usc transfer application essay

USC Undergraduate Admission Blog

Planning Your Transfer to USC

This is a long read, but our hope is it will leave you feeling empowered and ready to navigate the USC transfer process! The key to a successful transfer to USC is good planning. This guide will provide a breakdown of how to plan your course of study and prepare a strong transfer application to USC.  We also highly recommend attending a Transfer Information Session which are available in-person or online.  

While there are no guarantees in the USC admission process, we would like to share what is typical of our successful transfer applicants. This is by no means prescriptive as we review our applicants holistically. However, planning a course of study that mirrors the academic experience and rigor of a USC student as closely as possible will help you stay on track and maximize your chances of admission. 

There are three primary elements of preparing a strong course of study:  

Priority #1: Maintain full-time enrollment in academic, transferable coursework  

USC students typically enroll in 16 units of academic work per semester, which is usually 4 classes. A significant aspect of showing preparation for USC is demonstrated ability to be successful in full-time academic coursework. 

Competitive candidates typically complete 14-16 transferable units per term, typically four classes per term.   

We understand that some students are unable to maintain consistent full-time enrollment due to obligations at work or home. If this applies, you should explain your part-time status (along with any other necessary context, such as gaps in enrollment) in your application.  

Priority #2: Degree Progress: Planning your Course of Study  

There are a few resources that you should utilize to identify and select the courses that you should take at your current school. 

Transferring to USC Brochure : A detailed overview of the process of transferring to USC, particularly useful for its list of recommended and required courses by major on pages 12-15 and explanation of USC’s transfer credit policies on page 16. 

Articulation agreement : Agreements provide lists of courses from most California community colleges that will be accepted for transfer credit. These lists indicate what courses that fulfill General Education, as well as equivalents to lower-division courses.  

Articulation history : Histories list courses previously evaluated and accepted for transfer credit from schools without official agreements . However, we cannot guarantee courses will transfer the same way again. If courses are not listed on the history, this means they have not yet been reviewed and may or may not transfer.  

When selecting courses to take prior to transferring to USC, here’s what your course priorities should be (in order of importance): 

Complete minimum requirements for transfer:   

The first order of business is to make sure to successfully complete our minimum requirements. We have two requirements you must satisfy by the conclusion of the spring in which you apply in order to receive admission consideration.  

A. Complete a course equivalent to the lower-division writing requirement at USC: WRIT 130 (also known as WRIT 150 when taken at USC). 

If there is a course equivalent at your school, it will be found under Part I of your school’s Articulation document (example shown below). If your school does not offer a course equivalent to USC’s lower-division Writing course, this requirement can be waived for admission purposes. 

*The example shown above indicates there are two possible courses available at this school that are likely to fulfill the writing requirement: ENGLISH 2 or ENGLISH 31.   

B. Mastery of Algebra II in high school, or Intermediate Algebra in college with a grade of C or better. This is a minimum math requirement; many majors will require higher level math. 

Courses for your major:   

After ensuring you’ve met our minimum admission requirements, your next priority should be completing equivalent courses at your current institution that are required and/or recommended for your intended major at USC. The Transferring to USC brochure lists these courses on pages 12-15.  

You should cross-reference the Additional Coursework by Major section with Part II: Course-to-Course Equivalencies of your institution’s articulation document 

 For example, the equivalent of USC’s Math 118 or Math 125 are required for admission consideration for the Marshall School of Business. A Business Administration applicant may find the course(s) at their institution that are granted equivalency to USC’s calculus courses under Part II of their school’s Articulation document.  

If your institution does not offer an equivalent course, you should take the course that most closely aligns with the recommendation or requirement described in the brochure. 

USC’s General Education (GE) Curriculum   

Next up, you should prioritize the completion of courses that satisfy USC’s GE requirements. All USC students are required to complete the GE curriculum in order to graduate from USC. There are TEN courses across EIGHT different categories. The maximum number you can complete prior to transferring is EIGHT as TWO courses must be completed at USC. You are not required to complete all eight; however, you should be making strong progress.  

California community college: Part I of your Articulation agreement will provide a clear list of the various courses available at your school that fulfill GE categories at USC  

If you don’t attend a college with an articulation agreement or comprehensive articulation history, use the Transferring to USC brochure examples of acceptable courses by name for USC’s GE categories. Do your best to select courses that mirror those listed as acceptable in the brochure. 

*Make sure you’re looking at the right GE requirements, as students who began college prior to fall 2015 have a link at the top of the articulation document to view their GE courses). 

Foreign language and Electives  

Certain majors at USC require a third level of a foreign language for graduation . This will be indicated by a red checkmark in the Transferring to USC Brochure. By starting your foreign language progression early in college, you will be in a better position to graduate on time from USC.  

If you’ve completed all the available courses at your institution to meet our requirements and the recommended courses for your major, you should make sure your remaining courses are transferable for elective credit. These can be found under Part III of your articulation document (example below).  

