Tips for the Major-Specific Writing Supplements
Tips for the Major-Specific Writing Supplements
Fall is officially here, which means it’s really time to start working on those college apps! While the Personal Statement is the main writing piece you’ll be focused on, please do not forget about the short answer questions that many colleges ask for. Trust me, there’s nothing worse than thinking you’re just about to submit your application, only to realize you have to write 250 more words! In addition to the USC supplemental questions, aka the “Why USC” question (which you can learn more about in this blog post), some of our academic units ask applicants to their majors to provide a bit more information. This can range from artistic portfolios to responding to a few short-answer prompts. You can learn more about what each academic unit requires here.
You can also access this information by following these steps in the Common App:
First Year Applicants: Click My Colleges > University of Southern California > Questions > General to select your preferred start term and admission plan (Early Action or Regular Decision).
Then in the Academics section, you will select your first and second choice majors.
After that is saved, you can view the major-specific writing prompts from the majors you have selected in the Writing Questions section.
Transfer Applicants: Once in USC’s application, click Program Materials > Questions, and then indicate which is your first and your second choice major.
After that is saved, you can view the major-specific writing prompts from the majors you have selected in the Writing Questions section.
We asked admission officers from some of the academic departments who ask for short responses to share more about these little snippets. Here’s information on what they’re asking, why they’re asking it, and how they recommend you approach it!
DORNSIFE
The question for the Fall 2022 application:
Many of us have at least one issue or passion that we care deeply about – a topic on which we would love to share our opinions and insights in hopes of sparking intense interest and continued conversation. If you had ten minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your talk be about?
Why they’re asking:
At USC’s liberal arts and sciences school, we are looking for students who are ready to think critically and creatively. Many of our students have multiple academic interests and we’ve designed the curriculum so you can explore. We are trying to get a better sense of your motivations and passions—there is no “right” or “wrong” answer.
Tips on writing:
Keep in mind that this is part of your whole application (not a stand-alone piece), so it’s an opportunity to add more about yourself in addition to the personal statement and other USC short answer questions. Consider writing about a topic that differs from topics you’ve already addressed elsewhere in your application so that we can learn more about you and your interests.
VITERBI
The questions for the fall 2022 application:
The student body at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering is a diverse group of unique engineers and computer scientists who work together to engineer a better world for all humanity. Describe how your contributions to the USC Viterbi student body may be distinct from others. Please feel free to touch on any part of your background, traits, skills, experiences, challenges, and/or personality in helping us better understand you.
At USC Viterbi, we endeavor to engineer a better world for all humanity. This vision goes hand-in-hand with the objectives of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and their 14 Grand Challenges. Engineers and Computer Scientists are challenged to solve these problems in order to improve life on the planet. Learn more about the NAE Grand Challenges at
http://engineeringchallenges.org
and tell us which challenge is most important to you, and why.
Why they’re asking:
While we look at the entire application, this is an opportunity for us to gain more insight into your personality. This is not an exam, there is no grade, there is no right answer…we just want to get to know you better!
Final tips on writing:
Have fun! Read the questions and go with the first thing that comes to mind. No need to shoe-horn an idea in here or try to connect it to your major. Just answer the question at face value and be yourself!
Written by: Kelsey Bradshaw Carroll, Associate Director - USC Office of Admission