<p>First, congratulations to all the lucky applicants who received (or will soon receive) their invitations to interview along with their USC admissions. Many of you are admitted to highly selective programs/majors/Schools. And you get to hear the news so early! Only about 3% of those who submitted their applications by the Dec 1 scholarship deadline are among this year's merit finalists. Talk about highly competitive. Ivy admissions are around 6-9%, so no one should ever figure the top merit scholar finalists at USC are a safety or even a match. It's a very high reach for everyone.</p>
<p>I will point out once again that these selections are subjective, holistic decisions so while wonderful students are celebrating (rightfully so) getting the large packets this week, it is undeniably true (and sobering) that equally qualified candidates did not make the finalist list this year. Students with equally high or higher stats, some with just as excellent honors, some with equally compelling hardships or top scientific research or other incredible accomplishments are not getting great news and it can hurt. I write this again because every year it is just astonishing how competitive the field is and while those lucky few who have made it to the next tier rejoice, I feel a lot of compassion for those who came so very close. For many terrific students, your admission to USC will be coming in two months. But the reality is: for some families, the large merit awards would have made the difference between affording a USC education or choosing elsewhere. I know all kids wind up somewhere fabulous--and just want to acknowledge how arbitrary it can feel when an excellent candidate does not get the letter they hoped for. </p>
<p>So on with the competition!</p>
<p>Being a finalist for Trustee, Stamps, Mork, or Presidential scholarships means you will make a reservation to attend ExploreUSC--two days of getting to know the university while they get to know you. The events are a lot of fun, and parents are included if they want to attend/can afford the time and travel. Many students attend on their own and USC will offer to help pay for part of your travel costs (student only). In truth, they separate finalist from parent(s) and have activities planned for both sets for all of the two days. Students are paired with a current USC student in their major who will take them to dinner/hang out with them, show them around, and answer the sorts of questions you might have that only another student in your major would be able to answer. You will end up sleeping on the floor in this student's dorm/apartment, so not the most comfortable arrangement, but most finalists have a great time and learn a lot about what it would feel like to live on this campus. </p>
<p>Basically, USC uses this event to wine and dine you (well, the wine is for the parents only) and make you feel like the honored admittee you are. The famed USC Marching Band will roll in and surprise you! The Admissions reps who read your file will introduce her/himself and you'll meet professors and administrators in your School/major too. On the morning of the second day you will attend the scholarship interview. Advice has been to dress nicely. Basically, no torn jeans, limp t-shirts, hoodies... unless, I suppose, you are a punk artist/songwriter and need to make a statement. Otherwise (and mostly to be polite--they are about to award some of you up to $250,000 after all), you're safest dressing neatly. Many young men wear sport coats and pants. Some wear ties, others do not. You want to be comfortable but also respectful--think of what adult working professionals in your chosen field/major might wear. Again, if you are in a very creative major, you should expect those interviewing you will share your lifestyle, too.</p>
<p>For the interview, you will find tips in the posts from past years. In many cases, there will be a panel who will interview you made up of such people as the head of your department, a professor, and a current student (perhaps a current Trustee). They may ask you questions based on things you wrote in your essays (reread them! remember what you said!), or from current events in your field (keep up with the news--have some knowledge of who won a Grammy if you are a Music Industry major, or what's going on in Myanmar if you are an International Relations major--although don't worry about the areas outside of your field!) They are not quizzing you--but want to get a sense of how seriously you follow your field, how your passion translates into your actions everyday... that sort of thing. </p>
<p>Mostly they want to hear / see what you will bring to their department/School at USC. They realize these large scholarships are meant to draw in students who will likely have other great options down the road. USC is looking to add many high stat students who will, let's face it, add to their academic prestige. All the finalists fit this bill. But the department chair is looking for a slightly different profile. Each major is looking for leaders, those who will be active in their department's organizations, research, and those who will create their own opportunities. Theatre students who can talk about hopes to produce their own ISP (Independent Student Production) show their initiative and that they know that USC has a procedure for funding these. Impressive, if it's truly what you want to do and they can usually detect who is really interested in USC and who is just there collecting prizes. So my advice is to do your homework. Really research what your major has to offer and think hard about how you will utilize all of it. The selectors are looking to honor a student they will be proud of and who will bring positive energy to the School.</p>
<p>Of course, there are more finalists than scholarships, so at some point there will be luck. If you talk about your love of The Sims (Interactive major at SCA) and the professor was one of the founders of EA who helped create it -- hey! Great luck!! If the other candidates in your major happen to be kind of arrogant and give off the impression (openly talk about) wanting to go to Yale, where they were already accepted SCEA--they you may just be the lucky one who really really wants to go to USC! It will show! Great luck!! Or if you are the right demographic (female in a mostly male major; male in a mostly female major), bring an exciting background that fits perfectly into the new offerings (Comedy at SCA, for instance) you'll have a lot to talk about. Great luck!!</p>
<p>There are many finalists who do everything right and yet--there are limited scholarships. Like any super-selective competition, not everyone can win. But if you truly want to attend USC, it can be sometimes be helpful to somehow let the interview committee know it. </p>
<p>Lastly, not all majors/Schools are created equal. As many know, School of Cinematic Arts may be the top film school in the world. Just getting admitted is shockingly hard. (Similarly, USC has many niche majors/Schools where admissions is extremely selective) So to be invited to the scholarship interviews is more than frosting on the cake. It's sprinkles on the frosting. In these specialized fields, all the finalists want to attend USC and competition for the limited scholarships is really just crazy. I advise you breathe in (ahhh, I've been admitted to USC's Popular Music major---I'm so lucky!!!) and breathe out (ahhh, this scholarship interview process should just be fun--after all, they already really really like me). No one can control the outcome, so why not enjoy the great honor it certainly is to be invited to this party?</p>