
While the merit scholarship program, awarded by the Office of Undergraduate Admission, could be the biggest merit-based scholarship program offered at USC and does not need any split application, you will find some merit-based scholarships placed on by various groups on campus that provide scholarships to hundreds of students every year. Some teams that award scholarships that are such the Latino Alumni Association, the Black Alumni Association, Town and Gown (for Southern California residents), the Lambda LGBT Alumni Association, etc. These merit scholarships do indeed require a split application in addition to the job for admission, so that as the deadlines are quickly approaching, you may possibly desire to think of applying to any that pertain to you. For the complete directory of merit scholarships and deadlines, please visit USC Scholarships and download the PDF at the bottom of this page.
One which we wish to emphasize is the Norman Topping scholar help Fund (NTSAF). The reason of this scholarship would be to offer low-income students who have demonstrated a exemplary level of community service a chance to aid fund their higher education at USC. But the scholarship spans beyond the monetary reward: NTSAF works to make a help system for its scholars through use of academic success seminars, monthly faculty lunches, basic advising, and also a study break program complete with treats and masseuses!
The quantity of the award is different for each Topping Scholar in line with the USC Financial Aid Package he or she receives, and is meant to be used in combination with any continuing state, federal, and/or USC aid. You should keep in mind that first-generation college students (meaning neither parent graduated from college) aswell as local area applicants get primary consideration. However, this scholarship isn’t limited to these groups that are aforementioned.
Eric Watkins, a junior from Republic, Missouri majoring that is double Political Science and Public Relations, is really a current recipient of the Topping Scholarship. In senior school, Eric was a community organizer for Obama for America, where he canvassed the streets of his hometown registering voters and garnering support for our now president that is second-term. Eric also founded A livestrong group at his high college, where he aided organize fundraising events that earned money for cancer research.
When asked about how the Topping Scholarship has changed his life, Eric says: ‘For me, Norman Topping is not a scholarship, however a family; a support system comprised of fellow pupils, faculty and mentors. The built-in network that the Topping Foundation provides certainly helps guide the often daunting transition from high school student to college scholar as a first-generation college student, I’ve learned to utilize that support system.’ Aside from the monetary award. Eric says being a person in the ‘Topping Family’ has led to other opportunities at USC: he has become a mentor and frontrunner to many other low-income, first-generation students inside the community.
Eric has some sound advice for future USC and Topping applicants: ‘find approaches to harness the relationships you have actually with teachers and counselors. Great teachers and counselors will help you reach your goals.’ Eric also notes you are passionate about, no matter how big or small those passions may seem that it is important to find service opportunities.
For more detailed information about the Norman Topping Student Aid Fund, including information on the application process, please visit NTSAF.
Between the Trojan Family and the Topping household, students https://shmoop.pro/ have use of endless help networks at USC. Fight up On!
Getaway Season in Review: A Photo Journey
2013 is already well under way within the Office of Admission once we carry on to read applications. Like our students, our staff enjoyed a nice break from entering the office to commemorate the breaks with family and friends. In order to provide you with a better concept of how our staff spends time off, I’ve collected a few images to emphasize the different activities (and climates!) we experienced through the holiday season that is recent.
Jessica Howard exhibited her Trojan character as she skied in Colorado, while Becky Chassin enjoyed a vacation to Cabo, Mexico.
One of our new weblog contributors, Jomar Gomez, dropped down to 1 knee to propose to their girlfriend. (She stated yes!)
While Yamilet Medina Lopez posed near a snowman in Mammoth, Kenley Turville sledded with her household and dog in Utah!
Samantha Schreiber experienced the wonders of Italy, which included visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa and making pizza!
Sean Ohira, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, shared an amazing view from his journey home throughout the vacations.
Like a lot of our staff, Anne Aubert-Santelli enjoyed the snow throughout a grouped household trip to upstate ny.
Finally, our esteemed Director, Kirk Brennan, shared this photo from their travels to New Jersey.
We hope it was relaxing and you were able to spend quality time with loved ones wherever you spent time over the holidays!
Mythbuster: I currently took a trip of USC, therefore I shouldn’t go to an Explore program.
Call Us, Maybe? Since many universities give prospective students access that is direct their admission representatives (USC included), many more students have taken taken advantage of the opportunity. But, take into account that the act of calling your admission counselor is its own art form. There is a balance between being genuinely wondering. Here are some guidelines to think about when calling your territory supervisor:
DO call us if you are confused about our application process and may need some guidance.
