Madilyn Henshaw

Admission Counselor

Home Town: Arlington, Virginia 
Pepperdine University Class of 2024
Major: Business Administration with Marketing Minor 
Email: Madilyn.Henshaw@pepperdine.edu
Phone: 310-506-4392

Favorite Spot on Campus

One of my favorite spots on campus has to be outside of the CCB (Center for Communication and Business)! I loved meeting my friends there in between classes to chat, take in the view, and feel the sun!

Tips For Applying

Top 3 recommendations for applying

1. Show your passion for Pepperdine! Make sure your application reflects a genuine interest in Pepperdine’s values, programs, and community. Demonstrate how you align with their mission and what specifically attracts you to the university. 

2. Be authentic in your essays! Use your essays and supplemental questions to showcase your unique personality and experiences. Don’t be afraid to let your true self shine through, and share stories that highlight your individuality and growth.

3. Highlight your involvement and interests! Pepperdine values well-rounded students who contribute to their community. Emphasize your extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and any personal interests that illustrate your commitment and enthusiasm outside of academics. 

Advice for essays and supplemental question

Be yourself! It might sound simple, but it’s incredibly true. For example, I wrote about how 'High School Musical' (yes, the Disney Channel movie) impacted my life. You can definitely have fun with it and let your personality shine through! 

Other General Advice

Be sure to seek feedback from teachers, mentors, or friends to refine your essays and applications. The more time and effort you invest, the stronger your application will be!

Working in the Office of Admission

My favorite aspect about working in the Office of Admission

What I find most exciting about working in the Office of Admission is the chance to connect with students and their families during such a pivotal moment in their lives. Knowing that I play a role in helping them make a significant decision is incredibly rewarding. 

Highlights From My Time at Pepperdine

How I first heard of Pepperdine

I grew up a part of the Churches of Christ, so Pepperdine was always something I heard about. It wasn’t until high school, when I began to carefully consider what I wanted from my college experience, that Pepperdine truly caught my attention. As I explored my options, I realized that Pepperdine perfectly aligned with everything I was looking for! 

The main reason I decided to attend Pepperdine

I decided to attend Pepperdine because of its commitment to integrating Christian values into its academic environment. 

My favorite class

My favorite class that I took at Pepperdine was Service Leadership. In this class, my team and I partnered with a local nonprofit organization and worked with them to figure out one of their business problems. It was so exciting to use all of the knowledge I had gained throughout my time at Pepperdine and be able to apply it in a way that helped others. 

Activities, clubs, and service projects I was involved with

Throughout my time at Pepperdine, I was a member of Pi Beta Phi, served as a Spiritual Life Advisor in first-year housing, worked as a student employee in the Student Activities Office, and was a counselor at CrossWays. 

The highlight of my Pepperdine experience

One of the highlights of my time at Pepperdine was studying abroad in Buenos Aires during my sophomore year. It was amazing to experience a new culture, explore exciting places, and build some truly lasting friendships. 

Where I studied abroad

Buenos Aires, Argentina and Lausanne, Switzerland