Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. (650 words)

When I was in fifth grade, I saw a Rubik's cube lying on a table at my cousin's house. She had learned how to solve one and had moved on to trimming down her solve time. Intrigued, I asked her to teac

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1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. (250-350 words)

My friends and I formed a band in the middle of freshman year, spending the next year rehearsing songs and playing at local gigs. I took on much of the responsibility of leading the group, prompting p

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2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. (250-350 words)

I've always known how to express my creativity through visual art-drawings of the objects, people, and places in my surroundings. It started as an imaginative exercise, superimposing my own ideas onto

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3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? (250-350 words)

When I was in fifth grade, I saw a Rubik's cube lying on a table at my cousin's house. She had learned how to solve one and had moved on to trimming down her solve time. Intrigued, I asked her to teac

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7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? (250-350 words)

My journey with teaching began during the pandemic-I had signed up to teach at my speech and debate club's annual summer camp in what would be my second year teaching. I began to dread the camp after

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USC believes that one learns best when interacting with people of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Tell us about a time you were exposed to a new idea or when your beliefs were challenged by another point of view. Please discuss the significance of the experience and its effect on you. (250 words)

My sophomore year AP Language and Composition class had an extensive race unit in which we read several academic texts about race and racism in the United States. It was my first time reading academic

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Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (250 words)

I've always been a maker and an artist at heart—I love crafting things with my hands and bringing (sometimes half-baked) ideas to life. Origami and comics in elementary school turned into paper mechan

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