How to Write the USC Why Us Essay + Accepted Sample
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In this article, we’ll cover how to write the USC “Why Us” Essay. We’ll also be including an example essay that was accepted. You can also find the original applicant’s stats and marks below.
This should give you a general guideline to what your chances are of getting accepted into USC, as well as what you need to get in for your major.
For reference, the applicant’s information that we are basing off on was accepted into USC for Neuroscience. As such, he was accepted into USC’s Dornsife. However, they were an associate of ours and did not receive essay editing from us. They only received advice and consultation from us.
Okay, now onto the main attraction.
TL;DR: This applicant had an essay that was alright, but his strong grades and extracurriculars demonstrated he went above and beyond what most applicants could do.
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USC Why Us Essay Prompt
- How Important is the USC Why Us Essay?
Accepted Applicant’s GPA and Scores
Accepted applicant’s background + extracurriculars, sample working essay, why this essay worked.
Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (Approximately 250 words) USC Essay Prompt
How Important is the USC Why US Essay?
As you may have already seen on the official page , USC takes on a holistic admissions approach. This means that more than just your grades and test scores will be considered. Your essays will be weighed in as well.
With the rise of grade inflation, higher GPAs during the COVID19 Pandemic, and harder measuring tools for academic success, USC’s application essays are now more important than ever before.
To rub salt in the wound, the “Why Us” Essay is perhaps one of if not the most important essay in your application to USC. Why is that? It’s because it gives answers to questions that are most important to the admissions officers: what will you be doing here?
Some people have no idea what they want to do. Others have an entire startup idea already planned and ready to execute at USC. Depending on your answer, it can make or break your chances of acceptance.
So, long story short: it’s super important. Period.
Here’s some info on what the applicant’s stats were. Hopefully this will help you have a good idea of what it takes to get accepted into USC Dornsife.
- Summer: 4.00 GPA at Community college
- Fall: 3.86 GPA at 4 year 4.00 GPA at Community college
- Winter: 3.91 GPA at 4-year
- Spring: 3.51 (2 B’s 2 A’s) at 4-year and 4.00 GPA at Community college
- 4 year overall GPA: 3.76 GPA. Community College overall GPA: 4.00
Combined GPA of 4-year and Community college: 3.88 GPA.
Now, here’s everything the applicant had done for their extracurriculars and other projects. We underlined the particularly impressive ones in bold.
If you want to have extracurriculars that will help you stand out, make sure to conduct your own projects with positive results. These typically show a dedication and passion for your major more than others.
- Completed all GE’s.
- Completed majority of neuroscience recommended major preparation courses.
- Completed entire second major choice recommended preparation (Second major choice: Health and Human sciences.)
- Conducted 3D-printed mask initiative. Created masks for the COVID-19 Pandemic through 3D printing. Worked to make sure final product fit with mask regulations. Gave the printed masks to those in need.
- Conducted a program at UCLA
Extracurriculars:
- Participate + active at local church
- Learned Basic CPR
- Doctors Without Borders
Work Experience:
- Worked a job for 2 years.
- Externship at Brown University
Note: This sample essay has many spots that can be edited to look better. However, this essay was accepted for someone with a fantastic GPA and incredible extracurriculars. They went above and beyond.
After scrolling on YouTube for hours as a 16-year-old, I was suddenly recommended watching a neurosurgeon perform brain surgery while the patient played the guitar. This strange yet interesting video of how a patient’s functions were still functional even though the skull is wide open led me to USC professor Donald Arnold’s body of work, which focuses on Behavioral, Systems, and Cognitives. His work led me to take a step in my life to pursue a career in Neuroscience. I hope to conduct Undergraduate research in the Neuroscience Experience Undergraduate Research and Learning Program or NEURAL. Working under Tirin Moore and Sarah Bottjer, I will collaborate with students in Humanities, Physical Sciences, and Mathematics. The projects that are housed at NEURAL will allow me to explore my catenated interests. Collaborating with students in a variety of fields can allow me to solve real-world problems. The obstacles we face as a whole, we need doctors who not only think unclouded but also view challenges from various lenses. Dornsife’s emphasis on amalgamated learning within the Neuroscience Honors Program encourages metacognitive problem solving and thinking. I hope to integrate psychology, Biology, and Neuroscience by taking courses like “Neuroscience Colloquium and Systems Neuroscience: From Synapses to Perception,” further interning for SURF offered by USC. By merging multiple disciplines in my study, I will help bridge together people and the problems we face. (Word Count: 233) Nathan –Aceppted to USC for Neuroscience
So, here are a few points as to how this essay worked and what it did right.
- Using an interesting opening
- Being specific on what he wants to do
- Showing how USC’s resources specifically (particular professors) work for his future career
- Mentioning his multiple interests and merging them together into a more specific future plan
Now, in the grand scheme of things, this is an okay essay.
However, if you are performing below what the applicant has in terms of GPA, scores, background, and extracurriculars, then you’ll need a better essay .
We wanted to show this essay because it is a decent essay that is around the level of what you would expect of someone who had done some research on their application essays.
If you are below a 3.9 cumulative nonweighted GPA, are not doing internships at prestigious schools, and don’t have the number of clubs this student has, that’s actually okay! You just need to make sure that your essay is better than what we’ve posted above!
So, what does that leave for us?
That means if you’re not at the 99th percentile of your class, taking multiple courses over the summer, and doing externships with professors at an Ivy League such as Brown University, then you have no chances of getting accepted to USC.
Just kidding.
On a serious note, if you want to get accepted to USC, knowing how to write the USC why us essay is crucial. This is perhaps one of the most important essays in the application because it demonstrates to the admissions office why they are #1 on your list. It also shows them who is worthy of entering their school, and who will use their resources well.
If you’re still struggling on learning how to write the USC why us essay, you may want to discuss it with us! Send us a copy of your essay, or simply contact us ! You can get a free consultation, and we’ll give you free help in your initial call!
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4 University of Southern California (USC) EssaysThatWorked
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Applying to USC in 2024 means that you are facing a lot of competition.
Luckily, one of the most effective tools you have to stand out from the crowd is your essays and responses to USC's writing supplement.
In this article, I've gathered 4 of the best essays from students admitted into the University of Southern California so that you can get inspired and improve your own USC essays.
What is University of Southern California's Acceptance Rate?
This past year, a record 70,971 students applied to USC and only 8,804 students were offered admission. That means USC had an overall acceptance rate of only 12.4%.
If you're trying to maximize your shot of getting into USC, writing essays that show why you should be accepted is one of your best strategies.
USC Acceptance Scattergram
The more competitive a school admissions is, the more heavily your essays are weighed. Let's check out the USC prompts for this year.
What are the University of Southern California Supplemental Prompts for 2022-23?
For its application this year, USC requires students to respond to three short essay questions and ten short answer questions.
USC has an intensive writing section, which means its even more important for you to make your responses the best they can be.
Here are the University of Southern California prompts for 2024:
Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (Approximately 250 words) (1-250 words)
Starting with the beginning of high school/secondary school, if you have had a gap where you were not enrolled in school during a fall or spring term, please address this gap in your educational history. You do not need to address a summer break. (0-250 words)
Describe yourself in three words.
What is your favorite snack?
Best movie of all time:
If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
Dream trip:
What TV show will you binge watch next?
Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate?
Favorite book:
If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be?
4 University of Southern California EssaysThatWorked
Here are 4 of the best USC essays that worked for this years writing supplement.
Below you can read how admitted USC students answered the short essay and short answer questions. In addition, I've included some Common App personal statements examples recently accepted students.
See exactly how students got into USC and get inspired:
USC Essay Example #1
Usc essay example #2, usc essay example #3, usc essay example #4.
Prompt: What is something about yourself that is essential to understanding you? (250 words max)
If I had a fatal flaw it would be loyalty. Of all the things I value, the one thing I value the most is my family. Coming after family is my friends; I consider my friends to be an extended branch of family. My close friends know that I value my friendship and that I would do almost anything for them if they asked me. I am very trusting with my friends, because I know that if I am there to support them, they will be there to support me. Without my friends, I would not be who and where I am now, as they have helped me through my years and shaped me to be the trusting and loyal person I am.
Very often, I put my friends before me, and this is because I know that if I were in the same situation as them, they would opt to help me. My loyalty to my friends helps them understand why I do what I do, and it helps me make even more friends. Wherever I go, I want to go with friends, because I believe that I can go farther when I have others with me rather than going fast and alone, but not as far.
The sounds of my knife striking kale unnerves my cat asleep in the corner. He quickly runs over to examine the situation but becomes instantly uninterested when he sees green and smells bitterness. Unfortunately, my family has this same reaction every day of every week.
They question, “It’s bad enough that you’re going to eat kale, but do you really have to massage it?” I respond with a deep breath, during which I recall information from nutritionfacts.org. I begin to explain, “Well you see, it takes away the bitterness, because kale is composed of cellulose, so when you massage it with a strong acid–”but as I continue to delve into my rather scientific and oftentimes molecular rationale behind transforming myself into a masseuse to make a salad, everyone begins snoring. I guess no one has ever understood my immense love for the science behind cooking (and probably never will).
Sure, my family, friends, small, undiverse and traditional high school all look at me like I am crazy, but I guess that is because I am. I do not look at kale and think “dark green, bitter, disgusting plant.” Instead, I see proteins and anticarcinogenic properties--analyzing the anatomy of food seems to occupy my mind.
Cooking is an art, visual, creative and instinctive. My favorite nights are spent with knife in hand and sweet potatoes in the oven. Food is my artist outlet, and one of the few things to feed my soul (and my stomach, too).
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Prompt: Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (250 words max)
All throughout my life, I always loved doing math no matter what the concept. My love for math led to me taking advanced math classes for my grade. I even had to take a bus to a high school when I was in middle school to take an advanced math class. I always knew that I would want to pursue a career dealing with mathematics, but I was not really sure until my junior year. I had not decided what I wanted to be in the future, so my uncle suggested being a CPA, and I looked into it. When I did my research, it interested me as they made a decent amount of money and they worked with numbers.
At USC, I would like to major in accounting and gain the opportunity to possibly receive an internship at one of the big accounting firms in Los Angeles through the networking of USC. If I were able to get an internship, I would be able to gain experience for when I graduate and search for a job. I would also consider going for a Masters of Business Administration as I know that USC has one of the best business programs in the country.
I had never considered traveling across the country to pursue an education. In fact, living in Pittsburgh all of my life and growing up with people who are so adamant about staying put, forced me to believe that I too had to box myself into this small, yet evolving city. However, now I can confidently tell my friends and family that I want to travel to California for college (and ignore their odd looks).
What strikes me most about USC is its ability to maintain uniformity despite its diverse student body--in interests, ethnicity, and opinion. There are not many schools where I could be best friends with filmmakers, artists, photographers, chemists, potential CEOs, and writers. Although all of these people are spread across different schools, they still seem to maintain a cultural unity. Being surrounded by such a distinct trojan pride combined with the ambitious atmosphere would be both inspiring and propulsive.
At USC, I would not have to confine to merely one of my interests. I have always had aspirations of becoming a doctor and pursuing neuroscience, but have never felt comfortable ignoring the humanities. As a Trojan, I could pursue research at the Dana and David Dornsife Cognitive Neuroscience Imaging Center or even take part in PIBBS, while also honing my writing skills through the intricate Writing Program.
Much like the students, my interests could somehow be molded into a diverse uniformity, and I could prove my fellow Pittsburghers that perhaps they need to move around more.
What Can You Learn From These USC Essays?
If you want to get into the University of Southern California, you'll need to answer the USC writing supplement questions as best you can. To help improve your essays, you can read these 6 essays that worked for USC and see how students got accepted.
Let me know, what did you think about these USC essays?
Ryan Chiang , Founder of EssaysThatWorked.com
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My Advice For Writing The Why USC Essay
My college application process was incredibly rewarding. And incredibly exhausting.
I was very excited for college in general; I love learning and craved the independence to build my own life and schedule at a university. I was also stressed about my essays and credentials. This stress manifested in intense perfectionism. I probably rewrote and revised my essays more than 50 times. The essay about why I wanted to attend USC was perhaps the most stressful one for me.
I am going to condense some of the most useful advice I received and lessons I learned as I was writing the “Why USC” essay. I am by no means an expert or know everything there is to know about these essays, but these are the pieces of advice I think would have made my essay writing process less stressful.
1. The Why is more important than the What
If you are anything like me, you like A LOT of things about college. USC and Viterbi had so many things that I was interested in that I found myself rambling on and on about the opportunities in my essay. The admissions team knows what opportunities USC has to offer. It is important to mention the things you are interested in (ex specific programs or clubs) as context, but they ultimately want to hear why you want to experience them and how they relate to your interests and background.
2. Be specific!
It can be easy to fall into the trap of speaking about “so many interesting engineering programs” or wanting to get involved in “research”. However, it will be easier to avoid rambling and digressing if you are specific. What specific engineering program interests you — and why? What specific research would you like to do? Is there a certain project you saw or read about that piqued your interest? Not only will researching specifics help you understand the school more, it will show the school that you are interested in them!
3. Remember who you are
Colleges want to get to know you through your application. Not the version of you that you think they want to read about. Trust me, your essays will be much more authentic (and enjoyable to write!) if you write about things that you are genuinely interested in. If you are applying as an engineering major at USC and want to explore cinema minors — include that in your essay! The cinema program at USC is world renowned, so that is a unique thing you would get to experience at Viterbi as opposed to another university. There is no formula to being accepted. Viterbi wants to admit engineering students with diverse interests. Your uniqueness is valued, so you should write about it.
Apart from the specific advice for writing the essay, I have some broader suggestions. If you are reading this blog and in the process of applying (or thinking about future applications) this advice is for you. Take a deep breath and relax! You are incredibly capable. Just let your authentic self shine through your essay. As a college student on the other side of the application process: I am rooting for you!
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How to write the usc supplemental essays 2020-2021: the perfect guide (examples included).
University of Southern California (USC) is a private university located in downtown Los Angeles, California.
With its warm weather and beautiful campus, USC has been a prime film location for many films and television shows.
- If you’ve seen Forrest Gump, Legally Blonde, Love & Basketball, The Social Network , and the C ., you’ve seen USC.
Boasting over 21 colleges, academies, and schools of study that offer hundreds of majors, and thousands of courses, USC offers plenty of variety for even the most curious students.
USC’s acceptance rate has been sitting at a thin 13% for the past few years.
With such a low acceptance rate, you’ll need to write excellent essays to be considered for admission at USC.
USC uses the Common App , which means you can access all essay questions on the Common App portal.
Though you’ll need to make these essays count, you shouldn’t worry. This guide is here to help you through the entire process, so you can show the USC admissions team that you deserve to be a part of their upcoming class through thoughtful and well-written supplemental essays.
What Are USC’s Supplemental Essay Requirements?
USC requires that students answer multiple prompts as part of the application process. You will find both on the Common App.
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Click above to watch a video on USC Supplemental Essay.
For the first prompt, students must choose one of three potential essay questions . These questions assess the student’s diverse experiences, interests, and characteristics. This type of question is also commonly referred to as the “diversity essay.”
The prompts for essay #1 include:
USC believes that one learns best when interacting with people of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Tell us about a time you were exposed to a new idea or when your beliefs were challenged by another point of view. Please discuss the significance of the experience and its effect on you. USC faculty place an emphasis on interdisciplinary academic opportunities. Describe something outside of your intended academic focus about which you are interested in learning. What is something about yourself that is essential to understanding you?
For the second prompt, students must describe their intended major and what motivated them to make that choice.
The question is as follows:
Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections.
USC also has a short answer section, in which you are expected to write extremely short, 1 sentence (or even 1 word) answers. These questions are designed to better showcase your personality.
These questions are quite random, so prepare yourself to answer with authenticity and a bit of thought, so the best version of yourself is represented.
Creating a compelling application to USC requires well-written essay responses that reflect critical self-reflection and self-understanding.
On top of perfecting your mechanical skills, work to condense and hone your writing so that every word adds to your main point.
In addition to helping admissions counselors get to know you better through writing, you should pay attention to your organization, spelling, and grammar.
Simple mistakes in those areas can outshine your true potential.
We’ll look into each of the prompts in detail below, to help you submit the best version possible
Get personalized advice!
Usc supplemental essay prompt #1: new ideas.
“USC believes that one learns best when interacting with people of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Tell us about a time you were exposed to a new idea or when your beliefs were challenged by another point of view. Please discuss the significance of the experience and its effect on you.”
In this prompt, USC tells you that they value diversity.
Not only do they value diversity, but they also value people who can appreciate diversity and are open-minded to new ideas, experiences, and perspectives .
First, it’s vital that you truly understand what diversity means.
- According to Merriam-Webster, two definitions are “the inclusion of different types of people (such as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization” and “an instance of being composed of differing elements or qualities.”
To answer this question, you will have to reflect on past experiences during which you faced a different idea or belief that somehow challenged yours.
- You will then have to tie your experience and lessons learned in with USC’s values.
USC’s values are found underneath the Applicant Admission Process tab on their website.
In the Personal Qualities section, USC states: “We look for students who possess the potential to contribute to our diverse and vibrant campus life, who represent a vast array of interests and passions, and are leaders unafraid to speak up in class or fight for a cause.
We value students who make us think….”
- In other words, not only does USC want you to be open-minded and appreciative of diversity, they also want you to be a leader and contributor to their community. They want you to own your uniqueness and share it with others in a way that is mutually beneficial to the community and to you.
Before you begin generating ideas, let’s take a deeper look at the question to fully understand what USC is asking for without going overboard in your response.
- “Tell us about A TIME you were exposed to a new idea OR when your beliefs were challenged by another point of view.”
- Your essay response only needs to include one story and does not need to include both components mentioned in the prompt.
To start brainstorming, think of a few times where you heard something or had a conversation that introduced you to a new perspective, changed your perspective, or called it into question.
- How did you feel?
- Why did you feel that way?
Once you have generated a list of experiences, pick the one you feel offers the deepest experience with diversity in your life.
Reflect on this experience and discuss how it affected you in a positive way.
- How did those experiences change your thinking or your outlook on life for the better?
- Did the experience cause you to question or reflect on other beliefs you possess?
- If your perspective didn’t change, what did you appreciate about the other perspective on the issue/idea/belief?
It’s helpful to write down thoughts and notes before you begin crafting your actual essay.
After doing this, take what you have written and summarize that into a brief thesis statement.
- Then, expand to help the reader to understand your challenge just as you were experiencing it.
Your telling of the experience can flow similar to how you would tell someone out loud, but you’re limited to 250 words.
- For example, “My discussion with Person X did not change my views on the problems associated with income inequality, but it did help me to better understand and sympathize with some of the issues self-made wealthy individuals face…etc.”
Pick your most poignant experience and make a story out of it.
Help the reader to experience your challenge just as you were experiencing it.
Be sure to showcase your individuality and your open-mindedness. Once you’ve written your personal statement, be sure to have someone read through and edit your response.
This will help make sure your point was made and avoid spelling/grammar errors you may have overlooked.
USC Supplemental Essay Prompt #2: Outside of Your Academic Focus
“USC faculty place an emphasis on interdisciplinary academic opportunities. Describe something outside of your intended academic focus about which you are interested in learning.”
With this prompt, USC wants to see that you are able to demonstrate open-mindedness.
- It’s great that you want to study mathematics, but are you open to learning from the field of music?
- What about psychology?
- Maybe you want to be a doctor and are inspired by literary doctors like Oliver Sacks and William Carlos Williams. In this case, you’d explain how you plan on studying literature in addition to pre-medical courses.
They want to know that you care about things outside of your immediate focus.
Having more than one interest makes you more well-rounded on a personal level, and it can help you on professional and academic levels as well.
- For instance, USC wants to produce skilled doctors, and they would prefer to produce good doctors who also understand the healing power of narrative. You’ll want to have a focus but also a breadth of diverse interests.
For this question, you will also need to be genuine.
Even if your other interest is not an academic field or major offered at USC, it’s okay.
- The prompt doesn’t state it has to be an academic interest – it just has to be outside of your intended academic focus.
- You may decide to minor in another area, but you should not feel restricted to discuss academics only.
Consider writing about opportunities offered at the university that exist outside of the classroom.
You could try researching the different clubs, activities, or events that exist or happen around campus.
- For example, you may major in political science but also want to become a better musician.
- You might sign up for a voice class at the university and join choirs and singing groups to improve your musical ability.
Or, maybe you are a STEM major, but you’ve also been learning ASL. You could write about your interest in USC’s American Sign Language Club, as it would help you better practice your sign language.
- What are your other interests?
- Try writing them down and writing about the one that means the most to you (or shows a side of you that is not yet on your application).
Here is another example:
- If you plan on majoring in bioengineering, you’ll want to think beyond biology and engineering, as this is implied in the name of the major. You could be interested in a humanity like anthropology, which works to explain how human cultures work – an interest that may inform and enrichen your primary focus.
If you can’t think of a particular interest that would be completely new to you, consider a topic outside your academic focus that you want to become better versed in.
In this case, you’ll express why you want to continue learning more about that interest. In other words:
- What is something you want to learn more about?
- Why do you want to learn more about it?
While there’s no wrong way to answer the question, a great way to approach the question is using your interest to unconventionally further your understanding in your academic focus.
- For instance, if you’re a physics major with a passion for music, you might write about using music as practical applications of some physics principles regarding vibration and sound transfer.
If there’s a particular story behind your interest, share that in a way that helps the reader connect with you.
Telling a short story about your interest will help you effectively use more of your 250-word limit.
Overall, try to be authentic and show USC that you’re a well-rounded individual who will add to their campus community in more ways than one.
USC Outside of Academic Focus Essay Example
“Hi. My name … is Bobby … and I will be playing Fur … Elise … today.” The audience sat still as I stuttered through my introduction, approaching the lavish grand piano for my freshman-year recital. As chords flowed through my hands, my fingers began to slip, missing notes along the way. My stage fright had gotten the better of me. When I enrolled at GSA the next year, my friends dragged me to drill practice in preparation for the Clash of the Halls dance competition. I was reluctant, but upperclassmen convinced me to represent my hall at the most popular event at school. Although I had performed at multiple piano recitals, participating in choreographed dancing was a new challenge. Passion gradually outweighed my fear as I became more comfortable with the challenging choreography. Dancing became less of a commitment. I slowly became obsessed with making sure our team hit every note, rhythm, and beat. When I began leading practices, rising from apprentice to teacher, the moves became muscle memory and excitement pumped through my veins. After months of practices, I led my hallmates into the gym, exuding hall spirit and assuming our formation. The fear that once possessed me completely vanished. We went on to give an unforgettable show. Having discovered my newfound passion, I went on to choreograph my school’s Diwali dance for the next two years. I look forward to pursuing my love for dance by joining the USC Zeher Bollywood fusion team in the near future.
USC Supplemental Essay Prompt #3: Essential to Understanding You
“What is something about yourself that is essential to understanding you?”
This is the equivalent of the “tell me about yourself” question; the same one that you will be asked during almost every interview.
This question is broad, so you want to be particular.