Priority #3: Strong Academic Performance :   

In 2022, the average college GPA of admitted transfer students to USC was a 3.83. Keep in mind, this is an average. We take other factors into account when reviewing a transcript, such as academic trajectory and trend in grades. Many transfer students with a positive grade trend are admitted to USC who fall under that average. Please be aware we do not honor other schools’ academic “renewal” or “forgiveness” programs that permit students to improve a substandard grade. Outside of COVID grading policies, you should also avoid pass/no pass grades. It is recommended to take a course for a letter grade if that is an option. Finally, make sure to avoid course withdrawals resulting in Ws. 

The Application Process  

Our application review process at USC is holistic. Evaluation of transfer applications is based on different factors, including progress toward intended degree, academic performance, and the non-academic components of a transfer application – especially the supplemental auditions or portfolios required by some majors . 

The Common Application: All Transfer applicants to USC must apply using the Common Application. Once in USC’s application, click Program Materials > Questions, and then indicate which is your first and your second choice major, if you have a second choice.  You must apply directly to a major at USC.  

Application Deadlines: Most transfer applicants have until February 15 to submit their application to USC. If you are applying to the Iovine and Young Academy; Kaufman School of Dance; Thornton School of Music; or to BFA programs in either the School of Cinematic Arts or School of Dramatic Arts you must submit your application by December 1. All transfer applicants who have a complete application submitted by their intended program’s deadline will be considered for the Transfer Merit Scholarship.  

Official final high school transcript: Submit an official final high school transcript showing graduation date. If you did not finish high school, you should submit transcripts showing any grades received before leaving, as well as a copy of completion certificate (such as a GED).  

Official college transcripts: Submit official transcripts from any and all colleges you have attended (regardless of whether coursework or degree requirements were completed). To be considered official, transcripts must be sent to USC directly from your school. Self-uploaded copies are not considered official.  

Application Fee Waivers: If the application fee is a financial burden, you can select the fee waiver option in the My Application section of Common App. USC school-specific fee waiver options can be found in the Program Materials section of the Common Application. 

Scholarships and Financial Aid: All transfer applicants submitting their application by February 15 will be considered for the Transfer Merit Scholarship. Other scholarships are also available but may require a separate application. Visit our website for more details. We also offer need-based financial aid at USC. To be considered for need-based financial aid, prospective transfer students must submit FAFSA* and the CSS Profile by March 2. California residents should also apply for Cal Grants by March 2.  

* Undocumented or DACA students should submit their 2022 tax return and third-party letter confirming undocumented status instead of the FAFSA.  

Additional Materials: A portfolio, audition, and/or additional writing samples may be required by some majors . When you select your major(s) on the common application, any additional requirements for your major will also populate.  

International Applicants: All international transfer applicants must submit a Financial Statement of Personal or Family Support.   International students whose native language is not English must also demonstrate English-language proficiency . 

Application Timeline: Transfer candidates will receive either an admission decision or a request for spring grades by May 31. If you receive a request for spring grades, you will be notified of an admission decision by mid-July. 

We hope this guide has been helpful. For further guidance, you should check out this the USC Office of Admission – Transfer Applicants page or attend a transfer information session either in-person or online. You may also reach out to your admission counselor for additional questions.  We wish you the very best of luck and look forward to reading your application!  

Looking for more transfer-related blogs? Check out these blogs posts Tips For Your USC Transfer Application , USC’s Glossary of Transfer Applicant Terms , and Will My Courses Transfer?  

Written by: Chelsea Kaufman, Associate Director - USC Office of Admission

Ready for more?

USC Transfer Essay Success: An Example

The USC transfer essay can be quite daunting, especially if your GPA and extracurriculars are not very impressive. Fortunately for you, dear reader, you may still fulfill your dream of becoming a Trojan!

Below we have a successful USC transfer essay from a very fortunate and generous applicant. They were able to get accepted into USC with some rather average scores. No, not average compared to a lot of students; we mean average as in average for the rest of the transfer applicants to USC. So, what did their stats look like? Their college stats before transferring were something like this compared to the competition.

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Their GPA: 3.8

Average USC Transfer GPA: 3.7

Okay, so that’s not exactly a large advantage amongst the rest of the admissions pool. With that said, our applicant must have had something to compensate for their competition.

Remember: it’s not enough to be average to get in to your dream school (unless you want to rely on the luck of the draw), you want to have something to show you are better than the rest of the admissions pool to maximize your admissions chances.

With that said, they did in fact have something to compensate for it! And no, we don’t mean bribes. They were able to play the college admissions game right by constructing their story for the college essay as well as possible. Though they do not have all of the traits that we put in our college application services, due to their having consulted us only after their submission, they were a fantastic writer who nonetheless hit most of the good points.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at our applicant’s successful USC Transfer Essay.

USC Transfer Essay: The Prompt.

Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve. You can type directly into the box, or you can paste text from another source. (Approximately 650 words)

I want my success to be determined by what I do, not who I am. Growing up as a Vietnamese-born immigrant, I have been influenced by the culture of my parents as well as that of my peers. At a youth conference that I attended in Vietnam, two businessmen proclaimed that a woman’s appearance was more important than her professional capabilities in defining her potential for early career success. This unfortunate yet earnest piece of advice, stemming from years of cultural and societal conditioning, had been impressed on me as the status quo, complicating an already convoluted path for a young aspiring lawyer like me to navigate. I was not born with privilege, nor was I expected to become particularly successful in my future career, but I had always wanted to be self-made and a professional involved in law and politics. Relying on my grit, and with my husband’s support, I forged a plan that involves attending a University to realize my goal to become a lawyer. After a tumultuous experience in High School, I had seized the opportunity to attend Pasadena City College so that I could better prepare both financially and academically for the opportunity to transfer to a leading University to study Political Science. It had become clear at the end of High School that I needed such a stepping stone in order to build a stronger foundation and strived to improve my study habits, while using the experience I gained from a part-time job as a fashion model to build confidence and fearlessness as a woman. My academic interest was in political affairs and I was especially drawn to how externalities influence political outcomes, such as how the appearance of a woman running for office can become a deciding factor over her campaign platform. Just like how the social sciences have double blind studies and the life sciences have experimental controls, I would like to learn about the science of politics and how we can apply scientific principles to the development of greater political competency. I also want to be better prepared for entry into a law school, where what I accomplish as an undergraduate will help me secure the strongest opportunity forward. I believe that the world class faculty at USC and perhaps a scholarship or two would allow me to proudly accomplish my goal and represent the next generation of young professionals who are what they do.

Here we will show you some of the positive attributes that make this college essay so powerful. We will show you what they did in their essay (that is covered in our editing services) that gave them the competitive edge to get accepted by USC.

• Interesting Intro: The introduction here could be optimized more to bring out some of the gravity of the situation. Nonetheless, it’s a rather well-written part. The first line suggests that there was a problem with the way the our applicant was seen and she later clarifies it by describing the businessmen. The introduction should have something interesting in it that makes the whole admissions essay stand out. Having a good topic to write about, especially if it is about social pressures and fighting against the status quo, will help you have an incredible advantage against other applicants. There are plenty of ways to find good topics to make your intro look good.

On the topic of good introductions and good admissions essay topics, you can find our articles about it here.

Topics Article

Good Introduction Article

2. More Questions than Answers: This is a technique that is implemented by more talented writers, so it may be rather difficult to execute properly. The gist of this is that the writer answers a question, or begins to answer a question, with background information that obscures. This means that they made the admissions officers more confused than they are informed. This may sound like a rather bad idea; after all, who would want to just make the admissions officers more confused than necessary. Bear with us here.

The goal of doing this is mostly in the intro. The writer writes enough about their background to inform eh admissions officers but leaves out very critical context to make the situation seem more dynamic than it may be.

Our applicant here does exactly this. Instead of just spilling all the tea by saying “People said a woman’s anatomy is more important than their business sense, then I proved them wrong”, she puts more detail into suggesting the disgust she feels about this viewpoint and, in the end of the paragraph, implies that something will happen where she prove them wrong.

Note: As effective as this is in convincing admissions officers (it certainly helped with our applicant) this is very difficult to do properly. We’ve seen plenty of rough drafts fail to do this without our intervention or help. Thus, we suggest that if you are looking for a good introduction with this stylized writing, you should consult with one of our expert admissions editors first.

3. Rising From Ashes: In the USC transfer essay, and in just about every admissions essay at that, it is vital to have a description of personal growth or development. The only exception to this is if the essay prompt asks something of you that makes it impossible to bring up personal growth. (which is very rare since it’s such a common topic!) This doesn’t mean just getting better at something: everyone has that. A good moment of personal growth is going through a “fall” or “dark times” that inspire you to make yourself better. A wealthy student from a nice neighborhood in New York working through personal struggles may not be as impressive as one who had been living through oppressive forces all their lives.

Now, this does not mean you have to have had a bad backstory in order to demonstrate personal growth. However, it does mean you should find an instance of “lacking” in your life that had become the catalyst to your personal growth. Everyone has one, no matter how big or small; you just have to be able to dig through it and write it in the right way to make it work for you.

We do understand that this may be very difficult for people who have a hard time finding “low-points” in their lives; for that we recommend that you shoot us a message! We deal with situations where students cannot write their admissions essay to its maximum capacity all the time. When you talk with our admissions experts, you will have a better prepared USC transfer essay that will maximize your chances of admission.

122 thoughts on “USC Transfer Essay Success: An Example”

I liked the course very much. It extended my knowledge about USC transfer essay writing. Thanks a lot for the great post! I liked how detailed and helpful it is..!

Hi there Anna! We’re glad that this was helpful! Let us know if you’ve any questions and let’s keep in touch!

I want to apply to USC so bad! Is there any way you can give me more advice and tips to get in as a transfer?

Hi there Isa! No problem. I can send you an email and we can discuss your current application there!

Best, Jason Xie

I’d love if you can also do the same with me. Im currently applying and figuring out the right approach on how to write my essays.

Hi Yonathan! I just sent you an email. Thanks!

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Hi Audrey! Thank you for the reply. We can help you, no problem! I just sent you an email and we may discuss further from there.

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If you’re looking for help with your USC transfer application, I can certainly help. I just sent you an email!

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Hi Kwon! Just sent a message. Thank you!

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Hi George! No problem. I just sent you an email!

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No Problem Claire Kim! I just sent you an email!

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Hi Nate! I just sent a reply to your email. Please take a look. Thanks!

I am writing essay for transfering to USC. Could you give me more sample essay? I am stuck that I don’t know what to write.

