New Applicant Toolkit

alamemom · June 29, 2010, 2:54pm

The USC website has been updated for 2011 applications, and it looks like you can now start a 2011 Part One application. <a href="https://usconnect.usc.edu/RegisterNow.aspx?rand=38031409.9951372%5B/url%5D">https://usconnect.usc.edu/RegisterNow.aspx?rand=38031409.9951372</a>

I thought it might be useful to have an easily-found thread with links for new applicants to useful websites and information to help them through the USC application process. It will also help our regular posters find those favorite threads when you cant quite remember the title. Just remember to search by the word TOOLKIT, or TOOLKIT 2011 or New applicant links and hopefully this will pop up with everything you need.

*Everybody add the links you think would be most useful or informative or entertaining to new applicants * Keep adding as the application season goes on! (And update the links as the 2011 info becomes available.)

Ill start:

USC Official information:

USC official website: USC</a> - University of Southern California

Admissions:

USC Admissions: USC</a> Undergraduate Admission
USC undergraduate admission requirements: Freshmen</a> - USC Undergraduate Admission
USC undergraduate admission standards: Freshman</a> Standards - USC Undergraduate Admission
USC 2009 Freshman Profile: <a href="http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/0910/FreshmanProfile2009.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/0910/FreshmanProfile2009.pdf</a> (2010 should be available in September or October if you see that it is available, please post it!)
Dates and Deadlines: Dates</a> & Deadlines - USC Undergraduate Admission
Admission Interviews: Admission</a> Interviews - USC Undergraduate Admission
USC Catalogue (2010-2011): USC</a> Catalogue, 2010-2011

Financial aid:

USC Financial Aid: USC</a> Financial Aid
USC Scholarships: USC</a> Financial Aid - Grants & Scholarships - Undergraduate
USC Financial Aid application procedures: USC</a> Financial Aid - Applying & Receiving Financial Aid - Undergraduate - New Students

Misc:

Thematic Option: Thematic</a> Option > USC College of Letters, Arts, & Sciences
Thematic Option Handbook: <a href="http://college.usc.edu/assets/sites/1/docs/honors/Thematic_Option_Student_Handbook_.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://college.usc.edu/assets/sites/1/docs/honors/Thematic_Option_Student_Handbook_.pdf</a>
AP Credit policy: USC</a> ARR : Articulation : AP Exam Credit at USC
Baccalaureate/MD Program info: Baccalaureate/MD</a> Program > USC College of Letters, Arts, & Sciences
Orientation: Welcome</a> to the USC Orientation Programs Website

Financial Aid Applications official websites:
FAFSA: FAFSA</a> - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
CSS/Profile: CSS/Profile</a> - student financial aid application
Cal Grant: <a href="https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/logon.asp%5B/url%5D">https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/logon.asp</a>
More Cal Grant: <a href="http://www.csac.calgrants.org/index.cfm?navId=22%5B/url%5D">http://www.csac.calgrants.org/index.cfm?navId=22</a>

Useful USC-College Confidential threads (unofficial info):

STATS threads:
2010: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/852880-stats-only-usc-decisions-2010-a.html?highlight=stats+usc+decisions%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/852880-stats-only-usc-decisions-2010-a.html?highlight=stats+usc+decisions</a>
2009: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/642272-stats-only-usc-decisons-2009-a.html?highlight=stats+usc+decisions%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/642272-stats-only-usc-decisons-2009-a.html?highlight=stats+usc+decisions</a>
2008: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/454785-stats-only-usc-official-decisions-fall-2008-a.html?highlight=stats%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/454785-stats-only-usc-official-decisions-fall-2008-a.html?highlight=stats</a>
**Note: In general, students posting acceptances the last week of January and first week of February are those considered for Trustee and Presidential Scholarships, though there are some exceptions.

alamemom · July 9, 2010, 11:28am

Another useful link (Thanks for the reminder about this to PharmEngTenor!):

USC Academic Achievemnt Award

Allows students with at least 12 USC units, a declared minor(s) or double major, and a GPA of 3.75 to take up to 20 units/semester without an extra charge. The extra 2 units would normally cost $2,720 ($1,360 each).

[USC</a> Academic Achievement Award | Undergraduate Education](<a href=“http://undergrad.usc.edu/renaissance/achievement_award.html]USC”>http://undergrad.usc.edu/renaissance/achievement_award.html)

(This one is more for current students, but might be a planning tool for new applicants - keeping that GPA up can pay off!)

alamemom · September 15, 2010, 2:19am

Adding the 2010-2011 Freshman Profile (originally posted by josebiwasabi with lots of great info on <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/998464-2010-freshman-profile.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/998464-2010-freshman-profile.html</a> )

<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1011/FreshmanProfile2010.pdf[/url]”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1011/FreshmanProfile2010.pdf</a>

dreamupsided0wn · September 29, 2010, 8:05pm

Bumping this! ;)

dreamupsided0wn · October 4, 2010, 2:29am

I would like to add that if anyone has any questions about the School of Cinematic Arts, they should feel free to PM me because I’m fairly knowledgeable about their admissions procedures and I have a lot of friends there. :)

If anyone has questions about financial aid, alamemom is an expert in that area.

Oh, and if you have questions about science programs, josebiwasabi usually has a lot of answers.

And in case any TRANSFERS are looking for some guidance…

You get the picture. ;)

dreamupsided0wn · October 6, 2010, 10:33am

This needs a good bump.

get2200 · October 6, 2010, 1:16pm

This is good one. Thanks!

alamemom · October 13, 2010, 1:14pm

There have been applicants looking for forms, so I thought I would add them to this thread.

