usc honors essays

• Renaissance Ideal
• Research & Discovery
• Arts & Humanities
• Student Involvement
• Community Engagement
• Global Experiences
• Technology & Society
• Experience.usc.edu
• Newly Admitted Students!
• What is Exploratory?
• AEA Referral Process
• Choosing a Major
• Exploratory Frequently Asked Questions
• Undergraduate Success Program
• Academic Resources
• USC Advisor Connect
• Eligibility/Requirements
• Application Process
• Student Experiences
• Photo Gallery
• Transfer Student Resources
• Academic Conduct
• Support Systems
• Kortschak Center For Learning and Creativity
• USC Awards and Fellowships
• USC Commencement Honors
• Norman Topping Student Aid Fund
• External Scholarships and Fellowships
• Begin Exploring Majors
• Engage in Academic and Co-Curricular Opportunities
• Reflect, Assess and Make an Initial Decision
• Take Action Toward Declaring Your Major
• Declaring a Major
• List of Majors
• Minors: Rules and Regulations
• List of Minors

Honors in the Major

• Eligibility & Application
• Progressive Degree Program List

To be eligible for undergraduate honors at graduation, a minimum overall grade point average of 3.5 for cum laude , 3.7 for magna cum laude and 3.9 for summa cum laude is required. Students must meet these averages, for both USC coursework and on combined transferred and USC coursework. University honors is then determined by either the USC GPA or the combined USC and transfer GPA, whichever is lower .

USC GPAs are calculated to the third decimal place, but are never rounded up or down.

In addition to receiving University honors, which are noted on academic transcripts and the diploma, it is also possible in some programs to earn Departmental honors related to the major upon graduation. Check the list below to see if departmental honors is available in your major:

• Anthropology
• Art History
• Biochemistry
• Biological Sciences (B.A. and B.S.)
• Business Administration
• Chemistry (B.A. and B.S.)
• Cinematic Arts (Critical Studies)
• Communication
• Comparative Literature
• Earth Sciences
• East Asian Area Studies
• East Asian Languages and Cultures
• Geological Sciences
• Gerontology
• Human Development and Aging (B.S.)
• International Relations
• Linguistics
• Mathematics (B.A. and B.S.)
• Middle East Studies
• Neuroscience
• Philosophy (Ethics, Law and Value Theory)
• Political Science
• Public Policy, Management, and Planning
• Public Relations

The minimal requirements for receiving departmental honors are that the student:

• Satisfactorily completes course work for an honors project, and
• Achieves no less than a 3.5 GPA (A = 4.0) in the major at the time of graduation

Each program, department, or school will designate what it considers the appropriate coursework and honors project.

Departmental honors are noted on academic transcripts but not on the diploma.

In most cases the project submitted for a Departmental Honors program would also be eligible for the Discovery Scholar honor from the University.

USC Supplemental Essays 2023-24 Prompts and Tips

September 1, 2023

When applying to a school like the University of Southern California, it is important to grasp that their acceptance rate in 2023 is lower than Harvard’s back in the late 1990s. Last cycle, USC received roughly 80,000 applications and admitted just 9% from that pool (their first time in the single digits). We don’t bring up these numbers or the Friends -era Harvard comparison to cause future applicants unnecessary fear. Rather, we want aspiring Trojans to realize that in addition to strong high school grades and standardized test scores, they need to excel in other critical areas of their application as well. This brings us to the topic of the USC supplemental essays.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into the University of Southern California? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into USC: Admissions Data and Strategies   for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

The supplemental essay section offered by USC is a fairly epic one and presents just such an opportunity for students to differentiate themselves from swarms of other qualified applicants. In addition to several short essays, you are also required to answer 10 short answer questions. Below are the USC’s supplemental prompts for the 2023-24 admissions cycle along with tips about how to address each one.

2023-24 USC Supplemental Essays – Required Prompt #1

Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (Approximately 250 words)

This is part “Why Us?” and part “Explain Your Major” and your aim is to seamlessly touch on both topics in a tightly woven 250-word composition. For a deeper dive, let’s examine a list of characteristics of a winning USC “Why Us?” essay:

• How did your interest in your major of choice begin and how has it matured over the years?
• While pursuing your majors(s)/interest(s) of choice, how will you take advantage of the university’s immense resources both inside and outside of the classroom? Be sure to cite specific  academic programs ,  professors ,  research opportunities ,  internship/externship programs , and  study abroad programs . Discuss why they pique your interest.
• Feel free to touch on  student-run organizations  related to your field of study that you would like to join.
• Lastly, don’t ignore your second-choice major in this essay.

In any “Why Us?” composition, you need to show that you’ve done your homework on a given school, but you don’t want it to read like a robotic list of items that you Googled ten minutes before writing the essay (even if the timing of the Google search is roughly accurate). In addition to the pure research element, a lot of the time and skill required in creating a stellar USC essay will involve connecting the classes, professors, opportunities, etc. of interest that you have uncovered to your distinct values, talents, aims, proficiencies, and future goals.

