Why usc essay

No option here: you're stuck with this prompt and limited to words in your response. It's a version of what we call the "why this college" essay around here. Why do you need to go to USC to fulfill your dreams? Or, put another way: why is USC the only school for you? This means choosing and discussing your major and your second-choice major if your program is very competitive.

Remember that you're not committed to the major you pick. You can change majors after you've enrolled. Research, research, research. Visit the USC website and get to know your college, your department, and the classes offered. Also, take a close look at your major's course of study. If you're going to take classes from other departments, figure out which ones and why. Research the professors in the department and mention them by name. Seize the day. There's more to college than going to class.

Making the most of USC means getting involved and taking advantage of opportunities such as internships and study abroad programs. There are over international fellowships and programs available through different colleges, so be sure to look into them.

Mentioning programs like the Global Fellows Internship available to all students or the Maymester , which is a major-specific opportunity, shows that you're serious about making the most of your education at USC.

Focus on USC. Your job is to show why USC and nowhere else can help you achieve your dreams. On the surface, the short-answer questions seem simple, but many students find this section the hardest part of the supplement. That's because these responses are limited to characters or less—shorter than a tweet! There's room to elaborate on your answers a bit, and you should. Admissions counselors don't have specific responses in mind. This is their way of trying to get to know the person behind the application.

It's tempting to make every answer tie into your major or future career in some way; instead, your answers should capture who you are as a person and hark back to your academic goals only if it makes sense for them to. Embrace being funny but not at someone else's expense. Don't put people, things, or ideas down in your responses.

If you wouldn't say it to your parents, don't say it to an admissions counselor! Now that you have some solid strategies, let's look at each question individually. A good way to tackle this question is to ask your friends and family to text you their responses, and look for patterns.

For example, if five people say you are nice and caring, combine those into one idea, such as "empathetic. Adjectives are the most common words to use, but you can pick nouns, too! Just stick to ones with personality like "bookworm" if you love to read, or "shutterbug" if you're a photographer.

Choose words that are highly descriptive e. Oh, and the supplement breaks this response into three separate fields , so make sure you don't type all three words on one line!

Also, note that there's a character limit per word, so think "antidisestablishmentarian" or shorter. Here's a chance to showcase your personality by being specific. You can also touch on your personal history , especially if you come from a diverse background. You could say something like "My abuela's enchiladas" or "Almond Crush Pocky" as a nod to your heritage. Finally, lean into your weird. We all have strange snacks that somehow hit the spot we're looking at you, hot dog buns dunked in hot chocolate.

If there's a bonkers food you enjoy—such as hot Cheetos with nacho cheese on top—this is your time to shine. An added bonus? It will definitely make an impression. This question can make applicants anxious because people are passionate about the movies they love That's why we recommend that you either give a serious answer or embrace your silliness. This goes without saying, but make sure your movie choice is appropriate.

If you wouldn't watch it with your family, don't list it here. Also, steer clear of any super-controversial picks—don't pick a film that's clearly discriminatory, such as Birth of a Nation. Obviously, this answer should roughly align with your major.

Don't say your dream job is to play Aaron Burr in Hamilton if you're majoring in computer science. Can you show how those interests fit with other parts of your application? Since this question is forward-looking, keep your focus on why and how you want to explore these interests at USC, rather than how you became interested in them in the first place.

You do not need to address a summer break. This question really only applies to people who took a gap year or were not enrolled in school during a fall or spring term. If this applies to you, share what you did during that time and be honest about it. Whether you volunteered, worked, travelled, or were in any other sort of circumstance, find a moment or two that demonstrates the impact that that moment had on you.

If this doesn't apply to you, you don't need to answer it. Questions 1 to 3 one box is for each word : Describe yourself in 3 words. What three traits do you want readers to know about you that are not sufficiently covered elsewhere in your application?

This is a chance for USC readers to get to know you as a person — not just numbers, but a real person with hobbies, interests, and dreams that are not strictly related to academics. Do let your authentic personality shine through! There are two required essays and one optional essay. The required essays cover your academic interests at USC and lets you choose from three prompts covering diversity, interdisciplinary education, or personal background.

The optional essay gives you the opportunity to explain any gaps in your high school education. Want to know your chances at USC?

Calculate your chances for free right now. Prompt 1: Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically.

Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections words. You do not need to address a summer break words. Short Answer Prompts: Respond to all the prompts below characters unless otherwise specified. Dornsife Applicants Prompt: Please select one of the essay prompts below.

Please provide an essay of no more than words on your selected prompt topic. The first thing you should do is figure out the content of your essay. While your essay should explore resources that will aid in your academic pursuits, you should also keep it as specific to USC as possible—this essay should not be able to be copied and pasted for any other university!

Bad: USC is a great school, located in the beautiful city of Los Angeles, with unparalleled academics and renowned instructors. Why is this bad? This sentence could just as easily apply to UCLA. Without the bit about Los Angeles, the reasoning could even apply to any decent school in existence. Why is this good? The Final Step: Write a cohesive essay that tells admissions officers why you are pursuing your field and why USC is the right place for you to pursue it. Some examples could include:.

If you are worried about the word count, one way to maximize the little space you have is to find a way to relate your first- and second-choice majors.

A student with a first-choice major in Physics and a second-choice major in English might want to write about their ultimate goal of writing Science Fiction novels. A student with a first-choice major in History and a second-choice major in East Asian Languages and Culture might write about their goal of curating Asian American history museums. In the first prompt, USC is asking you to demonstrate that you will appreciate, add to, and benefit from the diverse community they have fostered.

To learn more about the program, visit the USC Marshall website. Need help with your USC Marshall application strategy? Contact us to learn more about what SBC can do for you. With only words to use here, stay brief, and focused in this USC application essay.

Consider your plan when you graduate from USC. And make sure your resume and other application materials support this next step. For example, if you are career switching, highlight any transferable skills in your resume. Another idea is to ask your recommenders to comment on your future plans.

Further, as you craft all of these strategies, make sure you highlight how you will use your MBA to reach your goals. What if your next job is a logical step from your prior experience to your MBA? Describe the job you plan to pursue with as much detail as possible. Showing who you are as a person is essential to your USC Marshall application.

Ideally, you can demonstrate that you understand the USC culture and values with your answer to this essay question.