The best way to be particular is by utilizing a story you haven’t already told in another part of your application. This story should also highlight one of the characteristics you feel is essential to who you are as a person.
- Think of a story that demonstrates your values, a perfect day, an activity you enjoy, or an important relationship.
You’ll want to be able to pinpoint that one thing throughout your story.
- The key is to answer the question concisely (within the 250 word count maximum) and genuinely.
Another great way to approach this question is to ask yourself a question and answer through a free-write.
Examples of questions you could ask yourself include:
- What do I value?
- What does my perfect day look like?
- What could I do every day and not get tired of?
- Who are the most important people in my life?
- What’s my ultimate life goal?
- What motivates me?
Write whatever comes to mind for your questions.
Don’t be afraid to include a negative experience if it significantly affected your life, goals, or personality.
This is where you can find beauty in the darkness to show how you’re unique.
Do the same free-write exercise with these questions.
- What struggle do I work most to overcome?
- What is something only those closest to me know about how I’ve become who I am?
- What do I avoid at all costs?
- What am I terrified of?
You are not being asked to share your most tragic story or deepest darkest secret, but it’s important to appreciate that we don’t only grow from positive experiences.
We grow from all experiences, so write about one (positive or negative) that has shaped you most.
The next step is to ask yourself why. This is very important.
USC wants to know what is important to you and why it’s important.
- If your answer is “I don’t know,” take some time to think about it or move on to the next idea on your list.
- Ask friends and family for their thoughts (but remember that you have to create an essay with your own thoughts and not those of someone else).
Here’s an example of breaking down a meaningful story to pinpoint the specific characteristic that is essential to you being you.
- Interest: I love traveling by train.
- Why? I like the rhythm and cadence of the wheels on the tracks, the sound of the whistle, watching the diversity of the landscape as I travel in and out of urban centers.
- What does it say about me? I pine for a quieter, slower time and love to find ways to balance the rush and grind of the city with habits of slow living.
- What characteristic does this give me? This says something about how I’m contemplative.
- How do I use this characteristic? I spend time contemplating choices longer than most and dislike being rushed to make a decision.
When you’re able to come up with the answer to “Why?” write down as much as you can without judging yourself. You’re the only person who knows the truth about what is essential to understanding you.
When you’re able to identify what you would like to write about, frame it within a story.
Remember you only have 250 words to spare, so it won’t be a full-blown story.
However, two to three sentences about the background behind your topic will be helpful to the reader.
- For example, if you want to write about your involvement in sports as an important part of who you are, write about how you became interested in sports in the first place.
- Maybe your grandfather taught you how to throw a football. Maybe he came to all your games.
- Let the reader know the story behind what you’ve chosen to write about.
As always, have someone read your essay to ensure that it is error-free and genuinely reflects you.
USC Essential to Understanding You Essay Example
My grandmother likes to tell the story of three-year-old me in the grocery cart, screaming in Vietnamese the names of passing vegetables, much to the amusement of shoppers. Back then, Vietnamese was enough. In kindergarten, I faced my first language obstacle. At the toilet, I couldn’t undo my double-ring belt. How embarrassing would it be to interrupt the teacher in the middle of class and silently point to it, hoping she would get the message? I chose to sit on the toilet and cry. That was the first day I peed my pants in class but the last time language would ever come between me and going to the bathroom. I made learning English my mission. By third grade, I was reading stacks of books almost as tall as I was every week. Language is meaningful to me. While volunteering in the hospital, when I ask a lost elderly couple if they speak Vietnamese, their eyes light up in relief. When a Spanish-speaking woman hurriedly calls her child over to translate, I tell them in Spanish not to worry, empathizing with the child who has the same role I once did. Language doesn’t just communicate information. For me, it has been a tool for insight, allowing me to connect with others. Throughout my schooling, I’ve taught my parents a lot of English, and I still teach them new words every so often. When I make the occasional error, I jokingly but affectionately blame it on English as my second language.
“Why USC?” Supplemental Essay: How to Answer The Intended Major Question
“The intended major question states: Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests at USC. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections.”
This is another version of a “Why This College” essay .
Sometimes when high school students are asked about their major, they get overwhelmed because they aren’t 100% confident about what they want to study.
Consider major selections to be a road trip, not a death sentence.
You are allowed to change your mind, but it helps if you know what you want and why. So, take some time to think about it:
- What do you enjoy studying?
- Why do you enjoy studying it?
- Are there other subjects you enjoy as well?
Think about your experiences in school up until this point.
Sure, interests change, but, often, there are things within our lives that remain constant.
Maybe you never cared about history class, but you enjoyed reading novels and analyzing characterization and plot techniques.
- Or, perhaps you hated having reading assigned for class but enjoyed acting out scenes from different novels and plays.
These are things to take note of.
Another way to help you figure out your intended major is to look through USC’s website.
- Remember, this question functions as both a question about your intended major and a question about your intentions for applying to USC. Your answer is best suited when tailored to USC’s unique features that other colleges may not offer.
Does Biomedical Engineering sound interesting to you? Check out USC’s Biomedical Engineering program. Look at the courses you will have to take. See what excites you.
Still struggling to come up with your intended major?
Working backward is another helpful strategy.
- Think about where you will want to be 5 to 10 years from now.
- What do you want to be doing every day?
- Are you passionate about reading and analyzing large amounts of information and communicating it in a way that makes sense to other people?
- Do you want to teach people how to handle their finances?
- Are you interested in helping other people live healthier lives?
- Do you want to develop your passion for writing into a career?
Look at careers that match the types of things you will want to be doing every day. Then, look at the type of knowledge that will be required to get those jobs.
That knowledge may be found in more than one major. If that’s the case, you will need to look through the department websites for your intended majors.
- Once you’ve done the necessary background research, tell your story.
- Lean into a story of what your major will be and own it, but, remember, it’s not binding or contractual.
The more you learn about different majors, the clearer your intended major may become, so spend a couple of hours clicking deep into the website:
- Start with the programs related to a chosen field.
- Then, look at the types of courses that are offered and learn about some of the professors teaching the courses.
- You’ll also want to look at news or research coming out of the department.
Consider ways in which you will grow and flourish academically and programs to which you might contribute as a student at USC.
If you have a career goal, it can help.
- Describe how your major in narrative studies will help you realize the goal of becoming a documentary filmmaker.
- Explain how you will be prepared in a program that balances traditional studies in English literature with film theory, writing classes, as well as the study of popular culture and ethnicity.
- Write about how a degree in social work will help shape you into the type of politician you want to be in the future.
Write the vision for your life and write how your first (and/or second-choice) major will help you get there.
It would be an added bonus if you can talk about extracurricular activities you might be interested in joining to further supplement your learning.
Remember, learning takes place outside the classroom as well.
Take time with this essay to make sure you’re confident in your future goals, and then share them with the admissions team. When you’re authentic and have a plan for the future, you’re sure to write a compelling essay.
Why USC and Why This Major Essay Example
8 p.m. – I sat in the peer tutor room, waiting for underclassmen to approach me for academic help. An hour-long shift passed without any students stopping by. At this moment, I realized the immense lack of organization within the peer tutoring program at GSA. Students could neither find available tutors nor schedule time with them despite needing support for challenging courses. I knew there had to be a better way. I spent the next few months teaching myself Android Studio programming and developed EngTutor, an app that streamlines the process of finding academic help connecting students with available tutors. I will use the resources available at USC to turn EngTutor into a commercial venture. In the classroom, I aim to take advantage of USC’s advanced computer science program to broaden my knowledge of robotics, machine learning and artificial intelligence. I am excited to take courses such as Advanced Natural Language Processing to understand AI concepts. At USC, I intend to take advantage of the focus on interdisciplinary studies and enroll in elective courses at the Marshall School of Business to complement my skills developed at USC’s LavaLab. By receiving mentorship from professionals in entrepreneurship and computer science and gaining experience pitching my ideas to judges, I will be ready to participate in the Blackstone LaunchPad. Here, I aim to collaborate with like-minded individuals to enhance my entrepreneurship capabilities. Through these academic and extracurricular programs, USC will provide me with the resources necessary to embark on my entrepreneurial journey.
The USC Short-Answer Questions
The USC Short-Answer Questions include:
- Describe yourself in three words.
- What is your favorite snack?
- Best movie of all time:
- If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
- Dream trip:
- What TV show will you binge watch next?
- Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate?
- Favorite book:
- If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be?
While most universities that include a short answer section limit your word count to 100 words, the USC short answer questions only require one or two sentences to fully answer them.
- Be sure to answer the “why” implicit in the question.
- Treat it more like a conversation or an interview – monosyllabic responses don’t bode well for a conversation, and they don’t look great on your application, either.
- Instead, add a little context to your answers.
- After all, the USC admissions department should better understand you after reading your short answers.
There are two kinds of questions – Listing something that you feel describes yourself, and answering generic “break the ice” questions.
- For the questions in which you describe yourself, try asking friends or family for some perspective.
- Most importantly, make sure that you don’t choose vague adjectives – Each word should reflect a specific part of your personality.
If you are having a lot of trouble thinking of words that best describe you, don’t be afraid to get creative. For example, if you are a Harry Potter fan, consider using traits that describe your favorite Hogwarts house.
- For instance, if you consider yourself a Ravenclaw, you might use the words “analytical, quizzical, and creative.”
- A Slytherin may use “ambitious, hardworking, and clever.”
- Whatever method you use, make sure that these words tell USC about you.
For other questions, begin with the answer, then explain the why.
Also, remember that the admissions team at USC is not looking for the most sophisticated student, they just want introspective students.
- For instance, don’t just say that your favorite movie is Captain America: The Winter Soldier or Twelve Angry Men – explain why (briefly).
- Perhaps you’re interested in the themes of privacy versus security, or the film made you interested in the law or political science.
With every question, bring along a little insight into your life, your beliefs, and your ambitions.
USC Short Responses Examples
1.Describe yourself in three words.
2. First Word: Self-motivated
3. Second Word: Analytical
4. Third Word: Mindful
5. What is your favorite snack? Raisins and almonds: nutritious, portable, and delicious
6. Favorite app/website: Spotify
7. Best movie of all time: Avengers: Infinity War
8. Dream job: Founder/CEO of my assistive robotics technology company
9. What is your theme song: Believer – Imagine Dragons
10. Dream trip: Road trip on historic Route 66 from Chicago to LA with my friends
11. What TV show will you binge watch next: The Office
12. Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate: Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings
13. Favorite book: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
14. If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be: Facing Your Fears: Public Speaking
Conclusion: Writing the USC Supplemental Essays
As we mentioned at the beginning of this guide, well-written responses to those prompts require self-reflection, critical self-analysis, and research.
Start early to give yourself enough time to research your intended majors, write high-quality responses, and have time for revisions.
You have a 250 word limit for each of the supplemental essays, so use them all to create a lasting impression on the admissions officer reading your application.
By following the above guidelines, you can create a shining admissions package that will set you apart from other applicants.
Don’t forget to have fun, be a little creative, and show the USC admissions team who you really are. Your best chance to get into USC depends on it.
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University of Southern California 2024-25 Supplemental Essay and Short Questions Guide
Early Action: Nov 1
Regular Decision Deadline: Dec 1
University of Southern California (USC) 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Guide
The Requirements: 2 or 3 essays (depending on major selection) of up to 250 words; 2 short-answer lists.
Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Oddball , Short Answer , Community
USC Essay Prompts Breakdown
Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests at usc. please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (250 word limit).
This is USC’s take on the classic Why essay. In asking how you plan to pursue your interests, admissions is really trying to suss out your core reasons for choosing USC. While college will offer you a wealth of social and professional opportunities, its primary function is academic — and your primary role is as a student. So, what kind of student do you hope to be? Where do you hope your studies will take you? What resources and opportunities does USC offer that will meet your needs and guide you towards your goals?
To answer these questions, set aside an hour or two to pore over the USC website (there’s no hack, you’ve just got to put in the time). Beyond the basic departmental listings, look up information about news and research coming out of your department, the kinds of courses available, the opportunities that other undergrads have had studying in your area of choice. Even if you have a wide array of interests, consider explaining how two to three departments might complement each other or foster your interest in a larger idea or theme. Your ultimate goal is to show that your interest in USC (just like your intellectual curiosity) runs deep!
Describe yourself in three words (25 characters).
Your answers do not need to be so outlandish that admissions needs a thesaurus to look them up, but they should avoid the generalities that so often populate these questions: loyal, kind, smart… you get the idea. We’re sure you are all of these things — and they are lovely qualities to showcase in the stories you tell elsewhere in your other written responses — but these sorts of terms can ring hollow. Think about how different people in your life would describe you. Though this assignment is short, you may need to spend some time wordsmithing different combinations. When the prescribed format is a list, order matters just as much as content, so use every element of the assignment to your advantage!
The following prompts have a 100 character limit:
What is your favorite snack, best movie of all time:, if your life had a theme song, what would it be, dream trip:, what tv show will you binge watch next, which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate, favorite book:, if you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be.
Behold! USC’s attempt at being quirky! You’ve been limited to less than the length of a tweet for each answer, so you’d better make every word (and character) count! These prompts don’t have time for generalities or gentle introductions, so you’ll have to cut straight to the point. The more specific your words are, the more memorable your answers will be. Favorite snack? Don’t just say, “popcorn and Junior Mints.” How about, “A box of junior mints melting over hot popcorn as I watch a horror movie” (72 characters). If you can paint a funny picture or display a knack for wit, take this chance, but don’t force it. You also don’t exactly have to think of this as filling in the blanks, but more as filling in any blanks in your application. Anything that doesn’t feel like it merits a full essay can go here as a tweet, hot take, punchline, or elegantly-worded sentence.
USC Dornsife Applicants: Please provide an essay of no more than 250 words on the topic below. In your response, we encourage you to write about something that you haven’t already discussed elsewhere in your application.
For more information, please click here ., many of us have at least one issue or passion that we care deeply about – a topic on which we would love to share our opinions and insights in hopes of sparking intense interest and continued conversation. if you had ten minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your talk be about (250 words).
We at CEA love this question because it’s a unique way of asking applicants: what do you care about and why? What’s important to you? What information do you wish other scholarly minds had access to? Start by making a list. Maybe you’d like to use your ten minutes to speak about media literacy and how we can and should consider what we see online through the lens of the powers that dictate how and when we receive information. Perhaps you’d want to spread the word about the dangers of climate change and the irreversible impact it will have on the planet if we don’t take action swiftly. What keeps you up at night? What kind of positive effect do you want to have on the world? These are the questions you should be asking yourself when brainstorming for this prompt. Bonus points if you can speak to how a USC Dornsife education will prepare you to address this issue head-on in the future!
USC Viterbi Applicants:
The student body at the usc viterbi school of engineering is a diverse group of unique engineers and computer scientists who work together to engineer a better world for all humanity. describe how your contributions to the usc viterbi student body may be distinct from others. please feel free to touch on any part of your background, traits, skills, experiences, challenges, and/or personality in helping us better understand you. (250 words).
USC Viterbi School of Engineering wants to accept students who will contribute to diversity on campus. When considering an aspect of your identity or background to expand upon, we recommend choosing one that has had the biggest impact on the way you experience and interact with the world. Ideally, the unique aspect you select should come with a couple anecdotes. Maybe you want to write about your experience as a person living with a disability and how this has shaped your interest in engineering, design, and accessibility. Perhaps you embody #BlackGirlMagic and will bring a fresh perspective to a field in which women of color are underrepresented. Regardless of the part of your identity you choose to address, be specific about how it impacts your worldview and how it will add a distinct perspective to USC Viterbi.
The Engineering Grand Challenges (for USC Viterbi Applicants):
The national academy of engineering (nae) and their 14 grand challenges go hand-in-hand with our vision to engineer a better world for all humanity. engineers and computer scientists are challenged to solve these problems in order to improve life on the planet. learn more about the nae grand challenges at http://engineeringchallenges.org and tell us which challenge is most important to you, and why. (250 words).
Strong responses to this prompt will showcase self-reflection, care for the greater good, and ambition. Review the fourteen Grand Challenges and see which you connect with the most. Maybe you’re passionate about providing access to clean water, since you know firsthand what it’s like to not have that access in your hometown in Michigan. Perhaps you hope to engineer better medicines in honor of a loved one you lost to illness prematurely. Maybe you’ve always been fascinated with outer space and would jump at the opportunity to engineer new tools of scientific discovery. Make sure to relate your own life experiences and/or interests to the challenges the world is facing and emphasize how you’d like to be part of the solution.
Why Choose College Essay Advisors for USC Essays
College Essay Advisors has over twenty years of experience guiding students one-on-one through the essay writing process for the University of Southern California. We take a holistic approach to these essays and short answers, considering each student’s application package as a whole. It’s incredibly important to us that each student’s voice is preserved, and we pride ourselves in helping students to write successful USC supplemental essays that differentiate them from similarly qualified applicants.
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Frequently Asked Questions
USC asks applicants to write two (2) or three (3) essays, depending on their major selection, and two (2) short answer lists.
The limit is 250 words.
The USC supplemental essays are very important in the admissions process. Admissions officers at USC seek to “enroll a diverse group of students who represent a vast array of perspectives and passions, who will enrich each other’s education by challenging each other, inside the classroom and out.” These essays offer admissions the opportunity to get to know your values and better understand how you will contribute to the diversity of voices in their campus community. In short, they enable admissions to get to know the person behind the application (a.k.a. you!).
Absolutely not. Please do not reuse content from your Common App essay in your USC supplements. Although it’s possible for you to expand upon an idea, activity, or community that you mention in your Common App essay in your supplements, you should never recycle content or any phrasing word for word. Each written response is an opportunity for you to share more information about yourself and your candidacy, so you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not taking advantage.
Applicants will want to avoid silly grammar mistakes , repeating the prompt in their response, and telling rather than showing (e.g., saying you are determined without giving an example of a time you displayed determination).
When you don’t have a lot of words (or characters) at your disposal, ideas reign supreme. Instead of dedicating time to crafting beautiful transitions, like you would for a 500-word essay, most of your time here should be allotted to brainstorming and finding instances where one word can substitute for two. It’s also wise to think about your application as a whole (imagine the same person reading all of your documents in one sitting!), and offer answers that provide new layers to your submission.
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4 Tips for Writing Perfect USC Essays
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College Essays
![why usc example essay body-usc-sitao-xiang-wikimedia](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/body-usc-sitao-xiang-wikimedia.jpeg?width=550&height=385&name=body-usc-sitao-xiang-wikimedia.jpeg)
So you have your heart set on going to the University of Southern California . That's great—it's one of the best schools in the country ! Unfortunately, that makes it tough to get into: only 10% of applicants are admitted each year .
But don't worry. This guide will teach you everything you need to know to write an outstanding USC Writing Supplement .
We'll answer all of your questions, including the following:
- What is the USC supplement?
- What are the questions, and how do I answer them?
- Are there tips and tricks for knocking your USC essays out of the park?
- What steps do I take to finish my USC application?
Let's get started!
Feature Image: Sitao Xiang / Wikimedia
What Is the USC Supplement?
The USC Writing Supplement is an additional part of the USC application that you fill out on the Common App website.
The supplement itself consists of two writing prompts (250 words each) and 12 short-answer questions (100 characters each) . The word limits mean you'll have to cram a lot of information into a small amount of space.
Great USC essays are going to be concise, honest, creative, and engaging . Remember, USC designed the supplement to help admissions counselors get a better sense of your personality. Don't be afraid to embrace your individuality here! It's your chance to share aspects of yourself, your life, and your goals that aren't captured by the Common App.
In other words: this is your time to shine.
![why usc example essay body-usc-campus-wikimedia](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/body-usc-campus-wikimedia.jpeg?width=450&height=338&name=body-usc-campus-wikimedia.jpeg)
( Bobak Ha'Eri / Wikimedia)
Where Can I Find the USC Supplement?
The writing supplement is part of the USC Common Application. Once you've selected USC as one of your colleges, it should pop up in the application portal. If you're not exactly sure how to find it, don't worry ... here's a step-by-step guide!
- Log into the Common App website using your username and password.
- Click on the "College Search" tab and look for "University of Southern California."
- Select the search result and then click "add" to add it to your profile.
- Return to your dashboard and look for "University of Southern California." Click the label below the school that reads "Show more details."
- From there, click on the link titled "Writing Questions."
- You can also access the supplement by clicking on "University of Southern California" and scrolling down the school's home page on the Common App to find a link labeled "Writing Questions."
How Do I Answer the USC Essay Prompts?
The writing supplement contains two short writing prompts designed to showcase both your writing skills and your personality. But because you're limited to 250 words, you need to make every word count .
Here are some general strategies to keep in mind.
#1: Use a Standard Format
It's important that you aren't wasting precious space. A good strategy is to limit your intro/thesis statement and your conclusion to one sentence each . That lets you use the rest of the space to answer the prompt.
#2: Show, Don't Tell
Instead of giving run-of-the-mill answers, use stories and anecdotes to illustrate your point. Paint a picture for your audience when you can!
For example, say you're talking about your love of photography. Instead of writing, "I love to photograph people," see if you can capture the feeling of taking someone's picture.
A better sentence might read, "I love trying to capture people's personalities through my camera lens." The first answer tells us that you enjoy photography, but the second response shows us why you love it .
#3: Edit, Edit, Edit
Don't be disappointed if your first attempt at answering these prompts goes over the word limit. That's OK! Keep cutting and revising until you end up with something great.
Here are a few examples of how you can edit a sentence to make every word work:
- OK: "It was the very best experience of my whole life."
- Better: "It was the best experience of my life."
- Best: "The trip was transformational."
- Passive: "Geology would be my preferred major."
- Active: "I plan to major in geology."
- With "is": "Researching cancer treatments is my ultimate career goal."
- Without "is": "I plan to pursue a career in cancer research."
#4: Don't Wait Until the Last Minute
The USC supplement is short, so it's tempting to tackle it at the end of the application process. Don't! Writing short responses is harder than it looks, so give yourself plenty of time .
![why usc example essay body-study-note-writing-essay-computer-cc0](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/body-study-note-writing-essay-computer-cc0.jpg?width=300&height=199&name=body-study-note-writing-essay-computer-cc0.jpg)
The USC Essay
USC is making things more streamlined this year: everyone answers the same question! Here's the prompt:
Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections.
What Is This Question Asking You to Do?
No option here: you're stuck with this prompt and limited to 250 words in your response. But that's OK because this is the "Why USC?" question. (It's a version of what we call the "why this college" around here.)
Why do you need to go to USC to fulfill your dreams? Or, put another way: why is USC the only school for you?
This means choosing and discussing your major (and your second-choice major if your program is very competitive). Remember that you're not committed to the major you pick . You can change majors after you've enrolled.
How Do You Answer This Question?
Research, research, research. Visit the USC website and get to know your college, your department, and the classes offered. Also, take a close look at your major's course of study. If you're going to take classes from other departments, figure out which ones and why. For example, if you're majoring in international relations and want to work in China, you'll probably take foreign language/culture courses (like Advanced Modern Chinese) and political science courses (like Chinese Foreign Policy). Research the professors in the department and mention them by name.
