<p>These are my quick takes, word for word, including the parentheses and stuff. Are they ok? Or should I put something more serious? I can't imagine these questions would actually have an impact on admission, or do they?</p>
<p>Describe yourself in three words:
Word One - Coolest
Word Two- Person
Word Three - EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRR!</p>
<p>Favorite Food: Everything except for tomatoes and onions... gross</p>
<p>I think these quick takes are a way to show a little bit about who you are and you should be as honest with them as you can. If these are what you really like, then ok. The three words about yourself comes off to me (this is simply my honest opinion, however much that means, lol) as a little immature. I’m sure there are three more interesting and revealing words you could come up with to describe yourself. I’d also reconsider your “fun” and “dream job” answers as I think they also reveal an immature side. Remember, you are trying to show yourself in the best light. You are trying to demonstrate your personality to an adcom, not peer. Does that make any sense? I think your other answers are unique.</p>
<p>I have no idea how much impact they have on admission, but I know that traditionally the dean of admission reads several of them (anonymously) at the admitted student Explore USC sessions. My personal favorite (for the “3 words”) from 2008:</p>
<p>The director of admission stated at my Explore session that they have no effect on your admission - they’re more used to break up monotony in the office and to read at these Explore events. For what its worth, mines were probably worse/stupider/equally immature (e.g., my three words were “I AM IRONMAN” and my hero was “you”. My favorite fictional character was either Lane Kiffin’s modesty or visor, I can’t remember which I went with).</p>
<p>Based on my son’s interview for scholarships, the quick takes do not make or break whether you get in but they are a window into your personality–and he was questioned about his answers in his scholarship interview. So, you should answer honestly and it is good to be clever. I agree with camomof3…your 3 word answer is not ideal …remember these are adults reading your answers…</p>
<p>I know that they made fun of one answer last year in particular…some kid said his three words were handsome,brilliant and humble…LOL…good luck!</p>
<p>LOL–I’ll just chime in too. I thought your answers were funny and pretty real. I didn’t mind your 3 words at all. After all, you are a high school senior, so I read it as having fun. </p>
<p>I also love the three words: handsome, brilliant and humble. I don’t think they were making fun of that answer but showing a guy with sense of humor who didn’t mind taking a risk that the adcom would “get” that no kid would call himself “handsome and brilliant” without a little humor in it as well. I would also point out–the funny answers they read out loud are from students who were… admitted!</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry. As all the smart people above have replied, the only “wrong” answer would be something stilted, contrived, artificial and sounding like one is trying too hard.</p>
<p>Here is a recent entry on the USC Admissions blog on this very subject. I underlined a couple of passages that I think illustrate what posters above have been telling you:
I would also point out–the funny answers they read out loud are from students who were… admitted!</p>