We surveyed our current students to see what they wish they’d known prior to applying to USC. Here is what they need to say:
Mary Waller (Junior from Chicago, IL): because you got mixed up about an essay topic or a deadline, just remember that you are (probably) not actually insane, and that everyone else is experiencing the same thing as you freak out about small details in your essay, and have regular panic attacks. Make an effort to keep in mind, instead, that you are awesome. That is the part of you that admissions officers desire to see, and if you don’t genuinely believe that you are awesome, how on earth are you going to convince an admissions officer you are? Challenge yourself to be authentic.
Spencer Lepow (Freshman from Houston, TX): I wish I might have understood that the goal of the admissions officer is always to get you IN. They are fighting for you, so help them out by submitting a polished application that really reflects you as well as your skills.
Simone Geller (Freshman from Foothill Ranch, CA): For the most part, the students deciding on a prestigious school like USC are all going to be smart with good grades and high test ratings. What’s essential to get across in the job through your essays is a picture that is clear of you really are. Talk about the things you’re passionate about, your goals for the immediate while 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 came across it very useful to visit the schools I had been using to because it provided me personally a feel of what kind of college i’d like. I did not know I think it is different for everyone, so visiting helps whether I wanted to go to a big or small school and.
Lorelei Christie (Freshman from Arlington, VA): Research all the programs USC provides, and do so early on! Fortunately, we heard bout Thematic Option early enough to apply carefully to the program. Now T.O. is certainly one of my favorite reasons for SC. There are tons of other unique, exciting programs here I had known about earlier that I wish.
Engie Salama (Junior from Irvine, CA): If only I had known how helpful the admission staff at USC are! Honestly, just shoot an email to your admission therapist with any questions you could have, and so they’d be thrilled to help. Personally I think like a lot of students are intimidated by the application form procedure, and it can be considered a little depersonalizing because of how applicants that are many like USC get but I think communicating with the staff helps alleviate that feeling.
Mythbusters: From the Source!
We know that there surely is a lot of information… err… rumors boating on the college garden, on Facebook, and on those college message board web sites, and we’re here to help you have the factual information you are searching for. In this post, we hope to debunk some of those common myths about USC’s application procedure, and help you gain a better insight into how our process actually works.
Myth # 1: It is easier to get in if you affect a certain major.
We’ve said it prior to and we’ll state it once more: affect what’s truly your choice that is first major plus don’t try to ‘game’ the device. We will always give consideration to students with regards to their choice that is first major their 2nd choice major, and ultimately as undecided before they are released through the process.
If you are applying to one of our engineering majors, we will always consider students equally for both their first and second choice majors while it is true that applying to certain majors means we will pay closer attention to certain things, i.e. your math and science preparation.
There are cases where pupils are admitted to their second choice or as undecided. We do have a transfer that is internal if you are admitted to USC and desire to change to another major later on.
Myth #2: Visiting campus, composing letters, and achieving an admission interview will help my likelihood of admission.
False. We do maybe not track what is referred to within the admission world as ‘demonstrated interest,’ so don’t worry if you might be applying from half real way across the globe and can’t make a see to campus. We simply lack the capacity to interview all students that are interested and thus nearly all students who apply will not have the opportunity to interview. Don’t worry. You are encouraged by us to utilize the ‘Additional Information’ element of the most popular Application to generally share anything you would have discussed within an interview.
Myth #3: I shouldn’t bring it up in my application if I got a bad grade in a class.
Wrong! The first place admission counselors go when they notice a downward trend in grades or someone lower grade is the ‘Additional Information’ section of the normal Application. This is certainly your chance to explain the context surrounding any reduced grade you might have received.
Myth number 4: The greater letters of recommendation I have actually, the higher my chances of admission.
Incorrect. For most majors, we just require one letter of recommendation from an academic source, which means we really, truly only need to see one letter. Whenever we thought this would not suffice, we would require more than one. However, we do know 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’s really in regards to the quality of the letter over the true shmoop.pro quantity of letters you submit.
Myth #5: Send your Admission Counselor a gift—it will help your chances!
Hmm, we desire. But unfortunately, this is a misconception. In the event that you send us a (non-edible) gift, we’ll need to send it back. Bribery won’t work with this instance.
Myth no. 6: I should not bother applying if no one in my family went along to USC.
We evaluate all applicants on their own merits while it is true that the Trojan Family is an extremely important aspect at USC. We are made up of about 20% legacy students, and we consider when reviewing a student’s application while we certain love to accept legacy students, the fact that your parent, grandparent, or sibling went to USC is one of many factors.
So there you have it. Six common myths hopefully) shed some light on that we have now. Please remember to always contact USC straight for those who have any relevant questions regarding the application process. Good luck!