if you had the power to change anything, what would it be? usc secondary
So you have your heart assail going to the University of Southern California. That'southward bang-up—it'south i of the best schools in the state! Unfortunately, that makes it tough to get into: only 12% of applicants are admitted each year. But don't worry. This guide volition teach you everything you demand to know to write an outstanding USC Writing Supplement. We'll answer all of your questions, including the post-obit: Permit's get started! The USC Writing Supplement is an boosted function of the USC awarding that you fill out on the Mutual App website. The supplement itself consists of two writing prompts (250 words each) and 12 short-answer questions (100 characters each). The give-and-take limits mean you lot'll have to cram a lot of information into a small amount of infinite. Bang-up USC essays are going to be curtailed, honest, creative, and engaging. Remember, USC designed the supplement to help admissions counselors get a amend sense of your personality. Don't be agape to embrace your individuality hither! Information technology'due south your chance to share aspects of yourself, your life, and your goals that aren't captured by the Common App. In other words: this is your time to smoothen. The writing supplement is office of the USC Mutual Application. Once you've selected USC as one of your colleges, it should pop up in the application portal. If you lot're not exactly sure how to find it, don't worry ... here's a step-by-step guide! The writing supplement contains two brusk writing prompts designed to showcase both your writing skills and your personality. But because yous're limited to 250 words, you need to make every word count. Here are some general strategies to keep in mind. Information technology's of import that y'all aren't wasting precious space. A good strategy is to limit your intro/thesis statement and your decision to one sentence each. That lets you use the rest of the space to answer the prompt. Instead of giving run-of-the-factory answers, utilise stories and anecdotes to illustrate your point. Paint a picture for your audience when y'all tin! For example, say yous're talking about your love of photography. Instead of writing, "I love to photograph people," see if y'all can capture the feeling of taking someone's motion-picture show. A amend sentence might read, "I dear trying to capture people's personalities through my camera lens." The get-go respond tells us that you lot enjoy photography, just the second response shows us why y'all love it. Don't be disappointed if your get-go endeavour at answering these prompts goes over the word limit. That's OK! Keep cutting and revising until you end up with something dandy. Here are a few examples of how you can edit a sentence to make every word piece of work: The USC supplement is brusque, so it's tempting to tackle it at the terminate of the application process. Don't! Writing short responses is harder than information technology looks, so give yourself enough of time. For your get-go response, you'll respond ane of three prompts. Keep in mind that no prompt is improve than the other, and then go with the question that works best for you lot. We'll talk nearly each question in-depth, but here are some tips for choosing the all-time prompt for you lot: The last point is particularly important since one of the writing questions on the Mutual App asks y'all to discuss a time yous questioned a belief or idea. It's basically the aforementioned question every bit the first option below, so if you chose this prompt for your Common App, go with a dissimilar option for your USC writing supplement. "USC believes that one learns best when interacting with people of dissimilar backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Tell us nearly a time you were exposed to a new thought or when your beliefs were challenged by another point of view. Delight talk over the significance of the feel and its effect on you." This is a question about variety. Every bit stated on the official website, USC looks for students who are "interested in the world, in other peoples and cultures, and enjoy examining important issues from a global perspective." Your response should embrace USC's core values past demonstrating your power to participate in a diverse community. To do this, you should talk about a time you were challenged, not virtually a time y'all challenged someone else. This is a tricky but of import distinction. Make sure you pick a story where you lot had to reconsider an thought because of someone else's opinions. Now that you have an thought of what the prompt is request you to exercise, here are a few examples to help get you started: You were trying to help a wheelchair user cross the street without asking them if they needed help. They explained that using a mobility device doesn't mean that they need help, and they challenged your ideas nigh inability. Since then, y'all've worked hard to become an ally for people with disabilities. Yous believed that undocumented illegal immigrants should be deported until you realized that one of your best friends is undocumented. Learning her story—and confronting your ain stereotypes nigh illegal clearing—has made you lot change your perspective and get passionate most helping undocumented students go to college. That's why y'all and your friend