I want to show USC that I am really passionate about the school, so I was wondering if it would be too far if I emailed my admissions officer a pdf file of a painting of USC (that I did) when I submit my application? I’m good at painting (I’m in AP studio art), and I would also write a quick note in the email so it wouldn’t just be the painting by itself. I heard that colleges don’t like it when applicants try to do weird things to stand out (such as write a song or send food), so is emailing a painting of USC considered weird and unnecessary?
Also, I’m applying to the international relations major, but planning on minoring in fine arts after I enroll in college.
My daughter submitted an art portfolio with her application as she had some really nice pieces from 2 years of AP art (Studio Art and 2D Design). She applied to Viterbi but has interest in possible minor in some form of visual art. It didn’t seem to hurt her as she received a full scholarship. I would think that if you submit your painting as part of a larger portfolio it wouldn’t seem weird and unnecessary.
@2018rhsswim
Obviously impossible to know for sure, but if there is a school out there that would find this endearing, it’s USC (full disclosure, I have a kid at Viterbi) The “Trojan Family” trip is bought into for realz and as long as you contextualize it well, it will not be frowned on. I’d try to find a way, as @18yrcollegemin suggested, to get it in as part of a more extensive supplement to your application or at least as a “charming” footnote. In general, engineering departments, esp. Viterbi, are very interested in artistic engineers. (My kid also had a studio art AP, and applied with portfolio to some schools but not SC, I don’t think but to be honest I’m not 100% sure. They are doing a design minor and have ended up doing the drawing/CAD/Solidwork rendering for all their Viterbi group projects. Engineering students that can/are willing to draw are very popular!) That said, I would not make it a top focus of your application, but I have no doubt that, properply presented, SC adcoms will find it endearing.
Some other hints: Sign up for interview early (that might be a place to break out the “I even did a painting of SC.”) And make sure to apply before the “early” merit cut off. Of all the schools my kid applied to, it seemed SC was most responsive to expressing the love. If your stats are good, they will look for little hints that suggest you’ll pick them over competitive (UCSD, UCLA, etc.) schools. Your painting will help there.