DON’T email us just to express hi. Your email needs a purpose.
DO contact us for those who have a relevant concern in regards to a specific major. USC has 150 majors and 150 minors; having the ability to demonstrate your knowledge and curiosity about your interest that is academic is we appreciate, but we also know a lot of choices could be confusing.
DON’T over-communicate…CONSOLIDATE! We would rather answer a couple of well thought out emails than numerous questions that are individual.
DO remind us if and when we have met in yesteryear. We meet thousands of pupils each year and appreciate when students don’t assume we remember the conversation we had using them.
DON’T have your parent contact us. Be your own advocate!
DO compose us a note if there is a circumstance that is outlying want us to keep yourself informed of. This is something that we shall factor in your application too.
DON’T address us incorrectly or improperly in the email.
DO include your USC ID number and/or full name in your email.
Finally, DON’T ask us to edit your writing samples. We can provide you advice that is general what you should take into account when composing your private statement however it is maybe not right for us to edit them.
Introducing Kenley staff blogger that is new
It absolutely was just over couple of years ago that I started as an Assistant Director of Admission at USC. Wow, just what a journey it has been! I work with students from a variety of areas: Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Kansas City, and parts of Orange County and San Diego (phew!). I have bright red hair, while the fiery personality to match, and so I am always complete of energy and up for any adventure. I love to travel, explore the outdoors, bake anything with chocolate (lots from it!), and you can always find me dancing when there is a tune that is upbeat. I am thrilled to be joining the blogging team and can not wait to share some of my insights and knowledge about the admission college and process life.
I grew up in Utah and lived in the many stunning hills in the globe. I spent quite a bit of time checking out them, but got tired of the long winters, which is why I was eager to attend school in sunny Southern Ca. We attended Claremont McKenna College where I studied International Relations and Psychology.
I adored my university experience. I really adored it, and that’s why I like working in higher education, specifically assisting students find an organization that is a good fit. It is extremely easy to talk to potential pupils about USC because it is such a place that is great live and study. We am lucky to operate on such a dynamic, energy-filled campus. Our students are thinkers, educational options are abundant, and we’re located in an urban community in one of the best metropolitan areas on earth. I can’t wait to share more about the USC experience as well as the admission process within my posts to come!
Table For One
‘ Our suitcases that are battered piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer how to go. But no matter, the road is life.’ Jack Kerouac
Currently, I am writing this website sitting inside a Peet’s Coffee in Northern California. Table for one, headphones in ears, answering emails and signing down notes about my senior high school visits from earlier today. For the week that is next a half, i am located in hotel spaces and having dishes on my own. Usually, there is time and energy to explore the cities I visit in order that’s nice. But most regarding the right time, the road can be tiring so I invest most of my time resting whenever you can. It is very simple to get ill regarding the road! For about 8 weeks of the 12 months, several thousand admission representatives all around the nation live this lifestyle. From the outside perspective, this indicates really glamorous. In lots of ways, it is just a extremely job that is fun. It really is truly rewarding to manage to simply help students in one of the very transitional phases in their lives. It is additionally nice being able to be out of the office. However, this element of the work can be isolating as well. It creates me appreciate my buddies, family and wife back in the home even more. Still, our mission is what is in the forefront. USC visits over 2,000 schools each year; we visit the most schools that are high of any college in the nation. We are out here in search of students which will constitute the following class that is incoming of at USC. It is our goal to put together an exceptionally diverse class every year so we desire to meet all types of pupils. I am honored to do my tiny part in this process. It brings me personally a feeling of fulfillment to operate for a university that aligns with my vision that is own for. So seek us out. Ask concerns. Get to know us. We care about what we do and all we want is for you really to enjoy a your decision. It’s really a life that is big so that it’s important to be well informed. Like we are in a hurry in between visits, it’s probably because we are if we seem. But we will constantly prompt you to feel welcome to contact us at a different time, via e-mail or phone. We think just what we do issues. It is loved by us. Regardless if it means sitting through one lonely meal at a time ☺
By the means, in case you’re interested, the USC Admission office has posted pictures of our adventures on the road. They are all on our Instagram account, @USCADMISSION. Follow us. Say hi. Maybe also make tips if we have been in your town!