- Seize the day. There's more to college than going to class. Making the most of USC means getting involved and taking advantage of opportunities such as internships and study abroad programs. There are over 100 international fellowships and programs available through different colleges, so be sure to look into them . Mentioning programs like the Global Fellows Internship (available to all students) or the Maymester , which is a major-specific opportunity, shows that you're serious about making the most of your education at USC.
- Focus on USC. Your job is to show why USC and nowhere else can help you achieve your dreams.
![why usc example essay body-typing-writing-computer-essay-studying-cc0](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/body-typing-writing-computer-essay-studying-cc0.jpg?width=450&height=300&name=body-typing-writing-computer-essay-studying-cc0.jpg)
Optional Essay: Explaining Your Education Gap
Who is this question for.
First thing's first: not everyone needs to answer this question. Only respond to this prompt if you took a semester or more off between high school and enrolling in college, or if you took time off while enrolled in high school.
So if you took a gap year (or two, or three), you should answer this question.
This isn't a trick question. Admissions counselors genuinely want to know why you took time off between high school and starting college. And don't worry if your reason isn't "sexy," like you were rescuing sea turtles off the coast of Argentina or teaching English to underprivileged students in Iowa. For most people, the answers will fall along the lines of getting a job, financial difficulties, or helping out their family.
In short: this question is asking you to honestly explain your education gap so that admissions counselors have a better idea of you and your story.
How Do You Answer the Question?
- Keep it short and sweet. It's tempting to give admissions counselors every detail of your situation. But the truth is, they only need to know the most pertinent information while still being honest. Remember: you only have 250 words!
- Explain why you're choosing now to return to school. Counselors are also going to be interested in why you want to go to college now. Be honest about this, too! It's okay to say that you wanted to take some time off to really figure out what you wanted to do with your life, and now you're prepared and excited to throw yourself into your studies. Whatever the case may be, make it clear that you're ready to be an engaged and dedicated student regardless of your education gap.
- Don't make excuses. This isn't a "woe is me" section. While taking time off between high school and college may have been out of your control, this isn't the time to air your grievances. The best answers to this question will keep things as honest and positive as possible.
![why usc example essay Body_Think_Small_Freddie_Alequin](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Body_Think_Small_Freddie_Alequin.jpg?width=506&name=Body_Think_Small_Freddie_Alequin.jpg)
Your answers in the next section might be small, but they're mighty.
Freddie Alequin /Flickr
The USC Short-Answer Questions
On the surface, the short-answer questions seem simple, but many students find this section the hardest part of the supplement . That's because these responses are limited to 100 characters or less—shorter than a tweet!
Here are some general tips to make tackling the USC short-answer questions a breeze:
#1: Maximize the space you have. There's room to elaborate on your answers a bit, and you should.
#2: There are no right answers. Admissions counselors don't have specific responses in mind. This is their way of trying to get to know the person behind the application.
#3: You're more than a major. It's tempting to make every answer tie into your major or future career in some way; instead, your answers should capture who you are as a person and hark back to your academic goals only if it makes sense for them to.
#4: Don't be afraid of a little humor. Embrace being funny but not at someone else's expense.
#5: Avoid clichés.
#6: Keep it tasteful. If you wouldn't say it to your parents, don't say it to an admissions counselor!
Now that you have some solid strategies, let's look at each question individually.
Questions 1-3: Describe Yourself in Three Words
A good way to tackle this question is to ask your friends and family to text you their responses, and look for patterns . For example, if five people say you are nice and caring, combine those into one idea, such as "empathetic."
Adjectives are the most common words to use, but you can pick nouns, too! Just stick to ones with personality (like "bookworm" if you love to read, or "shutterbug" if you're a photographer). Choose words that are highly descriptive (e.g., "enthusiastic" instead of "fun") and avoid clichés as much as you can.
Oh, and the supplement breaks this response into three separate fields , so make sure you don't type all three words on one line ! Also, note that there's a 25-character limit per word, so think "antidisestablishmentarian" or shorter.
Here are some sample responses:
- Whimsical, artistic, collaborative
- Competitive, thoughtful, engaging
- Loquacious, jovial, encouraging
- Reserved, compassionate, giving
Question 4: What Is Your Favorite Snack?
Here's a chance to showcase your personality by being specific . Let's say that you love peanut M&Ms. A specific answer might say, "Eating peanut M&Ms while watching a scary movie."
You can also touch on your personal history , especially if you come from a diverse background. You could say something like "My abuela's enchiladas" or "Almond Crush Pocky" as a nod to your heritage.
Finally, lean into your weird . We all have strange snacks that somehow hit the spot (we're looking at you, hot dog buns dunked in hot chocolate). If there's a bonkers food you enjoy—such as dipping tater tots in soft-serve ice cream—this is your time to shine. An added bonus? It will definitely make an impression.
- Perfectly toasted marshmallows while sitting around a campfire.
- A hot dog and soda from Fenway Park.
- Homemade apple pie with melted cheddar cheese on top!
- A package of Digestive Biscuits (they're cookies!) and a glass of milk.
Question 5: Best Movie of All Time
This question can make applicants anxious because people are passionate about the movies they love ... and the movies they love to hate! That's why we recommend that you either give a serious answer or embrace your silliness.
This goes without saying, but make sure your movie choice is appropriate . If you wouldn't watch it with your family, don't list it here. Also, steer clear of any super-controversial picks—don't pick a film that's clearly discriminatory, such as Birth of a Nation.
- Serious: Blade Runner because of its influence on sci-fi film.
- Serious: Saving Private Ryan . It reminds us that war is hard, dangerous, and tragic.
- Silly: The Lion King . We should all "hakuna matata" a little more!
- Both: Legally Blonde —I love stories about women chasing their dreams.
![why usc example essay body-dream-job-vacation-cc0](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/body-dream-job-vacation-cc0.jpg?width=450&height=278&name=body-dream-job-vacation-cc0.jpg)
What is your ideal job? Maybe it's making mini beach dioramas in vintage suitcases.
Question 6: Dream Job
Obviously, this answer should roughly align with your major . (Don't say your dream job is to play Aaron Burr in Hamilton if you're majoring in computer science.)
You should also think big and think ahead. For instance, if you're a computer science major, maybe you want to start a company that develops assistive AI for people with disabilities. Embrace big goals!
The more specific you are, the better. Don't just say you want to be a veterinarian. What kind of animals do you want to work with? Will you specialize in something? Do you want to own your own practice? Adding detail will make your answer stand out.
- A large-animal veterinarian that helps rural farmers care for their livestock.
- The owner of a non-profit that helps women of color succeed in corporate America.
- A judge appointed to the US Courts of Appeals.
Question 7: If Your Life Had a Theme Song, What Would It Be?
Everyone needs a little walk-in music. As you think about yours, choose a song with a title that makes a point . It's tempting to pick a song with a specific lyric that speaks to you, but your admissions counselor might not be able to make the connection. Think more along the lines of "I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty or "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" by Aretha Franklin and the Eurythmics.
Be careful that your song title can't be misconstrued. "I'm Too Sexy" by Right Said Fred might seem like a funny choice to you, but it could also come across as cocky or overconfident.
Additionally, keep your choice appropriate . Look through the song lyrics to make sure they aren't offensive.
And whatever you do, don't say the Trojan Fight Song . That's probably the most popular—and most clichéd—answer you could possibly give!
- "Beautiful Day" by U2
- "My Shot" from the Hamilton soundtrack
- "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey
![why usc example essay body-trip-vacation-vintage-cc0-pixabay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/body-trip-vacation-vintage-cc0-pixabay.jpg?width=450&height=318&name=body-trip-vacation-vintage-cc0-pixabay.jpg)
Maybe your dream trip is a mix of adventure and van life.
Question 8: Dream Trip
There's no special trick to answering this question. Just be honest and specific! And feel free to focus on experiences as well as destinations. Maybe you want to snorkel with stingrays in the Caribbean or visit the Lord of the Rings set locations in New Zealand. Share that here!
- Letting a lantern go during the Floating Lantern Festival in Thailand.
- Hiking to the top of Machu Picchu.
- Driving from California to Illinois on Route 66 with my best friends.
- Eating paella from a street vendor in Barcelona.
- Visiting Zimbabwe and bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge.
Question 9: What TV Show Will You Binge Watch Next?
This is another question designed to reveal something about you, your likes, and your dislikes. We suggest that you pick a show you like, as long as it isn't completely without substance. If you're having a hard time choosing, try narrowing it down to your favorite genre first.
- I'll binge Making a Murderer because I'm interested in how the justice system works (and doesn't work).
- The Good Place because it combines comedy and philosophy!
- Friends because it helps you understand interpersonal relationships.
I'm bingeing RuPaul's Drag Race and learning a lot about drag culture and inclusivity.
Question 10: Which Well-Known Person or Fictional Character Would Be Your Ideal Roommate?
This question essentially wants to know who you could see yourself living with on a daily basis , whether it's a fictional character from a TV show or book you love, or a real-life celebrity, such as a movie star, singer, scientist, activist, writer, or historical figure.
The prompt doesn't limit you to living celebrities, so feel free to write about somebody who passed away recently (think Stephen Hawking) or even centuries ago (such as Jane Austen).
Make sure that you're choosing a person who will reveal something positive and/or unique about yourself. It's also OK to throw in a little humor! For example, if you're a huge Renaissance-period buff, you could talk about how you'd love to live with King Henry VIII because he'd entertain you every night with stories of his marriages.
Regardless of who you choose to write about, remember that the admissions committee wants to learn something about you through the person you pick to be your roommate , so be sure that you can clearly tie them back to yourself and your own interests somehow.
- Marie Curie because we could conduct experiments together after class every day.
- Hermione Granger! She'd be a great study buddy and could teach me magic on the side.
- David Sedaris. We could write stories together and he'd never fail to make me laugh!
![why usc example essay body_girl_reading_book_outside](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/body_girl_reading_book_outside.jpg?width=501&name=body_girl_reading_book_outside.jpg)
Question 11: Favorite Book
This is a pretty straightforward question that's similar to the "favorite movie" one above. Be honest— don't try to pass off a book as one of your favorites just because it sounds impressive or is highly intellectual . The admissions committee will likely be able to tell if you're trying to show off!
At the same time, don't write about a book that's overly childish or inappropriate , or that fails to reveal anything interesting or impressive about you. For instance, even if you really love Twilight , unless you can say something a little more intellectual about it, such as how you enjoy analyzing its portrayal of codependency in teenage relationships, this book likely won't leave much of a positive impression on the USC admissions committee.
- Wild because this book inspired me to be courageous and go on a three-day hike by myself.
- Lolita is my favorite book because it's downright disturbing yet hauntingly beautiful.
- Definitely The Hobbit . It was the first book I read that showed me the power of taking risks.
Question 12: If You Could Teach a Class on any Topic, What Would It Be?
This final question from USC is truly a thought-provoking one. Basically, the admissions committee wants to know what kind of class you'd teach if you could choose any topic of interest to you .
While the topic you write about doesn't need to directly relate to your major, it should definitely be something you're deeply passionate (and, ideally, fairly knowledgeable) about . Are you really into horror movies and enjoy dissecting their depictions of female characters? Then perhaps you'd like to teach a class on women in horror.
Be as specific as you can be. Don't just say you want to teach a class on the environment because you're committed to combating climate change. What specific topic concerning the environment or climate change would you like others to learn more about, and why?
- A creative writing class that would focus on writing stories from the perspective of children.
- Women of color in astronomy. Too few know about the accomplishments of Beth Brown and Mae Jemison!
- The Navajo language. Not enough schools teach it and we Native Americans must strive to preserve it.
![why usc example essay body-stairs-climb-steps-next-cc0-pixabay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/body-stairs-climb-steps-next-cc0-pixabay.jpg?width=255&height=450&name=body-stairs-climb-steps-next-cc0-pixabay.jpg)
Finishing your supplement is like climbing a really tall flight of stairs. Just put one foot in front of the other!
Next Steps for Your USC Supplement
Even once you've finished and submitted your Common App and USC essays, you're not quite done. Most of USC's colleges require you to submit additional materials, such as portfolios or writing samples, before your application is considered complete.
Visit the links below to view each college's supplemental application requirements and submission deadlines:
- USC School of Architecture
- Roski School of Art and Design
- Iovine and Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation
- Marshall School of Business (World Bachelor in Business)
- USC School of Cinematic Arts
- Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
- Kaufman School of Dance
- Ostrow School of Dentistry (Junior Transfers Only)
- USC School of Dramatic Arts
- Viterbi School of Engineering
- Thornton School of Music
![why usc example essay body-rescue-life-preserver-cc0-pixabay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/body-rescue-life-preserver-cc0-pixabay.jpg?width=450&height=300&name=body-rescue-life-preserver-cc0-pixabay.jpg)
Need Some Extra Help?
The USC application process can be overwhelming, but PrepScholar is here to help you succeed ! Check out our resources below for more information about how our experts can help you achieve your dreams.
Haven't started your Common Application yet? No problem! We've got you covered with tips and tricks to make your application stand out from the crowd .
Start learning more about USC! Check out their admission requirements , mission statement, admission website, and this great blog post about getting to know USC without leaving your couch.
Still stressed about your supplement? Get in touch with PrepScholar's college admissions team !
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USC Essay Examples
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The USC essay examples show you how to write a college essay to convince the University of Southern California that you are a good fit for them. These essays are meant to probe into your personality and find out more about you and why you would be a great addition to the USC campus. Let’s review some of the top USCE essay examples so you can write your own!
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Article Contents 7 min read
Usc essay prompts.
USC has three prompts and a section for short-answer questions. The first and second prompts are required, while the third one is optional.
The second prompt also has three optional sub-prompts, and candidates need only choose one to answer.
There are then a series of ten questions, also required, that are to be answered with 100 characters or less.
Check out how to write your essay:
It is time to delve into each prompt and have a look at some USC essay examples that you can learn from.
Prompt 1 (Required): Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections (250 words).
Ever since my parents bought me my first computer at the age of 6, I’ve been fascinated by what happens inside these machines. That’s why I want to be a computer programmer – to understand the inner world of computers.
My journey into coding started when I realized I could write programs to make the device perform tasks I wanted done. Soon, I was reading every single book I could get my hands on about programming and spent my days watching YouTube videos about writing machine-level code.
Within two years, I’d become the go-to kid in my high school regarding computer issues. Topics like new gadgets and software releases were all I was interested in.
I want to build on my self-developed knowledge by attending the Computer Science program here at USC. The university’s well-known for its research in this field. I want to understand the inner logic of computers and USC will help me plant deep roots in science – I want to possess in-depth knowledge and understanding behind the 0’s and 1’s.
USC also offers a chance for students to delve into the entrepreneurial aspects of Computer Science. I intend to pursue these classes to gain knowledge on how to use my education to create the applications of the future – for my own and the public’s welfare.
Electronics, my second-choice major, will also help me achieve the same goals, albeit with a slightly different approach. Studying the underlying technology will give me a deeper insight into realizing my digital dreams. (250 words)
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As you have probably grasped by now from the USC essay examples above, the prompts are intended to bring out as much information as possible about you. They are questions that you answer in the first person.
Now, although the prompts may seem easy, you always need to make sure that you have the best essay before you even think of submitting it. Give yourself at least 6 weeks to plan and write your essays.
The best way to do that is to either learn how to write an essay yourself or find college essay advisors who can help you with your submissions.
Want to learn more about college essays?
USC is one of the leading universities in America and a highly ranked one in the world. This means it is also one of the toughest universities to get into.
But that shouldn’t concern you too much. You need to instead focus on creating a complete application package, writing all required essays, and sending in your application on time.
If you find it overwhelming, you can also find college advisors who can guide you through the process.
You better get good at it – and fast. Applying to top universities like USC means you need to be on your toes all the time. The reason they – and all other top-ranked universities – are selective is because they want to make sure they take in students who will keep up with their intense course flow.
And the scrutiny begins at admission time – with your application.
Alternatively, if you think your essay isn’t up to par, you can use college essay review services to help you with your submissions.
They are very important. The universities use essays as a way of collecting information about you. The admissions committee members pore over the essays to get a “feel” of the kind of person you are. They gauge you as they read each word. And if they find you lacking, your application could be rejected.
Therefore, make sure you invest time and effort into writing each of the college essay topics .
Please use the academic essay structure, with an intro, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
The most important thing to focus on is the story itself. It should make the admissions committee members take notice of what you are trying to tell them.
Dig deep to find that story, tell the truth, and make sure there are no spelling or grammar errors, and you should have an essay that stands out.
The values and traits that the university is looking for include bright students who can cope with the curriculum, integrate into the diverse student body with ease, and contribute positively to the college community as a whole.
The best way to go about it is to find a balance between both. It shouldn’t be so casual that it makes the readers wince, and it shouldn’t be so formal that it would look like it was written in Olde English.
Use short sentences to convey clear, concise ideas and cut words that add no value to the sentence or story and you should have a great essay.
The USC prompt has been pretty standard over the past few years – with just a question or two being changed. With that being said, the important thing is check for the prompts on the official USC website the year you are applying.
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How to Write the USC Application Essays 2018-2019
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The University of Southern California — more commonly known as USC — is located in the heart of Los Angeles, California. The school’s position in a metropolitan area offers students the opportunity to not only explore their own intellectual curiosities, but also the city’s vibrant cultures.
Often known for its fierce athletic rivalries, the Trojan student body advertises a highly spirited, tight-knit community. With nearly one-fifth of the undergraduate class involved in Greek life, the school encourages its students to embrace both social and intellectual endeavors.
Boasting competitive programs in business, medicine, and engineering, USC has become one of the most prestigious private research universities in California. This past year, USC was ranked #21 by U.S News & World Report, and achieved a historic low acceptance rate of 16%, with over 56,000 applicants.
In addition to the Common App personal statement, USC requires two supplementary essays (four for prospective engineers), and multiple short answer questions. While these essays may initially seem daunting, CollegeVine is here to help you approach these prompts and land a spot in USC’s class of 2023!
USC Application Essay Prompts
Please respond to one of the prompts below (250 words or less).
The first question allows you to choose between three prompts. Many of you are probably worried about making the mistake of choosing the “wrong” prompt, but it is important to know that no prompt is easier than the other. It’s important to remember that there is no right or wrong answer here; the purpose of this essay is for the admissions office to get to know you and your individuality.
If you’re having trouble choosing, it might be better to think of personal experiences first and molding the story to fit one of the prompts. While the questions are different, the goal is the same: to showcase your personality. It’s safe to say that your anecdote will likely work for all 3 prompts — it’s just a matter of which approach you want to take.
The main challenge with this essay is the brevity of your response; with only 250 words, there isn’t too much room to pack in loads of details. Even so, 250 words provide plenty of room for a brief introduction, at least one short-body paragraph, and a few sentences to wrap up at the end. Here is how we at CollegeVine recommend you to tackle each prompt.
Prompt Option #1
Usc believes that one learns best when interacting with people of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. tell us about a time you were exposed to a new idea or when your beliefs were challenged by another point of view..
At first glance, this question seems very similar to prompt #3 on the Common Application: R eflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking ? What was the outcome ? The key difference between the two is that USC wants to know about a time when your belief was challenged by someone or something else . Here, you are the one being challenged , not the one doing the challenging .
For those of you who chose prompt #3 on the Common App, do not write about the same thing. This will just make your application seem too repetitive. Instead, try to think of some situations that forced you to look at an idea from a different perspective and thereby prompted your growth as an individual.
Here are a few examples to get you started:
- Speech and Debate – You were a member of your school’s Speech and Debate Team and participated in a competitive tournament. You competed under a debate category that mimics a Congressional hearing room, and took stances on scenarios that reflect modern world issues and controversies. Perhaps the issue at hand was internet security or the implementation of renewable energy. During your round, you were challenged by a rival competitor who put forth an opposing perspective, bringing a new idea to the table. What did you learn from this?
- Foreign Travel – You traveled to another country on a mission to educate and bring medical resources to underprivileged kids and their families. Having never traveled internationally before, you had never encountered another country’s culture or practices. Shocked by the torn state of the developing nations, you learned about the world outside of your own home state. You were introduced to the notion of embracing another country’s environment and using it as a means to gain worldly perspectives. This trip ignited your desire to provide assistance to those in need and expand your worldviews through travel.
- Challenged Through Literature – Being exposed to a new idea or being challenged can be as simple as reading a book (literally). Perhaps Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In inspired you to conquer your introversion and step out of your comfort zone. Or maybe her book exposed you to a new idea by proposing a novel way to approach work and leadership.
The key here is to demonstrate some sort of personal growth. While the prompt doesn’t explicitly ask for this, including a few sentences on how you matured will add that extra “wow factor” that USC loves to see. It is important to be honest here (as with all essays). Don’t write what you think USC wants to hear — write what you think highlights who YOU are . If you didn’t save hundreds of lives by providing vaccines to children in Africa, then there is no reason to pretend that you did.
Prompt Option #2
Describe something outside of your intended academic focus about which you are interested in learning..
Here, it is important to note that USC wants something outside of your academic focus. This, however, doesn’t limit you to discussing only academic topics; you are free to discuss almost anything that you’re interested in (as long as it’s appropriate, of course). Essentially, this is USC’s way of asking, “What else are you interested in?”
There are two ways to approach this prompt:
- Write about an interest that is outside of your focus, but connects back to your major. An example of this would be a Biology major interested in using artificial intelligence to streamline medical practices or an Environmental Studies major interested in law for the purpose of implementing green energy policies.
- Write about something completely unrelated to your major. This gives you more freedom and can thus be about anything. For example, you could be an Economics major with an interest in music or a Physics major who wants to be multilingual.
As with the previous prompt, it is important to be truthful. Don’t write about an interest that you think will make you look more appealing, as admissions officers can easily spot essays that try too hard. In order to convey real passion, be yourself and be honest. This is a great prompt to employ descriptive language and imagery; entice the readers into wanting to learn about what you love.
Prompt Option #3
What is something about yourself that is essential to understanding you.
Out of the three prompts, this one is the most open-ended, almost mimicking the infamous interview question “tell me about yourself.” Before jumping in, first ask yourself, “Is there anything I want USC to know about me?” When contemplating this, make sure you choose something that cannot be found somewhere else on your application. Don’t write about being a star basketball player if you already listed that under your extracurriculars.
Since this prompt is so flexible, you can incorporate any of the aforementioned examples from the previous two prompts to fit into this one. For instance, you could write a vivid account of your travels last summer and emphasize your desire to absorb new cultures. Or perhaps your interests in law and public policy are what fuel you to work toward making a positive social impact.
An easier way to start brainstorming for this prompt is to create a list of your personal qualities (avoid clichés like hard working, responsible, smart, etc). After doing this, try thinking of anecdotes that show or highlight this particular quality. If you’re adventurous, it would be great to tell a story of the time you went skydiving and connect it back to your inclination to step out of your comfort zone. If you’re a problem-solver, include an anecdote of the time you successfully completed an escape room and use that to highlight your love for puzzles in everyday life. Here, the possibilities are endless.
This prompt allows for more creativity; there is no need to be too serious and academic here. It doesn’t hurt to have a little fun with this essay — a little light humor goes a long way. As always, use vivid language to show the reader who you are.
