USC APPLICATION (I don't really have an idea of what I specifically want to pursue)

this is the prompt: 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).

like many kids, i dont really have an idea of what i specifically want to pursue so ive decided to apply as undeclared

PLEASE be harsh and just tear it up :)

I've recently discovered a love for teaching. Whether it be tutoring a peer, teaching a dance class, or helping a sibling with homework, I have found joy in my ability to serve others. Yet teaching is not just limited to schools; teaching takes place in all types of careers, in hospitals, in businesses, and in life in general. The world is a never ending supply of opportunity for those who wish to teach, so I have decided to apply as undeclared if only to expand my horizons and learn about different areas of study. In my college career, I hope to take advantage of the diversity of education that USC offers to explore those horizons and not limit myself one specific area of study.

Hey this is very well done! It has a lot of punch for just a few words. :)

Some of the things I would change is to include some sort of background of how you discovered your love of teaching. It would add a lot of you included some sort of short personal story. I would also change the 4th sentence so that you just don't write undeclared bluntly. You could say that you're really open-minded or something.

Overall nice work!

Madison, as an undeclared major student, you should consider making an impact in your statement sans identifying your actual interests that could lead the reviewer to believe that you are trying to play the system by declaring no major. From what I have gathered and come to understand of the statement that you wrote, you have already settled on a major. That major is Education. You speak extensively of teaching and the ideas that you have for sharing information and knowledge with others. You mention the word "teaching" so many times that it is impossible to not believe that you actually have declared your major.

Rather than discussing "teaching" in this statement. consider discussing just the general course of interest to you at USC. Don't worry, discussing various subjects that are unrelated will make you seem really undecided. Rather than discussing a specific interest then claiming to not have a major. Look into the course curriculum of USC and try to find out which subjects are general, meaning all the students have to take in whether they want to or not because these are prerequisite subjects for all major subjects.

Since you seem to have an interest in teaching, try to concentrate your academic interests along the lines of literature and languages. These are general subjects that will allow you to dip your feet into subjects that are related to teaching without actually declaring it. Just say something along the lines of your "interest" or "desire" to learn about literature and the relation of languages to the learning process. Then in the end, maybe you can drop a hint that you are considering education as a major.