Hi Connie! I sent you a reply through your email. We may discuss further there. Thanks!

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No Problem Kēhaulani McAllister! I sent you an email just now. Thank you!

Hi Jason, I’m applying to transfer to USC, and was wondering if you can help me also with my transfer essay? Thank you

Thanks for the comment Nicole! I sent you an email just now and we can talk about how we can help!

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Hi Danica! I sent you an email and you can take a look. Thank you!

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Hi Lauren! We certainly can! I just sent you an email and we may discuss our services there. Thank you!

Hello: I am applying to USC as a transfer and I would love some feedback.

Hi Freddy! Great! I just sent you an email and we can work from there!

Hi there! Would it be possible to assist me with the essays or take a look at it? Thanks.

Hey Fernando! We certainly can. We just sent you a message to your email. Thank you!

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Hi Joey! We can definitely help with your essays. I sent you an email. Thank you!

Hello! I am currently applying to USC and I would love to receive any help with my essays or just an overview of my application if possible.

Hi Lila! We can help with your USC essays! I just sent you a reply to your email!

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Hi Tommy! Thank you for your comment. We can help and we’ve just contacted you through email. Thanks!

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Hi Sabbi! Thank you! We’re glad you liked it! We can certainly talk more about how we can help you. I just sent you an email.

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Hi Tadashi! Thank you for the comment! We can help and we just sent you an email.

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Hi Dianne! We just sent you an email so we can talk about how we can help you out. Thanks!

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Hi Alexis! We just sent you a message through your email and we can discuss how we may help you there. Thanks!

Good morning!

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Hi Alexis! *See previous comment* Thanks!

Hey! Can you also help me with my transfer essays? I will be trying to transfer into the CSBA program.

Hi Emily! Thank you for your request. We can certainly help with your transfer essays. We just sent you an email and we can help you from there. Thanks!

Could you help me with the transfer essays too? I am trying to transfer as a CSBA major.

Hi Emily! *See previous comment* Thanks!

Can you send me an email? I need help with my essay.

Hi! Can you please help me with my transfer essays too? I would really appreciate it!

Hello Kristina! We just sent you a message to your email and we can go from there!

Hi! Can you please help me with my USC transfer essays too? I would really appreciate it!

Hi Kristina! We can certainly help! We just sent you an email.

I am applying to USC as a transfer student. Can you check it out?

Hi Jacob! No problem. I just sent you an email, thanks!

Hey Jason! I enjoyed your insight and breakdown on the USC prompt. I would love to get more wisdom on my application from you!

Thank you Samuel! I just sent you a reply to your email.

Hi, I’m planning on applying as a transfer as well! Can you guys take a took at my application?

Hi Alan! Of course! I sent you a message to your email.

I am a transfer applicant and would love to get some support with my application

Thank you for your reply. Because we are in the last few days of the admissions season for USC Transfer, we are experiencing high volumes of clients and requests. As such, the available services may change. However, we may still help you and anyone coming after in whatever way we can! I sent you a message to your email!

This is great! I also would love to get more tips on essays!

Thank you! We’ll be sending you a message to your email.

Hey Is too late to get feedback on my responses?

Hi Michael! You reached us when the deadline had already passed. However, we can still provide feedback! We just sent you an email.

I am applying as a transfer student to USC for Fall 2022.

Can I please get guidance with my essay?

Thank you, Zayn

Hi Zayn! No problem. We just reached out to you through your email. Thanks!

I am also applying as a transfer student to USC for Fall 2022. I would very much appreciate some guidance on my essay

thank you, Dai

No worries. I just sent you an email and we can work through it from there. Thank you!

Hi Jason I see that loads of students are interested in feedback. I’ll be transferring for the fall semester of 2022. May I receive some guidance? Best, David

I am also applying as a transfer student to USC for Fall 2022 as a CS major. I would very much appreciate some guidance on my essays.

Thanks, Rohit

Hi Rohit! I can certainly help you through a free consultation over the phone (or zoom depending on what you prefer). We actually get quite a few CS majors requesting help, so I’d be glad to help however I can! I sent you an email.

I am also applying as a transfer student to USC for Fall 2022 as a Business Administration major. It would be amazing if I could guidance.

Sincerely, Daymen

Thank you for your request for help! Some of our advising and guidance services have changed indefinitely and we won’t expect services to return to their original format until around mid-March or so. I’ll provide more info on this through email. I’ve sent you an email!

Need help with transfer essay

Thank you for your request for help. We apologize for the late reply; we’ve been quite busy with helping clients on their USC essays due to the close deadline! The deadline has been extended to the 16th, though, which gives us some spare time. We can provide some advising and guidance services, but some are limited indefinitely. I’ve sent you an email!

I am not sure if this page is still active, however, It would be beyond appreciated if I could receive some help. I am applying to Transfer to USC for Fall 2023. I have already composed my essays and have been editing!

Thank you for your reply! We’ve recently been swamped with requests for hourly and package services; so, replies for free consultations had to slow down a bit. However, we still have space and can help with your essays. I sent you an email!

Hi! I am applying to USC for fall 2023. Would I be able to request some feedback on my essay?

Hi Jolie! No problem; I just sent you an email!

