<p>Hi,
I was just notified I got into Thematic Options off the wait list. They've informed me that in order to do this I would have to replace two classes I really want to take this semester and it would really mess up my schedule. I'm also not too excited about the Thematic Option classes subject matter as shown in the catalog and really like some of the Gen Ed course options for future semesters. I plan to double major and will have a very full schedule each year as it is. I'm now rather ambivalent about whether to accept this offer into Thematic Options or not. It Thematic Options so fabulous I will regret forever turning this down? Anyone have any advice? THANKS!!!</p>
<p>I don’t know, I think some people said it was more of a hassle. There is an advantage of getting rid of your writing requirements in your freshman year (no 340 I think). Go and search for what people said about it before because there was a lengthy discussion about it before :)</p>
<p>My daughter turned down the thematic option as well and was very happy with her choice. She really enjoyed the flexibility of exploring subjects that she otherwise wouldn’t have taken. She ultimately finished her BS in Business from Marshall and went on to do her Masters in Communication Management at Annenberg. Its a great program, but not necessarily right for everyone.</p>
<p>If you want to know what other people think about TO here’s an old thread to read</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/146778-thematic-option.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/146778-thematic-option.html</a></p>
<p>Wish I could be of more help, but I’m not in TO, let alone USC. xP lol</p>
<p>Every time I see another one of those threads asking “Which is the easiest CAT III (or IV or…)???” where the discussion always centers on finding the least challenging courses, I am so relieved I chose Thematic Option. </p>
<p>When I applied to college, I wasn’t looking for the least challenging school - I was looking for the BEST school for which I could qualify. I wanted the BEST education available. I wanted to be challenged to do my BEST. Thematic Option is why I chose USC. My TO classes have been my favorites, and the challenge of them has made me do my very best. I cannot believe the difference in myself after one short year.</p>
<p>As uyulove mentions, the writing requirement is met in the first year. I don’t see it as “getting rid” of that requirement, I see it as making me a better writer sooner, which will allow me to present better papers throughout my college career in all of my classes.</p>
<p>I agree with IMHopeful that TO is not for everyone. And do not think that you cannot get an amazing education here without it you can. I was the only one of my suitemates in TO, and they are brilliant, hard-working students making the most of USC. For their particular situations/majors/goals TO was not the best choice.</p>
<p>From your opening post it sounds as though you can think of several reasons TO is not for you, and only one that you might regret your decision in favor of TO. My advice (and you asked for advice) is to make your decision and not look back. If you choose TO, dont slog through your papers wishing you hadnt, and if you choose not to take TO, be sure to take those classes that have already caught your interest and dont spend a moment wondering what TO would have been like. </p>
<p>Just dont come back here at registration time and post *“Which is the easiest CAT III (or IV or…)???” *</p>
<p>tocollege, ^^^a very cool post, and one that really captures the feeling of many TO students. </p>
<p>To OP, TO exists for students who want their minds to be stretched, and for whom the academic challenges are part of the adventure. When you were researching colleges to find the best fit, if you admired any top LACs because you liked the smaller class sizes, the amazing professors, and the camaraderie of similarly charged up classmates, TO is right for you as it is an awesome experience. </p>
<p>With the GEs, there will be more classes to choose from, often with tighter focus, but with TO (did you get the detailed reading lists for each section, with descriptions of the courses available, and professors, for next semester?) the offerings are often interdisciplinary (Thematic–meaning each course explores a more global theme (love, the future, etc) that is explored through literature, film, etc). </p>
<p>Either way, you should find wonderful experiences, but TO is one of USC’s greatest undergrad options for the intellectually motivated student who wants to meet and hang out with similarly well-read kids.</p>
<p>Good luck whatever your decision.</p>
<p>On the Presidential/Trustee scholarship weekened three years ago, I sat next to someone in the admissions department at one of the dinners who was also a graduate of USC. He said he really loved it, but that his greatest regret was that he did not take Thematic Option. Up until that evening I thought it would be too much for my daughter who was focusing on challenging science classes. She did decide to enroll after much thought. She discovered that Thematic Option was very diffucult and time consuming with tons of reading and analysis. From my vantage point her choice to take it has formed her now, broadened her knowlege and overall education, and has exposed her to some of the best professors at USC. She is a senior now, and it is under her belt and something she is proud of. It is not for everyone, and there are solid arguments for both sides.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your insightful comments. And as a side note to “tocollege”. I’m not looking for the easy way…my concern about potential regret, is that I will regret the missed opportunity to engage with intelligent and well-read students who have interesting view points. But I believe I would gravitate towards those students anyway, whether or not I’m in a specific sub-group of the college. I’m not worried about the extra work – I am just considering whether my energies could be better focused on all aspects of my education. I don’t want to accept it just because I’ve been offered a spot without giving it careful consideration. Thanks to everyone who offered their advice and experience. It just reinforces what an amazing place USC will be for me!</p>
<p>No. I have several friends. I’ve heard the program is a lot of work for no reward. Like the SAT subject tests. You’ll be shooting for the moon but you’ll most likely land among the stars.</p>