It is hard to think that after working for nearly 3 years on the admission blog, this is my final post. Reflecting on my time as an admission therapist at USC is bittersweet. I learned a ton, I’ve grown professionally, and I was challenged in and day out day. But, more important than the things I’ve accomplished or added in my job, I get to go on from this chapter of amazing memories to my life, hilarious stories, and on top of that, some pretty incredible friends.

The silver lining for me is that I’m not leaving the university admission world entirely—I’ll be transitioning to ‘the other side of the desk’ as we like to say in this profession by employed in a high school being a college counselor. I’m excited to continue dealing with students and families in this capacity and I feel so happy to have had such an experience that is wonderful USC to help guide me dancing.

Saying goodbye is not easy, but similar to it is hard to graduate from high school and commence your life as a college student, shmoop.pro life is really all concerning the transitions and getting into new and exciting chapters. So, that’s how i will regard this change—I’m ‘graduating’ from my 4 years in the admission that is undergraduate at USC and simply moving to the next chapter of my entire life. I’m leaving USC with amazing memories and going into my next adventure with a available mind. On top of that, my experience at USC will always be a part of me personally — Fight On!

Tips and Tricks for Tackling the Personal Statement

Calling all seniors! The institution is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about college applications year. While grades and test scores are definitely a part that is important of application, at USC, we conduct a holistic review of files, meaning that individuals take all components of this application under consideration when creating an admission choice.

Therefore, we expect you to definitely put a reasonable amount of time and energy to the qualitative aspects of one’s application; specifically, your essay and short response responses. This 12 months, the popular Application has changed the essay prompts to the(you that are following one):

Some pupils have actually a story or background that is therefore main to their identity which they think their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

Recount a time or incident whenever you experienced failure. How did you be affected by it, and just what lessons did you discover?

Think on a right time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted one to act? Would you make the exact same decision again?

Describe place or environment where you’re perfectly content. What do you are doing or experience there, and why is it significant to you?

Discuss a success or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your tradition, community, or household.

While there is not just one topic that is preferable to another, we do expect a things that are few you. Firstly, your essay must certanly be free of grammatical and mistakes that are spelling. This may sound very obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many individual statements we see that contain errors. Many are little, it does ultimately look careless and, does perhaps not reflect well on your application as a whole. Be sure you have a people—parents that are few counselors, teachers, etc.—look over your writing to ensure that it is spotless!

Your writing must also be authentic and show your unique sound. Do not you will need to impress us by making use of words that are fancy discovered in a thesaurus. We want to hear your story, your struggles, your triumphs. It is possible to share this while staying true to your writing style.

Do also remember that your personal declaration is a chance to share something, well, personal you really are outside of your GPA and standardized test score about yourself, and to let an admission counselor know who. The writing aspects of the application are your possibility to paint a complete image of whom you are to emphasize something that might not shine through elsewhere.

While admission counselors cannot review any personal statements we are here to answer any questions you may have about the process before they are officially submitted. Happy writing!

On the Road Again!

As summer comes to an in depth (where did the time go?!), my colleagues and I are turning our attention to Fall travel season. Most of us will visit well over 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 also be attending receptions and interview that is holding in major urban centers like Seattle, New York, Boston, San Francisco, etc.

And we are one of many. Tons of colleges and universities across the country are going to be visiting high schools in an effort to meet up with great students and generate interest in their respective organizations. We realize that these ‘college visits’ can seem overwhelming, confusing, and yes, possibly a good bit repetitive, but there are ways to really make the many out of the university visit. Here, we desired to generally share a few guidelines:

1. The individual that is visiting your highschool is most most likely reading your application. Many institutions implement a ‘territory manager’ system, where in actuality the country ( and sometimes, the world) is divided up into different territories. These territories are then assigned to various people in the office. At USC, the person visiting your high school is actually the first person to read your application, and it is additionally your direct contact throughout the entire application procedure.

2. Make a good impression! No, this does maybe 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 your research concerning the institution, remaining attentive during the check out, asking insightful questions, introducing yourself after the visit and telling the territory manager a little about your interests, and possibly writing a follow-up e-mail or note.

3. You shouldn’t be nervous. a college visit is not an interview. There is a split procedure for that. This is your opportunity to get the maximum amount of information you can in regards to the college or university.

4. Sometimes, two universities maybe you are interested in will be scheduled on the same day, and sometimes even at the time that is same. We realize that in between your AP/IB classes, tests, and extracurriculars, you might not be able to attend every see that interests you. You’ll still connect with a representative by sending an email and introducing yourself. We will always leave extra materials in the counseling office if you cannot attend.