What Not to Do in Your USC Application

Applying to college is an exciting process—one filled with opportunities to showcase your personality, passions, and potential. But, let’s be honest, it can also be overwhelming. With so many components to complete, mistakes can happen.

As admission officers, we want to help you put your best foot forward, which means avoiding common application pitfalls. We’ve seen it all: missed deadlines, generic essays, and even the occasional “Dear [Wrong University]” salutation. So, to help you steer clear of unnecessary mishaps, here’s a list of what not to do in your USC application.

1. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

Procrastination is tempting (we get it; sometimes that new Netflix series won’t just watch itself) but waiting until the final hours to submit your application is a recipe for disaster. Technical issues happen, your Wi-Fi crashes, and even the best of us forget to attach a document now and then.

What to do instead: Give yourself at least a few days before the deadline to review and submit everything. That way, if anything goes wrong, you have time to fix it.

2. Don’t Submit a Generic, Copied and Paste Short Answer or Essay

USC’s short answer and supplemental essays are your chance to show us why USC is the right place for you. Unfortunately, too many students write vague, generic responses like “USC has great academics and a beautiful campus.” While we agree, we want to know why those things matter to you.

And while we’re on the topic... Essays that could be copied and pasted into any college application? We notice those too. If your USC essay reads like it could work for multiple universities with just a name swap, it’s not specific enough.

What to do instead:

• Be specific. Talk about what excites you about your major, interdisciplinary opportunities, research or student organizations.

• Show us how you see yourself thriving at USC. Maybe you’re drawn to our hands-on learning, progressive degree program, or location in Los Angeles. Just make it clear why USC is the right place for you.

The best responses help us picture you as a future Trojan.

3. Don’t Forget to Proofread

Typos happen. So do grammatical errors. So do sentences that don’t quite make sense when you read them back (wait, what did I mean there?). We know you’re human, but attention to detail matters in your application.

And yes, we do notice when “USC” magically transforms into the name of another university.

What to do instead: Read your application out loud to catch awkward phrasing. Have a teacher, counselor, or even a friend look it over. Double-check that every instance of “USC” is, in fact, USC.

4. Don’t Overload Your Activities List Just to Impress Us

We’re more interested in depth than quantity when it comes to your extracurriculars. A long list of activities without meaningful involvement tells us less than a few deep commitments where you’ve made an impact.

What to do instead: Focus on what matters most to you. Did you start a club? Lead a project? Make a difference in your community? Those are the experiences that will stand out... Not the five clubs you joined just to add to your resume.

5. Don’t Submit Additional Materials Unless Required by Your Program

We know you want to stand out, but sending extra materials (like a personal website, project, or portfolio) won’t give you an advantage. unless your major specifically requires them. Some students think that adding an extra letter of recommendation or an art portfolio (when applying for business) will help. But, in reality, it just makes it harder for us to focus on the required materials.

What to do instead: Only submit what’s required for your program. If your major requires a portfolio (like those in the School of Cinematic Arts or the Roski School of Art and Design), follow the application guidelines. Otherwise, trust that your essay, short answer, letter of recommendation, transcript and activities list are enough.

6. Don’t Ignore the USC Applicant Portal

Submitting your application is not the final step. After you apply, you’ll receive access to the USC Applicant Portal, where you can track missing materials, submit required documents, and sign your affirmation statement (yes, that part is required!).

What to do instead: Check your portal regularly to ensure your application is complete. If something is missing, don’t panic! Just send it in as soon as possible.

7. Don’t Panic If You Make a Mistake

Mistakes happen. Maybe you submitted the wrong version of an essay. Maybe you realized you listed the wrong award on your activities list. Maybe you suddenly remembered a crucial detail after hitting submit.

What to do instead: If you catch an error, don’t stress! Contact USC Undergraduate Admission as soon as possible, and we’ll do our best to help. Colleges understand that applications are long and sometimes things slip through the cracks. We just want you to submit your best work!

8. Don’t Try to Be Someone You’re Not

Some applicants feel like they need to write what they think admission officers want to hear. But the best applications are those that feel authentic, where we can hear your voice and see your genuine interests.

What to do instead: Be yourself. If you have a quirky passion, tell us about it. If you love a niche subject, nerd out about it! Show us who you are, not just who you think we want you to be.

9. Don’t Exaggerate or Lie on Your Application

We get it... You want to stand out. But stretching the truth (or outright making things up) in your application is never the way to go. Whether it’s embellishing your leadership role in a club, inflating your extracurricular hours, or listing awards you didn’t actually receive, we notice when things don’t add up.

Colleges verify information, and, at USC, we require all applicants to sign an Applicant Affirmation, a form stating that everything you include in your application is true and accurate. If we have concerns about the authenticity of your information, we have the right to audit your application, meaning we may ask for documentation or verification of your activities, achievements or credentials.

What to do instead: Be honest. You don’t need a laundry list of achievements to impress us. Authenticity matters more than perfection. If you’ve been deeply involved in something, share that experience and what it meant to you. We’d much rather see genuine passion and commitment than a long list of exaggerated accomplishments.

Final Thoughts

Submitting a college application is no small task, and we know how much effort goes into making it the best it can be. By avoiding these common mistakes - procrastination, generic responses, lack of proofreading, and playing it too safe - you’ll ensure that your application is strong, polished, and an authentic representation of you.

We also know this process can feel overwhelming, so here’s a little reassurance: You do not have to be perfect. We’re not expecting a flawless application, just a thoughtful, well-prepared one that helps us understand how you see yourself thriving at USC.

So, be intentional, give yourself time, and, most importantly, be yourself. We can’t wait to read your application.

Written By: Tyler Swartout, International Admissions Officer – Office of Undergraduate Admission