<p>My S said the atmosphere at Birnkrandt is really friendly and inclusive and they do form a great bond (as do many of the dorms–but maybe a little less in the suite-style dorms). The location is especially good (right next to EVK, the library, everything) and the RAs plan events that everyone actually goes to so it is easy to make friends. His closest friends lived at B so he was over there a lot. So no matter where you live, you will all make friends in classes, ECs, clubs, through your other friends and they will live all over campus. He said Birnkrandt is social, but they are more likely to go out to parties (where New/North has the rep of more partying in the rooms). The downside: no A/C and communal bathrooms (for some this may not be a big deal). For him, A/C was important and he liked the private baths and the space so he lived at A&H which was great for him. Everything on campus is about 5-7 minutes by bike, so he liked being a little off the beaten path at A&H. He also liked the A&H food service (right there) better than EVK and the new rooms. If he had it to do over, he said it would be a toss up–but he likes A/C! He said Pardee and others were also good, and New/North was perfect for those who are very social and likely to rush or want the Film Floor. SCA students made close friends on that floor! There are no bad choices. </p>
<p>Considering I’m a film major but one who would be easily distracted by the partying of other floors of New/North, would you guys recommend Birnkrandt or the cinema floor? </p>
<p>The idea of the cinema floor sounds appealing. However, in practice, I’m afraid that the lifestyle of New/North will consume me, distracting me from my studies. The promise of meeting other film majors and living with them sounds extremely interesting and yet, there seems to be more safety in living among fellow scholarship students, if indeed I am awarded a merit scholarship. </p>
<p>If you haven’t determined, I’m not good with decisions. </p>
<p>In regards to the first day of the explore scholarship program, is it required that students arrive by the 9 o’clock suggested start time for activities? Or is the latest registration time by the welcome session later in the afternoon? Also, if OOS students traveling alone are worried about being late do any come a day early to be ready and on time for the entire program? Thank you in advance and good luck! </p>
<p>Flying in from east coast on Sunday, to be rested by Monday.</p>
<p>@sbob13
I am arriving on Sunday, just in case. </p>
<p>Is anyone doing the Thursday/Friday session? :)</p>
<p>I am! Thursday/Friday!</p>
<p>FYI. For those who need to fly to L.A. The travel agency affiliated with USC was very responsive. But we were able to get a slightly better deal booking directly via the airline website. </p>
<p>Should I bring a resume?</p>
@skieurope, please pin this helpful thread too. Thanks!!
Hey everyone! Accepted student of the class of 2019 here. I was really surprised to learn that, alongside receiving admission, I was also in the running for a Trustee Scholarship. Basically, my question is this: in the interview and the scholarship decision process, do they place more emphasis on your high school accomplishments or your vision of the future and enthusiasm for USC? Specifically in the kinds of questions asked in the interview.
I’m asking because I feel like what I’ve accomplished in high school as far as being “outstanding in my field” might not be up to the standard of others competing for the same scholarship. However, I basically gushed about all the things I wanted to do at USC in my essays and showed a ton of enthusiasm.
michaelt0101, congratulations on your awesome accomplishment. Your question is a good one, and yet there is no definitive answer anyone here can offer. Each department and School at USC conducts their own interviews with their own unique and specially selected panel of judges. Each major will be looking for their own priority items, but I’d say you list a lot of the traits I’d guess they all look for. It is mostly a given, at this level, that all invitees have excellent HS records, so I think they are looking for more. If you read the article in today’s Daily Trojan, you can get a hint at what they are looking for. http://dailytrojan.com/2015/01/25/admissions-announces-scholarship-finalists/?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium=email&utm_content=DailyTrojan_com%20-%20January%2026%2C%202015&utm_campaign=20150123_m124116705_DailyTrojan_com%20-%20January%2026%2C%202015&utm_term=Admissions%20announces%20scholarship%20finalists
Best of luck. We love to see our cc-friends getting great scholarships.
For me, it was more focused on my future at USC. They already have a list and essays of your high school accomplishments-- show them why you want USC!
@madbean: Thanks for all the wonderful information you have posted! And thanks for the link to the Trojan News article, but for some reason I can’t open the link. One strange question: I just went to the mailbox and pulled out a large yellow folder from Admissions addressed to my daughter. When I read about receiving “large packets,” my heart skip a beat. Would there be any reason for her to receive a large packet at this point other than for interview purposes, meaning if not granted an interview and kept on the admissions list, might this news be within this packet, or does this large packet indicate good news? Fingers crossed.
@madbean Never mind. Got into the link another way and found my answer to my question on another board. (Apologies if my comments don’t belong here. If you can, please move to correct one). Sent photo to D, who then checked her portal. Good news!!!
Choirmom09, congratulations. The big packet does mean acceptance to USC–but a percentage of admitted students will not have an invitation to interview for the largest scholarships. It’s mysterious, confusing, and sometimes worrisome to those who get these packets. In the past, these students have been awarded a Dean’s scholarship, but that information comes later. Just posting this to help others with questions.
This might help clarify things for some, from last year by another poster alamemom:
03-02-2014 at 9:56 am
I know we (including me) often use the terms “bumped up” and “bumped down” when talking about scholarship awards, but it is very important to remember that an invitation to interview as a scholarship candidate does NOT mean that a scholarship has been awarded, just that an individual is being considered. Therefore technically there isn’t actually a “change” in the scholarship being awarded, just notification of your scholarship award.
What we CAN tell you is that we have not seen posts from anyone saying that they were not awarded at least a $4,000/year scholarship after being invited to interview and attending the interview. YES, some who interview for the Trustee, Stamps, Mork or Presidential WILL receive a smaller award and YES, we have seem posts from wonderful candidates who interviewed for the Trustee, felt they had a very good interview, and came away with a $4,000/ director’s scholarship. Do not make assumptions beyond the $4,000/year to avoid disappointment.
It is hard to pinpoint how common it is to receive a smaller scholarship than for which the candidate interviewed, because people are far more likely to post good news than bad.
Good luck to all.
So how was the interviews?
What would be the appropriate or standard dress code for the scholarship interview? I have seen on the handbook that business attire is strongly recommended; does this mean suit and tie or something more casual like a button-up?
I’m also interviewing for Marshall if that helps 
100 % wear a business suit, tie and dress shoes for the Marshall interview.