USC Merit Scholarships

Colleges & Universities University of Southern California
1

<p>What criteria do they use to judge whether or not an applicant is eligible for a scholarship?</p>

<p>The following are my stats. Please chance me for the scholarships</p>

<p>SAT: ( M - 760, CR- 730, W- 630)
SAT 2 in Math 2 and Physics both expecting 700+</p>

<p>Top 10% at a VERY competitive high school ( Last year school sent 1 - Harvard, 2 - Yale, 1 - Columbia, 1- Berkeley, 1 - U Chicago, 2 - Emory, 1 - Barnard )</p>

<p>9.5/10 GPA </p>

<p>POSITIONS HELD:
Jr. Student Body President (9th Grade)
Jr. President, Cultural Club (9th Grade)
Jr. Director, Theatre Club (9th Grade)
Sr. Coordinator, Cultural Club (10th Grade)
Sr. Secretary, Cultural Club (12th Grade)
Treasurer, Chemistry Club (12th Grade)
Coordinator, Physics Club (12th Grade)
Editor In Chief, Physics Newsletter (12th Grade)
Student Council Nominee ( Didn’t get elected though )</p>

<p>AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:
Award for the best all rounder student.
Awardee All India Scholarship (7-8 selected each year)
Auctioned a painting for International Congress for Women
Research work on Changing Trends in Indian Media
Exchange Programme to Singapore
Highest marks in Mathematics
Excellence in Organizational Abilities
Duke of Edinburgh GOLD</p>

<p>WORK EXPERIENCE:
Summer Internship at an Architecture Firm
Assisted on a project at Innovative Design Consultants: Sustainable Art
IRecognizeTibet campaign founder - over 200 members</p>

<p>COMPUTER SKILLS:
Computer Aided Design (3 Months)</p>

<p>EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:
Initiated Cultural Newsletter
Organizer Cultural Week featuring eminent artists (6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th)
Annual Fund Raiser at the School Winter Fest
Organizer Physics Symposium (Over 40 schools participated in 6 events)
Organizer Chemistry Symposium (Also a founding member) </p>

<p>DRAMATICS, MUSIC, PAINTING and DANCE:
Theater workshop with renowned theater actress Isabelle Martin
Theater production with Thespian Theater Club
Theater Production “The Twelfth Knight”
Theater Production “Cinderella”
Theater Production “Comedy of Errors: Wild in the Jungle”
7 years of Jazz - Elementary Advanced (Highest student level)<br>
Indian classical Vocal - 1st year with distinction 2009
Organized over 35 events featuring artists from different genres of Indian classical music and dance to promote Indian Culture.
Learning painting under Mr. Abdul Khan since 4 years
Contributor: “Arts and Astronomy Exhibition” Contributor: “Inter House Exhibition, School” </p>

<p>COMMUNITY SERVICE:
Volunteered at a local NGO: 3 hours a week (Taking care of and teaching little kids)
English teacher at a nunnery
English teacher for children of daily wage laborers of a small scale industry</p>

<p>Oh and I’m applying for architecture
Be honest. Thank you !</p>

2

<p>I have no idea for others but for my daughter who had the highest GPA of the applicants from HER high school. She was the only one admitted early and the only one with a scholarship. I am guessing that was it. She got 1/4 deans</p>

3

<p>for architecture, grades aren’t as important as the portfolio and how you interview for the scholarship. I had similar stats.</p>

<p><— received a trustee after interviewing for presidential for architecture</p>

4

<p>Assuming you have a good portfolio, I’d say you need a stand-out essay in your application, and a stellar interview. Have a few practice interviews w/your parents so you’ll be prepared & poised. Confidence and enthusiasm re: USC will go a long way. Good luck!</p>

5

<p>If you search this forum, there are multiple posts about academic scholarships. Last spring, there was a forum where the candidates posted their stats and what scholarship they interviewed for and received. You will find it helpful. Good luck!</p>

6

<p>see post from alamemom on Dec 1st scholarship deadline blog post…she actually lists the scholarship stats/blogs from previous years and is extremely knowledgeable/helpful.</p>

7

<p>Unless you are a U.S. citizen who studied in India it appears you are an international student. SC does not give financial aid to international students, but does have a few merit scholarships for international applicants.</p>

<p>The competition for these is intense. Your SAT composite is not above the mIddle 50% of enrolled freshmen from last year. Did you take the ACT? Some students do better on that examination.</p>

<p>Bachelor of Architecture at SC is a five year program. All candidates must submit a portfolio at the time of application for this major.</p>