Hello everyone, prospective USC student here. When looking at the factors of USC admission, the overall “vibe” or “fit” of the student comes up very often, maybe even more that stats.
So, what do you guys think is the type of student they’re looking for?
How do they even gauge it? Essays? Short questions? I’m thinking a lot of students come off very similar from their writings, but is it the content in the essays?
Thanks
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Basically, USC is trying to craft a well-rounded and diverse freshman class. They also want some level of confidence, if possible, that the applicants they select for admission will be a good fit and thrive well within the USC community. This is most often accomplished by demonstrating that you have researched USC and your sought after School within it well and that you yourself have a solid Why USC? answer.
Many of the applicants these days are well-qualified and could perform well and thrive within college environments across the country. So why is USC or the opportunity to attend, study and research there important to you specifically? What sets it apart in your eyes? If it is such for you, and if you have a solid reasoning, USC would likely want to hear that from you. If USC is in fact your top choice… tell them… but also tell them why. If so… they do not clearly mind you telling them so. But they also want to understand your reasoning. They naturally prefer admitting those who will then elect to actually enroll thereafter. But they do want to understand your reasoning or goals related to how an USC education can benefit you. Conversely, they would like the comfort level of believing that you will do well there if admitted and choose to attend. So they may hope for a sense of what you will be bringing to USC… especially if your interests and demonstrated passions provide something unique or perceived to be missing or in short supply within the greater USC community.
Again… they are looking to create diversity on campus… both demographically and in terms of interests and opinions. This is all accomplished via your essays and writing samples… especially any form of Why USC? answer. It can also be accomplished with a single well-worded email to your assigned admissions counselor with a CC to the admissions office for your chosen school. For that email, I would keep it short… but it can at least offer one final chance to emphasize that USC is your top choice (if true) and that you are committed to attending if admitted (again, if true).
Good Luck