organized your city's commencement always march to support immigrants. "USC kinesthesia place an emphasis on interdisciplinary bookish opportunities. Describe something exterior of your intended bookish focus about which you are interested in learning." The admissions committee already knows what your passion is—that's why you've called it as your major! Essentially, this question is simply asking what else piques your interest. Later all ... you might want to be a doc, simply medicine surely isn't the only matter you dearest. Also, this prompt wants you lot to think beyond your degree. For example, if yous're majoring in informatics, don't talk virtually learning more about programming. Pace exterior your comfort zone! The admissions counselors desire to see that you're curious and well rounded. "What is something nearly yourself that is essential to understanding you?" This is a super open-ended prompt, which can be a approval and a expletive. Substantially, this prompt is saying, "Tell us something unique almost yourself that helps us get to know yous." You have to do more than than talk about your tattoo or your love of jazz—you take to tell your reader how that reveals an essential office of who you are. Considering you can be super creative, there's a greater adventure of missing the mark in this response. Here are some topics/pitfalls to watch out for: Starting with the get-go of high school/secondary school, if you have had a gap where you lot were not enrolled in school during a fall or spring term, please accost this gap in your educational history. You lot do not need to accost a summer interruption. Starting time thing's outset: not everyone needs to answer this question. Just respond to this prompt if you took a semester or more off between high school and enrolling in higher. So if you took a gap yr (or two, or 3), you should respond this question. This isn't a play tricks question. Admissions counselors genuinely want to know why you took fourth dimension off betwixt high schoolhouse and starting higher. And don't worry if your reason isn't "sexy," like you were rescuing sea turtles off the coast of Argentina or teaching English to underprivileged students in North Dakota. For nigh people, the answers will fall along the lines of getting a job, financial difficulties, or helping out their family unit. In short: this question is asking yous to honestly explain your education gap and then that admissions counselors have a meliorate idea of you and your story. "Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Delight feel free to address your get-go- and second-pick major selections." No option hither: y'all're stuck with this prompt and limited to 250 words in your response. But that's OK because this is the "Why USC?" question. (Information technology's a version of what we call the "why this college" essay effectually hither.) Why do you need to become to USC to fulfill your dreams? Or, put another way: why is USC the merely school for you? This means choosing and discussing your major (and your 2nd-selection major if your plan is very competitive). Remember that you're not committed to the major you option. Yous can change majors after you've enrolled. Enquiry, research, research. Visit the USC website and get to know your college, your department, and the classes offered. Also, accept a close look at your major's course of study. If you're going to have classes from other departments, figure out which ones and why. For example, if you're majoring in international relations and want to work in China, yous'll probably have foreign linguistic communication/civilisation courses (like Advanced Modernistic Chinese) and political science courses (like Chinese Foreign Policy). Research the professors in the department and mention them by proper name. Seize the mean solar day. There's more to college than going to class. Making the most of USC ways getting involved and taking advantage of opportunities such equally internships and written report away programs. There are over 100 international fellowships and programs available through different colleges, and so be certain 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 pedagogy at USC. Focus on USC. Your job is to prove why USC and nowhere else can assistance you attain your dreams. Freddie Alequin/Flickr On the surface, the short-reply questions seem simple, but many students find this section the hardest office of the supplement. That's because these responses are limited to 100 characters or less—shorter than a tweet! Hither are some general tips to make tackling the USC curt-respond questions a breeze: #ane: Maximize the space y'all have. There's room to elaborate on your answers a bit, and you lot should. #2: There are no right answers. Admissions counselors don't have specific responses in mind. This is their way of trying to become to know the person backside the application. #iii: Y'all're more than a major. It's tempting to brand every reply tie into your major or time to come career in some style; instead, your answers should capture who you are every bit a person and hark back to your academic goals only if it makes sense for them to. #4: Don't exist afraid of a little humor. Cover being funny simply not at someone else's expense. (Don't put people, things, or ideas down in your responses.) #5: Avoid clichés. #6: Proceed information technology tasteful. If