Essay Prompt 2
Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests at usc. please feel free to address your first and second-choice major selections. (250 word limit).
With so many options at USC, it might be a little overwhelming to choose a major let alone know how to pursue it. CollegeVine is here to help you narrow down your interests and find ways to express them at USC.
Before we dive in, here are a few facts about USC that will help you get started:
- USC is located in metropolitan L.A., the home of many large companies such as Deloitte, Bank of America, and Paul Hastings.
- USC has its own medical school, the Keck School of Medicine.
- USC has its own business school — the Marshall School of Business — that offers programs for undergraduates.
To approach this prompt, you should first evaluate your academic interests and your selected major. Next, you should ask yourself, “Why USC?” What does USC offer in your major that no other college offers? If you are interested in medicine, you might discuss the practical experience that the Keck School of Medicine can provide you. Perhaps you have a strong interest in stem cells, and will pursue this by conducting medical research at Keck. Or maybe you are more interested in clinical experience and are hoping to shadow doctors at the medical school’s hospital.
If you are interested in business economics, you can analyze USC’s optimal location in downtown Los Angeles, discussing how the school’s geography gives you access to internships with the nation’s top corporations. You can include a brief paragraph on the strengths of USC’s Marshall School of Business, raving about how an education there will provide you with the necessary leadership skills to succeed in business.
Avoid vague and cliché answers such as “USC has a good business school,” or “USC is prestigious and highly ranked.” These types of responses don’t particularly answer the question, nor do they show that you have done your research on the school.
No matter what subject you intend to pursue, the most important thing is to show the school what you will do at USC if you are accepted . Which professors do you look forward to working with? What special curriculum path do you hope to head down? What resource do you plan to take advantage of? There is no right or wrong answer; USC just wants to understand the academic path you intend to follow. You don’t have to be too creative or try to think of an outside-the-box answer. For this prompt, simple and straightforward is better.
Short Answer (One Sentence)
Describe yourself in three words., first word:, second word:, third word:, what is your favorite snack, favorite app/website:, best movie of all time:, hashtag to describe yourself:, what is your theme song:, dream trip:, what tv show will you binge watch next:, place you are most content:.
These rapid-fire questions scare a lot of applicants because many think there is a “correct” way to answer them. The reality is, however, as with all prompts, there is no right or wrong answer.
Since you have 100 characters for each short answer of this style, you can briefly explain your choices if you wish (e.g.”Best movie of all time: The Godfather; the depth and complexity of the mobsters was an unprecedented portrayal of crime circles”). If you can add answers that showcase your personality, i.e. a genuinely funny joke or something really interesting, then that might help you stand out a bit if it resonates with your admissions officer. But don’t force anything or it will produce the opposite effect.
It often scares students to leave such a straightforward response, but that’s exactly the purpose of these questions. The school wants to get to know you in a more direct and casual way. Unless your favorite website really is CNN or your theme song is Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, there is no reason to be too obscure or intellectual. If you thought Mean Girls was the best movie of all time, then don’t be afraid to put that down!
As long as you avoid any offensive comments and your answer is appropriate, you can practically write anything in the spaces (as long as it’s honest). Even so, make sure to use your own good judgement for these answers. If you were a big Fifty Shades of Grey fan, it might be better to put down your second choice for best movie of all time.
For Engineers
*the following prompts are only for students who listed engineering as their major., what do you personally expect to get out of studying engineering or computer science in college (250 words).
This prompt closely resembles the standard “Why Major?” question that schools often ask. In the “Why Major?” prompt, you want to explain your motivation for studying that subject, why you’re qualified to do so, and why that specific school is a fitting environment to pursue that major. This USC prompt, however, focuses specifically on why you’re interested in engineering or computer science, as well as what you hope to accomplish with your degree. One thing to note is that you can discuss what you want to gain while you’re a student and what you want to be able to do after you graduate.
Take care not to repeat any information from the previous prompt about how you intend to pursue your academic interests at USC. That prompt is where you’ll want to write about USC-specific resources. In this section, you can really hone in on the reason behind your intended major.
Perhaps you want to study computer science because you’ve witnessed firsthand how much more efficient it can make our lives. For example, maybe you were able to code a program for a hospital that you volunteered at that saved employees from manually searching for and updating data. With a degree in computer science, perhaps you want to be able to build larger-scale programs to increase efficiency of data systems in hospitals even further. In terms of the skills you might develop while in college, maybe you want to better understand the collaborative side of computer science, since you’ve been coding mostly on your own.
Whatever the reason, be sure to tell an engaging story about your passion for engineering or computer science, as well as the skills you hope to develop.
While the world as a whole may be more technologically advanced than ever before, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) has outlined 14 Grand Challenges that engineers should focus on to improve life on the planet. Learn about the Grand Challenges at www.engineeringchallenges.org and tell us which challenge is most important, and why. (250 words)
It might be difficult to pick just one challenge out of the 14, but it’s important to note that one choice isn’t better than the other. This prompt definitely holds less of a personal aspect compared to other questions since it does not explicitly ask about “you.” If relevant however, your personal experiences can still be incorporated.
If you have experience conducting research in a lab, you might find the challenge “Engineer Better Medicines” the most important. For this example, you can connect your time working in research to your summer internship at the hospital and speak about how you witnessed firsthand the level of physical, emotional, and familial impact research work has on people.
Even if you do not have any personal connection with any of these challenges, however, you can still write an equally strong response as long as you give your reasons for your selection. You can even draw on other people’s life stories here. It is about how you convince the reader that your challenge takes precedence, and not about the actual challenge. The key word for this prompt is “why.”
As an example, if you choose “Make Solar Power Economical,” you could praise the potential that solar power holds, but challenge the high price that makes it difficult for most people to obtain. Following this with an explanation of the rapid depletion of Earth’s natural resources will help you emphasize the need for a shift in energy source and thereby, more renewable energy affordability. This was just one example of how to approach the question, but make sure to always answer the “why” no matter what prompt you are writing about.
Here are some questions to get you on track:
- Will the world be a more unbearable living environment if we did not make any progress in Challenge #1 or Challenge #2 (and so on) in 50 years?
- What does the future look like if the world unites in tackling this obstacle?
- How and why will this improve our future?
As with all other personal essays, remember to show and don’t tell the reader who you are. DO be genuine and DO answer the question. DON’T pretend to be someone else and DON’T be afraid to be yourself. Happy writing!
Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.
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USC Supplemental Essays 2023-2024
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By Eric Eng
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The University of Southern California (USC) offers a unique and vibrant academic environment, drawing students from diverse backgrounds with its rich array of programs and opportunities. As part of the application process, USC asks prospective students to complete supplemental essays.
These essays are a crucial component, providing applicants with the opportunity to showcase their individuality, interests, and how they align with what USC has to offer. Understanding and effectively responding to these prompts is key to making a compelling case for admission.
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How Many Supplemental Essays Does USC Have?
The University of Southern California (USC) has six supplemental essay prompts for the 2023-2024 application cycle.
The number of USC supplemental essay prompts you need to answer depends on your specific application. All applicants must respond to the main “Why USC ?” essay. If you have had a gap in your educational history, you have the option to explain it in the optional gap year essay.
The short answer section is also required for all applicants. If you’re applying to the Viterbi School of Engineering, you’ll need to answer the specific prompts for that school. In total, all applicants will answer at least four prompts (the “Why USC?” essay, short answers, and either the Viterbi prompts or the personal passion prompt), with an optional fifth prompt if you have a gap in education.
What are the 2023-2024 USC Supplemental Essay Prompts?
The USC supplemental essay prompts allow applicants to showcase different facets of their personality, experiences, and academic interests. The specifics of these prompts are:
Main Prompt
Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (250 words)
Starting with the beginning of high school/secondary school, if you have had a gap where you were not enrolled in school during a fall or spring term, please address this gap in your educational history. You do not need to address a summer break. (250 words)
Short Answers
- Describe yourself in three words. (25 characters per word)
- What is your favorite snack?
- Best movie of all time
- If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
- What TV show will you binge-watch next?
- Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate?
- Favorite Book
- If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be?
USC Viterbi School of Engineering Applicants
The student body at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering is a diverse group of unique engineers and computer scientists who work together to engineer a better world for all humanity. Describe how your contributions to the USC Viterbi student body may be distinct from others. Please feel free to touch on any part of your background, traits, skills, experiences, challenges, and/or personality in helping us better understand you. (250 words)
Engineering & Computer Science Applicants
The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and their 14 Grand Challenges go hand-in-hand with our vision to engineer a better world for all humanity. Engineers and computer scientists are challenged to solve these problems in order to improve life on the planet. Learn more about the NAE Grand Challenges and tell us which challenge is most important to you, and why. (250 words)
Dornsife College Applicants Only
Many of us have at least one issue or passion that we care deeply about – a topic on which we would love to share our opinions and insights in hopes of sparking intense interest and continued conversation. If you had ten minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your talk be about? (250 words)
![why usc example essay USC campus](https://admissionsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/shutterstock_1957532866-300x200.jpg)
How to Write the 2023-2024 USC Supplemental Essays
This prompt asks students to elaborate on their academic interests, how they intend to pursue these interests at USC, and why USC is the preferred institution for these pursuits. It also invites students to discuss their first and second-choice major selections. Here are four key points for students to consider when brainstorming and developing their responses:
1. Clarify Academic Interests and Goals: Students should begin by identifying and explaining their primary academic interests. This involves not just naming a major or field of study but delving into specific aspects of that field that captivate them. For instance, if interested in Computer Science, is it AI, software development, or data science that excites them the most? Students should also articulate their long-term goals related to these interests. This could be career aspirations, research goals, or how they intend to contribute to the field.
2. Connection to USC’s Programs and Resources: The essay should clearly articulate why USC is the ideal place to pursue these academic interests. This involves researching and mentioning specific programs, courses, faculty, research opportunities, clubs, or other resources at USC that align with their interests. For example, if a student is interested in Environmental Science, they might mention USC’s specific research initiatives in this area, or unique courses that are offered.
3. Personal and Professional Development: Students should reflect on how studying at USC will aid in their personal and professional development. This could include discussing the university’s culture, its location in Los Angeles, networking opportunities, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities that USC uniquely provides. This part of the essay should intertwine the student’s academic, professional, and personal growth trajectories.
4. Discussing First and Second-choice Majors: If students have selected a second-choice major, they should explain how this choice aligns with their broader academic interests and career goals, and how USC’s offerings in this secondary field are also appealing. This part of the essay is an opportunity to showcase adaptability and a breadth of interest. For instance, a student interested in both Journalism (first choice) and Political Science (second choice) could discuss how USC’s strong programs in both these fields would enable them to explore the intersection of media and politics.
Optional: Starting with the beginning of high school/secondary school, if you have had a gap where you were not enrolled in school during a fall or spring term, please address this gap in your educational history. You do not need to address a summer break. (250 words)
It’s important for students to understand that the purpose of this question is to provide context to their overall academic journey, particularly if there are periods of non-enrollment that might raise questions in the admissions process.
Here are four key points students should consider when addressing this prompt:
1. Honesty and Clarity: Start by being transparent about the reason for the gap. Whether it was due to personal, medical, financial reasons, or other circumstances, it’s crucial to state this plainly. Admission officers appreciate honesty and understanding the context can positively influence how they view your application.
2. Reflection on the Experience: Discuss what you did during this gap. Did you engage in self-study, take on a job, volunteer, or face personal challenges? Reflecting on these experiences shows maturity and self-awareness. Explain how these activities or experiences contributed to your personal or academic growth, offering insights into your resilience, adaptability, or other strengths.
3. Connecting to Future Goals: Link your experiences during the gap to your future aspirations. For instance, if you took a part-time job, discuss skills you gained that will be valuable in college. If you faced challenges, explain how they shaped your perspectives or academic interests. This connection demonstrates purpose and foresight in your educational journey.
4. Positive Outlook and Learnings: Conclude with a positive note about what you learned from this period and how it has prepared you for college. Emphasize qualities like perseverance, responsibility, or new perspectives gained. Admissions officers are interested in how students overcome challenges and their ability to thrive in new environments.
Remember, this essay is an opportunity to provide a fuller picture of who you are beyond just your academic record. It’s about showcasing your ability to grow from experiences and how those experiences have prepared you for the challenges and opportunities of a university education.
Prompt 3: Questions 2-10 are limited to 100 characters each
- Describe yourself in three words.
Answering these USC Supplemental Essay prompts with a 100-character limit each presents a unique challenge. It requires students to be concise yet impactful in their responses. Here are four key points to guide students in brainstorming and crafting their answers:
1. Authenticity and Self-Reflection: Encourage students to introspect and identify aspects that genuinely represent them. For instance, when describing themselves in three words, they should choose adjectives that reflect their core personality traits or values. Authenticity is key in such responses, as it helps the admissions committee understand who they are beyond academic achievements.
This process begins with self-reflection, urging students to consider what truly defines them at their core. It’s about identifying those qualities, beliefs, or experiences that make them unique and contribute to their individuality. Whether it’s a commitment to community service, a passion for innovation, or a love for creative expression, the chosen descriptors should genuinely resonate with the student’s authentic self.
For instance, if asked to describe themselves in three words, students should avoid generic or clichéd terms and instead choose words that reflect their true essence. If resilience, curiosity, and empathy are integral to their character, selecting these words provides a more meaningful and genuine insight into who they are.
The authenticity in these responses is crucial because it allows the admissions committee to see beyond the academic achievements and standardized test scores. It provides a window into the student’s personality, values, and the qualities that make them a valuable addition to the academic community. Demonstrating self-awareness and a willingness to showcase the true self helps establish a connection between the applicant and the admissions committee, fostering a more meaningful understanding of the individual behind the application.
2. Specificity and Detail: In responses like ‘favorite snack’ or ‘dream job,’ the more specific they can be, the better. Instead of just saying “chocolate,” they could say “homemade chocolate chip cookies.” For ‘dream job,’ rather than a broad term like ‘doctor,’ they might specify ‘pediatric surgeon.’ Specific details add personality and depth to their responses, making them more memorable.
For instance, when asked about their favorite snack, a response like “homemade chocolate chip cookies” is more impactful than a generic answer like “chocolate.” The specificity of mentioning the type of chocolate and the homemade nature adds a layer of detail that makes the response more vivid and personal. It not only reveals the snack preference but also provides a glimpse into the student’s tastes and perhaps even a connection to family traditions or culinary interests.
Similarly, in the context of the ‘dream job’ question, specifying a role like “pediatric surgeon” instead of the broad term “doctor” adds depth and precision. It demonstrates a clear and well-defined career goal, showcasing the student’s aspirations and the level of thought they’ve put into their future. This level of detail not only makes the response more memorable but also conveys a sense of purpose and commitment.
3. Personal Connection and Meaning: For prompts like ‘best movie of all time’ or ‘favorite book,’ students should choose options that have a personal significance to them, not just popular choices. They could briefly explain why it’s their favorite, like a movie that inspired them or a book that changed their perspective. This offers a glimpse into their interests and values.
When responding to prompts about their favorite movie or book, students should go beyond surface-level popularity and consider works that have had a meaningful impact on them. Explaining why a particular movie is their favorite or a specific book holds significance provides insight into their interests, values, and the factors that influence their choices.
For instance, if a student names a movie that inspired them or a book that changed their perspective, they are not only expressing their preferences but also sharing a part of their intellectual and emotional journey. The explanation adds layers to their response, offering the admissions committee a glimpse into the student’s thought processes, the themes that resonate with them, and the transformative experiences they’ve encountered through these cultural works.
4. Creativity and Imagination: Prompts like ‘dream trip’ or ‘ideal roommate’ are opportunities for students to showcase their creativity and aspirations. They should think about what these choices say about them. For example, choosing a historical figure or a literary character as an ideal roommate can reflect their interests in history or literature. Similarly, a dream trip to a unique destination can highlight their adventurous spirit or cultural interests.
For instance, when asked about their dream trip, students are encouraged to think beyond typical tourist destinations and delve into unique or culturally rich locations. Their choice can reflect not only a desire for adventure but also a deep appreciation for specific cultures or historical significance. Whether it’s a dream trip to explore ancient ruins, immerse themselves in a foreign culture, or engage in an unconventional adventure, the response becomes a canvas for expressing their imaginative and adventurous spirit.
Similarly, the ‘ideal roommate’ prompt provides an opportunity for creative expression. Instead of choosing a generic descriptor, students can think outside the box by envisioning an ideal roommate as a historical figure, literary character, or someone with unique qualities. This choice not only showcases their creativity but also provides insights into their interests and influences. For example, choosing a historical figure might indicate a passion for history, while opting for a literary character could highlight a love for literature.
It’s important to remind students that these short responses contribute to painting a comprehensive picture of their personality, interests, and aspirations. Each answer, though brief, is a chance to stand out and add color to their application. Encouraging them to have fun with these prompts can also help in eliciting genuine and engaging responses.
![why usc example essay Student writing college or university application.](https://admissionsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/shutterstock_2054953619-300x200.jpg)
Prompt 4: USC Viterbi School of Engineering Applicants
This USC Viterbi School of Engineering essay prompt is seeking to understand the unique qualities, experiences, and perspectives that a student would bring to their engineering and computer science community. It emphasizes diversity, collaboration, and the impact of individual contributions on the broader world. Here are four key points to consider when brainstorming and crafting a response:
1. Highlight Unique Background and Experiences: Reflect on your personal, cultural, or educational background that sets you apart from others. This could include unique challenges you’ve overcome, distinctive cultural experiences, or a non-traditional path to engineering or computer science. Explain how these experiences have shaped your worldview, problem-solving approach, or your understanding of engineering’s role in society.
2. Emphasize Collaboration and Community Impact: Consider instances where you have worked in diverse teams or contributed to community projects. Illustrate your ability to collaborate effectively with people from different backgrounds and how your contributions improved the team’s performance or the project’s outcome. This can demonstrate your readiness to be part of a diverse engineering community and your commitment to using engineering for the greater good.
3. Showcase Specific Skills or Talents: Identify any unique skills or talents that you possess which would be beneficial in an engineering context. This could range from technical skills like coding in a rare programming language to soft skills like exceptional leadership or creative problem-solving. Explain how these skills have been developed and how they could be applied within the USC Viterbi community.
4. Personal Traits and Future Goals: Discuss personal traits or characteristics that make you a unique candidate for USC Viterbi. This might include resilience, creativity, a passion for innovation, or a specific career goal that drives your interest in engineering. Link these traits to how you envision your future at USC and beyond, showing a clear connection between who you are, what you hope to achieve, and how USC Viterbi can facilitate these aspirations.
In each of these points, it’s important to be authentic and specific. Use personal anecdotes or examples to illustrate your points, and make sure to directly address how these aspects of your background, skills, and personality would contribute to the USC Viterbi student body.
Prompt 5: Engineering & Computer Science Applicants
This prompt is essentially asking students to demonstrate their understanding of the National Academy of Engineering’s 14 Grand Challenges and to reflect on which particular challenge resonates most with them and why.
It’s an opportunity for students to showcase their passion for engineering or computer science, their problem-solving skills, and their vision for a better future. Here are four key points for brainstorming and detailed explanations for each:
1. Understanding the NAE Grand Challenges: Before choosing a challenge, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of what each of the 14 challenges entails. These challenges cover a broad range of issues, from making solar energy economical to providing access to clean water. Students should research each challenge thoroughly to understand its global impact, the technical and ethical aspects involved, and the current efforts being made to address it. This research will not only help in selecting a challenge but also provide a solid foundation to articulate why it is important to them.
2. Personal Connection and Relevance: Students should reflect on why a particular challenge is significant to them personally. This could be due to a personal experience, a community issue they are passionate about, or an area they want to specialize in. For instance, if a student has experienced or witnessed the challenges of accessing clean water, they might choose to write about that. The key here is to make a genuine personal connection that shows sincerity and depth of thought.
3. Vision for the Future: This prompt is also an opportunity to discuss what the student hopes to achieve in the field of engineering or computer science. Students should consider how they envision contributing to the solution of their chosen Grand Challenge. This could include innovative ideas, career aspirations, or the impact they hope to make in the world. It’s an opportunity to showcase creativity, ambition, and a forward-thinking mindset.
4. Demonstrating Skills and Qualities: Lastly, students should use this essay to indirectly highlight their relevant skills and qualities. Solving these grand challenges requires critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, and perseverance. Students should consider how their past experiences and future aspirations demonstrate these qualities. For example, discussing team projects or initiatives they have been a part of can subtly show their collaborative skills and dedication to solving complex problems.
By focusing on these four areas, students can craft a response that is not only insightful and well-informed but also deeply personal and reflective of their ambitions in the field of engineering or computer science.
Prompt 6: Dornsife College Applicants
This is an invitation for students to showcase their passion, knowledge, and communication skills. This question probes into what matters most to the student and tests their ability to engage an audience on a topic they are passionate about. Here are four key points to consider when brainstorming and elaborating on your response:
1. Identify Your Passion: Students should start by identifying a topic they are genuinely passionate about. It could be anything from environmental issues, social justice, technological innovations, to art and culture. The key is to choose a subject that you have a deep connection with, as this will naturally make your essay more authentic and compelling. Reflect on experiences, courses, or personal interests that have shaped your views on this topic.
2. Understand Your Audience: Given the scenario of addressing a million people, think about how to make your topic relevant and interesting to a diverse audience. This doesn’t mean diluting your passion but finding a universal angle or significance. For instance, if your topic is about climate change, focus on its global impact and collective responsibility rather than just technical details.
3. Structure Your Talk: In 250 words, your essay should have a clear structure: an engaging introduction, a body where you delve into your topic, and a conclusion that leaves the audience thinking. You might start with a personal anecdote or a surprising fact, explain your views and insights in the body, and conclude with a call to action or a thought-provoking question.
4. Showcase Personal Growth and Aspirations: Link your passion to your personal growth and future aspirations. How has this topic shaped you? What have you learned from it? How does it relate to your goals at USC and beyond? Demonstrating this connection shows depth and helps admissions officers see the value you’d bring to the campus community.
Remember, this prompt is a great opportunity to let your personality and intellect shine through. Be authentic, be concise, and most importantly, be passionate about what you’re discussing.
![why usc example essay applying in schools](https://admissionsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shutterstock_465766745-300x200.jpg)
Structuring Your Essays
The importance of proper structure cannot be overstated. A well-structured essay not only makes your content more readable and engaging but also demonstrates your ability to organize thoughts coherently. Effective structuring is crucial in conveying your ideas clearly and making a strong impression on the admissions committee. Here are three key points on how applicants can structure their USC supplemental essays:
1. Introduction: Begin your USC supplemental essay with a compelling hook. This could be a vivid anecdote, a surprising fact, or a provocative question related to the essay prompt. The introduction should not only grab the reader’s attention but also set the tone for the rest of the essay. Following the hook, introduce a clear thesis statement. This statement should succinctly encapsulate your main argument or the key message of your essay. For example, if the prompt is about a problem you’d like to solve, your thesis might focus on why this problem is significant to you.
