<p>could you please list your stats? I understand the essays and ecs are very important too but I want to see whether my grades or my essay/ecs were what held me back (got the 'not being considered letter'. feelsbadman). </p>
<p>if its worth anything, i had a 2250/100.5 weighted gpa (dunno what that is on a 4 point scale). i wanna see what you guys had. thanks.</p>
<p>You are a wonderfully well-qualified candidate, and will very likely be admitted. The scholarship selection is not just based on stats - the whole application is considered, and sometimes wonderful candidates aren’t selected not because they don’t deserve it or because there is anything lacking in their application, but because there are SO many applications (over 22,000 for the scholarship deadline) that they cannot award a Trustee or Presidential to every applicant who deserves it.</p>
<p>You can take a look at the <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/1074764-usc-fall-2011-stats-only-decisions.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/1074764-usc-fall-2011-stats-only-decisions.html</a> thread - a bunch of the scholarship candidates posted their information there.</p>
<p>Best of luck</p>
<p>Well, I’ll give a quick comment on how a mediocre guy like me got offered the Presidential scholarship (Marshall @ USC) :O</p>
<p>Stats:
SAT Total: 2250 [M: 780] [CR: 760] [WR: 710]
ACT: 33 Composite
SAT Subject Tests: 800 Math IIc, 750 Biology-M, 710 Literature
GPA-UW/W: 3.79/4.3
Rank: N/A
AP/IB classes: AP Biology, AP Calc BC, AP Lang & Comp, AP Psychology, AP Lit & Comp, AP Statistics, AP Gov, AP Econ, AP Comp Sci AB [5 on Bio, Lang, Psych, Calc BC, Env Sci, Human Geo]
Subjective:
Essays: Can’t remember. Pretty satirical & poking fun essay.
Teacher Recs: Math teacher = great. English teacher = not sure.
Counselor Rec: Fantastic!!
EC highlights: Debate, Badminton, Volunteering (450+ hours), 3 Clubs (Anime, Video Games, NSA)</p>
<p>Location/Person:
State or Country: CA
School Type: Mid sized Public (2000 people total)
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Other Factors, hook?: None.</p>
<p>And there you have it!</p>
<p>If any current or former Trustee/Presidential scholars happen to pass by this thread, it would be helpful to know what the interviews themselves were like. What questions were asked? Where were the “zingers” or surprises. Having heard that the interviews are only 20 - 30 minutes, it seems as though the candidate has to have a script going in and stick to it.</p>
<p>^ The interviews themselves are surprisingly casual, especially–as you mention–considering how much money is on the line. They really do stick to the 20-30 minute mark. In retrospect, I’d say it was one of the easier interviews of my whole college process. There really weren’t any zingers or surprises. </p>
<p>Here’s my take on the scholarship interview process. By being selected as a finalist, you’ve already achieved an incredible accomplishment. Only about 1% of the applicant pool is offered a chance to interview for a scholarship. Think of the odds you’ve overcome! In contrast, about 50% of the people who interview end up getting a scholarship. Much better odds if you ask me… </p>
<p>And–quite frankly–I think that if you’re on the USC forum here, you’ll be included in the 50% of people who receive a scholarship. Their goal during the interviews really seems to be about weeding out people who are determined to go to an ivy-league and see USC only as a subpar backup school; and–yes–there are plenty of those people out there. </p>
<p>Everyone who has been invited to interview for a scholarship is talented in multiple respects; there’s no doubt about it. They’ve all got good grades, been involved in a plethora of extra-curriculars, and deserve to be at a selective school. The interviews work to find those students who are truly passionate about attending USC–those students for whom USC is a dream come true. So I’d argue not to stick to a script, but rather be authentic! Show them how much you want to be at USC! Be prepared–yes–but I’d advise to just let your enthusiasm for USC shine through.</p>
<p>This is definitely a stressful time; and I realize that a lot of people want very specific game plans going into the interviews (or at least I did). But–as cliche as it sounds–“be yourself and show passion for USC” is really the best advice someone can give.</p>
<p>Congratulations and best of luck to all of you!</p>
<p>So College182, was the interview like a typical college interview (tell me about yourself, what ECs do you do, etc)? Was it geared more toward your academic interests? Or did it really focus on why you wanted to go to USC?</p>
<p>Thanks for any input/advice!</p>
<p>The interviews are usually conducted by professors in your major (if you have listed one), so they may be looking at your outside-of-school interests that bolster your desirability in that major. So if you started an internet business and are a Marshall admit, they would like to hear about that. You should plan to really be yourself–after all, you have been accepted to USC early and are clearly at the top of their pool. But then figure out what you are passionate about (some project? work experience? class?) and make sure you communicate that. </p>