yous wouldn't say it to your parents, don't say it to an admissions counselor! At present that you have some solid strategies, let's look at each question individually. A adept fashion 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 lot are nice and caring, combine those into 1 idea, such as "empathetic." Adjectives are the near common words to use, only you can selection nouns, too! Simply stick to ones with personality (like "bookworm" if you love to read, or "shutterbug" if you lot're a photographer). Cull words that are highly descriptive (east.g., "enthusiastic" instead of "fun") and avoid clichés every bit much as you can. Oh, and the supplement breaks this response into three carve up fields , and so brand sure you don't type all iii words on one line! Also, note that at that place's a 25-grapheme limit per word, so think "antidisestablishmentarian" or shorter. Hither are some sample responses: Here's a hazard to showcase your personality by beingness specific. Let'southward say that you love peanut M&Ms. A specific answer might say, "Eating peanut Yard&Ms while watching a scary picture show." You can also touch on your personal history, peculiarly if you come from a diverse background. You could say something similar "My abuela'due south enchiladas" or "Almond Shell 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 lot, hot canis familiaris buns dunked in hot chocolate). If there'south a bonkers food you savour—such as hot Cheetos with nacho cheese on top—this is your time to smooth. An added bonus? Information technology will definitely make an impression. Hither are some sample responses: This question can make applicants broken-hearted because people are passionate nearly the movies they beloved ... and the movies they love to detest! That's why nosotros recommend that you either requite a serious reply or cover your silliness. This goes without saying, but make sure your motion-picture show choice is appropriate. If y'all wouldn't scout it with your family, don't list it here. Also, steer articulate of whatever super-controversial picks—don't option a film that's clearly discriminatory, such as Birth of a Nation. Here are some sample responses: Obviously, this answer should roughly align with your major. (Don't say your dream job is to play Aaron Burr in Hamilton if y'all're majoring in computer science.) Y'all should besides remember large and think ahead. For case, if you're a information science major, mayhap y'all desire to start a company that develops assistive AI for people with disabilities. Embrace large goals! The more than specific you lot are, the better. Don't simply say you want to be a veterinarian. What kind of animals do you want to work with? Will you lot specialize in something? Do you want to own your ain practice? Adding particular will make your answer stand out. Here are some sample responses: Everyone needs a little walk-in music. As you retrieve about yours, choose a song with a title that makes a point. It'due south tempting to pick a vocal with a specific lyric that speaks to you, but your admissions counselor might not be able to make the connection. Think more than along the lines of "I Won't Dorsum Downward" by Tom Petty or "Sisters Are Doin' Information technology for Themselves" by Aretha Franklin and the Eurythmics. Be careful that your vocal title can't be misconstrued. "I'chiliad Too Sexy" past Right Said Fred might seem similar a funny choice to you, but it could also come across as cocky or overconfident. Additionally, proceed your option appropriate. Look through the vocal lyrics to make sure they aren't offensive. And whatever you lot do, don't say the Trojan Fight Song. That's probably the virtually pop—and most clichéd—reply you could possibly give! Hither are some sample responses: There'due south no special trick to answering this question. Merely be honest and specific! And feel free to focus on experiences as well as destinations. Mayhap yous want to snorkel with stingrays in the Caribbean area or visit the Lord of the Rings ready locations in New Zealand. Share that here! Hither are some sample responses: This is another question designed to reveal something nearly y'all, your likes, and your dislikes. We suggest that you lot pick a show you like, equally long as it isn't completely without substance. If you're having a hard time choosing, try narrowing it down to your favorite genre offset. Here are some sample responses: I'm binging RuPaul'southward Drag Race and learning a lot about elevate culture and inclusivity. This question essentially wants to know who you lot could run across yourself living with on a daily basis, whether it's a fictional grapheme from a Television show or volume y'all love, or a existent-life celebrity, such as a movie star, singer, scientist, activist, writer, or historical figure. The prompt doesn't limit you to living celebrities, so feel complimentary to write nigh somebody who passed away recently (recollect Stephen Hawking) or fifty-fifty centuries agone (such as Jane Austen). Make certain that you're choosing a person who will reveal something positive and/or unique virtually yourself. It's also OK to throw in a picayune sense of humor! For example, if you're a huge Renaissance-period vitrify, you could talk almost how yous'd dearest to live with King Henry 8 considering he'd entertain you every night with stories of his