If you are looking for a medium-large school in a major metropolitan area, you are probably already thinking about USC. The University of Southern California might sound like a UC school, but USC is actually the state’s oldest private research institution. USC has an undergraduate population of about 21,000 at its downtown LA campus. While the school may be most famous for its film program, the university hosts over 350-degree options. USC is test-optional for the 2023-2024 application cycle, and the school has recently introduced an Early Action application option (still no word on if they will ever add an ED option). Last year, USC hit a record-low acceptance rate of 9.9%. With rates as low as this, the USC supplement has never been more critical.
Most students either love or hate the USC supplement. It has one standard question and a couple of questions that are pretty unique. So let’s dive into how to approach this supplement.
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)*
If this question seems familiar, it’s probably because many schools ask questions like this one. Before you write this essay, you need to make a couple of decisions and do some research. The first step is to choose a major. The next is to do research into that program. The more you know, the easier this will be to write.
You should introduce your major with a short personal anecdote about when you first fell in love with your academic niche. We call this an origin story. For example, if you want to major in Linguistics and Cognitive Science, you could tell a story about teaching kids new words at a daycare you volunteer at and how you became obsessed with understanding how humans process language. Once you have introduced your passion for the field, it’s time to back it up with how you would explore it at USC.
You want to mention specific academic opportunities at USC that you would take advantage of. This should include at least 2-higher level courses (at USC, these start with 300s or 400s) and a professor you would like to work with. Once you have explained why you are interested in those courses and that professor’s work, you can mention other opportunities that feel unique to the program at USC. Try to keep these opportunities specific and deeply connected to your academic pursuit. This might include internships, research opportunities, fellowships, or even clubs, as long as they fit with your major. This essay should leave the reader seeing why USC is the perfect school for you and how you would be perfect for USC.
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.
This essay is optional and won’t apply to many students. We honestly think it is a little odd that they ask this, given that the Common App already asks, “Please use the space below to provide details about the change in progression through secondary/high school that you indicated above,” which, for many students, will be very similar.
However, if it does apply to you, you should spin any time off you have taken as a positive. It should be framed as an opportunity for growth or self-realization. There are many reasons to take time off. However, the result should always feel like a good thing when it comes to this essay.
USC’s supplement also has several “micro” questions. Most of these questions call for a 1-4 word answer. This can be really fun for some students and very stressful for others. If you fall into this second camp, try not to overthink these. You want to show your personality and some quirks here. If you are still nervous, here is how we would approach them.
Describe yourself in three words.
There are two approaches to this answer. The first is 3 positive personality traits. For example, “Loyal, open, and adventurous.” If you take this approach, try to use unique words that still feel like you. The other method is to write a quirky 3-word “sentence” such as “constantly reading novels” or “tofu loving chef.” This approach can be a little more creative, but you should make sure you are still coming off in a positive light.
What is your favorite snack?*
***There is no wrong answer here.***
But, once again, we have to ask @USC how this helps you make a more informed decision regarding candidates. Can y’all publish a statement to clarify what exactly this does for you? We know you’re asking this because you think it is FUN and QUIRKY. But teenagers get really stressed out by this question. They think there are “right” and “wrong” snacks. We think it might be best to do with this what you did with the #hashtag question of yesteryear and bury it for good.
Anyway, back to how to answer this: get specific. For example, “cookies” is a less exciting answer than “Thin Mints.” We love when students bring in their culture, community, or region into this answer. For example, Aloo Chaat, a Montreal Style Bagel, Garlic Fries from the Gilroy Garlic Festival, Spam Musubi, Wisconsin Cheese Curds, Mango Sticky Rice, etc.
Best movie of all time:*
Try to stay away from anything that might feel obvious. Saying “Citizen Kane” kind of feels like you googled “best movies of all time.” We would also stay away from anything that feels like a meme. We know you don’t actually think Goat Story or Cars 3 is good. An adult reader will not get the joke. If you get stuck, make a list of your favorite movies and start there. Again, there are no wrong answers.
Dream job:*
Ok, we would all love to be an ice cream taste tester, but you should really put something related to what you want to study here. If you're going to study art history, say “museum curator” or “art restorer,” don’t say “famous pop star.”
If your life had a theme song, what would it be?*
This is another time to steer clear of the obvious. If it was used in a famous movie workout montage, it probably wouldn’t feel unique. Try to keep it something appropriate. Sometimes keeping things appropriate is obvious. You already know not to say, “One Margarita.” However, also remember that this isn’t “What is your favorite song?” It's a theme song. Maybe “Right where you left me” by Taylor Swift or “Hurt” by Johnny Cash is your favorite song, but it’s also a bummer. Make sure you would want it to be your theme song.
Dream trip:*
We don’t think there is a wrong answer to this. Really sit with it and think about where you’d want to go! It can be a national park tour, a trip around Italy, or kayaking with penguins in Antarctica. Go big here. If you are freaking out about your answer, email us. We would be happy to answer your questions.
What TV show will you binge watch next? *
We would again stay away from anything too popular or meme-ified. However, this is an excellent opportunity to show off a special interest if you choose something unique.
Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate?*
Think of a trait you would want in a roommate, and then think of a fictional character/celebrity with that trait. Want a clean and tidy roomie? You could say Monica Geller or Martha Stewart. If you want someone responsible, maybe go with Leslie Knope or Captain America.
Favorite book:*
No Catcher in the Rye. No Great Gatsby. No To Kill a Mockingbird. Ideally, this would be a book that you didn’t read for school, but it 100% can’t be something that would be on a typical high school-required reading list. We would also stay away from YA books. Think about books you read for pleasure. You can also choose a non-fiction book. Usually, non-fiction books work best if they are connected to what you hope to major in.
If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be?*
There are two ways to approach this. You can choose an academic course related to what you hope to study. If you go this route, ensure you aren’t just saying, “Biology 101.” Go deeper. Think about a topic in your intended major that you love, for example, “Neurobiology, the anatomy of the nervous system, and decision making.”
You can also use this opportunity to teach a non-academic class. This is a great opportunity to introduce the reader to a fun special interest or skill of yours. Don’t be afraid to get quirky with your talents—for example, Embroidery 101, Advanced Crossword Building, or Outdoor Cooking for Beginners.
The USC supplement asks you to show your quirks and be creative while also knowing a serious academic plan. For some people, that is an easy task. For others, it’s not. While there are a lot of questions on this supplement, most of them are looking for under 3-word answers. Take a deep breath and have some fun.
Don’t know what to write? We can help with that! Contact us here.