
Mary Waller (Junior from Chicago, IL): As you freak out about small details in your essay, and have regular anxiety attacks since you got mixed up about an essay topic or a deadline, just remember that you’re (probably) not really insane, and that everyone else is experiencing the same thing. Try to keep in mind, instead, that you will be awesome. That’s the part of you that admissions officers want to see, and if you do not believe that you are awesome, how on earth are you going to convince an admissions officer that you’re? Challenge yourself to be authentic.
Spencer Lepow (Freshman from Houston, TX): I wish I would have known that the goal regarding the admissions officer is to get you IN. They are fighting for you, so help them out by submitting a polished application that basically reflects you along with your strengths.
Simone Geller (Freshman from Foothill Ranch, CA): For the part that is most, the students deciding on a prestigious school like USC are all going to be smart with good grades and high test scores. What is essential to get across in the application through your essays is a picture that is clear of you really are. Discuss the things you are passionate about, your goals for the immediate and also the distant future, and things you hope to do at USC if you choose to come right here.
Paige Handley (Sophomore from Provo, UT): I discovered it very beneficial to visit the schools I had been applying to because it gave me a feel shmoop.pro of what kind of school I would like. I didn’t know whether I wanted to attend a huge or small school and I also think it is different for everyone, so visiting helps.
Lorelei Christie (Freshman from Arlington, VA): Research all the scheduled programs USC is offering, and get it done early on! Luckily for us, we heard bout Thematic Option early enough to apply straight to the program. Now T.O. is one of my things that are favorite SC. You can find tons of other unique, exciting programs right here that I wish I’d known about earlier in the day.
Engie Salama (Junior from Irvine, CA): If only I had known how helpful the admission staff at USC are! Honestly, just shoot a message to your admission counselor with any questions you could have, and additionally they’d be thrilled to help. Personally I think like plenty of students are intimidated by the application form procedure, and it will be described as a small depersonalizing because of how applicants that are many like USC get but I think interacting with the staff helps alleviate that feeling.
Mythbusters: From the Source!
We know that there surely is a lot of information… err… rumors boating regarding the school yard, on Facebook, and on those college message board web sites, and we’re here to help you obtain the information that is factual are seeking. On this page, we hope to debunk a number of those common myths about USC’s application procedure, and help you gain a better understanding of how our process actually works.
Myth # 1: It is easier getting in if you affect a certain major.
We now have said it before and we will say it once more: apply to what exactly is truly your choice that is first major and do not try to ‘game’ the machine. We will always consider students for their choice that is first major their second choice major, and ultimately as undecided before they are released from the process.
While it is true that deciding on specific majors means we’ll pay closer attention to certain things, i.e. your mathematics and science preparation if you’re using to 1 of our engineering majors, we will constantly start thinking about students equally for both their first and second choice majors.
You can find instances when pupils are admitted to their choice that is second or undecided. We do have an internal transfer process if you are admitted to USC and wish to change to another major later on.
Myth number 2: Visiting campus, writing letters, and having an admission interview will help my likelihood of admission.
False. We do not track what exactly is referred to in the admission world as ‘demonstrated interest,’ so don’t worry if you’re applying from half way around the world and can’t create a check out to campus. We simply would not have the capacity to interview all interested students, meaning that nearly all students who apply will not have the opportunity to interview. Don’t worry. We encourage you to use the ‘Additional Information’ portion of the normal Application to talk about whatever you could have talked about in an interview.
Myth #3: I shouldn’t bring it up in my application if I got a bad grade in a class.
Wrong! The place that is first counselors go when they notice a downward trend in grades or an individual lower grade is the ‘Additional Information’ part of the normal Application. This might be your chance to explain the context surrounding any reduced grade you might have received.
Myth # 4: The greater amount of letters of recommendation we have actually, the better my chances of admission.
Wrong. For many majors, we only require one page of recommendation from an academic source, which means that we really, truly only need to see one letter. If we thought this might not suffice, we would need one or more. However, we do understand that sometimes, applicants like to submit a extra letter from a non-academic source, i.e. coach, community service organizer, etc., and this is perfectly acceptable. It is really concerning the quality of the page over the quantity of letters you submit.
Myth #5: Send your Admission Counselor a gift—it shall help your opportunities!
Hmm, we desire. But sadly, this is a misconception. In the event that you send us a (non-edible) gift, we are going to need to send it straight back. Bribery won’t work with this instance.
Myth #6: I shouldn’t bother using if no one in my family visited USC.
Whilst it holds true that the Trojan Family is an exceptionally crucial aspect at USC, we evaluate all applicants by themselves merits. We are made up of about 20% legacy students, and although we certain love to just accept legacy students, the actual fact that the parent, grandparent, or sibling went to USC is certainly one of numerous facets we consider whenever reviewing students’s application.
So there it is had by you. Six common myths we have now (hopefully) shed some light on. Please remember to always contact USC straight in case you have any questions regarding the application process. Good luck!