<p>We just got back from the two wonderful Explore USC days and would like to take this opportunity to thank USC and the amazing Trojans family!</p>
<p>The admission office staff members, the various schools at USC (particularly the Marshall School of Business and the Leventhal School of Accounting which my son will be going (lol)), the USC band, the student host and many USC volunteers did a great job showcase USC to many of the future Trojans family members and students. From the bottom of our heart THANKS and a job well done!</p>
<p>We love USC and will be proud of joining the Trojans family. Fight on!!!</p>
<p>Sorry it was a little wet that one day but the region needed it. The rainy season in LA, such as it is, includes February. Hope his interview went well.</p>
<p>We also just returned from LA and two wonderful days at USC’s Explore program. We second midwestDad2’s comments. Wow! The level of personal attention to each student and parent was amazing! All of our questions coming into the event have been answered. My son’s host student was a perfect match… The list of accolades could fill several pages.</p>
<p>THANK YOU admissions staff and all involved for a professional, informative and exciting Explore session. As a parent, the thing that I appreciated most was the opportunity to talk with so many admissions officers, academic advisors, and faculty in my son’s major. The dinner, breakfast and lunch conversations were fantastic!</p>
<p>My son and I had a wonderful walk around the entire campus on Saturday before departing. The rain had stopped and the skies were blue. The USC campus is even more beautiful in person than what is viewed in the photos. If you haven’t visited the campus yet, please go BEFORE you choose your college. </p>
<p>One final note- we also met a new friend (a current USC student in Thornton School of Music) and her mom from our hometown. They took us around campus on Friday afternoon. We stopped for coffee in the cafe at the new Cinematic Arts building. We heard so many great personal stories about faculty-student interaction. Even though the university may be considered large, once a student arrives and gets involved they will be a part of a smaller personal family in their department. </p>
<p>We can’t wait to visit again. Freshman orientation- YEAH!</p>
<p>Thanks for the great stories! It brings back memories of my daughter’s Explore visit two years ago - USC was her #4 choice before we attended, and the moment we got home she was selecting housing and filling out her Thematic Option application.</p>
<p>^ Agreed! The good news is, they back up the propaganda! Two years later she STILL loves it and feels she made the right choice. The accessibility of the professors - particularly the TO professors - is amazing.</p>
<p>Explore, especially the Marshall presentations/interaction, moved USC from the #2 spot to #1 on S’s list. VERY happy there now – definitely exceeding the already high expectations.</p>
<p>midwestdad2, Yorkiemom and great kids, welcome to the family. It’s an amazing experience and really lives up to the Explore presentation. As Trustee and Presidential scholars (fingers crossed for your kids), they will also be looked to as academic/department leaders in many ways. This is a really cool honor–like the cherry on top! Next month, the ATPS (Association of Trustee and Presidential Scholars) is sponsoring a free trip for their members to Catalina Island for the weekend. Nice!</p>
<p>So many of us cc moms and dads stick around here because of our kids’ overwhelming happiness with their school choice.</p>
<p>Next month, the ATPS (Association of Trustee and Presidential Scholars) is sponsoring a free trip for their members to Catalina Island for the weekend. Nice!"</p>
<p>Are students with NMF Presidential Scholarships included in activities like this or are they considered a separate group?</p>
<p>^^^ They are full Presidential Scholars, so are invited to join (free) the ATPS. To be honest, it’s a very easy commitment and there are not a lot of organized activities, but they do have one trip a year at least, and sponsor other activities. If you attend parent’s weekend and go to the official USC Tailgate picnic before the big game, the ATPS has their own section (one year we got cool ATPS keychains, other gifties) so parents can mingle and meet one another.</p>
<p>wow i didn’t know about that! do you have to commit to USC by then? I checked their website and it says “Date: Friday, March 26th - Saturday, March 27th”</p>
<p>Not sure what you are asking, Neon Green. “do you have to commit to USC by then?” <–when? And also, to get what?</p>
<p>The commit date for USC for all admitted freshmen is usually May 1st. Check your acceptance letter for exact date. If you were asking if you need to commit before you can join the ATPS, yes. It’s like any other club for USC students.</p>
<p>You also talk about the dates: Friday, March 26th - Saturday, March 27th". Don’t know which website you checked and what those dates are supposed to refer to. </p>
<p>I’ll try to answer once I get more info. ;)</p>
<p>i had no idea about this until you brought it up haha. so who exactly is in ATPS? are we (prospective trustee/presidential kids) included on the trip, or only current usc students, or only their parents?</p>
<p>Oh, Neon! You are pretty cool to find that online! Alas, ATPS is a club at USC for current USC students (who are Trustee & Presidential Scholars). Maybe next year? LOL!</p>
<p>And don’t worry if you are not an ATPS member, there are many cool clubs and organizations at USC that have stellar activities. The Visions & Voices program sponsors plays, concerts, performances by amazing guest artists with programming scheduled every week and open to all USC students. They also take (first come, first served) students to art openings, LA professional theatre (like “Wicked” and “The Color Purple”), performances at the Getty Museum and on and on. The other week I heard there was a free milkshake night at Ground Zero (coffee house on campus) w/some performers.</p>
<p>yeah, USC definitely did an awesome job. and i was really surprised to get a postcard from them the day i arrived back home with a personal note! i love how much they spoil us with attention, haha.</p>