I am applying to USC for 2023. I would appreciate to have some advice on my essay:)

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Hello, I am applying for transfer for Fall 2023 and could use help with my essay. Can you please give me information on your process?

Hi Francesca! Sure! However, the deadline is quite close so I may be limited in how much help I may provide! I sent you an email!

Hi! I am nearing the deadline but would love some last minute pointers. I am close to being done- could you help me out a little bit?

My apologies! We received your request quite late into the deadline and thus don’t have any available spots for reviews! However, we are still available to help out with other colleges that are past the February 15th deadline! I just sent you an email about that!

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Hi Victoria! Thanks for the request and I’m glad you like my post! I just sent you an email where you can reserve a free consultation with me! (:

Hello, I am applying for a transfer for Fall 2024 and could use help with my essay. Could I also ask for some help?̊̈ Thanks!

Hi Sean! Of course! I would be happy to help and have just sent you an email where you can reserve a free consultation. Thanks! (:

Hi! I’m applying to USC for Fall 2024 as a transfer student. I don’t know if it’s a little late to ask for some help in formulating my essay, as the due date is next week. I hope to hear back soon. Thank you!

Hi Nadya! It’s certainly not too late to ask for help with the essays, and I’d be happy to help! I just sent you an email!

Hi! I’m applying to USC for fall 2024 as a transfer student and could use some help with writing my essay. Thanks!

Hi Nadya! I responded to the previous comment and just sent you an email!

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3 USC Essay Examples By Accepted Students

The University of Southern California is a selective private school in Los Angeles. Its film school is consistently ranked the top in the country, though its other academic programs are incredibly strong as well.

USC requires applicants to fill out a variety of prompts, some in the form of essays and others as short-answer questions. In this post, we’ll go over three essays that helped real students gain acceptance to USC and explain what each essay did well and where it could be improved. 

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our USC essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts. 

(Also, CollegeVine has a ton of other resources for your USC application. Want to learn what USC will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take? Here’s what every student considering USC needs to know. ) 

Essay Example #1 – 10 Minutes to Change the World

At what point does injustice become background noise?

Bloodied black bodies can be “liked” on Instagram. Gunshots in classrooms are easily reposted via Tiktok. My generation’s digital environment is so overwhelming we’re desensitized. Given the numbing nature of dark humor, youth prefer it over justice. Rape culture is palatable once it’s a punchline. Laughter is more socially acceptable than tears. 

A recent documentary about Jeffery Dahmer (which his victim’s family members did not consent to) has led to several callous jokes about his horrifying devastation of the Black gay community. Tiktok now hosts several trends concerning Dahmer, all spearheaded by Generation Z youth.

Humor is a valid coping mechanism, but it’s now a crutch for a generation that needs to start walking on its own. 

Why is shock humor desired today? Dark humor was how I grappled with my internalized racism, partly triggered by enduring racial slurs at school. However, the hilarity fizzled out once I realized how counterproductive it was. Now, rather than reposting footage of global tragedies or joking about them, I promote new bills, pro-cause literature, and nonprofits, celebrating the proactivity of our nation.

To begin my conversation, I would address my own desensitization, urging my audience to examine theirs as well. Through my talk, I want individuals to undergo a transformative examination of social media consumption and the role of humor in the face of tragedy. Hopefully, my talk leads them to consider how they can work to alleviate social issues, rather than laughing at them.

What the Essay Did Well

This prompt is incredibly open, which can be both a blessing and a curse: you can write about anything you want, but with that much freedom, will you be able to focus on something specific? For this student, the answer to that question is unquestionably yes, as they do a phenomenal job writing about a creative, nuanced topic, in a way that is clear and easy to understand.

The topic they choose is also personal, which is important. The purpose of any college essay is to teach your readers something about who you are, and if you write about a topic that you know a lot about, but aren’t emotionally invested in (like, say, the different kinds of screwdrivers you learned about while helping your dad with a summer project), your personality won’t shine through.

This student, however, focuses not on racism in general, which is far too broad a topic for an essay this short, but on the problematic ways Gen Z copes with racism. That unique perspective shows that the student both has strong critical thinking skills and can reflect on their own experiences. And to take things a step further, they are also willing to get vulnerable, and acknowledge their own role in perpetuating the very issue they are highlighting, with the section:

“Dark humor was how I grappled with my internalized racism, partly triggered by enduring racial slurs at school. However, the hilarity fizzled out once I realized how counterproductive it was. Now, rather than reposting footage of global tragedies or joking about them, I promote new bills, pro-cause literature, and nonprofits, celebrating the proactivity of our nation.”

In this part of the essay, the student shows a remarkable level of humility, and an ability to work on themselves. While getting vulnerable with a bunch of strangers thousands of miles away is not easy, this especially deep self-reflection is what takes this essay from good to great.

In addition to zooming in on their own character, the student also zooms out from their own experience, to arrive at thoughtful, compelling takeaways that assuredly would hold the attention of a million people. Lines such as “Humor is a valid coping mechanism, but it’s now a crutch for a generation that needs to start walking on its own” and “Given the numbing nature of dark humor, youth prefer it over justice. Rape culture is palatable once it’s a punchline. Laughter is more socially acceptable than tears” show that this student is not only personally invested in this issue, but ready to start taking steps towards solving it.