The Alumni System: A Household Affair. At USC, our alumni network can be so strong
The Waiting Game. The countdown to mailing decisions that are final on and I’m sure all our first-year applicants are wondering… what is taking so long?! It takes a great deal of manpower and hours to see 47,000 applications and we wish to give every application a review that is fair order to create the amazing, well-rounded, diverse, and successful Class of 2017. Let me pull straight back the curtain a little and demonstrate why it will take us many months to finish this process…Since USC utilizes a holistic method of the admission procedure, we have been committed to reading and re-reading every piece of this application. You understand those short answer questions you responded to? We read those. That activity summary you completed? Yup, every activity is read by us, company, and experience you listed on there. Once I read an application, I want to reach understand you- your passions, your perspective, and most of all, hear your voice come through. This process takes some time thought even as we make an effort to comprehend exactly how your academic performance, test ratings, writing, involvements, and recommendations come together to paint a fuller picture of who you are as a student and a person.The admission office may seem enjoy it runs like a well-oiled device on the outside—and it is—but it only runs because smoothly as it does through the application of multiple checks and balances through the procedure. We contact students when a piece is being missed by us of the application and once we need additional information such as mid-year grades. We check with the departments that are academic USC and consider their views on applicants and listen to their recommendations. First and foremost, we rely using one another to simply help us see applicants in a way that is different recognise something we didn’t initially see. It’s a process that is incredibly collaborative it requires time.This is a difficult process for our office, as well at the end of the day. You can find many applicants that are qualified we don’t have room for each year. It’s never effortless making these tough decisions, but I find comfort comprehending that our applicants will have many amazing college options the following year irrespective.I think We speak on behalf of our office that is entire when say we are pretty excited to finally manage to shout out to the world, here is the amazing USC Class of 2017! As well as in merely a couple weeks that are short we—and many of you—will find a way to do just that.Grades, Guidance, and Goliath: Confessions of the Director DadThe article below is from our very own Director of Admission, Kirk Brennan. He shares with us the struggles of being a parent of the college that is prospective also having a leadership role in degree. Understandably, juggling these two functions is very delicate. Thank you, Kirk, for sharing your understanding of what our moms and dads go through during this time that is stressful! This coming Monday will mark the eighteenth anniversary of the day my wife (who you may remember) delivered our very first kid. This particular year — the one in which that child is applying to college — feels like my first day on the job though i have worked in admission for 22 years. Exactly what a strange way to look at my task: through the eyes, and through the home of a student that is prospective.I had numerous disillusioning observations this year. I saw that tours of different schools seem the same, that college marketing materials look alike and even say the extremely exact same things, and how a number that is small of businesses vendors seem to drive this method for most schools. I saw that a deal that is great of student’s impression of my university is perhaps not controllable, and We was especially disheartened when my very own student, after feeling proud to get a mass-mailer from a college, quit reading any one of them only days later on, and even felt anger as she sifted through them. At USC as well as in the admission occupation in general, we work hard to be helpful, but some full days I’m uncertain how much we’re helping ( and I also welcome your suggestions at admdir@usc.edu). What strikes me more than any such thing may be the emotional roller coaster of the senior year. I had been saddened to view mundane events of life magnified to become critical pieces of a puzzle that cause college; a grade regarding the tiniest test prompts a crisis, or an option to relax one afternoon sometimes appears as a possible deal breaker for university admission, therefore career, then lifetime joy. Then there’s record; therefore many universities to consider, will she love these schools, did she miss a better fit, and can she even get in at all? Then completing the applications, especially the anxiety behind answering the least questions that are important the application form (we discussed ‘What’s my counselor’s work title?’). The short term relief of completing them was soon replaced by confusion on the lack of communication as colleges read. Now the decisions are developing the grand finale of the trip — one day she gets in and feels great excitement for her future, another she’s refused and feels worthless, as if judged harshly by strangers. Learning and growing may be hard, and turns that are many life will be unpredictable, but clearly I cannot be the only one ready because of this ride to end. From the ground i’ve watched this roller coaster many times, and such rides tend to end up in the same manner — with our children enrolling in a college they love. Yet we riders still scream, even feel real terror going down the mountain as in the event that safety bars will not assist; normal responses, if utterly irrational. I nevertheless love rollercoasters (Goliath is the best), and I think We shall enjoy this ride. I’ve grown nearer to my daughter, so we have all grown closer as a family. I’ve seen my younger daughter console her older sister. We all cherish the time that remains in this phase of our family life, we will share together while we avoid the question of how many more meals. You can find many hugs, tears, pats on the trunk, and scoops of ice cream to soothe the pain sensation, yet great hope for the near future. Today we look forward to this ride finishing, but we imagine when it ends, just like Goliath, I will be excited to get back in line to drive once more. I sure hope so, anyway: my youngest is counting about it.
