<p>Hi
I am an incoming freshman. I was not invited to the Thematic Option program, but I would like to apply. I do have the credentials (4.0+ gpa and 2250 SAT I). I have yet to receive an email back from them, so I was wondering about how to apply. Also, is this choice binding, as in it would be impossible to return to the normal GE requirements?</p>
<p>From my understanding, TO is invitation only.
I’m also pretty sure that the deadline to apply has passed.</p>
<p>If I remember correctly from last year, it’s by invitation for the scholarship recipients, but you can apply as long as your SATs are at a certain level which is the case here.</p>
<p>I’m not sure what the procedure is and not sure when the deadline is.</p>
<p>I would try. People do drop out both at orientation and once the courses start.</p>
<p>TO is not binding. If you find it’s not for you, there is no problem continuing with regular GEs.</p>
<p>The deadline was the beginning of last month, unfortunately. Results came out at the end of last month. You could try submitting an application now, but there are many people on the waitlist, so I doubt you’d get a slot, sorry.</p>
<p>OP, I wouldn’t give up yet. It’s true the deadline is pretty long past and we’ve heard stories there is already a waitlist, but… there is nothing wrong with being persistent. The lesson for college may start here. USC really tries to make their students happy, and if you can explain that you hadn’t known you could apply and you really want to be in TO, advocate for yourself. I’d suggest calling the TO office tomorrow morning and ask for their help or suggestions on what you can do now. For the rest of your school career, and on into life, you may need to make corrections and go after what you want.</p>
<p>Here’s the link to the application, and you do not need to be invited to apply: [Thematic</a> Option Response Card](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/general_studies/toapplication.htm]Thematic”>http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/general_studies/toapplication.htm) Last year, my son was a Spring admit but got moved up to Fall, so he applied after May 20 and still got into TO. He was on a waitlist - sort of. The gist of it was that he was not guaranteed a spot, but we had a strong sense that it would be likely to happen at orientation if he were truly commited to participating in TO. So he made a point of going to the TO presentation at the beginning of orientation, and introducing himself to Richard Edinger, who then signed him up. Although there’s a waitlist, a lot of kids who have applied will have second thoughts, and USC really does make an effort to take the sincerely interested students who have potential to do well in the program.</p>