Hi everyone! My name is Samantha Dowers. I’m from Portland, Oregon and I’m a first-year student at USC majoring in Business Administration. This past winter, I was admitted to USC through Early Decision. When I think back on my college application journey, I remember feeling intimidated by the big decisions I had to make. At first, I wasn’t sure whether applying early decision over early action was right for me. But now, one year later, I can say with confidence that I made the right choice.
What drew me to USC in general?
A vibrant social scene, strong academics, and an even stronger alumni network. For me, USC hit all the marks. When I first began researching colleges, I listed everything I thought was important in a school. Some of what I wanted felt contradictory: I wanted a big school but knew I did best in smaller classes; and, I wanted to go somewhere with an amazing business program but still wanted to be able to freely explore my artistic side. USC’s emphasis on interdisciplinary studies made me realize that I didn’t have to sacrifice educational quality to get the college experience I wanted. USC quickly climbed to the top of my list of schools. I could see myself thriving there more than anywhere else.
USC also had the major I was interested in!
USC was on my radar before I knew what I wanted to major in. But, as my interest in business developed, USC Marshall’s programs put the school at the forefront of my mind. One thing that separated USC from the other schools I was considering was their global study opportunities. I’ve always loved traveling, and I knew it was something I wanted to continue to do in college, so learning that USC Marshall had global study opportunities that went beyond the traditional study abroad experience piqued my interest in the school. I knew that I wanted to go to a school that offered unique opportunities to grow in and out of the classroom. So, when I saw that USC was introducing early decision for some of their business majors, I knew this was my chance to show that I was serious about getting in. Now that USC has expanded this option to all other majors (except those in the performing arts), I encourage you to do your research about the subject you’re interested in at USC—to see what makes it distinctive.
Making connections immediately.
After I was admitted, I was overjoyed; but, under my excitement, I had fears about what came next. I had been so certain about my commitment when I was applying; but, now that it was official, I wondered how I’d meet people in a school where I knew no one. It didn’t take me long to find community. In January, I attended an in-person Marshall Early Decision Celebration. As a part of the celebration there was a Q&A panel that consisted of a group of current Marshall students. I got a look at the school from different students’ points of view. What left the biggest impact on me, however, was what happened after. During the fair later in the day, I was approached by one of the students from the Q&A panel. She noticed that there weren’t many other Black incoming students at the celebration and wanted to make sure I knew that I had a place at USC. She made herself a resource for me, answering any questions that I might’ve had; and, though she was a graduating senior, she made sure to tell me about other students who she knew, so I’d always have someone to reach out to. It was in that moment that I felt sure I had made the right decision by committing to USC. I was making real connections from day one.
Final thoughts on choosing to apply early decision...
Applying to a school early decision is not always an easy choice. I knew that, if I was admitted to every school I applied to, USC would be my pick. That certainty made early decision a promising option for me. However, committing to USC early had benefits that I hadn’t considered. Because I heard back in winter (a few weeks before my first semester finals), I got to spend a majority of my senior year focused on learning instead of filling out more applications. I could see the weight that picking the perfect school had on my classmates and the stress that added on to their spring when they were already studying for their IB exams. My advice for future college students is to weigh your options. Don’t apply early decision to a school that’s not your dream just because they offer it as an option. But, if your top school has ED available, I say go for it. You never know what could happen.