2. Body: Divide the body of your essay into paragraphs, each focusing on a specific point or aspect of your argument. This is where you delve deeper into your experiences, reflections, and perspectives related to the prompt. Use specific examples and personal experiences to support your points. For instance, if you’re writing about a passion or interest, describe how you’ve pursued this interest and what you’ve learned from it. It’s essential to link back these experiences to how they have prepared you for a future at USC, demonstrating your fit and potential contributions to the university community.
3. Conclusion: Conclude your essay by tying together all your points and restating your thesis in light of the arguments you’ve presented. The conclusion should not just summarize but also reflect on your growth and how it relates to your future at USC. Additionally, articulate forward-looking thoughts – how do you envision applying what you’ve discussed in your essay to your experiences at USC? This approach not only reinforces your thesis but also leaves a lasting impression, showing your enthusiasm and readiness for the challenges and opportunities at USC.
Remember, a well-structured essay for the USC supplemental essays 2023-2024 is like a roadmap: it guides the reader through your thoughts and experiences in a logical and engaging way, making your candidacy memorable and impressive.
How to Effectively Revise and Proofread
These processes ensure that your essay is not only free of errors but also resonates with the admissions committee. Here are four key points to guide applicants in revising and proofreading their essays:
1. Read Aloud for Flow and Clarity: After completing your first draft, read your essay aloud. This practice helps in catching awkward phrasings, lengthy sentences, and any inconsistencies in the flow of the essay. Pay attention to how each sentence transitions to the next. Your essay should have a natural and logical progression of ideas. For USC supplemental essays, it’s crucial that your narrative is clear and compelling, and reading aloud can help you achieve a conversational yet formal tone.
2. Seek External Feedback: Share your essay with someone you trust – a teacher, counselor, or a peer – for constructive feedback. Often, an external perspective can provide insights into areas that might need clarification or improvement. They can also tell you whether your essay effectively addresses the prompt and represents your personality and aspirations. Ask them specific questions like, “Does this essay sound like me?” or “What is the main message you get from reading this essay?”
3. Focus on Specificity and Relevance: In your revisions, ensure that every sentence serves a purpose and contributes to answering the prompt. USC supplemental essays should not contain generic or filler content. If a sentence or paragraph doesn’t add value or isn’t directly relevant to the prompt, consider revising or removing it. This focus on specificity and relevance will make your essay more impactful and concise.
4. Final Proofreading for Perfection: After revising for content and flow, the final step is thorough proofreading. This step goes beyond just checking for spelling or grammatical errors; it’s about ensuring that your essay meets all the guidelines and specifications of the USC supplemental essays 2023-2024. Verify word count, format, and make sure you have followed all the instructions. Tools like grammar checkers can be helpful but don’t rely solely on them. A meticulous manual check is indispensable.
Remember, effective revision and proofreading take time. It’s advisable to take breaks between these stages to return to your essay with a fresh perspective. This thorough approach ensures that your USC supplemental essay is not only error-free but also a true reflection of your abilities and aspirations.
Why Choose USC?
Choosing to study at the University of Southern California offers numerous advantages, underscored by its strong academic reputation and rankings. As of 2023, USC is ranked 19th in the United States and 24th globally, according to EduRank. It has also excelled in 15 research topics, indicating a robust and diverse academic environment. The QS World University Rankings for 2024 place USC at 116th globally, showing its consistent presence in the top tiers of global higher education.
The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2023 place USC at 74th globally and 58th in the ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities by the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy, highlighting its international recognition and excellence in various academic fields.
USC’s high rankings in graduate employability, national standings, and subject-specific evaluations further establish its status as a leading institution. It holds the 65th spot in the Times Higher Education Rankings and 134th in the QS World University Rankings for 2023.
Furthermore, USC is ranked 31st nationally by CollegeSimply.com in its 2023 U.S. Colleges Ranking, placing it within the top 8% of four-year colleges in the United States. This ranking reflects outstanding ratings in overall experience, academics, resources, outcomes, and value, all of which are crucial factors for students considering where to pursue their higher education.
Studying at USC means joining an esteemed institution recognized for its academic excellence, research opportunities, and commitment to fostering a diverse and dynamic learning environment. The university’s rankings reflect its dedication to providing high-quality education and preparing students for successful careers and meaningful contributions to society.
![why usc example essay Apply college.](https://admissionsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/shutterstock_1125606014-300x200.jpg)
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the USC supplemental essays offer a unique opportunity for you to showcase different facets of your personality, experiences, and aspirations. By reflecting on USC’s values, being authentic in your storytelling, demonstrating a clear fit with the university, focusing on quality writing, carefully proofreading your work, and ensuring coherence across all essays, you can create compelling narratives that resonate with the admissions committee.
Remember, these essays are more than just answers to prompts; they are a canvas for you to illustrate who you are and how you envision your journey at USC. Approach them with sincerity, enthusiasm, and a clear understanding of how USC can help shape your future, and you’ll be well on your way to crafting essays that stand out.
It is important to have all the necessary information before making any decision. AdmissionSight is always here to help you with any questions or concerns. We have over ten years of experience helping students successfully navigate the challenging admissions process.
Consult with AdmissionSight and find out how we can help you get into the school of your choice by ensuring that you are fully informed and prepared for the application process. We will work with you to develop a personalized plan that meets your specific needs and goals. We will also provide you with access to our team of experts who can help you with everything from choosing the right schools to writing your essays .
Don’t let the admissions process overwhelm you. Contact AdmissionSight today and let us help you achieve your dreams.
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How to Write the USC Supplemental Essays 2024-2025
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The University of Southern California , also known as USC, UC, or SoCal, currently educates almost 50,000 students, 21,000 of whom are undergraduates. Located in Los Angeles, CA, USC is known for its 22 schools, each of which has a unique specialization. With an impressive list of alums, from George Lucas and Shonda Rhimes to Neil Armstrong and Grant Imahara , USC launches careers in entertainment, engineering, English, and more every year. If you’re looking to maximize your chances of acceptance, continue reading as we break down USC’s supplemental essays.
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Note that the specific program within USC to which you apply may have additional supplemental materials. These include short essays, short videos, and portfolios of creative work. Check out the programs here and the additional application requirements for USC here .
USC’s 2024-2025 Prompts
Long answer questions, required: describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at usc specifically. please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (250 words or fewer).
- Optional: Starting with the beginning of high school/secondary school, if you have had a gap where you were not enrolled in school during a fall or spring term, please address this gap in your educational history. You do not need to address a summer break. (250 words or fewer)
Short Answer Questions
Describe yourself in three words. (3 words), what is your favorite snack (100 characters or fewer), best movie of all time (100 characters or fewer), dream job (100 characters or fewer), if your life had a theme song, what would it be (100 characters or fewer).
- Dream trip (100 characters or fewer)
What TV show will you binge watch next? (100 characters or fewer)
Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate (100 characters or fewer), favorite book (100 characters or fewer), if you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be (100 characters or fewer).
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The USC application requires one longer essay (250 words or fewer) and ten shorter responses limited to 100 characters. (But don’t compose a 100-character answer for the questions requiring a single word!). There is also an optional longer essay question only applicable to students with some gap in their educational history other than a summer break.
This standard essay question is deceptively difficult. Most students have enough of a sense of their academic interests to list them and describe why they’re interested in them. However, this question is actually more of a research question than a personal essay question. The USC admissions officers reading your response to this question are less interested in what your academic interests are and more in how you will pursue them while a student at USC.
As a result, it’s recommended that you do some research before answering this question. Read through a list of USC’s majors and minors . Scroll around in the course catalog . Find some programs, professors, clubs, and activities at USC that relate to your academic interests. Mention these opportunities by name and describe how and why you will take advantage of them. Displaying this kind of research will demonstrate your seriousness in applying to USC and your maturity in visualizing your future.
Optional: Starting with the beginning of high school/secondary school, if you have had a gap where you were not enrolled in school during a fall or spring term, please address this gap in your educational history. You do not need to address a summer break. (250 words or fewer)
If your educational background has some kind of gap, then you should answer this question. If not, then leave this question aside.
In your 250 words, you’ll need to summarize the following pieces of information:
- why you were not enrolled for a period of time during your high school/secondary school years;
- what you did during your period of non-enrollment;
- how this experience impacted your educational experience thereafter;
- and optionally, how this experience impacted your life in general thereafter.
USC’s admissions officers review applications holistically. They don’t want to assume that any gap in educational history is a bad thing. If your period of non-enrollment did have a negative impact on your life, this essay question gives you the opportunity to provide nuance to this experience and describe how you grew from it.
These short answer questions provide space for you to express your unique personality. Feel free to inject humor into your responses or adopt a light-hearted tone. Still, authenticity is key. Admissions officers ask questions like these because they want to see who you are inside and outside of the classroom.
You might be thinking it’s a little redundant to mention that describing yourself in three words should take three words to answer, no more and no less. But you’d be surprised to learn how many students don’t take that piece of information to heart! If you have a legitimately clever idea for getting around the word restriction and providing a longer answer, then go for it. Still, bear in mind that if you answer with three unassuming words, you’re more likely to have a neutral response than a negative response. Meanwhile, if you get a little too clever with this answer, you increase the likelihood of your reader taking your response the wrong way.
If you’re having difficulty coming up with your three words, consider asking friends or family to help you out. Ask them to describe you in a word or two, ideally a noun (for example, “artist,” “dreamer,” or “nerd”) or adjective (for example, “creative,” “logical,” or “caring”). It can be hard to describe ourselves. It’s even harder to describe ourselves succinctly. Sometimes, the people who know us best can describe us better than we can ourselves.
If you already know some or all of your words without help, you may still want to run your choices by someone else. Some words have both positive and negative connotations, and ideally, your word choices are primarily positive. For example, “stubborn” can be both a positive and a negative descriptor of a person. Thus, you may want to think carefully about whether your stubbornness is portrayed elsewhere in your application in a positive light that will offset its possible negative connotations.
As always, unless you have a uniquely clever and interesting answer that goes beyond the literal meaning of the prompt, keep this answer simple. This answer shouldn’t require you to think too much; if you find yourself over-thinking, just bring it back to basics! When you get home from school and feel a bit peckish, what do most often you gravitate toward? There: that’s your answer, and another USC essay done!
This is a subjective question, but don’t feel pressured to defend your point-of-view. Just share what you think is the best movie of all time. And if you don’t have a favorite, just pick one of your favorites after rolling a die or flipping a coin.
Note that the context of a college application is, if not formal, not so casual either. Don’t list a movie considered highly inappropriate. If you wouldn’t hypothetically be willing to defend this movie choice to a teacher, a parent, or a college admissions officer, then it’s probably not a good choice to put on a college application. You don’t have to limit yourself to G-rated movies (although if a G-rated movie is your favorite, then put it down), but you should probably avoid anything X-rated and some R-rated movies.
This short answer question, like the previous ones, does not require (and probably shouldn’t) have too much accompanying elaboration, if any. As a result, choose a job description or title which is clear to the reader. Jobs like “writer” or “teacher” are relatively general and you could boost them with concrete and specific details. Consider alternatives like “fantasy novel writer” and “middle school English teacher.”
With this question, because of the word “dream,” you don’t necessarily need to choose a “dream job” that relates to your intended course of study. You might be a pre-med applicant who dreams of being a life-saving surgeon. Or maybe you’re a marketing major who can’t sing but still dreams of becoming a rockstar. Whatever your dreams are, don’t feel embarrassed, just share them!
Like the question about what movie you think is the best of all time, this question asks you to provide the reader with some insight into the media you consume. Although it may feel natural to put your favorite song to listen to as the answer to this question, consider how/whether the song describes your life. Are the themes of the song—for instance: love, loss, ambition, fear—themes of your life? Is the tone of the song—for instance: joyful, energetic, nostalgic, chill—descriptive of the way you often feel?
Consider that the admissions officers may look up your song of choice and read the lyrics, in the case of songs which have lyrics. As a result, the song should not deal with themes which are too mature for the context of a college application. If you wouldn’t hypothetically feel comfortable writing an essay about this song for your application, an essay which quotes the song and delves into the meaning of its lyrics, then perhaps you should select a different song for your choice here.
Authenticity is still important. Some students who may struggle with their mental health feel uncertain about listing a particularly deep, raw, or emotional song as their “theme song.” If that sounds like you, consider whether the rest of your application somehow demonstrates that you are self-aware regarding your mental health struggles and/or that you have matured over the years in how you meet your struggles. Doing so will help your reader understand that you are a nuanced person, even if your song choice presents a single dimension of yourself.
Dream trip (100 characters or fewer)
In this essay question, you can dream big—consider the limits of where you could go and what you could do there. There’s no right answer to this question, but do consider how someone from the place you would like to visit might view your dream trip plan (if you provide detail about your plan, which you don’t have to). Make sure that your references to other places are respectful of those places and the people who live there, and consider researching your dream trip locale of interest before responding to this question.
Like the earlier questions about movies and songs, this question requires you to think broadly about the media you consume. Yet there’s a difference with this question: it focuses on the future. Meanwhile, the earlier questions asked about media you have already consumed.
The admissions officers ask this kind of question are curious about your personality and about your curiosities. Do you seek out procedural dramas, intrigued by the way family relationships might play out in a courtroom? Are you a sci-fi buff dreaming of new technologies and far-away galaxies? Or are you invested in the psyches of reality TV contestants seeking love?
Like most of these questions, there’s no right answer. Admissions officers aren’t seeking to fulfill specific quotas of history documentary fans and sitcom devotees. However, like previous questions about media, consider your audience and whether your answer suits the context of a college application. Is your answer “safe for work”?
Lastly, you can feel free to add a brief “because… ” or equivalent statement after your choice, especially if it seems to warrant explanation. Also, note that some show titles are very generic, so without further (minimal) context the reader may not know what you’re referring to. Adding a year, language, director, or something similar might provide the necessary clues so that your answer isn’t confusing.
This is a multilayered question. It requires you to not only consider a person or character whom you know and are (presumably) a fan of but also how your lifestyles would align. As a result, your answer will not just indicate what kind of media, news, or other content you consume. It will (should) also hint at how you currently live and what your ideal way of living might be.
Feel free to get creative with this answer. Maybe you want to live with the Flash because he could do the dishes really quickly, or with Bob the Builder because you could co-design your ideal DIY home. On the flipside, you could also take this question more literally and look up a famous figure known for their impressive productivity strategies and excellent sleep schedule.
This is yet another media-related question that aims to provide dimension to your personality through a window into how you spend your free time. This question, like all of these questions, is best served by an honest answer. What book do you pick up again and again? What book do you think about as you fall asleep? What book are you constantly recommending to friends?
Some students feel pressured to answer this question with a book they read in English class or some impressive-sounding academic treatise. However, admissions officers are skilled professionals who will see right through that kind of answer. If your favorite book truly is The Grapes of Wrath and you first encountered it in 10th grade Honors English, that’s an entirely legitimate answer, and don’t feel self-conscious about it. But if your favorite book is an obscure mystery novel no one’s ever heard of, or written by a highly popular author like James Patterson or Rick Riordan, that’s also totally legitimate. Not every accepted applicant to USC is going to be an English major. Nevertheless, admissions officers do expect to see students who engage with books. So if you can’t think of any books to answer this question with, get reading while you still have time!
This is a common college essay question that you may have seen on other applications. For example, Yale asks an almost identical question , with 200 characters permitted for a response, because you’re expected to explain why you would teach this class. USC doesn’t require you to explain why. The limit to a 100-character answer further drives home how brief your answer is expected to be.
Of course, if the topic you choose is extremely obscure and requires context to understand, a brief explanation could be helpful. Otherwise, just think broadly and put the course title or topic. Your answer can be anything from academic to athletic, creative to craft-based. It also doesn’t need to be a topic you know much about (yet), but instead something you’re interested in learning more about. Good luck!
If you need help polishing up your USC supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.
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How to Ace the 2024-2025 University of Southern California Essays
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Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.
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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.
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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
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With the warm Cali weather and beautiful campus, it is no surprise that students are so eager to apply to University of Southern California in Los Angeles. The USC supplemental essays are a perfect way to stand out from the rest of the USC applicants. Keep reading this guide to learn more about how to make your responses to the USC supplemental essays the best they can be!
Breaking down the USC supplemental essays
Be prepared to write, because USC asks for a lot of USC supplemental essays responses! However, this should not deter you from applying, rather, it should make you more excited! Essays offer you the opportunity to show who you are to the USC admissions officers.
Here is a list of essays to respond to:
- 1 250 word essay
- 1 optional 250 word essay
- 10 quick short answers
- 1 Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences essay (only for Dornsife students)
- 1 Viterbi School of Engineering 250 word essay (with 2 options to choose from only for Viterbit students)
For the list of 10 short questions, they are almost rapid fire questions with a quick and easy response to a less open-ended question. For these, just be you and have fun!
Now that you know what to expect from the USC supplemental essays, let’s take a look at them!
“Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests at USC. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (250 word limit)”
Most college applications ask you to select a major, so take this question as an opportunity to explain and elaborate on the “why.” Why do you want to major in this topic? What do you hope to do with a degree in this major? How will this major help you pursue your dreams?
Be specific
In addition to simply mentioning your major and reason behind selecting this major, you should also touch upon any courses or extracurriculars that will help you reach your future goals.
For example, if you want to major in biology, you can talk about how you are excited to be able to take the USC BISC 469L: Marine Biology course because you have always been fascinated by marine life.
Being specific with the course names will prove to the USC admissions officers that you have done your research. They will recognize that you are truly passionate about furthering your education in this particular field.
Still undecided?
If you are unsure about what you want to major in, do not worry! It is a big decision to make at this point in your life. Remember, a lot of applicants are feeling the same way. Therefore, you should not share a major and talk about a passion if you are not truly certain or interested in this major.
Rather, you should be authentic and describe why you are unsure of what you want to major in. In addition, you should then detail what academic programs or clubs you hope to become involved in to find your true passion. The most important thing to do if you are taking the undecided major route is to detail how you will take advantage of USC to discover what you are truly interested in.
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Essay #2 – optional.
Starting with the beginning of high school/secondary school, if you have had a gap where you were not enrolled in school during a fall or spring term, please address this gap in your educational history. You do not need to address a summer break (250 words). (250 words)
Only answer this essay if you have a gap in your education. If this does not apply to you, you do not have to answer this question. However, if it does apply to you then you should answer this question as truthfully as possible.
Questions to consider
- Why did you choose to take a gap year or semester?
- Did you even choose to take off?
- What external factors affected your education?
While this is a more serious and specific question, you can still be creative in your response. Meaning, rather than stating why, you can tell the personal story that led you to make this decision. This can lead the USC admissions officers to empathize with your situation.
Essay 3 – short answer questions
The short answer questions ask you to answer in 100 characters or less, unless otherwise directed. This means these questions should be rapid fire responses. Do not overthink these! This is a fun section that allows the reader to get to know you and your opinions better! Just be sure to not answer a response in a way that has already been revealed in your application.
1. Describe yourself in three words. (25 characters each)
Think about your most defining characteristics. If someone close to you had to choose 3 words to describe you, what would they say?
2. What is your favorite snack?
Don’t think, just answer! What are you craving? Do you have a sweet tooth? If you were given the choice to pick one snack from the grocery store what would you pick?
3. Best movie of all time
Try to think of a movie that is not typically picked to be the best movie of all time! You want your uniqueness to shine through! Be sure you are selecting a movie you have actually seen and enjoyed.
4. Dream job
What are you working towards in college? What do you “want to be” when you graduate? You can choose to go the serious or silly route for this question. So, you could make up a job such as “Chocolate taste-tester because the decadence of creamy milk chocolate is my favorite thing on Earth.”
5. If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
This is a creative question! Therefore, try to pick a creative answer. Find a song that has meaningful lyrics that can relate to your life.
6. Dream trip
Try to avoid cliches with this answer such as Disneyworld – remember, you are trying to stand out from the rest of USC applicants. Think of somewhere you have always wanted to visit. Be specific! Do not just mention the city, state, or country, but rather, mention the specifics.
7. What TV show will you binge watch next?
What TV show do you love? What TV show could you watch without getting sick of it?
8. Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate?
This question allows you to have a lot of fun, so dig deep into your imagination! Try to write a quick reason as to why they would make a good roommate. For example, maybe Harry Potter because you know he is used to sharing small quarters!
9. Favorite Book
What is your favorite book? Did a certain book change your life?
10. If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be?
What are you passionate about? Do you nerd out about something? What would you love to speak to people about? You can also be creative with this answer and choose a course that does not exist! For example, the “psychology of aliens” which requires a trip to outer space!
Also see: How to respond to the Common App prompts
Essay 4: Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences applicants only –
Many of us have at least one issue or passion that we care deeply about — a topic on which we would love to share our opinions and insights in hopes of sparking intense interest and continued conversation. If you had ten minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your talk be about? (250 words)
The first thing that came to your mind when reading this essay- that’s what you should write about! You’ll want to select a topic that really fascinates you. You should be able to talk about this for hours and hours – not just 10 minutes.
This is an extremely open-ended essay, so there are an infinite number of topics you could choose to write about. When deciding what to choose, remember to select something that has not already been shared on your application.
Some ideas of things to write about for this essay:
- A social issue
- A lesson you have learned
- Other cultures
- A controversial take (do not select something too controversial!)
These are just a few examples to get your mind turning. Remember, there is a lot of freedom here, so you can pick any topic you want! Just be sure to use narratives and anecdotes to make your story shine through. After all, you want the USC admissions officers to learn why you are passionate about a topic, not just what the topic is.
Essay 5: Viterbi School of Engineering applicants only – option 1
“ The student body at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering is a diverse group of unique engineers and computer scientists who work together to engineer a better world for all humanity. Describe how your contributions to the USC Viterbi student body may be distinct from others. Please feel free to touch on any part of your background, traits, skills, experiences, challenges, and/or personality in helping us better understand you. * (250 word limit)”
To answer this essay, you need to select a personal characteristic that distinguishes you from the other engineering students. Therefore, this trait or aspect of yourself should connect back to Viterbi and how you will make a difference in the school. Start out by brainstorming and asking yourself some questions.
- What aspect of yourself have you not mentioned so far in your USC application?
- What are you passionate about?
- When you have free time, what are you doing?
- How have you prepared yourself to become an engineer?
- Why does engineering interest you?
- Why USC? Why USC engineering?
Essentially, you want to write to USC detailing how you are a stand-out applicant who is different from the rest. So, narrow in on what makes you special. However, it is important for the Viterbi supplemental essay that you are also acknowledging how you will thrive in this environment because of your uniqueness.
Essay 5: Viterbi School of Engineering applicants only – option 2
“ The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and their 14 Grand Challenges go hand-in-hand with our vision to engineer a better world for all humanity. Engineers and computer scientists are challenged to solve these problems in order to improve life on the planet. Learn more about the NAE Grand Challenges at http://engineeringchallenges.org and tell us which challenge is most important to you, and why.* (250 word limit)”
For this response, you should be sure to read through the NAE Grand Challenges. This will provide you with valuable background information. Once you have read through all of the NAE Grand Challenges, think about the challenge you find to be the most important. The most important thing about this response is not what challenge you choose to write about. Rather, it is the way you justify your response.