Lastly, this essay is incredibly well-written and easy to follow. The passionate yet conversational tone stays true to the goal of the prompt (start a conversation!), and because of the writer’s varied sentence structure, we never get bored or want to stop reading.

What Could Be Improved 

The main problem with this essay comes in its last paragraph: 

“To begin my conversation, I would address my own desensitization, urging my audience to examine theirs as well. Through my talk, I want individuals to undergo a transformative examination of social media consumption and the role of humor in the face of tragedy. Hopefully, my talk leads them to consider how they can work to alleviate social issues, rather than laughing at them.”

Unfortunately, this paragraph doesn’t tell us anything we don’t already know, which unfortunately means the student has essentially wasted 63 words in a 250 word essay. If you write a strong essay (which this student does), you do not need to wrap things up or connect your answer back to the prompt explicitly. Those things will just happen naturally.

Instead of this paraphrased, overly tidy conclusion, the student could have painted a picture of what their talk would look like. For example:

“Hopefully, I can inspire my audience to reflect on their own desensitization, as I did, by describing the time I retweeted ten Trump memes in an hour, and how that did absolutely nothing to help me feel better about the state of the country. Turning away from band-aid solutions and committing to sucking the poison out of the wound is challenging, but I hope that through my talk and conversations my listeners have with each other afterwards, more of us will feel ready to take on that challenge.”

This version doesn’t just summarize points the student has already made, but rather presents us with tangible ways (reflecting on their own low moments; conversations after their talk) they hope to continue fighting back against desensitization.

Essay Example #2 – The Power of Debate

Prompt:   What is something about yourself that is essential to understanding you? (250 words)

“Chill. Out.”

Surely my classmates felt annoyed that I had transformed a simple English debate about the existence of the American Dream into a full-on tirade, hands revolving in furious circles, voice emphatically piercing throughout the room. But for me, the slightest mention of a debate, even a minor discussion on the best team in the NFL (Patriots!), unleashes my passionate, borderline bombastic self, determined to conquer the war of words.

Of course, when discussing the merits of pharmaceutical price controls at a debate tournament, my assertive speaking style and quick-thinking become valuable assets. But other times, I find those tendencies to hinder what would otherwise be productive, civilized conversations. Often, a simple discussion about the merits of pineapple on pizza would quickly devolve into a redundant, unproductive squabble. I have to constantly remind myself that not everything needs to be debated endlessly, no matter how much I vehemently disagree (Pineapple on pizza, however, is a TERRIBLE idea).

Yet it is this desire to seek truth and conclusion, to vouch for my beliefs, that drives me to my life endeavors. Whether it be interning at an immigration law firm and fighting for clients’ prosperity or volunteering for a local Board of Education candidate, I strive to focus my love for reasoning and dialogue into avenues that benefit those around me. Pointless debates lead nowhere, but insightful, genuine conversations are essential to addressing the key issues that affect our community. And honestly, pineapple on pizza doesn’t really matter that much anyway.

Not only does this essay start with a one-line paragraph, it starts with two sentence fragments. This is a great way to begin a college app essay, because let’s face it: admissions readers have to plow through hundreds of essays per day. They don’t want to pick apart drawn-out introductions. They want something that’s going to pique their interest, and “ Chill. Out. ” meets this requirement. It immediately creates a drive to read more: what is the conflict here? Who’s saying “chill out,” and why? 

Throughout this essay, the writer uses physical and powerful verbs to describe their passion for debating. If you went through the essay with red pen, you’d underline a lot of dynamic action: “ vehemently disagree ,”  “ drive ,” “ conquer the wa r,” “ voice piercing through the room .”  Words like these involve the reader physically in the action of debate in a way that drier words, like “respond” or “address” would not. As a result, the applicant comes across as enthusiastic and passionate.  And, as the icing on the cake, the violent words make the author’s personal growth – their stoic mastery over their passions – resonate as more truthful by the end of the essay. We can appreciate their calm, because we’ve experienced their storm. 

By far, the most important element of this essay is its focus on a personal transformation . This applicant could have relished in their success on debate team or the Board of Education, but they don’t – instead, they involve these occurrences in a narrative about their fatal flaw . 

Why is this attractive to an admissions reader? Well, because it demonstrates that the applicant is introspective and interested in improving themself in deeply personal ways. For example, it takes humility to insert yourself into the perspectives of others (“ surely my classmates felt annoyed ”). And it takes honesty to 1) identify a problem with yourself and 2) correct your behavior (“ I have to constantly remind myself that not everything needs to be debated ”). 

What Could Be Improved

There is honestly very little this student needs to do to strengthen this essay as it already is captivating, passionate, and illuminating. However, a word of caution is to make sure the mood of your essay matches your personality. This essay works because as far as we can tell from what this student tells us about themselves and the activities they engage in, they are outspoken, quick-thinking, and love to exchange ideas. These qualities all lend themselves to a fast-paced, dynamic essay. But if that isn’t you, don’t try and inject powerful language into your essay to have the same impact as this student. Make sure your essay reflects you and the story you are trying to tell.

