<p>I think the form asks you to write some kind of essays.</p>
<p>Nester, Core 102: Culture and Values (note-you select one specific class from several offered under this Core heading, but the list changes each semester) is attached to Writing Core 111. This writing seminar enrolls fourteen students and the same texts from Core 102 are used in both, so no additional reading. This writing Core also includes a biweekly, one-on-one private writing tutorial with your writing instructor. These two must be taken at the same time and, I believe, are offered in the fall semester.</p>
<p>Core 112 is a spring semester writing seminar that seems to get more rigorous in that it adds an independent reading list that examines the nature of modernity and postmodernity. Nothing was specified in the brochure that this course needed to be taken in tandem with any other TO Core class, but perhaps a current student could give an update. </p>
<p>At ExploreUSC, they made a point to say the advisors helped students determine their schedules and they were open to spreading out the classes if that worked best for an individual. Also, specific classes are not offered every semester, so some students wait until the subject/professor they want are offered.</p>
<p>Re: the TO application, it asks for three short essays this year. For those who may want to work on these ahead (!!!) or are just curious, here they are: 1) In what ways is academic breadth important to you? 2) Name a book you've always wanted to read, or a film you've always wanted to see and discuss your interest in that work. 3) What is the core responsibility of an educated person?</p>
<p>Let's just say, my S is interested in TO but hasn't jumped into the application essays...yet.</p>
<p>The form states the final deadline is April 4, but I would guess that if openings remain, they may stay open to applicants.</p>
<p>One last tidbit to share--they mentioned they looked closely at the SAT Writing score, as well as the CR score in evaluating applicants. GUess that makes some sense as Math wouldn't figure into these core classes to much. So those with high W and CR stats might have an edge.</p>
<p>It's good that TO student get an advisor. Is this the same for a non-TO USC student?</p>
<p>Core 112 is not attached to another TO course. Everyone in TO is required to take Core 102 and 111 together in the fall (freshman year). Core 112 is only a spring course, but you can take that whenever you want to, although many take it right after 111, which is what I did. It's great being done with all your writing after freshman year. The people who have to take Writing 340 (the "normal" GE writing course) take it junior year.</p>
<p>I took 102 and 111 first semester, 112 second semester, then one TO course each semester after that (except last semester, I didn't take any). I'm a junior now and I'm taking my last TO course this semester.</p>
<p>This info is very helpful! Thanks so much.</p>
<p>And now, for more questions (sorry): It looks as if TO students also need to take two "theme courses" to complete their general ed requirements, a social science one and a science one. Is this correct? Also, is there a list of the social science and science courses that work to fulfill this requirement, and if so, where can you find it? (I wish TO put more info online!)</p>
<p>Finally, do students in TO also take a "diversity" course to complete their general ed requirements?</p>
<p>So is there anywhere that we can get this application? Or do we have to wait for USC to acutally mail us a copy?</p>
<p>About the two "theme courses", there are many to choose from (from the regular USC catalog, I believe) but they are not part of the special TO Core, which is more thematic/interdisciplinary/humanities based. I remember the speaker mentioning an opportunity to actually place out of one or both of these requirements if the student has taken specific AP classes and received a 4 or 5 on the AP Exam. I don't recall all of the classes that fulfill these requirements, but it was a very short list--I think AP Chem or AP Bio for the science req and AP History of Art for the other. There may be a couple more. This is from my all-too-faulty memory. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Nester, </p>
<p>Yes, you still have to take the diversity course. As for the theme courses, you can waive those with certain AP scores (I passed out of social science with Euro). The theme courses are usually courses in a wide range of departments. You have lots of choices, including upper div courses. I don't have a list though. I took an exercise science class for the science one.</p>
<p>If anyone receives a notification, please post here. Thanks!</p>
<p>My WRIT 140 teacher (who was absolutely outstanding) is now a CORE 111 instructor. Dunno if that’s the norm, but if all of the TO writing instructors are as good as her, then that’s one big plus to being in TO.</p>
<p>jbusc do you think you can give me advice on which teachers/courses to choose for the best experience, in your opinion? I have no problem doing work, but I have heard that a few of the professors aren’t the best. Thanks.</p>
<p>I’d be glad to recommend, but usually they don’t assign instructors to writ 140/core 111 sections until the start of the semester.</p>
<p>Still, if anyone wants to know, PM me.</p>
<p>Hey–
Anyone heard back yet on TO acceptance? We missed the deadline by a day, and hope we still have a chance to get in the program…</p>
<p>Nope. I only received a message telling me that my application was received on time, and a decision will be given during the week of April 20th.</p>
<p>You still do have a chance to get in, but missing the deadline probably hurt you a lot.</p>
<p>If you really want TO, a day after the deadline probably won’t hurt you. My son managed to get in even though he was a Spring admit last year. He got bumped up to Fall, and went out of his way to contact the right people and express his sincere interest in participating. Once they knew he was serious and could do the work, it didn’t seem like a problem that he was late.</p>
<p>TO is really great. I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this already, but there was a TO research conference this month where selected freshmen got to present a paper to a panel of faculty, and had a nice celebratory dinner at the faculty club. The papers were works in progress for the TO 112 writing class, so it wasn’t a lot of extra work, which is nice. The opportunity to present an academic paper is not offered to first-year students at many other colleges; I’m so impressed that USC does this.</p>
<p>My D was one of the freshmen who presented this year - what a great opportunity! TO is an extraordinary program. I hope you all are accepted. Good luck!</p>
<p>bump. bump.</p>
<p>I only read one kid got waitlisted. It’s a lot of work but it’s worth it. Just don’t take 3 TO classes in one semester no matter what the advisor says.</p>
<p>I just got an email saying that I got into TO! I’m so excited!!! I can commit to USC now yayay!
Good luck to everyone!</p>
<p>Congratulations!!!</p>