For example, you can choose “provide access to clean water,” however, you need to be creative in your justification. Start out by making a quick list of questions to ask yourself.
- Everyone wants clean water – so how will accessing clean water affect you?
- What would you do if you could create an invention that gives everyone access to clean water?
- Why is clean water important?
It is critical that you are creative in your justification, no matter which challenge you deem the most important.
Final thoughts on responding to the USC supplemental essays
We understand that the USC supplemental essays can be quite overwhelming. Therefore, just take it one essay at a time and space out writing your responses. Figure out which options most interest you and select those.
After you write your USC supplemental essay responses, ask a trusted individual to read over your responses before you submit your application. Ask them to check for any spelling errors and also that you have not repeated yourself at all. Remember, each USC essay is the opportunity to reveal more about yourself.
Take a deep breath! You got this. Remember to have fun in your responses and remind yourself of what you are working towards… a great education located in sunny California!
Next steps after applying to USC
Congratulations! It is time to submit your flawless USC application! Now that your application is submitted, be sure to check the following for any updates to your application status:
- Your Email
- Any USC social media accounts
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Why Major Essay Examples
At many schools, the why major essay forms a crucial part of the college application process. In addition to your Common App essay , many schools require supplemental essays. One of the most popular supplemental essay prompts is the why major essay.
The why major essay allows colleges to learn more about you and your interests. This guide will give you some why major essay examples from popular colleges. It will also offer some tips on how to write a why major essay.
This guide includes why major essay examples from the following colleges: The University of Texas at Austin , The University of Southern California , Cornell , Georgia Tech , and Pomona College . These college essay examples can act as a great source of inspiration for your why major essay. By looking at these college essays that worked, you can learn more about how to approach various supplemental essay prompts.
What are examples of why major essay prompts?
The why major essay examples in this guide have varying prompts. Here are the why major essay prompts from our college essay examples:
UT Austin | Please describe your interest in your intended major and how your interest in the field developed. | 250 |
USC | Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first-and second-choice major selections. | 300 |
Cornell | Students in Arts and Sciences embrace the opportunity to delve into multifaceted academic interests, embodying in 21st century terms Ezra Cornell’s “any person … any study” founding vision. Tell us about the areas of study you are excited to explore, and specifically why you wish to pursue them in our College | 650 |
Georgia Tech | Why do you want to study your chosen major at Georgia Tech, and what opportunities at Georgia Tech will prepare you in that field after graduation? | 300 |
Pomona College | What gets you excited about your academic interest selection(s) above? | 300 |
“Why major” essay requirements
As you can see, most why major essay examples will have between 250-300 words. However, some college essay examples will have more. Additionally, some why major essay examples will focus on college-specific information. In general, these essays ask why you’ve picked your intended major , so try to be as specific as possible. These why major essay examples are a great place to start if you need help with your why major essay.
The college essay examples in this guide also reflect the level of research needed for a why major essay. As you research colleges, look for a class you want to take or a research opportunity that interests you. Then, be sure to include that in your why major essay for that school. If a prompt mentions the college’s name or asks why you’re interested in their school, focus on school specifics. The college essay examples we’ve included in this guide can help you jumpstart the writing process.
Who has a why major essay?
Many schools have a why major essay, as these essays help colleges understand you and your academic passions. The why major essay examples in this guide come from UT Austin, USC, Cornell, Georgia Tech, and Pomona College.
In addition to these schools, many other colleges also have a why major essay. Some of these include Yale University , University of Pennsylvania , Emory University , University of Michigan , and Rice University.
Beyond the why major essay, many colleges will also have a why this college essay. This essay asks why you’re interested in that specific college. Some schools may combine the why this college essay and the why major essay. It can be helpful to compare colleges to help you decide which schools you prefer. In these essays, try to mention specific courses and professors. Some of the why major essay examples in this guide also function as why this college essay samples. You can find more college essay examples here.
Choosing your major
It’s okay if you don’t have a designated major in mind yet. While many schools will allow you to apply as an undecided student, some schools will require you to pick a major as part of your application. However, this choice often is not binding.
Reading why major essay examples can help as you choose your major and prepare to apply. If you’re not sure about your major, you can read our guide on How to Choose a Major.
In our why major essay examples, you’ll see how your personal interests and passions can help you choose a major. Our why major essay examples demonstrate how helpful it can be for colleges to know why you’re interested in your intended major. Where do you see yourself working? What’s your favorite subject in school? Thinking through these kinds of questions (and reading college essay examples) can help you navigate the different majors available.
Why This Major Essay Example
We’ve included five different why major essay examples below. Pay attention to how these why this major essay examples include specifics about each college. These why major college essay examples can help you understand what colleges look for in a Why Major essay. Overall, by reading college essays that worked, you can learn more about how to brainstorm and structure your own essays.
Now, let’s look at some why major college essay examples.
UT Austin Essay Examples
Please describe your interest in your intended major and how your interest in the field developed. (250 words), ut austin essay example.
Some of you may wonder ‘When will I ever use derivatives in real life?’ Welcome to when.” My physics teacher, Mr. Welsh, described engineering as the “when” math and physics were applied to real problems. That is what is so attractive about engineering; it gives me the ability to apply intriguing concepts to fascinating projects. I love how engineering combines creative freedom with mathematical certainty to create projects that can impact and change the world.
During the Chain Reaction Contraption competition, a local competition, my team and I created a Rube Goldberg machine to complete a certain task. I found a love for the hands-on, creative portion of mechanical engineering and design. Other engineering activities also provided important experiences that contributed to my desire to pursue engineering. In my engineering design class, I enjoyed using computer programs like Solidworks and AutoCAD to create designs and visualizations of ideas. In FTC Robotics, I discovered that in addition to building the robot, I also loved the programming aspect behind mechanical design.
Reflecting on these experiences with engineering, particularly mechanical engineering, I am certain that engineering is the best path for me. I hope to apply my Mechanical Engineering degree to the Aerospace field. My dad is a pilot, so I have grown up hearing about and being around airplanes. As a child, I watched war plane documentaries with my dad and have had a passion for Aeronautics since then.
Why this essay worked
This why this major essay example works because it utilizes a personal story. By using a specific experience, this essay reflects on why this student is interested in mechanical engineering. Starting with a personal anecdote is a great way to introduce your essay. By including any experience you have with a club or extracurricular, you can help the reader understand your experience within the field.
Reading UT Austin essay examples can help you start writing your why major essay. Read through the UT Austin Degree Programs and pick the major that best aligns with your interests. Try to think about what experiences, both inside and outside of school, have piqued your interest—this can be a great way to start your why major essay. Use the UT Austin essay examples to help guide your writing process. As you draft, these why major essay examples can be a great source of inspiration.
USC Why Major Essay
Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at usc specifically. please feel free to address your first-and second-choice major selections. (300 words).
The perks of being an English major is that you have a lot of opportunities, which I fully plan on partaking in during my time at USC. First and foremost, I hope to form close connections with my professors and to take advantage of the world-class education I’d be receiving. There is also a study abroad program specifically entwined with English that I hope to be able to participate in during my time at USC. I intend to participate and eventually help with the events that USC’s English department puts on as well.
As a sophomore, I hope to be a research assistant to a professor, hopefully someone who specializes in Romanticism or the niche field of ‘Law and Literature.’ I plan on starting research to write my own thesis during my junior year and hope to publish by my senior year. I plan on being a research assistant first because it would give me insight on the mechanics of research in the humanities and would help me formulate some ideas for my thesis early on. Since I am on the pre-law track, I hope to take advantage of USC’s resources by starting an internship.
While I have yet to declare a minor, I would like to capitalize on my love for languages by minoring in a language, and since Los Angeles and the campus of USC itself is a multicultural hub, I could immerse myself into the cultural aspects that come with learning a “new tongue.”
Why this essay worked
This why this major essay example works because it focuses primarily on how this student will utilize the resources at USC to pursue their intended major. In this, the essay fully answers the prompt set by the USC Admissions Office.
This USC Why Major essay mentions the specific study abroad program and the research opportunities available. In doing so, it shows how familiar this student is with the English program at USC. This USC essay also helps demonstrate the student’s excitement for the opportunities available at USC. Detailing a rough plan for each year in college is a great way to show the USC Admissions Office what you know about their school’s programs.
This USC Why Major essay is a great example of combining a Why This Major essay example and a Why This College essay sample. Compared to the other Why Major essay examples you may read (including the one above), this USC essay is specific. Other Why Major college essay examples may be used for more than one school—often, you’ll include similar information in your supplemental essays for different schools. However, the USC Why Major essay can only be used for USC. The USC Admissions wants you to detail exactly what about USC you find appealing, and this USC essay does this very well.
Cornell Arts and Sciences supplement essay example
Students in arts and sciences embrace the opportunity to delve into multifaceted academic interests, embodying in 21st century terms ezra cornell’s “any person … any study” founding vision. tell us about the areas of study you are excited to explore, and specifically why you wish to pursue them in our college. (650 words), cornell arts and sciences supplement essay example.
When 6:35 AM alarm rings, I find myself considering the Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility–if I hit the snooze button, will my eight minutes of fragmented slumber garner more utility than a fresh-brewed cup of coffee? The trend continues throughout the day: with the release of the newest Yeezys, I contemplate bounded rationality. Though the sneakers scarcely justify the price tag of $550, the rapidly-depleting supply almost overwhelms my rational decision-making capabilities: textbook behavioral economics. As soon as I realized that my daily decisions could be explained by economics, I was determined to learn more.
To many, the subject conjures images of stockbrokers painstakingly laboring over Excel spreadsheets; it’s easy to forget it governs our everyday lives. Half a century ago, the creation of the unassuming mortgage-backed security set the stage for the global 2008 Recession. Simultaneously, the power of economics can be awe-inspiring: Muhammad Yunus’ work with microfinance pioneered new ways to address global poverty. Studying AP Economics, participating in countless rounds of debate both in and outside the United States, self-studying courses like Professor Chetty’s Using Big Data to Solve Economic and Social Problems, and managing the budget of our schools debate team taught me that market principles govern our world; through my education, I hope to learn how to harness them for good.
After a summer working for Congressman DeSaulnier, I realized that economics and politics are intertwined. One of my most memorable projects was preparing a brief on H.R. 4674 (the College Affordability Act)–for two weeks, I scrutinized the social, political, and economic effects of the legislation, and concluded with a half-hour presentation on my findings to the Congressman. In the process, I realized that even seemingly minor pieces of legislation affect all of society; by helping disenfranchised communities gain access to education, the bill addresses cyclical poverty at the root. When the Congressman announced he would become a co-author, it was a personal victory–it cemented my desire to intertwine my passion in economics with our political process, and learn how to craft innovative legislation designed to benefit millions.
The College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell is the ideal environment for me to pursue those passions. As an aspiring Economics major, I’m incredibly excited to learn from world-renowned economists like Professor Basu. Beyond fascinating courses like Game Theory and Strategic Economics, which synthesize economics, business, politics, and diplomacy, it would be a privilege just to attend his office hours and learn from his experience as former Chief Economist at the World Bank and President of the International Economic Association. In addition to my classes, I’d love to get involved in the Hatsfield Undergraduate Research program and further my understanding of how economics can be applied. Papers like Professor Battaglini’s “The Political Economy of Weak Treaties” are fascinating to read, and it would be a phenomenal experience to receive mentorship from veterans in the field while aiding them in their work.
I’d also love to minor in Public Policy, which seems almost tailor-made for my own career goals; the synthesis of an unparalleled education in the fundamentals of economics with courses designed to help students craft tangible policy would literally be a dream come true. Programs like Cornell in Washington promise the opportunity to get hands-on experience from Capitol Hill itself. I’d be more than happy to use my education in a Congressional Committee and get an insider perspective on the steps that go into developing, amending, and passing legislation.
The College of Arts and Sciences combines that with a robust undergraduate community, which offers unique opportunities to collaborate with a large student body and start developing a professional network–whether I’m catching a game of ice hockey or participating in Dragon Day, I know there’ll never be a dull moment. All in all, Cornell promises four truly life-changing years–I can’t wait to become a member of the Big Red community.
Reading through Cornell Arts and Sciences supplement essay examples, like the one above, can serve as an excellent case of how to combine a Why Major essay and a Why This College essay.
Out of all the college essay examples we’ve included here, the Cornell Arts and Sciences supplement essay examples contain the most detail. This why this major essay example showcases how important it is to have exact details available about the college or program you are applying to. This student highlights several different professors at Cornell, as well as their specific work and research. The Cornell Admissions Office appreciates the time and effort put into these essays, so it’s crucial to do your research!
This why this major essay example also uses the longer word count well. In particular, it offers personal anecdotes while showcasing the writer’s knowledge of economics. The reader gets to know the student better, and the Cornell Admissions team can see that the writer is serious about studying at Cornell.
As you can see in these why major essay examples, the more specific details you can include about the college, the better. Reading multiple Cornell supplemental essay examples can help you explore the different programs students look forward to joining. Be sure to explore the Cornell Admissions website to review their offered fields of study . If you’re undecided on a major, you can read through our guide on Cornell Majors here for some inspiration. You can also read more Cornell supplemental essay examples here .
Georgia Tech Essay Examples
Next, let’s look at some essay examples from Georgia Tech. Here’s the prompt:
Why do you want to study your chosen major at Georgia Tech, and what opportunities at Georgia Tech will prepare you in that field after graduation? (300 Words)
Georgia tech essay example.
March 29, 2019. 11 AM EST. GT Shadow Day. I remember it all so clearly: Descending the red-brick steps of the Old Civil Engineering Building. My friend and I, chatting up a storm, our minds blown by our newfound perspectives.
We had just walked out of ECON-4060: Money & Capital Markets, taught by Dr. Belton. To say that it changed my life would be no exaggeration; within an hour, Dr. Belton had upended my perception of society and defined my future aspirations.
We had been asked to consider a popular commodity, diamonds. Hardly rare, fast-decaying, and intrinsically worthless. So why do we buy them? Dr. Belton had then illuminated the factors in our economic behavior that cause us to gift a ring in marriage rather than something with real value, say a treasury bond. These realizations were enough to rock me back on my heels, for I had never before noticed the large degree to which our everyday economic decision-making is irrational.
Craving more than that one splendid hour, I knew where and what I wanted to study for the next four years. I saw myself strolling through Bobby Dodd Way, bumping into old friends as I made my way to Midtown Atlanta. Then, I imagined myself exploring the realm of economics, probing questions ranging from price formation to income disparity. I saw myself at a place that felt familiar enough to call “home,” learning in a way that felt genuine enough to call “discovery.”
Educating myself on the mechanics of economics is just a glimpse of my great desires. Through the senior research project, I seek the one-on-one guidance of faculty in yielding a publishable journal paper. Someday, with the support of the program’s alumni network, I plan to pursue career and internship opportunities in the great company headquarters of Atlanta.
Like many of the why major essay examples we’ve highlighted, this why major essay starts with a personal anecdote. Our Georgia Tech essay examples can be used as a why this college essay sample as well.
The student’s personal story is tied to Georgia Tech. This makes it a great addition to a Georgia Tech application. Our Georgia Tech essay examples also drive home the importance of bringing specific details about a college into your why major essay. The Georgia Tech supplemental essays examples can help spark your inspiration on what details to include. This why this major essay example does a great job of building on a personal experience with Georgia Tech. It also highlights what prompted the student’s interest in economics.
Learning from Georgia Tech essay examples
Reading through Georgia Tech supplemental essays examples like the one above can teach you a lot. As you approach your essays, make sure you showcase how important it can be to reference specific classes or professors offered by a college. Use Georgia Tech essay examples to get some inspiration for your research and writing.
If you are interested in submitting a Georgia Tech application, be sure to familiarize yourself with the offered majors. These can be found here . The Georgia Tech supplemental essay examples can be a great research tool as well if you are unsure about picking a major.
For more help on a Georgia Tech application, be sure to read through our guide on Georgia Tech Admissions as well. Reading through more Georgia Tech essay examples can help if you’re feeling stuck on your why major essay—it can be helpful to target your search for the major you’re interested in. The Georgia Tech supplemental essays examples illustrate the importance of building connections between your interests and what each college offers.
Pomona College Essay Examples
What gets you excited about your academic interest selection(s) above (300 words), pomona college essay example.
I’m a cis-gender gay man. I came out to my family during my sophomore year and to my entire school in an assembly my junior year.
My queer identity has inspired my involvement at Tony’s Place, my research on LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness, and my involvement in changing my school’s LGBTQ+ policies. Being gay has become a primary lens through which I view the world.
The Gender & Women’s Studies Program would provide me with a critical lens to further understand my own experiences and ways I can become a better activist.
The LGBTQ+ community is distinct from other marginalized groups because it is an umbrella of different experiences, and it takes a high level of literacy to understand these differences. The Gender & Women’s Studies Program’s emphasis on including diverse perspectives in the curriculum is crucial in my understanding of other perspectives and ways I can support others.
For my Modern Middle East final, I wrote a forty-five page paper on LGBTQ+ movements in Middle Eastern countries. Writing this paper made me think about LGBTQ+ rights from an international perspective. Pomona’s Decolonizing Gender and Sexuality in Asian/America can advance my understanding of the cultural implications of Western colonization. In doing so, I’ll discover ways the United States can assist an LGBTQ+ social movement in other nations without imposing an imperialist definition of pride.
While researching alongside a University of Houston professor, I had to consider the relationship between disabilities and LGBTQ+ homeless youth’s mental health outcomes. Taking The Disability Studies: Foundations, Intersections, & Future class will help me better empathize with the different communities represented in my future research endeavors.
By linking queer theory to disciplines such as economics, media studies, and politics, The Gender & Women’s Studies Program will prepare me for a lifetime of activism.
This why this major essay example does a great job of connecting this student’s personal identity and experiences to their intended major. This Pomona essay gives the reader insight into who the student is. It also highlights how their identity has informed their academic passions.
Out of all the Pomona majors, this student describes a specific program that spoke to their long-term goals. Reading through the Pomona College essay examples can help you structure your Pomona essay. This why this major essay example also has a great structure. It opens with a personal anecdote and segues into specific details about Pomona naturally. As such, this why this major essay example feels cohesive and clear.
When reading through college essay examples, pay attention to how closely they follow the exact prompt directions. The Pomona College essay examples highlight how important it is to answer the prompt. Your Pomona essay should explain why your intended major excites you. Make sure you read through the offered Pomona majors, found here. The Pomona College essay examples can also help you narrow down your options from the many Pomona majors offered. The reader can feel how excited this student is to pursue their major at Pomona, making it a great why this college essay sample as well!
How to write a Why Major Essay
After reading through the why major college essay examples, you may still feel stuck on how to write a why major essay. The first step to writing a why major essay is to pick your major.
While this may seem obvious, this can be a difficult step for a lot of students. There are many great guides on picking a college major, including our own guide . There are also guides from U.S. News , Research.com , and Coursera . Additionally, you can review the data collected by the National Center for Education Statistics on the most popular college majors. Reading about different majors (and reading different why did you choose this major essay examples) can help you decide which path of study is best for you.
You can also read a number of college essays that worked from Johns Hopkins University here . These can help you explore different areas of study and see how other students have described their experiences. Additionally, you can read our guides on college search , building a college list , and how to compare colleges .
Beginning your writing process
Once you know what major to pick, the fun part starts. Read some why did you choose this major essay examples and think of your own experience. Was there a class you took that sparked your interest or a club that inspired a new academic passion? What subjects or topics within this major speaks to you the most? Start reading why major essay examples for your intended major—they may help you focus your interest.
Let’s think through how a student may tackle a why major essay. Imagine a student named Isla who plans to study biology in college. When sitting down to write her why major essay, she might research each school’s biology programs in depth. Then, she might pick one or two classes for each school and look up what research projects the professors design.
She’ll also think about why she wants to study biology. She can still remember how captivated she was during her biology classes and how excited she was to learn more—this can be a great start to her essay. Isla can build her why major essay around her personal interests and the research she’s done. The Why Major essay gives Isla a great opportunity to explain her passions and to show schools she is serious about her goals.
Why engineering essay
If you’re interested in applying to engineering programs, your why engineering essay should detail what subjects within engineering you find compelling. Some schools will have you write a why engineering essay as part of their application process. Some of these include Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering and the California Institute of Technology .
When writing your why engineering essay, it can be helpful to include the specific field you’re interested in, such as mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, or computer engineering. Research the programs you’re applying to. Then, try to include any recent projects or news in your why engineering essay. Overall, a why engineering essay should explain your interest, include relevant information about each school and showcase your knowledge in engineering.
In addition to the UT Austin why this major essay example included in this guide, research other college essays that worked specifically to engineering. Reading why major essay examples for engineering programs can teach you more about the programs that interest you. If you’re feeling stuck, read more why did you choose this major essay examples for some inspiration!
Why business major essay
As the most popular major for undergraduate students, writing a why business major essay can be intimidating. Since business is such a popular major, many why major essay examples will focus on business. Some schools will have you write a specific why business major essay. For example, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan Ross School of Business require them. You can also refer to the Cornell why this major essay example included in this guide.
Try to include specific details about your experiences to ground your why business major essay. Think about your future career goals—do you have a dream company you’d like to work for? Look into each business program as well. Do they have any exciting internship programs, or connections with local businesses? Breaking down your goals and detailing what makes you excited about the specific program can help you write your why business major essay.
Reading college essay examples specific to business programs can help as well. You may find more essays geared towards graduate degrees, but researching why did you choose this major essay examples for business can help target your search. Reading why major essay examples for business programs can also help you see what specific schools look for.
Why nursing essay
Nursing is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States. Writing a why nursing essay can be a core component of applying to nursing programs. This includes applying to programs at the University of Virginia and the University of California, Los Angeles . So, reading a why this major essay example for nursing can help jumpstart your writing process.
Your why nursing essay should explain your passion for the field. In your why nursing essay, be sure to include any personal stories you may have regarding nursing and the health field. Many why major essay examples for nursing include personal stories to help explain the student’s interest in healthcare.
Your why nursing essay should also be as specific as possible. Is there a specialization you’re interested in? Be sure to reflect on caretaking and share any personal experience you may have. These can elevate your why nursing essay. Additionally, if you’ve volunteered in a healthcare facility or have any experience with the profession, include these details in your essay. Overall, your why nursing essay should explain to the reader why you’re passionate about such an important field. It should also outline your future career goals within healthcare.
Other CollegeAdvisor Resources on College Majors
If you’re still feeling stuck on picking a major for your why major essay, CollegeAdvisor is here to help. In addition to these why major essay examples, you can review our guide on college majors here . This guide includes college-specific resources, but we also have a guide on listing a college major . Beyond that, we have guides for business majors and computer science majors. Additionally, we have guides on college enrollment , study abroad , and test scores .
Reading these different guides, alongside these why major essay examples, can help you navigate the wide array of majors. Once you find a major you’re interested in, reading why major essay examples for your specific major can help you start writing your why major essay.
