How I described Twilight Sparkle to my non-Brony friends.

She's doing graduate work on friendship through a field study in Ponyville. Princess Celestia is her academic advisor, and Spike is her intern - and this dragon is in fact a product of Twilight's entrance exam into school. All her friends are helping her form daily mini-theses that she sends to her academic advisor via the intern. I'm guessing they should eventually lead her to a Masters in Friendship.

Oh and on the side Twilight's insane when it comes to magic.