<p>Maybe! I sure hope I get invited!</p>
<p>I got one two days ago. We are in Florida</p>
<p>Ditto stalker but in NY… and Deans</p>
<p>The folks who run and administer TO are actually very approachable and helpful. My thought is that if you’re wondering how students in engineering or science honors programs fare when enrolled in TO, if it’s even doable, you might want to call and talk to TO about it. They might be able to put your S in contact with engineers in the TO program who could provide good input for him. (Note that although the work-study students who sometimes answer the phones may be quite well-versed in the ins and outs of the program, an administrator will probably have a perspective gained through more years of exposure.)</p>
<p>None here still and DS is Presidential Finalist and NMF. That’s okay though. He will probably apply anyway.</p>
<p>^^Thanks, Nester. That’s a good idea!</p>
<p>jason, NC Mom and Restless - ANY admitted student may apply for TO. It is a wonderful program, and I encourage you to apply. Here is the application: [TO</a> Application > USC College of Letters, Arts, & Sciences<a href=“Note:%20only%20%5BU%5Dadmitted%5B/U%5D%20students%20may%20apply.”>/url</a></p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>For those wondering about the selectivity, here is a thread from last year about TO acceptances: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/891746-thematic-options-acceptances-post-here.html?highlight=thematic+option+accepted[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/891746-thematic-options-acceptances-post-here.html?highlight=thematic+option+accepted](<a href=“http://college.usc.edu/cf/thematic-option/to-application.cfm]TO”>http://college.usc.edu/cf/thematic-option/to-application.cfm)</a></p>
<p>Just another bit of perspective: TO has been an amazing program for S1 and although the workload is serious, not overly so. OTOH, there are many other amazing programs at USC also. And clubs and professional associations. And greek life. And internships. And study abroad. And… just about every night of the week USC has some amazing speaker, panel, presentation, theatrical event, musician… You name it. Each year they sponsor the TedX conference for a day. And so on.</p>
<p>My point is that it is not possible to do it all. Really tempting. But part of time management will mean students need to pick those activities that they can reasonably do. Sometimes going to a school that offers such a brilliant array of enrichments can be…a challenge!</p>
<p>There has been much more going on on this campus than we could have ever imagined–so if you are not part of TO, there are so many other options.</p>
<p>OMG, the Tedx conference? I’ve been given an opportunity to present at that, I just need a conference nearby. That would be perfect…</p>
<p>How does TO work with study abroad? And Alamemom (good to see you!) yes, I realize that and will be applying!</p>
<p>Jasonvdm, TO and study abroad are not in the least bit incompatible. One can have completed TO by end sophomore year, actually even earlier as many SCA students that I know of have done. D did TO and went on study abroad in fall semester of Junior year, as did several of her friends.</p>
<p>Maybe it just got lost in the mail? Eh…</p>
<p>Anyway, this program seems really exciting and I will definitely be applying! (But I wish I were done with freaking essays. Does it never end?)</p>
<p>Simple Life,
My daughter is a senior in engineering. She is completing T/O this semester, her second semester of senior year. There are very few engineers that complete the entire sequence of T/O classes since their number of required classes is so high and it is difficult to take a T/O class every semester. In engineering, one has very few electives as many classes require a defined sequence to stay on track to graduate in 4 years. She has enjoyed the classes and greatly prefers them over GE classes. Students can start T/O first semester of freshman year and opt out of them if they do not like them. Each semester is different in terms of the specific theme of the class and the professors often change as well. My son also took T/O and recommended it my daughter.</p>
<p>The only bad thing about TO is that most students finish it sophomore year! I really wish the requirements were extended over one’s USC career. But on the bright side, my son met lots of great people - profs and students - in his TO classes, and still tries to go on the retreats and such. Those have been fun, and presenting at the research conference freshman year meant a lot. </p>
<p>He was a spring admit who was bumped up to fall, so he had to be proactive about getting admitted to TO. But the persistence paid off.</p>