Why This Major Essay Examples – Final Thoughts
Applying to college may feel overwhelming, but researching schools and majors is a crucial first step. Reading college essays that worked can help you understand what goes into a great why major essay.
Even if you’re not sure about your intended major, reading through why did you choose this major essay examples can help in the decision-making process. Arming yourself with information about each program will help, too. Reading why major college essay examples can provide specific inspiration for the programs you’re interested in. Focus on what excites you about each school’s program, and you’ll have a great starting point for your why major essay!
This essay guide was written by senior advisor, Jess Klein . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile. We will help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.
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USC Supplemental Essays 2024-25 — Prompts & Advice
August 7, 2024
When applying to a school like the University of Southern California, it is important to grasp that their acceptance rate in 2024 is lower than Harvard’s back in the late 1990s. Last cycle, USC received roughly 82,000 applications and admitted just 9% from that pool. We don’t bring up these numbers or the Friends -era Harvard comparison to cause future applicants unnecessary fear. Rather, we want aspiring Trojans to realize that in addition to strong high school grades and standardized test scores, they need to excel in other critical areas of their application as well. This brings us to the topic of the USC supplemental essays.
(Want to learn more about How to Get Into the University of Southern California? Visit our blog entitled: How to Get Into USC: Admissions Data and Strategies for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)
The supplemental essay section offered by USC is a fairly epic one and presents just such an opportunity for students to differentiate themselves from swarms of other qualified applicants. In addition to several short essays, you are also required to answer 10 short answer questions. Below are the USC’s supplemental prompts for the 2024-25 admissions cycle along with tips about how to address each one.
2024-25 USC Supplemental Essays – Prompt #1
Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (Approximately 250 words)
This is part “Why Us?” and part “Explain Your Major,” and your aim is to seamlessly touch on both topics in a tightly woven 250-word composition. For a deeper dive, let’s examine a list of characteristics of a winning USC “Why Us?” essay:
- How did your interest in your major of choice begin and how has it matured over the years?
- While pursuing your majors(s)/interest(s) of choice, how will you take advantage of the university’s immense resources both inside and outside of the classroom? Be sure to cite specific academic programs , professors , research opportunities , internship/externship programs , and study abroad programs . Discuss why they pique your interest.
- Feel free to touch on student-run organizations related to your field of study that you would like to join.
- Lastly, don’t ignore your second-choice major in this essay.
In any “Why Us?” composition, you need to show that you’ve done your homework on a given school, but you don’t want it to read like a robotic list of items that you Googled ten minutes before writing the essay (even if the timing of the Google search is roughly accurate). In addition to the pure research element, a lot of the time and skill required in creating a stellar USC essay will involve connecting the classes, professors, opportunities, etc. of interest that you have uncovered to your distinct values, talents, aims, proficiencies, and future goals.
USC Supplemental Essays – Short Answers
(#1 allows 25 characters for each word, and #2-10 allows 100 characters each)
- Describe yourself in three words.
- What is your favorite snack?
- Best movie of all time
- If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
- What TV show will you binge watch next?
- Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate?
- Favorite book
- If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be?
USC Supplemental Essays (Continued)
It would be a bit silly to try to advise you on what your favorite snack is. Obviously, the USC admissions committee wants to hear “Pepperoni Pizza Combos” but will also accept “Ranch-flavored Bugles.” As such, we’ll keep our advice on these a bit broader:
- This is a chance to make a personal connection with an admissions officer. Don’t overthink these or pick movies, books, songs, or trips that you think an admissions officer will find impressive. Just be genuine.
- For #1, try to avoid words like “interesting” that are…well, not very interesting , or words that could describe most of USC’s applicant pool, like “hard-working” or “dedicated.”
- For #10, don’t pick a general topic in a traditional discipline. Instead, pick something about which you are passionate. This could be a blend of pop culture and academics or a highly esoteric topic that you happen to be obsessed with (e.g., the Beatles 1965-67 mid-career era, the history of jai-alai, or how to groom a ferret).
- You have 100 characters to utilize, so do include some short explanations that infuse your answers with extra personality. For example, you could jazz up Ranch-flavored Bugles as follows: “Ranch-flavored Bugles, me and my mom’s go-to Jeopardy snack.”
- Final tip: if you feel stuck, try brainstorming a few options for each one before choosing your favorite.
USC Supplemental Essays – School-Specific Prompts
In addition to the required essays noted above, you’ll also need to answer at least one additional essay question that is dependent on the school or college you are applying to at USC. Below, we’ve broken down the most popular options:
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Many of us have at least one issue or passion that we care deeply about – a topic on which we would love to share our opinions and insights in hopes of sparking intense interest and continued conversation. If you had ten minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your talk be about? (250 words)
What makes you tick? What keeps you up at night? Which subjects could (and do) you talk about for hours if given the opportunity? If you could address one problem in the world, large or small, what would it be? Here’s your chance to tell us all about it. You’ll then want to explain “why”—why will (or should) your passion/topic of choice be made relevant to a wider audience? Why is it so important that others hear your message? Your answer will give admissions readers greater insight into what type of issues are most important to you.
Viterbi School of Engineering
The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and their 14 Grand Challenges go hand-in-hand with our vision to engineer a better world for all humanity. Engineers and computer scientists are challenged to solve these problems in order to improve life on the planet. Learn more about the NAE Grand Challenges at http://engineeringchallenges.org and tell us which challenge is most important to you, and why. (250 words)
The NAE Grand Challenges list is expansive and includes a number of pressing issues, like clean water access, solar energy, and nuclear terrorism. Basically, you are 100% guaranteed to find at least one item on this list that resonates with you. After reviewing the options, which one are you most passionate about, and why? Is there something from your personal background or experiences that inspired your interest in this area? Alternatively, have you engaged with this topic either inside or outside of school, and if so, how? What would you still like to learn about it? If you choose an issue that you are genuinely interested in and clearly convey your reasoning for doing so, you’ll be well on your way to a compelling response.
The student body at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering is a diverse group of unique engineers and computer scientists who work together to engineer a better world for all humanity. Describe how your contributions to the USC Viterbi student body may be distinct from others. Please feel free to touch on any part of your background, traits, skills, experiences, challenges, and/or personality in helping us better understand you. (250 words)
Take note of the wide-open nature of this prompt. You are essentially invited to talk about any of the following topics:
- A perspective you hold
- An experience/challenge you had
- A community you belong to
- Your cultural background
- Your family background
- A personality trait
- A skill you have
Although this prompt’s open floor plan may feel daunting, a good tactic is to first consider what has already been communicated within your Common App personal statement, activities list, and other USC essays. What important aspects of yourself have not been shared (or sufficiently discussed)? The admissions officer reading your essay is hoping to connect with you through your written words, so—within your essay’s reflection—be open, humble, thoughtful, inquisitive, emotionally honest, mature, and/or insightful about what you learned and how you grew. No matter what type of story you tell, the goal is to have the reader come away saying, “I can definitely see this applicant as a contributing member of our talented and engaged Viterbi community.”
How important are the USC supplemental essays?
There are five factors that USC considers to be “very important” to their candidate evaluation process and the essay section is one of them. Along with GPA, standardized test scores, rigor of high school coursework, and recommendations, the Common App and supplement essays play a huge role in the USC admissions staff’s decision-making.
Want personalized assistance?
Lastly, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your USC supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote today.
Looking for additional writing resources? Consider checking out the following:
- Common App Essay Prompts
- 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
- College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
- How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
- Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
- How to Brainstorm a College Essay
- 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
- “Why This College?” Essay Examples
- How to Write the Community Essay
- College Essay
Dave Bergman
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How to write the usc school essays, updated for 2024-2025.
Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (Approximately 250 words)*
Explanation:
This classic “why this school” supplemental prompt is an excellent opportunity to showcase your enthusiasm for all of the unique and vibrant aspects of USC that correspond to your area(s) of interest. First, identify your academic interests—these should be specific, unique, and demonstrated elsewhere in your application. Rather than saying you’re interested in teaching science, for instance, note that you are interested in secondary education and chemistry, with a particular interest in the ways in which artistic practice might inform how we represent chemical reactions for students. Then, conduct thorough research on the departments and resources USC offers that would allow you to explore your academic interests and think intentionally about how you could utilize them to reach your goals. Which programs, collectives, organizations or extracurricular activities interest you? Are there specific research or study abroad opportunities that can complement your course of study? Specificity is key when writing this essay, so be sure to name a professor that you are interested in working with, a course you’re excited to take, or an extracurricular opportunity you’re keen to pursue.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to weave in aspects of your personality and narrative as you give context for why you selected your courses of study in the first place. You want to write a response that tells a story about who you are—so be sure to make the connection between your life experiences and the academic experience you hope to have on USC’s campus next year.
Every so often when I was five, a kind neighbor would pay me $20 for my drawings in exchange for the simple assurance that I would continue to be colorful and bold. While these works were not conventional masterpieces, her unwavering support inspired me to create no matter the circumstance. Relentlessly, my excitement grew, and I soon transitioned from drawing on printer paper to creating acrylic portraiture and painting large-scale murals. USC’s Roski School of Art and Design is the ideal place for me to draw the next chapter of my story; it is a place where I can grow boldly, both as an artist and as a scholar.
Roskis flexible curriculum and distinguished faculty will provide exceptional structure as I refine my 3D artwork skills. I’m eager to explore diverse mediums in courses like Ideas in Intermedia and Creating and Understanding Visuals, working to craft aesthetically pleasing visuals and interactive art installations. Simultaneously, studying with world-class professors like Professor Ava Thompson will expose me to technological and traditional artistic practices in mixed media installations that will expand both my worldview and technical prowess.
Taking interdisciplinary courses like Studies in Art, Science and Technology to complete my Art History major will deepen my appreciation for artworks’ historical and cultural contexts, complimenting my own technical study and informing my own practice. At USC, I am confident that I will transform my childhood drawings into a legacy of innovative installations.
Optional Prompts:
1. Starting with the beginning of high school/secondary school, if you have had a gap where you were not enrolled in school during a fall or spring term, please address this gap in your educational history. You do not need to address a summer break. (Approximately 250 words)*
This space allows students who followed an untraditional educational timeline, whether due to medical complications, familial complexities, or otherwise extenuating life circumstances. If your personal experiences don’t directly resonate with any of these scenarios, feel free to skip this section. If you do identify with any of these narratives, however, take this time to clarify the details and timing concerning the gap in your studies. Don’t feel the need to apologize or overshare about a scenario outside of your control, but do emphasize the impact it had on you and the role it played in your personal development.
Short Essays:
For the following ten prompts, you can input a maximum of 100 characters. Be sure to make complete use of the character count you are allotted, as this is enough space to both provide an answer and briefly describe it and/or offer a reason that sheds light into who you are.
1. Describe yourself in three words.
Stand out from thousands of other applicants to USC by choosing unique and unexpected words for this question. For example, an admissions officer might know you are creative if you are applying as an arts major, but might be surprised to learn that you also view yourself as persuasive and audacious or that you are a bibliophile or a yogi. When selecting your words, use this prompt as an opportunity to highlight a quality you have not yet demonstrated in another part of your application.
If you feel stuck, one of the best ways to tackle this question is to simply ask your friends and family to text you their responses and look for patterns. For example, if five people who know you well say you are thoughtful and caring, combine those into one idea, such as “empathetic.” Be intentional, however, choosing words that are highly descriptive while avoiding clichés as much as possible.
First Word: Yogi Second Word: Zealous Third Word: Cinephile
2. What is your favorite snack?
We all have strange snacks that hit the spot or sentimental bites that remind us of a favorite family recipe, restaurant, or trip. The point of this quirky prompt is to encourage creativity and allow you to showcase your personality in an unusual way. Think outside of the box as you consider how you might share something unique about yourself through the food—is there an unconventional or culturally relevant cuisine you enjoy? Does your love of peanut butter on pickles perfectly encapsulate your reputation for breaking the rules? Are you committed to leveling up the aesthetic presentation of everything you touch, adding your Ritz cracker sandwich to a 5-star cheese board? Whatever you choose, select a snack that gives insight into your story.
Fried plantains and Gyoza—sweet and savory, reflecting my Carribean and Japanese heritage.
3. Best movie of all time?
For this response, consider the cultural, socio-political and personal aspects of the films you enjoy. Which movie do you believe has transformed the world? How about your perspective? Which films resonate most with your lived experience? Steer clear of any controversial picks that could be considered offensive or overly ideological. Whichever direction you take, make sure that your movie choice communicates something about your personality, values, and interests. This is also a great way to shed light on how you have connected one of your academic interests to non-academic material.
The Price of Everything, which questions where the value art is assigned.
4. Dream job?
Dream big for this prompt, but make sure that this response aligns with your intended major. How credible would the Mechanical Engineering major you listed on the application look, for example, if you listed “professional chef” here? Try to think as creatively and ambitiously as possible and consider your long-term goals. Be specific and add details so that your answer stands out.
An art therapist who helps children overcome trauma through imagination and play.
5. If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
Music offers a special lens into your inner world, so you can say a lot with a few words here. Choose a song with a title that makes a point, be mindful of the artist’s reputation, and make sure that the title can’t be misunderstood or misinterpreted in a negative way. If possible, avoid overplayed or cliche songs unless you have nuanced context to offer.
Anthem – Leonard Cohen’s words remind me that pain is often a sign of growth.
6. Dream trip?
The sky’s the limit with this prompt—the place can be real, imagined, literary, or scientific. Be creative and specific with this answer, using it to shed light on your personality. Your answer can include your dream destination and experience, as well as the person with whom you may want to go on this dream trip.
Hopping from the Earth to the Moon and back in Calvino’s Cosmicomics.
7. What TV show will you binge watch next?
For this prompt, you have two options. You can pick a show that highlights an interest or passion you haven’t written about in the rest of your application, or you can double down on an academic or extracurricular pursuit you previously shared by underscoring it with a niche related show. Either way, make sure that your reasoning is clear. To decide, narrow your options down to your favorite genre first, then list the reasons why you enjoy each show and choose the one that has the most unique and honest answer! While your choice should convey something about your interests, passions, or personality, it should also be authentic—don’t choose something simply because it sounds erudite! If it’s a show you truly enjoy, there is likely some way to connect it to your interests.
The Great British Baking Show, to get tips and tricks for my own baking experiments.
8. Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate?
There are plenty of different factors you could take into account when answering this question. Who can you see yourself living with on a daily basis? Which conversations would you be eager to have with them? Which activities could you see yourself bonding and connecting over? Make sure that whichever individual you choose, it is someone who can display something positive about you, your character, and your values. A roommate is someone who you engage with outside of the classroom—so highlight something other than your academic passions here!
W.E.B. Du Bois—his infographics make me think he’d be an organized roommate with good taste in decor.
9. Favorite book?
This is a perfect place to demonstrate your curiosity and imagination by picking a book that you’ve enjoyed reading during your free time. The admissions committee should have a clear understanding of your academic interests; this is your place to demonstrate how you spend your time outside of the classroom. That being said, avoid picking titles that appear as if you are trying to show off—be authentic with your answer. Make sure that your choice is appropriate and leaves a positive impression on the USC admissions committee—steer clear of books that may be controversial.
Octavia Butler’s Kindred inspired me to take further interest in Black history.
10. If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be?
This prompt is a proxy for questions such as: What ideas do you care deeply about? What knowledge do you want to share and discuss with others? With this question, the Yale admissions committee wants to determine whether a student’s knowledge is more superficial or if they’re really fluent enough about what they love to get a reader excited about their own passions—even with limited words.
To answer this question, choose a topic about which you are either intensely curious or already very knowledgeable. If you choose a course, stay away from courses that you would see in a standard course listing, such as “Economics 101.” If you choose a book or an original piece of art, don’t worry about it being too serious or too silly—what matters is that it is something really creative and specific to you!
Kara Walker and Alma Thomas: Women of Color’s Legacy and Impact in the Field of Muralism.
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How To Answer The USC Supplemental Essay Prompts For 2022/23
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Located in the heart of Los Angeles, the University of Southern California (USC) is home to a large student body, incredible research advancements, and a large football stadium and culture. USC is ranked one of the best public universities in the US. It boasts a competitive admissions process with an acceptance rate of just 11%, meaning only about 1 in 9 students gets accepted.
USC Supplemental Essay Prompts
Essay 1: please respond to one of the prompts below. (250 word limit).
- USC believes that one learns best when interacting with people of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Tell us about a time you were exposed to a new idea or when your beliefs were challenged by another point of view. Please discuss the significance of the experience and its effect on you.
- USC faculty place an emphasis on interdisciplinary academic opportunities. Describe something outside of your intended academic focus about which you are interested in learning.
What is something about yourself that is essential to understanding you?
Essay 2: (250 words limit).
Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests at USC. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections.
Essay 3 (optional)
Starting with the beginning of high school/secondary school, if you have had a gap where you were not enrolled in school during a fall or spring term, please address this gap in your educational history. You do not need to address a summer break.
Short Answers Questions
- Describe yourself in three words. First Word: (25 characters), Second Word: (25 characters), Third Word: (25 characters)
- What is your favorite snack? (100 characters)
- Best movie of all time: (100 characters)
- Dream job: (100 characters)
- If your life had a theme song, what would it be? (100 characters)
- Dream trip: (100 characters)
- What TV show will you binge watch next? (100 characters)
- Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate? (100 characters)
- Favorite book: (100 characters)
- If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be? (100 characters)
How Anushka Got Into USC with Crimson
How to Answer the Short Essay Questions
Usc believes one learns best when interacting with people of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. tell us about a time you were exposed to a new idea or when another point of view challenged your beliefs*. please discuss the significance of the experience and its effect on you.*.
The first supplemental essay (and its three prompt options) asks you to speak from experience about a non-academic moment of growth or the formation of a particular value. While the first prompt is the only one that demands you narrate a specific experience, a solid response to any of the three prompts should describe a particular instance and unpack its implications .
In generating a topic, the experience you choose does not have to be overly serious, but the analysis should show how it speaks to your growth in a powerful way that does not feel too grandiose. USC admissions officers are looking for applicants to demonstrate their understanding that learning is not just sitting in class and pursuing academics but is also significantly impacted by personal growth and a transformation of values .
If you choose this prompt, consider the different circumstances that caused you to change your thinking about a particular issue .
- Maybe it was a passing conversation with a stranger or friend,
- an experience engaging with a social
- a civil issue in your community,
- Or even a slightly more rigorous debate or academic setting.
Whatever topic you choose, vivid language that examines how events made you feel in the moment will be essential to drawing out moments of actual growth . Remember that genuinely changing an established view is hard work, so please be honest with yourself as you look over the depth of these implications. Whether you write about how your experience attending a protest deepened your empathy for a particular cause or how a dare with your friend caused you to deactivate Facebook and rethink the role of social media in your life, try to craft a narrative story with clear consequences.
USC faculty place emphasis on interdisciplinary academic opportunities. Could you describe something outside your intended academic focus about which you are interested in learning?
Responding to the second prompt should show that your intellectual curiosity expands beyond your professional aspirations . Try to recall when you were surprised by how an experience outside your area of expertise affected you. This experience could be anything from how your experience on a safari led to an unexpected interest in endangered species preservation to finding meaning in a collection of poetry you were required to read. Your essay should construct a narrative demonstrating genuine intellectual curiosity in an area outside your prospective academic focus.
A response to the third prompt can take on a variety of topics. Whether you explain the influence of a familial structure, a hobby, an experience as part of a larger community, or even some other unusual facet of your expertise, your narrative should discuss how this influence has positively shaped you .
Again, this is not a spot for arrogant essays about accomplishments and ambition. Instead, it’s for examining a topic that will lead the admissions committee to fully understand you and how you hope to use a USC education. Ideally, the topic will be distinct from your Common App essay topic (which can be similar). It will explain an aspect of your thinking or reasoning that’s not in any other part of your application.
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Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests at USC. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (250 words)
The second supplemental essay question helps the admissions committee understand why you are interested in USC instead of another school . The question requires you to research USC’s specific offerings. You’ll use this knowledge, alongside language that introduces your main academic interests and their origins, to explain why USC is a perfect fit for you. Evaluators want to see a response that shows you are attracted to their school and how you have thought deeply about the particular ways USC would help you realize your academic goals.
Tip 1: set the stage by anecdotally introducing your academic interests
Talk about how your struggles with precalculus and the extra time spent working with a teacher sparked a blooming interest in mathematics or how your experience watching the nightly TV news with your family compelled you to intern for a political campaign and learn about the history of international relations.
Tip 2: Reference USC Resources
Once that framework is established, you should reference specific USC resources — classes, notable professors or researchers, proximity to specific professional opportunities, or extracurricular activities — that will help you pursue your interests most effectively.
An excellent place to start is by checking the extensive list of possible majors posted on the USC website and identifying departments that closely match your academic preferences. Then, you can go to departmental websites to identify class offerings and professors you can reference in your essay. Resources like the Undergraduate Research Program in the School of International Relations , or the chance to work with a figure you admire in a specific field, are good examples that help you realize certain career aspirations.
Tip 3: Relate USC Resources to your interests
Finally, relate the USC resources to your interests. Suppose you began by writing about watching the news. You can describe how the “Visual and Popular Culture” within the “American Popular Culture” major would help you answer questions about the power of television news you’ve had since you were young.
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How to Answer the Short Answer Questions
It’s easy to try and impress examiners with your short answers. Instead, use these prompts to give the readers an authentic representation of yourself .
Tips for Option 1
The first prompt (three words that best describe yourself) is one of the hardest to answer without sounding ingenuine or fake.
First, avoid descriptors like “ambitious” or “hardworking.” There are far better forums in your application to express your academic accomplishment and drive.
Second, spend time reflecting on the elements of your experience that have forced you to learn something new. If you can identify a quality, like humor or levity, and reflect on how that affects the lens through which you approach the world, you should include this quality.
Otherwise, think about the activities you engage with most and what type of qualities they foster. Maybe your experience doing debate after school has made you “community-oriented,” or your growing interest in running live DJ sets has made you more “adaptable.” Whatever your experience, finding descriptors to reflect your experience (which you’ll write about in other parts of the application!) will help you avoid overly generic descriptions and stand out from other applicants.
Tips for preference-based prompts
For the preference-based short answer questions, you’ll want to dwell similarly on your past experiences, especially pivotal moments of growth, sidestepping the temptation to answer to impress. It may be hard to think of the most technically proficient movie you’ve ever seen. Still, it will be easy to remember movies that have significantly impacted your life or personal development.
Unless you’re an established film academic, you probably can’t humbly claim you think the best movie of all time is Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane or Godard’s Breathless. It’s more likely you feel that it’s a movie you used to watch with your family when you were sick or an accessible old classic that opened your eyes to the aesthetic possibilities of cinema in a new way. The character limits are restrictive but don’t limit yourself to one word. Begin the question with your answer, then use your remaining space to offer a brief piece of context for the preference that speaks to your background or passions.
How to Stand Out in Your USC Supplemental Essays for 2022/23
The essay components of the application are crucially important to make sure you stand out among the rest! The USC application has several essays prompts, especially short answer questions .
