‘So Long, Farewell…’ Me and my colleague, Olivia, at the Discover USC Open House last year

It’s difficult to believe that after working for nearly 3 years on the admission web log, this is my last post. Reflecting on my time as an admission therapist at USC is bittersweet. We discovered a ton, I’ve grown professionally, and I was challenged day in and day out. But, more important than what I’ve accomplished or added in my job, I get to move on from this chapter of amazing memories to my life, hilarious stories, and best of all, some pretty incredible friends.
The silver lining as we like to say in this profession by working in a high school as a college counselor for me is that I’m not leaving the college admission world entirely—I’ll be transitioning to ‘the other side of the desk. I am excited to continue using pupils and families in this capacity and I feel so happy to have had such an experience that is wonderful USC to assist guide me dancing.
Saying goodbye is not easy, but just like it’s hard to graduate from high school and begin your life as a college student, life is really all concerning the transitions and getting into new and exciting chapters. So, that’s how I’m going to regard this change—I’m ‘graduating’ from my 4 years in the undergraduate admission office at USC and simply moving about the next chapter of my entire life. I am leaving USC with incredible memories and starting my next adventure with a mind that is open. Best of all, my experience at USC will always be considered a part of me personally — Fight On!
Guidelines for Tackling the Personal Statement
Calling all seniors! The college is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about college applications year. While grades and test ratings are definitely a essential element of the application, at USC, we conduct a holistic review of files, meaning that people take all components for the application into consideration when creating an admission choice.
Therefore, we expect you to put a fair amount of time and energy to the qualitative aspects of your application; namely, your essay and brief answer responses. This year, the popular Application changed the essay prompts to the(you that are following one):
Some students have actually a story or background that is so central to their identity which they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
Recount an incident or time whenever you experienced failure. Exactly How did it affect you, and just what lessons did you discover?
Reflect on a right time whenever you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to definitely act? Would you make the same choice again?
Describe an accepted place or environment where you might be perfectly content. Exactly What do you are doing or experience there, and exactly why is it meaningful for you?
Discuss a success or occasion, formal or casual, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your tradition, community, or household.
While there is not one topic that surpasses another, we do expect a things that are few you. Firstly, your essay should be free of grammatical and mistakes that are spelling. This may sound very obvious, but you’d be surprised at just how many personal statements we see that contain errors. While most are tiny, it does look careless and ultimately, does maybe not reflect well in your application as a whole. Be sure you have people—parents that are few counselors, instructors, etc.—look over your writing to make sure that it’s spotless!
Your writing also needs to be authentic and show your very own unique voice. Do not try to wow us by making use of fancy words you discovered in a thesaurus. We would like to listen to your tale, your struggles, your triumphs. You’ll share this while staying true to your writing style.
Do also remember that your personal statement is an opportunity to share something, well, individual about yourself, and to let an admission counselor understand who you really are outside of your GPA and standardized test score. The writing aspects of the application are your possibility to paint a complete image of who you are to highlight something which may not shine through elsewhere.
While admission counselors cannot review any personal statements before they are officially submitted, we have been here to answer any questions you may have about the procedure. Happy writing!
On the street Again!
As summer comes to a detailed (where did the time get?!), my peers and I are turning our attention to Fall travel season. Most of us will visit upwards of ninety high schools through the months of September, October, and November, in nearly 50 states and in over five different countries. We are going to additionally be attending receptions and holding interview weekends in major urban centers like Seattle, brand New York, Boston, San Francisco, etc.
And we have been not by yourself. Tons of colleges and universities in the united states is going to be visiting high schools in an attempt to meet up great students and interest that is generate their respective institutions. We understand that these ‘college visits’ can seem overwhelming, confusing, and yes, possibly a good bit repetitive, but there are methods to help make the many out of the university visit. Here, we wanted to generally share a tips that are few
1. The person who’s visiting your senior high school is most likely reading your application. Many institutions implement a ‘territory manager’ system, where in actuality the country ( and quite often, the world) is divided up into different territories. These territories are then assigned to people that are various the office. At USC, the person visiting your high school is shmoop research paper writer in fact the first person to read your application, and is also your direct contact throughout the entire application procedure.
2. Make an impression that is good! No, this does not mean shower us with gifts and compliments (though wouldn’t that be nice whenever we could accept them!) creating a good impression means doing all your research in regards to the institution, remaining attentive during the see, asking insightful questions, introducing your self after the visit and telling the territory manager a little about your interests, and possibly writing a follow-up e-mail or note.
3. Don’t be nervous. a college visit isn’t an interview. There exists a split process for that. This is your opportunity to gain as much information you can concerning the college or university.
4. Sometimes, two colleges you may well be interested in will be planned on the same day, and even at the time that is same. We realize that in between your AP/IB classes, tests, and extracurriculars, you may not be able to attend every visit that interests you. It is possible to still connect with a representative by sending an email and introducing yourself. We are going to always keep extra materials in the counseling office for people who cannot attend.