<p>How important are the writing supplement questions on the Common App for SCA? For instance, with the 250 word limit on the first two questions I only put around 100 words. I did this because I was rushed to complete it. However, my SCA SlideRoom essays are well written and use an appropriate amount of words. I just want to know if the CA questions are very important in the SCA decision. Thanks</p>
<p>I believe the Common App questions are pretty important, since those are seen by university before they ever reach CSA. You have to get into USC first and foremost before CSA will read your essays.
I have a question of my own though, what is the appropriate amount of words for the SCA SlideRoom essays (specifically critical arts)? I can’t seem to find a word limit anywhere - especially for the writing sample.</p>
<p>sammti, both the USC Dornsife admissions officer and the particular School applied to (in this case SCA) are reviewing each applicant’s file at the same time, independently. SCA puts significant weight on the material you submit for your particular major in the SCA supplement and considers the rest of the CA to a somewhat lesser extent. I doubt submitting brief short answers to the CA will pull down an otherwise great SCA supplement–to the film school. At the point SCA wants a candidate, grades/scores, etc. will have to be in line with USC’s academics so more attention is paid to the stats. </p>
<p>However, if SCA does not select a candidate, she/he may still be admitted to USC undeclared (to Dornsife), and that decision <em>will</em> be made looking only at the CA.</p>
<p>@sammti @madbean I called USC admissions about this specifically. I called twice just to be absolutely positive. I was told SCA does not read the common application at all; the SCA (and SCA’s faculty) only reads the art supplement that you submit. The only people who read your general common application and writing supplement are the USC admission officers. The writing supplements and the common application are irrelevant to the SCA. Meaning SCA doesn’t just put significant weight on the material you submit in the art supplement, it’s all they consider in your admissions decision to their programs.</p>
<p>@Bricerk09 There weren’t any word limits for my specific program so I kept my personal statement under 1,000 words and my response statement just over 250 words.</p>
<p>sielburt, that’s interesting. I was told that the entire file is available to SCA, including grades, scores, and CA essays. Whether busy profs working through SCA admissions files will choose to read the essays is, as I said, less likely but I think not impossible. My advice is not to get too worried about the CA writing portion of your application as the SCA supplement is the main (and maybe even the only) writing sample criteria they will use. </p>
<p>But at the point of compiling their final admissions list, SCA must pay attention to gpa, scores, etc. They may fight for students they really want, but we’ve been told by SCA admissions several times, they do not win on some candidates and over time they have learned just how much give and take may be possible. Of course, the vast majority of those applying to SCA (about 95%) will not be offered a place in that School due to so few spots being open, and of course they will be considered for admission by their 2nd choice School/major and also by Dornsife as undeclared major. For those adcoms, the CA will be more important to a good outcome.</p>
<p>@madbean I meant that the SCA doesn’t read the CA Essay or the two short writing supplement USC CA essays. I was told the only essays the SCA reads are their art supplemental essays. As you mentioned, I’m sure they look at the rest of the CA aside from its essays to make a decision.
Here is what SCA replied with after I emailed them-
"Our admissions committee only reads the supplemental materials, not the
Common Application essays.</p>
<p>Best,
SCA Office of Admissions"</p>
<p>At one of the campus tours, A faculty member advised those in attendance to remember they had to be attractive to USC admissions before SCA could request them. The person said, “Please make it easy for us to tell USC we want you!”</p>
<p>And I noted that our D got two separate packages. One accepting her into USC. A second package and folder accepting her into SCA that came afterwards.</p>
<p>So it seems to me that with 43,000 applications to sift through, the Common App essay responses are also important so that students can clear the USC main admissions hurdle. SCA students are expected to be part of the broader social and academic campus climate. USC knows SCA is going to turn down 96% of their applicants. And rumor has it SCA doesn’t have a waitlist. So if a student doesn’t fit for USC, there are many more that do. </p>
<p>So my recommendation is to put as much effort into your main application as into your supplement. IMHO</p>
<p>@ArtsandLetters I didn’t know you get two separate packages if you’ve been admitted. I think that’s neat. I spent a huge chunk of time on both the CA and the supplement. I mainly needed to know if the SCA reads the CA essays because I kept a fairly similar intro for both long essays and I didn’t want it to sound redundant if they did in fact read both. Thank you for that information, though! It makes me glad to know I spent time on both!</p>
<p>From what I hear, USC reads on the common app essays and application, SCA focuses on the supplement. But I can’t way 100%. Either way - you’re committed now and I think you’ll do fine. Good luck!</p>
<p>And yes - the two separate acceptance packets and certificates just doubled the joy. I’ll confess, SCA is really on it’s “A” game. They send a letter to parents saying what a wonderful job we did raising our students and asking to be our partners on the next step of the journey. I know it is just marketing, but it really did impress us since “other colleges” treat parents as invisible at admissions except when asking for tuition or fundraising! :-)</p>
<p>ArtsandLetters, it is a lovely note from USC, but your child and you really do become part of the forever family of USC donors. USC just makes parents try to feel good about it. </p>
<p>It’s working - lol! :)</p>