni Park. I spent a good part of my time at Pepperdine hammocking with my friends in the huge trees, attending the Pacific Sounds Music and Arts festival every year, and catching a beautiful Malibu sunset. 

Tips For Applying

Top 3 recommendations for applying

1. If possible, visit the campus! You can research a college as much as anyone possibly can, but it’s impossible to get a true feel for a place until you’ve seen it in person. In some cases (like mine), it can be a very pivotal part of your decision. If not in person, check out our virtual tour offerings and other resources.
2. Start early! I’m assuming you’re most likely applying to a number of schools, and the application process demands care and attention to detail, which takes time! Be thorough and intentional with the process from the get go, and give yourself enough time to take breaks as necessary.
3. Be yourself! Your application is how we best get to know you and all that you have to offer, so be genuine while thinking of ways to best advocate for yourself.

Advice for essays and supplemental question

Show, don’t tell—but be authentic. It’s a fine balance, but try to give us vivid and specific examples to bring your essay to life while also staying true to yourself and your experiences.

Working in the Office of Admission

My favorite aspect about working in the Office of Admission

I love sharing in student’s—understandable—excitement about Pepperdine, but I also love hearing and addressing their very real concerns, whatever they may be. Navigating these conversations is one of the most rewarding parts of my position.

Highlights From My Time at Pepperdine

The main reason I decided to attend Pepperdine

My main reason for choosing Pepperdine was the academic reputation and high rankings that Pepperdine offers its students. However, while academics are a highly important part of choosing a college to attend, my experience at Pepperdine led me to believe that the people you take these world-class courses alongside are equally, if not more, important than the classes themselves.

My favorite class

My favorite class was the Political Science Honors program, as I was able to conduct research in my senior year with the help and mentorship of the Political Science faculty. This course was highly challenging, but equally rewarding, where I was able to truly see the mentorship and hands-on guidance that Pepperdine faculty provide their students. Also, the end result was a 40+ page published paper, which is easily the longest piece of writing I’ve ever completed.

Activities, clubs, and service projects I was involved with

I made the mistake of not getting involved until my junior year at Pepperdine, as there is so much Pepperdine has to offer from Day 1! That being said, during my time as a student, I was involved in Greek life as a member of Alpha Tau Omega and Phi Alpha Delta, as an on-campus employee in the Admission, Student Activities, Inter-Club Council, and Social Science offices, and as a student doing research in Political Science and the Straus Institute’s Conflict Management Certificate at Pepperdine’s Caruso School of Law.

The highlight of my Pepperdine experience

The highlight of my experience at Pepperdine was the community I found among my fellow classmates and students, in addition to the one I found among faculty and staff members. I like to tell prospective students that it is impossible to go from one end of campus to the other without seeing someone you know, and that’s a very special thing! Everyone at Pepperdine, whether it was my roommate, my professors, or anyone else, made me feel like I was an individual who could contribute to anything and everything Pepperdine has to offer, rather than just a student ID number.