USC Supplemental Essays – Short Answers

(#1 provides 25 characters for each word, and #2-10 provide 100 characters each)

• Describe yourself in three words.
• What is your favorite snack?
• Best movie of all time
• If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
• What TV show will you binge watch next?
• Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate?
• Favorite book
• If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be?

USC Supplemental Essays (Continued)

It would be a bit silly to try to advise you on what your favorite snack is. Obviously, the USC admissions committee wants to hear “Pepperoni Pizza Combos” but will also accept “Ranch-flavored Bugles.” As such, we’ll keep our advice on these a bit broader:

• This is a chance to make a personal connection with an admissions officer. Don’t overthink these or pick movies, books, songs, or trips that you think an admissions officer will find impressive. Just be genuine.
• For #1, try to avoid words like “interesting” that are…well, not very  interesting , or words that could describe most of USC’s applicant pool, like “hard-working” or “dedicated.”
• For #10, don’t pick a general topic in a traditional discipline. Instead, pick something about which you are passionate. This could be a blend of pop culture and academics or a highly esoteric topic that you happen to be obsessed with (e.g., the Beatles 1965-67 mid-career era, the history of jai-alai, or how to groom a ferret).
• You have 100 characters to utilize, so do include some short explanations that infuse your answers with extra personality. For example, you could jazz up Ranch-flavored Bugles as follows: “Ranch-flavored Bugles, me and my mom’s go-to Jeopardy snack.”
• Final tip: if you feel stuck, try brainstorming a few options for each one before choosing your favorite.

USC Supplemental Essays – School-Specific Prompts

In addition to the required essays noted above, you’ll also need to answer at least one additional essay question that is dependent on the school or college you are applying to at USC. Below, we’ve broken down the most popular options:

Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Many of us have at least one issue or passion that we care deeply about – a topic on which we would love to share our opinions and insights in hopes of sparking intense interest and continued conversation. If you had ten minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your talk be about? (250 words)

What makes you tick? What keeps you up at night? Which subjects could (and do) you talk about for hours if given the opportunity? If you could address one problem in the world, large or small, what would it be? Here’s your chance to tell us all about it. You’ll then want to explain “why”—why will (or should) your passion/topic of choice be made relevant to a wider audience? Why is it so important that others hear your message? Your answer will give admissions readers greater insight into what type of issues are most important to you.

Viterbi School of Engineering

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. (250 words)

The NAE Grand Challenges list is expansive and includes a number of pressing issues, like clean water access, solar energy, and nuclear terrorism. Basically, you are 100% guaranteed to find at least one item on this list that resonates with you. After reviewing the options, which one are you most passionate about, and why? Is there something from your personal background or experiences that inspired your interest in this area? Alternatively, have you engaged with this topic either inside or outside of school, and if so, how? What would you still like to learn about it? If you choose an issue that you are genuinely interested in and clearly convey your reasoning for doing so, you’ll be well on your way to a compelling response.

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. (250 words)

Take note of the wide-open nature of this prompt. You are essentially invited to talk about any of the following topics:

• A perspective you hold
• An experience/challenge you had
• A community you belong to
• Your cultural background
• Your family background
• A personality trait
• A skill you hold

Although this prompt’s open floor plan may feel daunting, a good tactic is to first consider what has already been communicated within your Common App personal statement, activities list, and other USC essays. What important aspects of yourself have not been shared (or sufficiently discussed)? The admissions officer reading your essay is hoping to connect with you through your written words, so—within your essay’s reflection—be open, humble, thoughtful, inquisitive, emotionally honest, mature, and/or insightful about what you learned and how you grew. No matter what type of story you tell, the goal is to have the reader come away saying, “I can definitely see this applicant as a contributing member of our talented and engaged Viterbi community.”

How important are the USC supplemental essays?

There are five factors that USC considers to be “very important” to their candidate evaluation process and the essay section is one of them. Along with GPA, standardized test scores, rigor of high school coursework, and recommendations, the Common App and supplement essays play a huge role in the USC admissions staff’s decision-making.

Want personalized assistance?

Lastly, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your USC supplemental essays, we encourage you to  get a quote  today.

• College Essay

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

• 2-Year Colleges
• Application Strategies
• Best Colleges by Major
• Big Picture
• Career & Personality Assessment
• College Search/Knowledge
• College Success
• Costs & Financial Aid
• Dental School Admissions
• Extracurricular Activities
• Graduate School Admissions
• High School Success
• High Schools
• Law School Admissions
• Medical School Admissions
• Navigating the Admissions Process
• Online Learning
• Private High School Spotlight
• Summer Program Spotlight
• Summer Programs
• Test Prep Provider Spotlight

“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”

— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

College Planning in Your Inbox

Join our information-packed monthly newsletter.

