'observing and listening to people' - USC Short Answers - Academic Interest

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. (250 word limit)

My father is a graduate of USC and when I visited with him for the first time last year, I absolutely fell in love with the campus. I have a friend that lives in the Fluor Tower and I got the opportunity to stay over thanksgiving for 9 days. It is very diverse and I knew that USC was the school that I wanted to pursue my dream. My intended major is psychology. Growing up in a very diverse place, I started to find interest in how people behave and react in certain situations. Observing people and listening to them has always been one of my passions. During my stay, I visited Dana and David Dornsife, and talked with my friend's suite mate who takes psychology. She told me that USC has an amazing program for psychology. Being a private institution, the classes are not very big, therefore I can focus more on my studies and talk with the professors more. I loved how the students were very close with the professors. I know that I want to come to this school and prepare for my future.

I feel like it's a little bit short and not good at all! Please help!

Capitalize Thanksgiving.


Move "My intended major is psychology" to after the above quote.

I feel like the last sentence sounds like you're trying too hard, show not tell!

I think you should talk more about what is unique about USC. You mention that you love that USC is a private institution, but what makes it stand out from other private schools?

Also please look at my updated short answer, I took your advice into account!

Dear Alicia! you have expressed your feelings very good. I just noticed some repetitive phrases like' very diverse '. in addition, you use Present and Past tenses not in sequence. I think, you should use the sentences more logically organized. and pay attention to articles such as 'the'.

'Being a private institution, the classes are not very big, therefore I can focus more on my studies and talk with the professors more.' It is unnecessary to use 'the' with professors. Also it would be better if you divided the paragraphs into some parts. I couldn't see that division.

Best wishes!

It's good if you included the prompt too so that we can make more relevant comments. Anyway, I guess it is about why you chose USC , isn't it?


I fell in love with USC instantly when I visited the campus last year with my father who is a past student.


Also I had the opportunity to stay with my friend who lives in the Fluor Tower for nine days including Thanksgiving day.
Well, in my view, you should have said these things through your experiences. Tell them why you fell in love with USC; what features of USC had you most attracted to it? ; What were your experiences being with your friend in the campus?



Growing up in a diverse environment, I developed a passion for learning human behavioral patterns.


That was the advent of my desire for learning human psychology.
Good Luck!

Thanks! the prompt it

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 fell in love with USC instantly when I visited the campus last year with my father who is a past student. Also, I had the opportunity to stay with my friend who lives in the Fluor Tower for nine days including Thanksgiving day. It is remarkably diverse; furthermore I knew that USC was the school that I wanted to pursue my dream. Growing up in a multicultural environment, I developed a passion for learning human behavioral patterns. That was the advent of my desire for learning human psychology. In my boarding school, people frequently come to me to discuss about their problems, and I love helping them. It has my passion, plus nothing makes me happier than seeing their smiles when their problem becomes solved.

I enjoy research, but I am also interested in the practical applications of theories. Thus, one of my goals is not only to gain new insights into human psychology but also determine how they could be used to the benefit of the society such as greater appreciation for diversity and improved worker rights at workplaces. I believe that USC would be perfect for me to find this out. During my stay, I visited Dana and David Dornsife, and talked with my friend's suite mate who takes psychology. She told me that USC has an amazing program for psychology. Being a private institution, the classes are not very significant; therefore I can focus more on my studies and communicate with professors.