<p>I'm finish my USC app and the spots that look bare are:</p>
<p>1) rewards
2) summer programs/travel experience
3) other stuff? (background, hobbies)</p>
<p>1) Rewards wise, I can't think of anything that isn't already stated elsewhere. Dean's List/Phi Eta Sigma counts, but that's about it.</p>
<p>2) Outside of visiting major cities in the U.S. (mostly on the east/west coast), I've got nothing here.</p>
<p>3) I put down that I'm a vegan and I run (not as part of a team; there's a marathon in New Orleans tomorrow I think, but I can't participate because 1, there's no way I can finish, 2, I gotta finish up this app!) and I do write and draw everyday to "keep sharp," and I do make movies whenever I have a chance. My description of each is pretty brief, but I will consider revising it if needed.</p>
<p>If I don't have, I don't have it, but I'm just curious how other people filled there's out.</p>
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<p>Because I'm a freshman in college, the counselor I talked to said to include high school ECs and I do have an artsy-leadership and technical person slant with lots of service, but in college, I only have political, cultural, and service organization memberships.</p>
<p>im not familiar with the usc app., however…</p>
<p>don’t be intimidated by the fact that you havent been given a grant by NASA or something, not putting much down for the rewards section is probably pretty commonplace for applicants not applying to the ivies…i don’t think that usc is going to hold the fact that you havent circumnavigated the globe against you, many applicants who didnt grow up incredibly priveleged probably havent travelled much either. that being said, it is important that youve done something during the summer, even if its a job to make money so they know that you just werent sitting in your room the whole summer…certainly include your hs ec’s, including that youre a vegan and you run sounds perfectly acceptable for that section, but try to connect it to part of a coherent identity or image you are trying to get through in the rest of your application rather than proclivities that just hang out there in the abstract</p>
<p>best of luck</p>
<p>1) filled this up with mostly stuff from HS cause Im currently a freshman in college… Sports awards (scholar athlete, MVP, Most Improved), and school awards (deans list and spirit award)</p>
<p>2) I just mentioned my international travel experience and that I’ve been to Mexico for numerous mission trips. i didn’t really discuss the importance of it or anything, just that im well traveled i guess</p>
<p>3) here i mentioned that i visited my brother’s company and sat in on company meetings. I said that it showed me what kind of career success i want to have kinda thing… just 3-4 sentences</p>
<p>Definitely mention all your HS stuff like I did, they will look at it</p>
<p>Also, just wondering… Is it expected that the “What are your academic interests and how will you pursue them/Why transfer?” essays (paragraphs really) be more straightforward? </p>
<p>Re-reading it, it’s hard to bend it so that it “shows, not tells.” I could do it, but I find it rather unnecessary. Is that standard?</p>
<p>that seems like a pretty concrete question, best to make sure you don’t tip toe around it…you want to be fairly concrete to show them that you will be able to make a successful transition to the school and that you know how already have an idea of how you will pursue your interests at the xfer school. i would even recommending doing a bit of research and looking at clubs/activities that are germaine to your interests and weaving them into your response. xfer essays/questions are different from freshman essays, your really not to put forth a great personal narrative as much as you are trying to show them that you can shoulder the workload and be successful in your new enviornment</p>
<p>cheers</p>
<p>Haha, thanks. I did exactly that. I planned the next three years by scoping out the catalog and schedule of classes, and I read up on Greek life, CET, SAFETI (thinking of joining the Peace Corps afterwards), and a bunch of other student organizations.</p>