<p>Okay so there are quite a few threads that essentially seem to be asking the same things, so I figured that it would be more practical to just have one thread about Explore USC and interviews. Newly admitted students can ask questions and current students can talk about their own experiences and give advice.</p>
<p>I interviewed for the trustee scholarship last year and received it. Explore USC was pretty enjoyable. There's a lot of "We love you and Welcome to the Trojan Family!" speeches, but they make you feel great about yourself, so it's good stuff. During Explore USC you get a chance to talk to a panel of current students and ask them about why they chose USC, academic/social life, anything. You then spend a night at a current student's place. The next morning/early afternoon, there are interviews. This is probably what most of you are curious about.</p>
<p>I'm a history major so I interviewed with a history professor, a history major student, and an admissions officer. I believe some other people had their interviews with only with 2 people (an admissions officer and a professor). I was a little freaked out at first, but it was a pretty relaxed atmosphere. Lots of laughter and joking along with the questions, so don't be too nervous. They had a copy of my application and asked me about: my essay topic, which one of my extracurriculars I enjoyed most and why, one of my short answers, why I chose my major, what activities I would like to be in at USC, and a nice little question about Asians and minorities (maybe the admissions officer stuck it in? She was Asian as well) Whatever you say, make sure you say it eloquently and with thought. I talked to the student who interviewed me a few months later and she mentioned that during my interview I seemed confident, very articulate, and level-headed because I actually thought out my answers. So don't just blurt out half-baked answers because you're nervous and just want to get it over with. Take your time to fully process the question and then answer, and if there's something about yourself that you really want them to know about, be sure to weave it into an answer somehow. Oh, and when you leave, be sure to firmly shake all of their hands, thank them, and leave with a smile.</p>
<p>After interviews, you have time to sit in on some professors' classes, but it's optional, and you can technically leave after the interview.</p>
<p>Hm. Is each department (for example, Viterbi) limited to a certain number of scholarships they can give out to interviewees? I always thought it depended on the entire school - so for example, if the maximum number of scholarships is 10, all 10 scholarships could go to Viterbi students, instead of having to split the number with other departments (for example, Marshall and Thornton).</p>
<p>:) Well, I imagine that they have an idea of how many people will be offered scholarships, but I'm not sure if it's a set amount. Maybe 50% or so of people who interview for scholarships end up getting them? Don't quote me on that though, that's just a guess.</p>
<p>Yes, each school has a separate number of scholarships to give out. Thus, you will be interviewed by people from your school, and representative of who you are. When I interviewed for trustee, I had a pre-med representative and someone from the diversity office (I'm half Cuban). While I didn't have a student in my interview, I was the exception rather than the rule. You should have a student for your interview. </p>
<p>Questions can be about anything, but the interviewers definitely pull from what you wrote on your application. Look it over before you go! For my interview, I was asked about the inspirational quote I had used. I was so grateful that I had looked at my app the day before, as I just used a somewhat random quote in the quick takes section. They'll ask about the major you chose, and maybe even ask about some of the ethical issues in the field. Also, we want to hear about your passions, and what they mean to you. I suspect that the reason that I got the trustee scholarship was my answer to the "do you have anything else you would like to tell us?" question. I'm a competitive jump roper, which I got a chance to explain- it fascinated my interviewers, and certainly left me feeling confident about the interview. </p>
<p>Have a question or two about USC and the programs you want to become involved in. It shows interest in the school and that you listened to all of the different talks you got the day before. </p>
<p>Dress nicely and neatly. Others have commented on this elsewhere, but the nicer you look, the better it is. Professional is the goal. Also, please MAKE SURE YOUR CELL PHONE IS OFF! The mom of one of my interviewee's last year called in the middle of the interview. I felt embarassed for him. (As a side note, that didn't actually ruin the interviewer- we liked him a lot, and still gave him the scholarship). </p>
<p>You aren't being judged by the people with whom you stay, so don't worry about that. They are an excellent source for real information about how campus life is. Just remember, they aren't allowed to take you to the row, so don't bother asking.</p>
<p>Haha, I'd like to know the answers to the questions above.</p>
<p>Nikara: Seems like it would be the hardest for Viterbi students to get scholarships..since it seems like a lot of the engineering students are nominated. True?</p>
<p>You don't know/have any choice in which dorm you'll stay in, you're just assigned to a host and stay at their place. I don't remember if you're grouped with someone who's in your major or not though.</p>
<p>For the Presidential interviews, does it matter which Explore session you attend? E.g., are the Fri./Sat. sessions more crowded than the Mon./Tues.?; are your chances of making a "lasting" impression better if you go for the final session? etc., etc.</p>
<p>It makes no difference. There are a different group of interviewers for many of them. You will be judged according to yourself.</p>
<p>Also, they do try to group you with people in your major, but that certainly isn't guaranteed. The only thing for sure is that RHP admits will be with an RHP student.</p>
<p>Anyone else have something to share? The advice in this thread has been great! I'm a bit nervous: I haven't done any interviews for colleges, and now my first interview will be with three interviewers...!</p>
<p>I know! I haven't been to an interview like this before either
can anyone elaborate on what kind of clothes I should wear to the interview? (I'm a girl)</p>
<p>NOTE: most of this will be kind of girly and detailed and about clothes so if you are a parent/boy/don't care then please just...don't waste your time reading it.</p>
<p>I have been on several interviews for other colleges and I basically have five "interview" outfits that I cycle in and out according to where the interview is being held, the age of my interviewer, the formality of the situation (i.e. an evaluative Harvard interview or a casual informative interview for a smaller school), etc.</p>
<p>They are as following from most formal to least formal:
1. a "little black dress" (it has sleeves and isn't really low or short or anything) with black heels and pearls (kind of cliche, but whatever)
2. dark tailored really nice jeans that I wear with a solid colored T-shirt beneath a fitted black blazer with black pointy-toe heels and nice jewelry
3. a solid-colored Betsey Johnson dress with leggings and ballet flats
4. a kind of "quirky" patterned dress that's pretty casual that I wear with gold heels
5. nice khaki pants and a Ralph Lauren button-up shirt with flats </p>
<p>So, when I go to Explore, I'm going to bring all of that stuff (and obviously other stuff too) and determine which is most appropriate depending upon how the beginning of the day goes before my interview, I guess. </p>
<p>I don't know if that helped at all/made any sense, but I guess it's worth a shot.</p>