<p>For a couple of questions on the application (What has been your favorite class in high school? Least favorite?), should I list the answer and elaborate as well? The response boxes have a maximum capacity of 300 words so I feel like they want us to support our answers, but they don't ask "Why?" after these questions. Any tips?</p>
<p>My best and worst class responses were 117 and 76 words respectively. I also changed “best” to “most intriguing” and “worst” to “most disappointing” in my answers.</p>
<p>Forgot to mention that I’m in TO this year… If you have any other questions about it, just ask.</p>
<p>Thanks! So I guess just go ahead and add details to our answers?</p>
<p>does anyone know what the deadline is for submitting a T.O. application?</p>
<p>isn’t it march 15?</p>
<p>@blissfulting</p>
<p>Most of mine were two or three paragraphs. Just make sure that they’re well written and that they capture the attention of the reader. TO has a lot of writing in it, and they look for people who are able to use words well.</p>
<p>March 15th is the priority deadline; you’re notified by March 31.</p>
<p>Thanks nberg5! You’ve been extremely helpful :)</p>
<p>Don’t you have to wait until you are admitted to USC? Or can you apply before you have heard back?</p>
<p>Yes, you must have already been admitted to the university to apply to Thematic Option
[Apply</a> Now > USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences](<a href=“http://college.usc.edu/apply-now/]Apply”>http://college.usc.edu/apply-now/) .</p>
<p>What you can do while you wait is take a look at the TO application [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) and get your answers perfected so you can submit it the day you are accepted.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Interesting. Here’s what it says about deadlines:</p>
<p>Deadline Information:<br>
Please return your application as soon as possible.</p>
<p>PRIORITY DEADLINE: MARCH 15</p>
<p>• Applicants who apply by this deadline will be notified of
their acceptance status by March 31.</p>
<p>• Applications received after April 5 will be considered for admission
after May 1 on a space available basis.</p>
<p>What this tells me is one of three things, or maybe all three:</p>
<p>1) USC is giving prioirity to TO for students already admitted in January (the merit scholarship qualifying students)</p>
<p>2) USC is going to come out with the next wave of acceptances by early next week, to allow a few more students to get their TO apps in before the March 15 deadline.</p>
<p>3) USC doesn’t care and some students accepted late in March may just be stuck with the “space available status” by mere coincidence as to when their acceptance is sent and received.</p>
<p>I hope theory #3 is not the case, since it appears unfair on the face of it. However, USC may have a method behind what they are doing so I’ll just stop here.</p>
<p>It is mostly #1. In the Thematic Option presentations, they say that Trustee and Presidential Scholars get the first shot at TO (not guaranteed acceptance, but first consideration). Then others with exceptional qualifications and/or compelling TO applications. In the past couple of years, some who applied for TO in April were accepted. The challenging nature of the program keeps many students from choosing it. (My personal opinion is that Thematic Option is the BEST thing - of many wonderful things - about USC. There is no better educational opportunity available.) So submit your application the day you are admitted and it may work out!</p>
<p>My son applied in June a few years back, and was accepted. (He’d been a spring admit moved up to fall admission, so he couldn’t apply any earlier.) The staff gave us the impression that the program doesn’t always fill up with the early waves of apps, and some people apply and then drop it. They seem to be able to squeeze in a qualified applicant, even very late in the process.</p>
<p>For whatever reason USC doesn’t really promote TO to non-merit contenders. One has to really look around the website, pick up on the program through word-of-mouth (or cc) to even know it’s an option as opposed to the ExploreUSC sessions presenting TO to merit candidates. Not sure why this is. Perhaps a throwback to days of yore when USC admitted a smaller number of academically driven and high achieving students?</p>
<p>A family friend’s LAC-type daughter was admitted to USC mid-March 2 years ago and after hearing from us about TO, filled out the app immediately. And she loves TO, feels it has made her experience at USC equal to the top LACs she had considered. </p>
<p>Those who are similarly intrigued by the program should feel lucky they are getting the word here and now, and send in your app as soon as you get your big packets.</p>
<p>Hey everyone. Quick question about the TO application…</p>
<p>I just got back from a trip to USC where I interviewed for the Presidential scholarship, and the TO presentation made me really want to apply… So here’s my question. Does applying by the priority deadline (March 15th) give me a better shot at getting in? Since I just got back from my trip I honestly have only barely started the application, so I don’t know if I should pump something out now and turn it in tomorrow (March 15th) or if I am better waiting and maybe putting more time into the app and turning it in before April 1st. Thoughts? How long did everyone spend on this app, and am I better off turning it in tomorrow? Thanks!</p>
<p>I’m wondering the same thing as College182. I’m a Trustee finalist so I interviewed a while ago, but I wasn’t able to work on my T.O. application until just recently.</p>
<p>The biggest advantage to applying by March 15th is that you will know by March 31st. IF you do not think you can put together a good application (sounds like you would be rushing it) then don’t rush it. Chances are you will get in since you are Presidential/Trustee anyway. I know not ALL get in but… I think it would be best to not rush it. If you are not satisfied with your answers then chances are the committee won’t be either. Take your time and do a good job.
@college182…did they tell you at the info session on TO how many they take and how many generally apply?</p>
<p>How does notification of acceptance into TO work? Do they do it by e-mail, or is it paper-mail like everything else? Is there such thing as a status page for TO?</p>
<p>^ I’m wondering the same thing. I wonder when we’ll hear (It says by March 31st so I guess it could be before then).</p>
<p>No status page for TO (thank goodness!!!). They notify you by letter.</p>