'diagnosed with Clear Cell Sarcoma Type II' - USC ACADEMIC INTERESTS

Describe your academic interests and how you plan to pursue them at USC. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections.

I was only five years old when I was diagnosed with Clear Cell Sarcoma Type II. This was a form of cancer that required chemotherapy to defeat. As I spent the majority of my childhood in a hospital, I longed to return to a normal life. In due time, this wish was granted due to the efforts of the medical staff that cared for me and nurtured me back to full health. Since then, I have felt that it is a duty of mine to use my second chance at life to give back to a world of science and technology that essentially saved my life. To achieve this goal, I have decided to study in the field of biology and have found that the institution that is perfect for this objective is none other than the University of Southern California. It is at USC that I will be able to pursue a career in medicine by taking advantage of the tools presented before me. I believe that USC offers a highly prestigious and academic environment where I will be able to immerse myself in knowledge. I will be challenged by both the faculty and my fellow peers to better myself in order to reach the highest degree of excellence. My dreams of becoming a medical doctor will hopefully turn into reality through the assistance and instructions of USC professors as I undertake its rigorous curriculum. I have the same motivation today as I once had as a child. I still desire to enter the world of science in order to save lives as doctors and nurses have saved my own. Equipped with drive and passion, I see USC as an opportunity to harness my potential and utilize it in order to fulfill my dream of changing the world as a medical doctor.

THIS IS SO GOOD. Onlyyy thing I might add is that I think it'll pull on the emotional strings of the USC readers a lot more if you give like a personal anecdote in the beginning where you're talking about the cancer you were diagnosed with. I think it would make the essay more colorful! But really this is a fantastic essay! It's a great length, flows very nicely, and you make your interests very clear! If you can please read mine and help me out! Thanks!

Replace USC with any other institution's name and you've got yourself a general essay. Basically everything you mentioned about USC can be said about almost any major university. Try to add some things that are unique to USC, like a club you'd like to join, or a particular class or seminar you'd like to enroll in. Maybe there is some research currently being conducted at USC that you'd like to contribute to one day, or a professor's work you admire. Perhaps there is a unique project or an idea you'd like to get started on campus to help raise awareness for those with cancer. I also agree with the poster above, you can also add an anecdote if you wish to make this a little more personal. It flows well and you stated your interests, but I'm sure there are a ton of the same essays they have to read. I think that you can make this a much more solid essay. This is a great start.

@Mureille could you please look at my two essays... Thanks a lot, I'm trying to round them both up today..