Knowing how to approach the supplemental questions for the USC application can take time and effort. The various questions, ranging from short-answer responses to short essays, ask a lot about your personality and academic or personal aspirations . But if you’re not careful, your answers to these prompts might appear insincere or common.
Supplemental questions give you space to demonstrate genuine passion, personality, and growth in your personal and academic life that arises directly from lived experience and suggests an apt fit for USC. Below are several strategies and ideas for each prompt designed to avoid common mistakes and stereotypical answers and create responses that can help present your authentic self to the admissions office.
How Crimson Can Help You With Your USC Supplemental Essays
Crimson takes a personal approach when helping students with their supplemental essays. Advisors get to know their students first. Then they show them how to incorporate their dreams, aspirations, goals, and any unique story aspect into their supplemental essays.
Final Thoughts
Writing supplemental essays for USC, as with any school, should attempt to present the sense of a complete, ambitious person engaged in the business of thinking about the world, one who goes beyond grades and a resume, to the admissions committee. When you write, please remember the more prominent themes of what you are trying to communicate, and rewrite or remove anything that feels extraneous or inauthentic. If you follow the tips above, you should be well on your way to generating a USC supplement that you can be proud of — best of luck!
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What Makes Crimson Different
Key Resources & Further Reading
- Acing your College Application Essay: 5 Expert Tips to Make it Stand Out from the Rest
- MIT Supplemental Essay
- Harvard Supplemental Essay
- Columbia Supplemental Essay
- Princeton Supplemental Essay
- Cornell Supplemental Essay
- Brown Supplemental Essay
- Upenn Supplemental Essay
- Dartmouth Supplemental Essay
- Johns Hopkins Supplemental Essay
- University of Chicago Supplemental Essay
- NYU Supplemental Essay
- Northwestern Supplemental Essay
- How to Tackle Every Type of Supplemental Essay
- 2021-22 Essay Prompts Common App Essay Prompts
- What are the Most Unusual US College Supplemental Essay Prompts?
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How to End a College Essay: Strategies and Examples
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Writing a college essay takes skill, but making a strong college essay conclusion is often the most important part. A great ending can make a big impact on your readers and bring your main ideas together. This guide will walk you through four strategies that will help you create impactful conclusions that resonate with your audience.
1. Writing a Memorable College Essay Conclusion
The conclusion of your essay is your last chance to strengthen your main points and leave a lasting impression. A well-written ending can make your whole essay better and more memorable.
Successful Essay Ending Examples
Here are some great ways to end an essay:
- Share a thoughtful idea that connects to your main point, giving a sense of closure and understanding.
- Quickly go over your main points, showing them in a new way.
- Discuss why your topic matters beyond just your essay.
- Link back to your introduction, making your writing feel complete.
Example:
"When I started looking into how music affects the brain, I didn't know I'd find a connection to my grandmother's struggle with Alzheimer's. I learned that songs people know well can often bring back memories for patients, even when they have trouble talking. This discovery changed how I see music's power and gave me a new way to connect with my grandmother. When we hum her favorite songs together, I see hints of recognition in her eyes, reminding me that sometimes, big scientific ideas can have very personal effects."
Common Mistakes in Ending an Essay
Avoid these problems when writing your college essay conclusion:
- Adding new ideas: Your conclusion should bring together existing points, not introduce new information.
- Just repeating your main point: While it's important to remind readers of your main idea, simply saying it again word-for-word doesn't work well.
- Using overused phrases: Don't use expressions like "In conclusion" or "To sum up."
- Stopping too suddenly: Make sure your conclusion gives a feeling of completion and doesn't leave readers hanging.
Aithor's advanced language model can help you write compelling conclusions that avoid these common mistakes and enhance the overall impact of your essay.
2. Thought-Provoking Questions: A Powerful Way to End an Essay
Ending an essay with a question that makes people think can get your readers interested and encourage them to keep thinking about your topic. This approach leaves a strong impression and can make your essay more memorable.
"After looking at how social media changes how we see ourselves, we're left with an important question: Can we find a way to share our lives online while still living them fully offline? Maybe the answer isn't choosing between the online and real worlds, but learning how to connect well in both."
When using this method, make sure your question is:
- Related to your essay's main topic
- Open-ended, encouraging deeper thought
- Not easy to answer with just "yes" or "no"
3. How to End Your College Essay with a Call to Action
A call to action (CTA) in your conclusion can encourage your readers to do something based on the ideas you've talked about. This works well for essays about social issues, environmental problems, or personal growth topics.
"In this essay, we've looked at the problem of plastic in our oceans. Now, it's time to help fix it. Start by replacing one single-use plastic item you use every day with something you can use again. It could be as simple as using a reusable water bottle or bringing your own bags to the store. Tell your friends and family what you're doing. By taking these small steps, we're not just making less waste; we're starting a chain reaction that can lead to cleaner oceans and a healthier planet."
When writing a CTA for your college essay conclusion, make sure it's:
- Clear and easy to write
- Directly related to your essay's main points
- Something your readers can actually do
Aithor can assist you in writing perfect calls to action that connect with your readers and fit well with your essay's content.
4. Personal Anecdotes: An Engaging Essay Ending
Ending an essay with a personal story can help your readers feel connected to you and strengthen your main message. This approach makes your writing more relatable and human.
"Last summer, I helped at a local animal shelter. One day, they brought in an older, scruffy dog named Max. For weeks, people passed him by, always choosing younger, cuter puppies instead. I started spending extra time with Max, and slowly, his playful side came out. When a family finally took him home, the happiness on their faces – and Max's wagging tail – showed me how important it is to give every living thing a chance. This taught me more about patience, unfair judgments, and the power of second chances than any book ever could."
When using a personal story to end your college essay:
- Make sure it relates to your main topic
- Keep it short and powerful
- Use clear language to paint a picture for your readers
Tips on How to End a College Essay
To write a strong conclusion, think about these extra tips on how to end a college essay:
- Wrap up your main points clearly while suggesting how they might apply to other things or future ideas to keep your readers thinking.
- Make sure your conclusion sounds like the rest of your essay for a smooth, polished finish.
- Don't weaken your arguments by sounding unsure in your conclusion.
- Be extra careful with grammar and punctuation in your conclusion, as it's the last thing your readers will remember.
- Write your conclusion to connect with your specific readers, whether they're college admissions staff, teachers, or other students.
- Write a short and powerful conclusion that drives your main points home without repeating too much or using too many words.
Remember, your conclusion is your last chance to make a strong impression. Take your time to write it carefully, making sure it ties together your main points and shows why your essay matters.
For those wondering how to end a reflection paper, Aithor can help you improve your college essay conclusion, making sure it's polished, powerful, and fits your specific needs. This top writing tool can help you refine your essay ending examples and give you guidance on how to end a reflection paper or any other type of school writing.
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Reggie Bush talks USC’s expectations, Zachariah Branch’s Heisman hope and advice to today’s college football players
The Hiesman Trophy winner talked with SB Nation over Zoom about his thoughts ahead of this year’s college football season.
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For many longtime college football fans, you won’t forget the amazing moments and skills running back Reggie Bush brought to the football field. The 2006 USC-Texas national championship game has gone down as one of the best college football games in history. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2005, which was reinstated back to him earlier this year after Bush forfeited his award in 2010 due to NCAA sanctions for USC.
The former NFL player announced his retirement back in December 2017 and since has been seen on television as a commentator for Fox Sports and starring in a variety of commercials. His latest TV ad showed Bush putting his portrait up in the Nissan Heisman House. SB Nation spoke with Bush over Zoom last week to hear this thoughts on this year’s college football season.
This interview was conducted on Wednesday, August 28.
Q: To start off, care to give a bold prediction on the national championship? Obviously, if you’re right, bragging rights for the future.
Reggie Bush : I need to see week one first off and all these teams, because it’s very hard for me to make a prediction, because teams always change, right? New quarterbacks, new team personnel, new coaches. And the one thing that we don’t have across college football is preseason games, so you don’t really get a chance to see what this new team is going to look like this year versus how they looked last year. And so I think after I get through Week 1, I’ll be able to make a better prediction of who I think is gonna be there. But I think when you’re looking at for example, the Big Ten right now and the conference realignment, seeing USC, UCLA going to the Big Ten, Oklahoma, Texas going to the SEC, some other teams going to the Big 12 and ACC, I was just excited to see bigger games, right? Bigger blockbuster games early on in the season.
So, for example, this USC vs. LSU game week, one —I mean, that’s the way it should have always been. The best playing the best, and not necessarily having these big these power five, power four conferences, playing Division III schools early on. I want to see the best play the best right away, because that’s going to give us a clear cut indicator of where teams are. And I think that USC has a great opportunity going into the Big Ten to leave their footprint on this conference, and to get us started on the right track, because they are gonna be playing better competition. They are gonna be playing better competition and they are gonna be playing tougher teams. I think it’s something that they should be excited about. Tougher schedules, yes, for sure. But you know, you gotta beat the best to be the best. And I believe that they’re in one of the best conferences, other than the SEC.
Q: I was going to ask you, because I grew up in LA, and I can tell you USC fans — they’re very hungry to win again. They’re missing the Bush, [Matt] Leinart, Pete Carroll days. How would you grade Lincoln Riley so far, and what he’s done with the program, and what do you think specifically USC has to do to compete this year in the Big Ten?
RB : Well, I think first off, you got to look at where we were before Lincoln Riley, and we were not a good offensive team before Lincoln Riley, the other coaches that came before him struggled after and obviously our era, after Pete Carroll. So we were missing that excitement back at USC. We were missing great quarterback play at USC. And now what I love, what Lincoln Riley is doing, what he has done, he’s brought that excitement back. And you know, sometimes it’s easy to forget where we were before Riley. And I remember how just not exciting it was to watch the brand of football played at USC, especially as somebody who I felt like we showed teams, showed the people who were going to come after us, we showed them the way. We showed them the blueprint of how to do it. And it’s unfortunate when you know things happen and coaches aren’t able to capture what we did. Because really it was about hard work, it was about determination, it was about focus, it was about consistency, and it was about all of us being unselfish. And those are the things that that teams after us are going to have to realize and not saying that any of these team now didn’t have that but they have that opportunity now.
They have great weapons. They have guys like Zachariah Branch, who I believe is a gamebreaker, who can score from anywhere on the football field. He’s a difference maker in the return game. We have a great quarterback, Miller Moss, who showed a lot of upside and potential in the bowl game. So I want to see that carry over to this year, to this first game. And I love the fact that they’re playing LSU Week 1, because again, like I said, I want to see the best playing the best, and that’s going to give me a clear cut indicator of where this USC team is now. I think Lincoln Riley has done a great job at flipping this team around pretty fast, but he still has a lot of work to do as well. The defense struggled. I think that’s, you know, one of the one of the biggest issue last year was the defense struggled to run. I just want to see that physicality from this team step up another level, because they have the excitement. They have the weapons on offense. Now we got to put this whole thing together and play complimentary football defense, stop the run, get some turnovers, get it back to that explosive offense, and offense go do what you do, and then in a return game — just give Zachariah Branch 10 yards of space.
This Reggie Bush’s first USC game since he got his Heisman Trophy reinstated. @SportsCentralLA pic.twitter.com/DK3wEP5NYO — Darren M. Haynes (@DarrenMHaynes) September 1, 2024
Q: Obviously, you mentioned you’re excited to see these top matchups, but some college football fans are mourning the PAC 12?
RB : Oh, I am one of them.
Q: So you’re bummed too?
RB : I am a little bummed. That’s where we were born into. It was Pac-12/ Pac-10 Conference football. And you know, it was our brand of football. It was West Coast football. And it was different from the SEC, it was different from the Big 10. It was different from the Big 12. We had our own brand of football on the West Coast. And I loved having that. And so I’ve seen now there has been a change. I think the change is good, though. I don’t think it’s a bad change. I think change is always good, and it’s just the nature of the beast of where everything was headed. And so we’ve seen this conference realignment, and I think this is all good because we’re going to see better games...And I don’t want to see Alabama or Georgia or Ohio State, you know, playing DIII school that are going to be by 70 points. I don’t think that’s great for the sport. And this just gives us a better indicator of where teams are, you know. When the best player the best, so I’m excited.
Q: Do you have any under the radar players or teams that are on your mind this season that might surprise people?
RB : Well, I think Zachariah Branch is a guy who’s like the under the radar guy who could potentially be up for the Heisman trophy. If he plays well in the return game, a couple punt returns, kickoff returns for touchdowns, some big plays, obviously, does his thing on offense, playing receiver, has a lot of catches and touchdowns. You know, he could be the difference maker. He could be that guy who competes for a Heisman trophy and is probably not on anybody’s radar right now — at this point, people don’t know about him. They know about his speed, they know about his abilities. But if we can get a more consistent play from him, and I think Lincoln Riley should use him as much as humanly possible, then I think he has that opportunity.
One thing that I prided myself in being was a great offensive player that was also a great return specialist, and I could score from anywhere on the football field, and that’s what I see. I see that ability in him. I hope he has that same confidence instilled in him, because if he doesn’t, he needs to and we need to change his mindset right now. I think we’ve seen the Heisman Trophy become a quarterback award, and I want to see it go to the best player. And in order for that to happen, guys like Zachariah Branch are gonna have to step up and make a lot of plays and a lot of places.
Q; So I’m curious — this Modelo Full-Time Fan recruiting contest you’re doing. Fans are sending in recruiting type videos to you to rate. So are you hoping to see some 40 yard dashes, some face paint?
RB : I want to see the inside of your house decorated completely with all the fan gear, fan pictures. I want to see why you feel you’re the number one most passionate fan in college football, because that’s what we’re looking for. We’re looking for the most passionate fans, people who eat, sleep and breathe their school. It’s embedded in their DNA. You know, that’s the kind of fans that I love. Those are the kind of fans I love to play in front of, and they’re the reasons why, you know, we play this game is to be able to entertain the fans. And I always felt like that was a part of what I wanted to do. I wanted to not only score touchdowns, but I want to score touchdowns in a way that fans are going to be like, ‘Oh my God, did you see what he did? You see how he scored? Like, you got to rewind that again one more time, you know?’ I always wanted to make people stand up out of their chair.
And so now we’re going to get a chance to recruit fans in the same way that I was recruited. They get a chance to be part of Team Modelo and only six people get to. We have a six man roster. That’s it. So only six people are going to get a chance to be a part of this team. And so this is a very exclusive, unique opportunity that not everybody can get a chance to be a part of. And we’re going to recognize them as full as you know, full time fans for gear, and they’re going to get a chance to meet me at the College Football Playoff National Championship, and a couple of different other perks as well that’s going to come along with being on Team Modelo. It’s exciting for me — I love being able to engage with fans, engage with people. I love being able to walk down the street and somebody looks at me and their memories jogged about where they were at a specific time and place, you know, when we’re playing a national championship game against Texas and stuff like that.
New portrait, who this? #NissanHeismanHouse #NissanPartner pic.twitter.com/JdQLLd3poq — Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) August 27, 2024
Q: What fan bases have you’ve been really impressed by?
RB : Oh my goodness, there’s a lot. College football fans are different from NFL fans. Way different. College football fans are definitely more passionate about their schools. You know, they’re almost a little crazier at games as well. But you know, when you think about college football game, you got pageantry, got the student section, you got the band, got the cheerleaders and you just have so much that the NFL does not have, right? And you have alumni players that come back, you know, to watch some of these big games. I know this weekend at the USC-LSU game there are going to be some former NFL players. They’re going to come out with Joe Burrow, Odell Beckham, Jr, Patrick Peterson, LSU guys, guys that I know are gonna be out there, a bunch of my old USC teammates gonna be out there for the game. So unique and it’s just different, right?
College football is more of a religion for college football fans, especially when you go into the Big Ten and the SEC, I mean, it’s church and football. Those are two things that you know are held to the highest standard in some of these places. And you know, I love that. I mean, Texas football is, you know, obviously, one of the most passionate places for football. And you know, that’s just what I love about it and, love about the game. So pretty much all of the SEC — especially like Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma. I mean it’s just complete madness in these stadiums. I got a chance to go to some Ohio State games when I was working in college football [for television]. Michigan was another place I got a chance to go and just see how passionate that fan base is. Those are the teams that I would that kind of jump out to me right away.
Q: So much has changed since you were a player — with NIL and the transfer portal. In what ways do you think being a college football player today is easier, and then in which ways do you think it’s harder?
RB : Oh, easier. Wow, I don’t know if it’s easier, because being a college football player in itself is very tough, and you’re balancing two full-time jobs, which is being a student and then also being a player and it’s very hard. I remember I had nights where I’d be up until 1 a.m. doing essays, midterms, exams, get ready for a test, and also got workouts at 6 a.m. And so I felt like when I was in college, that was my busiest time, you know, as a player, more busy than when I was in the NFL, because you’re just having to balance the college experience, along with trying to be the best player on the college football field as well. And so I don’t know if it’s easier for them, especially when you think about social media, where that has gone. Because let’s say you have a bad game and now after a game it’s what you deal with and how you deal with it. Now you have a guy getting on social media, you get 200-300 comments of people saying something negative about something that you did.
I just don’t know how these young kids can’t internalize that and how they can prepare themselves for that, because that’s tough. It is tough. And when you play football, you’re playing a sport where you’re constantly judged by your performance. And unfortunately, if you don’t have an outstanding, amazing performance, you’re going to get some negative comments. And it’s the dumbest thing in the world, because, you know, players, athletes, should not live for the approval necessarily of the public, but they should want to entertain the public, if that makes sense. But again, the college experience itself, I don’t know if it’s easier.
I think in a lot of ways, it’s a little more difficult because there’s a bunch of different distractions that are going on now, you know, and a lot more information available to people now. I think players need to be more guarded with themselves, with what they look at, with what they wake up with. If you’re waking up with Instagram every day and you know, hey listen — if that’s your Bible, then that’s going to be a tough place for you to succeed in. Because, again, you know, we want to focus on being the best version of ourselves every single day. And you can’t be the best version of yourself if you’re constantly trying to seek the approval of what people are thinking about your performances. Yeah, we want to all play great. We all want to LeBron James, Patrick, Mahomes, and play like those guys all the time, but that’s not the reality. Reality is you need failure in your life to be successful. And unfortunately, failure in sports is magnified. You definitely have more options available to you as a college athlete, but you just have to be able to manage all of it the right way. And you know, everybody manages their life differently.
Q: We’ll end of a fun question. Have you played the College Football 25 video game yet? Do you are you always go with USC as your team? Or do you like to switch it up?
RB : I play around with all the different teams. I love the fact that the game is back. Because that was such an exciting time, you know, for me as a player, but also as a fan. I would play the college game with myself on [the cover]. And, you know, especially for again, everything that college football brings, all the pageantry that comes along with the games like that’s a different brand than what we get in the NFL. And so I think this is great for the sport, great for fans. But yeah, I love the new game. I love the realness of it. I love how they are trying to capture all of the pageantry of the game within the game. And, and it’s cool. I mean, I know it’s exciting for the players to see themselves as players on this game.
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Compared to other Why USC essay examples, this essay adds crucial information to the student's USC application. Why USC Essay Examples #2. Captivated by connections between biology, public policy, and the social sciences, I hope to pursue a career in healthcare leadership that, uniting these fields, enables me to enhance the health and ...
Why USC and Why This Major Essay Example. 8 p.m. - I sat in the peer tutor room, waiting for underclassmen to approach me for academic help. An hour-long shift passed without any students stopping by. At this moment, I realized the immense lack of organization within the peer tutoring program at GSA. Students could neither find available ...
The USC supplemental essays are very important in the admissions process. Admissions officers at USC seek to "enroll a diverse group of students who represent a vast array of perspectives and passions, who will enrich each other's education by challenging each other, inside the classroom and out." These essays offer admissions the opportunity to get to know your values and better ...
USC requires applicants to write a 250-word supplemental essay and ten short-answers in addition to the Common App essays. For the first essay, USC gives students a choice of three essay prompts. Below, we'll provide an example essay for the main prompt and explain what makes it effective. We'll then provide the list of short-answer ...
Here are some general tips to make tackling the USC short-answer questions a breeze: #1: Maximize the space you have. There's room to elaborate on your answers a bit, and you should. #2: There are no right answers. Admissions counselors don't have specific responses in mind.
The USC essay examples show you how to write a college essay to convince the University of Southern California that you are a good fit for them. These essays are meant to probe into your personality and find out more about you and why you would be a great addition to the USC campus. Let's review some of the top USCE essay examples so you can ...
Essay Prompt 2. Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests at USC. Please feel free to address your first and second-choice major selections. (250 word limit) With so many options at USC, it might be a little overwhelming to choose a major let alone know how to pursue it.
2. Connection to USC's Programs and Resources: The essay should clearly articulate why USC is the ideal place to pursue these academic interests. This involves researching and mentioning specific programs, courses, faculty, research opportunities, clubs, or other resources at USC that align with their interests.
These include short essays, short videos, and portfolios of creative work. Check out the programs here and the additional application requirements for USC here. USC's 2024-2025 Prompts Long Answer Questions. Required: Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically.
Essay 1. "Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests at USC. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (250 word limit)". Most college applications ask you to select a major, so take this question as an opportunity to explain and elaborate on the "why.".
I used "Why USC" as a way to show that I want to try a bunch of different things to find out what I like, and there's no better place to do that than USC, considering how strong it is in so many different areas (engineering, cinema, etc). I don't suggest this approach because I really don't know how desirable "well-rounded" people are in the ...
The why major essay examples in this guide come from UT Austin, USC, Cornell, Georgia Tech, and Pomona College. In addition to these schools, many other colleges also have a why major essay. Some of these include Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Emory University, University of Michigan, and Rice University.
The supplemental essay section offered by USC is a fairly epic one and presents just such an opportunity for students to differentiate themselves from swarms of other qualified applicants. In addition to several short essays, you are also required to answer 10 short answer questions. Below are the USC's supplemental prompts for the 2024-25 ...
The current USC supplemental essay prompt for applicants is as follows: Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests at USC. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (250 word limit) This is a classic instance of a "Why [This College]" essay example.
The USC supplement for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle requires students to first respond to a prompt about their academic interests and how they relate to USC's unique offerings, then show off their personalities through a series of questions requiring rapid-fire responses of 100 characters or fewer. Finally, students have the option of responding to a prompt about gaps in their educational ...
Essay 1: Please respond to one of the prompts below. (250 word limit) USC believes that one learns best when interacting with people of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Tell us about a time you were exposed to a new idea or when your beliefs were challenged by another point of view. Please discuss the significance of the ...
Writing a college essay takes skill, but making a strong college essay conclusion is often the most important part. A great ending can make a big impact on your readers and bring your main ideas together. This guide will walk you through four strategies that will help you create impactful conclusions that resonate with your audience. 1. Writing a Memorable College Essay Conclusion The ...
The remainder, who very roughly make up one-third of the sample, have a different motivation from what their permit would suggest. The most common examples are migrants on family or education permits who are motivated by opportunities for work, and migrants on employment and education permits who are motivated by experiencing another culture.
So, for example, this USC vs. LSU game week, one —I mean, that's the way it should have always been. ... I remember I had nights where I'd be up until 1 a.m. doing essays, midterms, exams ...