Essay Example #3 – Admitting You Were Wrong

This essay covers the difficult topics of eating disorders and mental health. If you’re thinking about covering similar topics in your essay, we recommend reading our post Should You Talk About Mental Health in College Essays?

Prompt: 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)

“You barely have lunch, and I’m worried that you’re not eating enough.”

My face burnt bright red. They know.

It was true, of course. Throughout sophomore year, my daily food intake slowly inched below 1,500 calories, barely enough to sustain a toddler. Six months in, my period halted its monthly cycle – hormonal amenorrhea. Tired, anxious, scared. Yet, nothing deterred the voice in my head from telling me that I would never be small enough.

With an already petite stature, my health was never questioned; people seldom criticized my diet or the amount of space I occupied in a room. Skinny was healthy, and I bought into that myth. Until I started to listen. I listened as my friend confronted me with her concerns. For the first time, I was exposed to a new definition of health detached from fear foods and aesthetics. Not immediately convinced but willing to change, her perspective encouraged me to do the research and reflect on my health subjectively. In the following week, dietetic research papers and videos filled my search history; the verdict was glaringly clear. I was wrong.

Today, I exercise for adrenaline. I eat for fuel. I recognize my worth beyond the number on the scale. Listening to a different perspective was all it took for me to unravel the flaws of my own, and that, as I currently eat the rest of the holiday toffee pretzels unabashedly, is something that I am forever thankful for.

This student opened up about a deeply personal topic in a that really allowed the reader to see the mental and physical effect her eating disorder had on her. We aren’t just told she had an eating disorder and when she was confronted by a friend it changed her perspective; we are shown  what she suffered through and what her original perspective was. 

Admitting to thoughts about the “ amount of space [she] occupied in a room ” and how “ Skinny was healthy”  demonstrates very clearly her mental stance on her body. That contrasts with her admission of her physical health: “ my daily food intake slowly inched below 1,500 calories, barely enough to sustain a toddler ” and “ my period halted its monthly cycle. ” Describing both the mental and physical aspects help us to understand the depth of the struggle she went through and how deeply engrained she was in her current way of thinking.

This essay has a triumphant ending that warms our heart for the student because she was able to find help and conquer her eating disorder. The last paragraph nicely reflects on the effect this new idea had on the student by showing us her new mental approach to food and her weight: “ Today, I exercise for adrenaline. I eat for fuel. I recognize my worth beyond the number on the scale. ” Finishing the essay with her giving thanks for eating “ holiday toffee pretzels unabashedly ” brings a light-hearted conclusion to a serious essay and leaves the reader with a smile on their face for how far this student has come. 

While the narrative this student tells is very good, it reads more like an “Overcoming Challenges” essay than a “New Beliefs” essay. This could be fixed with more attention to the encounter with her friend and her subsequent research on eating healthy.

We are simply told, “ I listened as my friend confronted me with her concerns, ” and that through that experience she was “ exposed to a new definition of health detached from fear foods and aesthetics. ” However, what we want to see is how this student grappled with the confrontation and what her mental and emotional response was to learning new information that contradicted her previous assumptions.

Like in the beginning, a quote from her friend would be a nice way to place the reader in the action. This student also provided us with a lot of introspection about her eating disorder, so the essay should pay the same amount of attention to her overcoming it. For example, she might write something like this:

“ ‘We are all concerned for you.’ The sad eyes of my friend roamed over my thinning body, and I heard my heart shatter. I wasn’t just hurting myself, I was causing all my friends and family to worry. ‘I think you’ll like this article.’ Turning her computer around, big bold letters ran across the screen: YOU ARE MORE THAN A NUMBER. I hesitated in the moment, terrified of letting go of the societal message to be skinny that had become my mantra. But as my sunken, tired eyes looked back at me in the mirror that night, I opened up the article and learned just how wrong I had been. ” 

Where to Get Your USC Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your USC essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

How to Answer USC Viterbi’s Supplemental Questions on the Common App

The supplemental questions help us get to know you.

When you select an engineering or computer science major inside the USC Supplement, the Common App will automatically populate with the supplemental questions you need to answer to apply to the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. If any of this is unfamiliar to you, that’s okay! Just check out our video on how to apply to USC Viterbi as a First-Year applicant . This short video (6.5 min) will help you navigate the Common App so you’ll be confident when you apply. We also created one for Transfer applicants. Make sure to check out our How to Apply for Transfer Admission for USC Viterbi video .

Once you master the basics of the Common App, you’ll be ready for this blog post. The purpose of this post is to help you better understand USC Viterbi’s two supplemental questions (short-answer questions) on the Common App. The supplemental questions are nothing to fear; they’re not trick questions; they’re not designed to trip you up. Their whole purpose is to help us get to know you a little better.

How to Better Understand the USC Viterbi Supplemental Questions

As long as you select an engineering or computer science major (any major starting with the prefix ‘VSE’) as your first-choice major, the following two questions should appear near the end of the ‘Questions’ tab underneath the header ‘Writing Supplement.’  If you’re having any trouble, you may want to revisit the video linked at the beginning of this blog post. Feel free to reach out to us if you have questions.

Without further ado, here are the USC Viterbi supplemental questions and what they mean…

1. Your Unique Contributions to USC Viterbi

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..