PDF versions of Counselor/Teacher Report, Transcript Request and unofficial SAT/ACT Student Report:*
<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1112/Form4_2011.pdf[/url]”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1112/Form4_2011.pdf</a>
<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1112/Form7_2011.pdf[/url]”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1112/Form7_2011.pdf</a>
<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1112/Form5_2011.pdf[/url]”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1112/Form5_2011.pdf</a>

Other forms: [Freshmen</a> - USC Undergraduate Admission](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/apply/freshmen.html]Freshmen”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/apply/freshmen.html)

SAT/ACT Student Report* USC asks you to BOTH send official score reports through The College Board or ACT AND self-report your scores, even if you have already had them officially sent. Every year applicants question this requirement and there are lots of good reasons for it, but I am tired of typing them so I will just say:

You want to be admitted to USC.
USC asks for the unofficial report.
Do what they ask so they are more likely to admit you.

Good luck!

alamemom · October 21, 2010, 12:22pm

Applicants looking for forms please see post #8, above ^

alamemom · November 2, 2010, 12:44pm

There have been two or three posters saying they have “heard” that USC requires a specific envelope size and will not accept materials in any other sized envelope…

While I am tempted to invent a non-standard envelope size (nine-and-seven-thirteenths-inches-by-twelve-point-three-centimeters…) and set all the 2011 applicants to work cutting and gluing custom envelopes, my hallowed status as a College Confidential Senior Memeber forces me to tell you that no, USC does not require any specific envelope size.

USC is very flexible about how you get materials to them and ANY envelope will be fine. You may also electronically submit forms (such as tax returns later in the financial aid process), email information, hand-deliver, etc. Please remember:

-Recommendations must be sealed by your recommender and sent in sealed. Do not open and FAX them. Your recommender can send them in, or you can pop the sealed recommendation in a larger envelope (any size that the other stuff will fit in!) with your other materials.

-Official transcripts must be sealed and marked “official” by your registrar. Again, do not open and FAX them or they become unofficial. It is fine if your registrar sends them directly to USC or you can pop the sealed envelope in a larger envelope (any size that the other stuff will fit in!) with your other materials.

-Include an unofficial printout or copy of your test scores in the larger envelope (any size that the other stuff will fit in!) with your other materials. You still must have the SAT or ACT scores sent officially, but USC likes to get started using unofficial printouts when your materials arrive.

Just get the materials there ON TIME. Don’t worry about the envelopes.

ON TIME

dreamupsided0wn · November 4, 2010, 5:50pm

That is the weirdest rumor I’ve heard yet. XD

alamemom · November 16, 2010, 10:43am

Adding some threads with Thematic Option information so I can find them later!

<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/866805-thematic-option.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/866805-thematic-option.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/146778-thematic-option.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/146778-thematic-option.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/877045-thematic-option-seems-kind-isolating.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/877045-thematic-option-seems-kind-isolating.html</a>

Wheaty · November 16, 2010, 2:32pm

Hi alamemom,

May I please add this link for Fine Arts majors applying to the wonderful Roski School of Fine Art??? :)

Please read your portfolio submissions details VERY carefully as many don’t make the cut simply by not following the portfolio rules!!!

[Undergraduate</a> Admission - How to Apply - Roski School of Fine Arts](<a href=“http://roski.usc.edu/undergrad/admission.html]Undergraduate”>http://roski.usc.edu/undergrad/admission.html)

Best,
Wheaty

PS. GREAT thread!

alamemom · November 17, 2010, 2:47am

Yes! The MORE links the better - an excellent addition. Anyone else with links they think could be useful to new applicants, please don’t hesitate to add them.

Thanks!

alamemom · November 23, 2010, 1:53am

Forms in post #8

IloveLA · November 23, 2010, 2:05am

This is not a toolkit item, but if you want some evidence that USC is a great place to go to school, check out the arts and events calendar. [USC</a> Events Calendar](<a href=“http://web-app.usc.edu/ws/eo2/calendar/32]USC”>http://web-app.usc.edu/ws/eo2/calendar/32)

alamemom · November 28, 2010, 6:05pm

Info for applicants! Good luck getting everything together by the 1st!!!

alamemom · November 29, 2010, 1:39pm

If you need to know where to send materials or need to ask admissions a question, here is the contact info from the USC website:

At USC, we pride ourselves on offering individual attention to students and their parents. We have a team of professionals available year-round to answer your questions and provide further guidance, should you need it.

If, after exploring our website, you find that you have further questions or need assistance on some specific issue, please dont hesitate to contact us (our office hours are Mondays through Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT).

Mailing address for follow-up application materials and all other types of correspondence:
USC Office of Admission
Undergraduate
University Park Campus
Los Angeles, CA
90089-0911

(Please use the envelope contained in the Part II application booklet when mailing a paper application) 

**Online Status Check **
You may get an up-to-the-minute update on the status of your online application by logging in [Application</a> Status Check - USC Undergraduate Admission](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/apply/status_check.html]Application”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/apply/status_check.html) . Online status checks are not available to students who applied with a paper application. Please call (213) 740-1111 for assistance.

E-mail the Office of Admission:
[Contact</a> Us - USC Undergraduate Admission](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/contact/contactus.html]Contact”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/contact/contactus.html)

Admission and Financial Aid Contact Center:
(213) 740-1111

Office of Admission Fax Number:
(213) 821-0200

Admission Interns:
(213) 740-6616

[USC</a> Undergraduate Admission - Admission Counselor](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/contact/index.html]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/contact/index.html)

Good luck!

Georgia_Girl · November 30, 2010, 9:41am

This needs to be bumped for the days before Dec. 1, 2010.

Georgia_Girl · November 30, 2010, 11:14pm

Bump again for easier student access…

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