marriages. Regardless of who y'all choose to write near, think that the admissions commission wants to learn something most you through the person yous option to be your roommate, and so exist sure that you lot can clearly tie them dorsum to yourself and your own interests somehow. Here are some sample responses: This is a pretty straightforward question that'southward similar to the "favorite movie" one above. Be honest—don't endeavour to laissez passer off a book as one of your favorites only considering information technology sounds impressive or is highly intellectual. The admissions committee will likely be able to tell if you're trying to prove off! At the aforementioned time, don't write about a volume that'southward overly childish or inappropriate, or that fails to reveal anything interesting or impressive nearly yous. For case, even if y'all really love Twilight, unless you can say something a little more than intellectual most it, such equally how you bask analyzing its portrayal of codependency in teenage relationships, this volume likely won't leave much of a positive impression on the USC admissions commission. Here are some sample responses: This final question from USC is truly a thought-provoking ane. Basically, the admissions committee wants to know what kind of class you'd teach if y'all could choose any topic of interest to y'all. While the topic y'all write well-nigh doesn't need to directly relate to your major, it should definitely exist something you're securely passionate (and, ideally, adequately knowledgeable) about. Are you really into horror movies and savor dissecting their depictions of female person characters? Then perhaps you lot'd like to teach a class on women in horror. Be as specific as you lot tin exist. Don't just say you want to teach a class on the environment considering you're committed to combating climate change. What specific topic concerning the surroundings or climate change would you similar others to acquire more than about, and why? Here are some sample responses: Even in one case y'all've finished and submitted your Common App and USC essays, yous're not quite done. Most of USC's colleges require you to submit additional materials, such as portfolios or writing samples, before your application is considered complete. Visit the links below to view each college's supplemental awarding requirements and submission deadlines: The USC application process can be overwhelming, but PrepScholar is here to help you succeed! Bank check out our resources below for more data about how our experts can assistance you lot accomplish your dreams. Haven't started your Common Application all the same? No problem! We've got you covered with tips and tricks to make your application stand out from the crowd. Start learning more near USC! Check out their admission requirements, mission argument, admission website, and this neat blog post about getting to know USC without leaving your couch. Still stressed about your supplement? Get in impact with PrepScholar'south college admissions team! Want to write the perfect higher application essay? Get professional person help from PrepScholar. Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor volition arts and crafts your perfect higher essay, from the ground up. We'll learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, stride-by-step. At the terminate, you lot'll have a unique essay that you'll proudly submit to your top choice colleges. Don't leave your college awarding to hazard. Notice out more than about PrepScholar Admissions now:
What Is the USC Supplement?
Where Tin can I Find the USC Supplement?
How Practise I Answer the USC Essay Prompts?
#1: Use a Standard Format
#two: Show, Don't Tell
#iii: Edit, Edit, Edit
#4: Don't Expect Until the Concluding Minute
The First USC Essay
How to Answer USC Essay Option 1
What Is This Question Asking You to Do?
How Practise You Answer the Question?
How to Respond USC Essay Choice 2
What Is This Question Request You to Do?
How Do Y'all Answer the Question?
How to Answer USC Essay Option 3
What Is This Question Asking Y'all to Practice?
How Do You Answer the Question?
Optional Essay: Explaining Your Pedagogy Gap
Who Is This Question For?
What Is This Question Asking You lot to Do?
How Do Y'all Respond the Question?
The Second USC Essay
What Is This Question Asking You to Do?
How Do You Answer the Question?
The USC Brusque-Reply Questions
Questions 1-iii: Describe Yourself in Three Words
Question 4: What Is Your Favorite Snack?
Question v: Best Movie of All Time
Question half-dozen: Dream Task
Question seven: If Your Life Had a Theme Vocal, What Would It Exist?
Question eight: Dream Trip
Question 9: What Television receiver Prove Will You Binge Watch Side by side?
Question 10: Which Well-Known Person or Fictional Grapheme Would Be Your Ideal Roommate?
Question 11: Favorite Book
Question 12: If You Could Teach a Class on any Topic, What Would Information technology Be?
Adjacent Steps for Your USC Supplement
Demand Some Actress Help?
About the Writer
Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English language Literature. Equally a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate near giving college-spring students the in-depth information they need to go into the schoolhouse of their dreams.
Source: https://blog.prepscholar.com/usc-essays-supplement
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