Explanation:  To sum up this question another way: “How will you make a unique contribution to the USC Viterbi student body?” Every year, we get around 14,000 applications for first-year admission and about 1,200 applications for transfer admission. It’s an incredibly difficult process to make admission decisions with such a large pool of talented applicants. To help us out a bit, we want to ask you to tell us, in your own words, what you think makes you a stand-out applicant. Notice that in the last sentence of this question, we really leave the door wide open for you to choose from a wide variety of different things to talk about. You can focus in on one topic or weave together an answer that discusses a combination of elements that make you different from every other applicant. As we read your application, we’ll notice aspects of it that are unique. But this question is your chance to give us your own perspective on what you believe your unique contribution to USC Viterbi will be.

2. The Engineering Grand Challenges

The national academy of engineering (nae) and their 14 grand challenges go hand-in-hand with our vision to engineer a better world for all humanity. 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..

Explanation: The first thing you want to do is visit the link above and read about the NAE’s Grand Challenges. Then, reflect on which one you think is most important, and tell us why it’s the most important one to you. That’s it. The most common email we get about this question is if it’s okay to discuss a Grand Challenge that isn’t related to your major. The answer is yes. The question is asking you which Grand Challenge is most important to you and why–not which Grand Challenge is related to your major. The truth is that there is no Grand Challenge that is solvable by one engineering discipline alone. These are interdisciplinary problems that will require people coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds, so you don’t have to discuss the problem through the lens of your major (although you can do that if you want). The second-most common email we get about this question is if you need to tell us how you would solve the problem. Don’t worry, we’re not expecting any solutions here. These challenges are very complex, and solving them is beyond the scope of a 250-word response. Another common question we get is if there is a correct answer to the question. There is no ‘right’ answer that we’re looking for, and there is no one Grand Challenge that is objectively more important than another. All we want to know is which one you care about the most, and why. There are countless reasons why a Grand Challenge might be the most important one to you, and we’re hoping that your answer to this question reveals more about yourself and your perspective on a big engineering-related problem.

Hopefully, this blog post helped you better understand our supplemental questions. The common thread between the explanations above is that the purpose of every question is to get to know you a little better. While you’re writing your responses, you may want to ask yourself the following:

• Am I writing in my authentic voice?
• Is this an accurate representation of who I am and what I’m interested in?
• Is my writing clear, concise, and concrete? Or is it vague, wordy, and abstract?

You are the only person who knows who you truly are, and what you are genuinely interested in. Overthinking what the admission committee wants to read will lead you astray from what we actually want to read: clear writing that helps us get to know the real you.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, usc transfer application: what should i know.

Hi everyone, I'm considering transferring to the University of Southern California. What should I know about their transfer application process? Are there any tips and advice from successful transfer students? Thanks a lot!

Hello! It's great that you're considering transferring to the University of Southern California (USC). The transfer application process can be competitive, but with ample preparation, you can put your best foot forward. Here's some information and tips for transferring to USC:

1. Deadlines: USC accepts transfer applications in both fall and spring semesters. The fall deadline is February 15th for fall for most majors, but December 1st for majors requiring a portfolio or audition. Make sure to submit your application, including all required documents, before the deadline.

2. Transfer requirements: Typically, USC looks for students who have completed at least 30 transferable semester units at the time of application. Keep in mind that certain programs, such as architecture and cinematic arts, might have additional application requirements. USC does not have a minimum GPA requirement, but successful transfer applicants usually have GPAs of 3.7 or higher.

3. Articulation history and agreements: USC has articulation agreements with many California community colleges, which means that some of your coursework may be guaranteed to transfer. You can find USC's articulation history and articulation agreements with California Community Colleges on their website to ensure courses you have taken or plan to take are transferable.

4. Major pre-requisites: Before transferring, it's recommended to complete major-specific pre-requisite courses. Each academic program may have a separate guide which outlines recommended transfer courses. Completing these courses increases your chances of being accepted into your desired major.

5. General Education (GE) Requirements: Try to fulfill most of USC's general education requirements before transferring. Doing so will increase your competitiveness and enable you to focus more on your major courses upon transferring.

6. Common App Transfer Essay: The Common App Transfer essay is an opportunity to explain your reasons for wanting to transfer and how transferring to USC aligns with your personal, academic, and career goals. Be specific and genuine about why USC is an ideal fit for you.

7. USC Supplemental Essays: USC requires several short-answer supplemental essays. Make sure to dedicate time and thought to these, as they play a crucial role in demonstrating your fit for the university. Successful essays clearly convey your personality and how you will contribute to USC's community.

8. Recommendations: USC does not require recommendation letters, but if you have a professor who can speak to your academic abilities and potential to succeed at the university then it can't hurt to include a letter.

9. Transcripts and test scores: Submit all official transcripts from previously attended institutions and standardized test scores (if applicable, as USC is test-optional for transfers through Fall 2023). Request these materials in advance to ensure they arrive by the application deadline.

Lastly, stay in touch with the USC Admissions Office for updates and any important information regarding your application. Many successful transfer students have completed most, if not all, of the recommended courses and showcased their passion for their intended major and the USC community. Good luck with your transfer application!

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