<p>I think they are looking for leaders in each department–so try to find a balance of enthusiasm for your field (and how you can achieve your goals at USC) and a decent amount of gratitude that you are being considered for this award.</p>
<p>Best of luck</p>
<p>Do you have any advice on what to wear?</p>
<p>Mostly everyone wears business attire </p>
<p>I interviewed for the Presidential scholarship last year and received it. My interview was very casual. I spent the whole 30 minutes talking about the instruments I played and the types of music I listen to even though this was a very minor part of my application (I was accepted as a biological science major). Most of the time it was just me talking about my opinions on the evolution of rap. Just remember that the interviewers are trying to find reasons why they should give you the scholarship and not why they shouldn’t so go in there and be candid. </p>
<p>Although I’ve heard of other interviews that were more serious (i.e. chemistry professors questioning about potential topics in research and stuff), I think most of the questions were derived from what you wrote in your applications and your essays so definitely go over those.</p>
<p>We have no official statistics about the number of students who receive the scholarship suggested in the admittance packet. Only a small number of students who interview post on this board. Over the years it appears most of the students DO receive the scholarship suggested. That does not mean all accept the honor. Some take other choices or wish to remain closer to home. We have never heard of a student who interviewed who did not receive any scholarship.</p>
<p>Some of the interviews could be as long as 40-45 minutes. One student who interviewed at SCA had a great experience. He posted the interview went smoothly. After leaving he checked on the internet and discovered the alumni representative was an Academy Award winning cinematographer.</p>
<p>It has been posted here the interview is usually conducted by a previous scholarship recipient, an alumnus/alumna and a faculty member from the school. We have no way of knowing if that will be the procedure this year.</p>
<p>I hadn’t head about alumni at the interview, GG. I have heard there are usually 1 administrator from the School or Department of the student’s major, 1 current student/Scholarship winner, and 1 professor in the Department. Sometimes there are only 2 on the panel. </p>
<p>Each School at USC appears to invite their own subset of scholarship finalists from whom they select final recipients. Depending on the School/major involved, the interviews may be slightly different in scope and topics covered. For instance, USC is vying for very impressive and gifted applicants in pre-med. These are students who may very well have acceptances to weigh from HYPS and other fine schools. When such a candidate walks into the room and seems uninterested in finding out about UG research opps at USC or knows nothing at all about USC’s med school, it can signal that student is not considering USC seriously as they may well have their eye set on another school. These candidates can be seen as trolling for honors/scholarships and that may work against them as USC would look for more serious aspirants for their top awards.</p>
<p>OTOH, at some of USC’s most selective majors such as the School of Cinematic Arts, Thornton School of Music, or Marshall (just to name 3), many if not most of the merit finalists may truly want to attend USC and have it among their top schools on their lists. For these majors, the process is not so much about detecting the level of interest in attending (most SCA merit finalists are simply thrilled to have been admitted to the film school at all), but in what that student’s vision is for their future career. These Schools look for thought leaders, creative entrepreneurs, go-getters who have found outstanding opportunities outside of their HS. It shows they most likely will bring this same adventurous outgoing spirit to USC and beyond. The trouble is there are a limited number of scholarships, and seriously–if you have been invited to interview you really really really have earned such a wonderful award. So, in the most competitive Schools, who are small and so therefore have even fewer top awards to distribute, there is a chance that the luck of specializing in one particular aspect (sound design?) catches the attention of that particular panel on that particular day. Or make-up design. Or costume dramas. Or low-budget horror. Or…??? Who can say? </p>
<p>I would suggest you truly try to be your (best) self. If you are naturally shy or quiet in such a setting, do practice interviews with your GC, parents, any other adult or teacher who is willing. Speaking softly, not fully answering, being too modest to tell about awards, or giving the impression you have not given USC serious consideration will not serve you well.</p>
<p>Best of luck from the parent of a Trustee Scholar.</p>