Sign Up Now

University of South Carolina | USC

• Cost & scholarships
• Essay prompt

Want to see your chances of admission at University of South Carolina | USC?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

University of South Carolina | USC’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Common app personal essay.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Get Into USC in 2023, from a USC Grad

What’s covered:, how hard is it to get into usc, what is usc looking for, my usc admissions story, how to improve your chances of getting into usc, tips and tricks from a usc grad.

The University of Southern California (USC) has the distinction of being the oldest private research university in California. However, what attracts applicants to the school today are its world-class education, beautiful campus, and idyllic Los Angeles setting.

USC is consistently ranked among the top 30 national universities, and some of its programs are thought of as the best in the country. For example, USC and NYU often go back and forth as the best school for students pursuing film, and USC’s location gives it an advantage over most top-tier schools in this field.

Read along to learn what it takes to get into USC in 2023, along with tips from a USC alumna.

Gaining admission to USC is hard. The university received a historic 80,790 applicants for its Class of 2027 and admitted 9,277—an acceptance rate of just 9.9%.

The average academic profile of accepted students for the Class of 2027:

• SAT/ACT: The middle 50% SAT and ACT scores are 1330-1520 and 30-34, respectively.
• Class Rank: USC didn’t report the average class rank for its Class of 2027, but you’ll need a strong performance in the classroom to gain admission—41% of the Class of 2027 earned perfect grades in high school.

According to their 2021-2022 Common Data Set, USC considers the following factors “very important”:

• Course rigor
• Test scores
• Recommendation letters

These factors are “important”:

• Extracurricular activities
• Talent/ability
• Character/personal qualities

These are “considered”:

• First generation
• Racial/ethnic status
• Volunteer work
• Work experience

And these are “not considered”:

• Geographical residence
• State residence
• Religious affiliation/commitment
• Applicant interest

Academically, my profile aligned strongly with USC’s average academic profile. My GPA was extremely high, like most USC admits, and I did not fail to demonstrate course rigor—graduating having completed 15 AP classes. My ACT score was a 33, at the upper end of USC’s Middle 50%.

Based on my academic profile, my application made it through the first round of admissions and was read by an admissions officer. That said, I think that it was the combination of my essay and my letter of recommendation that secured my admission and that earned me a scholarship.

My essay focused on my experiences in high school grappling with perfectionism and self-hate, which ultimately landed me in a live-in youth rehabilitation program. I wrote about this experience in a reflective way that demonstrated my growth mindset, thoughtfulness, and maturity.

This was supplemented by a letter of recommendation from my AP World History teacher and mock trial coach, who outlined my response to these troubling experiences in high school, describing me as “a phoenix from the ashes.”

I believe that, through these elements, USC admissions officers got the impression that I was an intensely driven, resilient student with a large interest in self-improvement and learning. I also feel that this impression was extremely important in my admissions decision.

My advice to you—figure out exactly how you want USC admissions officers to view you, then use your academics, essays, and letter of recommendation to ensure that they get that impression of you!

Read more about my USC admissions story , with specifics of my academic profile and excerpts from my submitted essays.

1. Achieve at least a 3.9 GPA while taking the most challenging classes available

Your GPA is important to your application because schools that receive a huge number of applications (like USC) often use a tool known as the Academic Index to streamline the admissions process.

The Academic Index boils each applicant’s academic performance (GPA and test scores) down into one single number, which is then used to weed out applicants who would be considered academically unqualified. Such applications, more often than not, don’t even get read.

The average high school GPA of the Class of 2027 was a 3.9, so if you are hoping for USC admissions committees to seriously consider your application, you should strive for exceptional grades in all of your classes.

If your GPA is below USC’s standards and you’re early in your high school career, check out our tips for increasing your GPA . If you’re a junior or senior, it’s harder to increase your GPA, so the easiest way to improve your Academic Index at that point of your high school career would be to get higher test scores.

It’s important to note that, while your GPA is an important component to have your application read, you can’t just take easy classes and get good grades. Course rigor is considered “very important” to USC admissions officers. To submit a competitive application you’ll need all, or mostly all A’s, while taking the most challenging courses available.

Applicants who gain admission to top-tier schools like USC commonly complete between eight to twelve AP classes . My USC application showed success in 15 AP classes, which obviously appealed to admissions officers.

2. Aim for a 1520 SAT and/or 34 ACT

Test scores are “very important” in the USC admissions process. The middle 50% SAT and ACT scores for USC’s Class of 2026 were 1330-1520 and 30-34. Any score in the middle 50% is good, but the higher your score is, the greater your chances of gaining admission.

USC records the highest scores for each section of the SAT and ACT, even if they’re earned in different sittings. Given this fact, you should consider taking the SAT or ACT multiple times to improve your academic profile.

To improve your SAT/ACT score, check out these free CollegeVine resources:

• How to Get a Perfect 1600 Score on the SAT
• How to Get a Perfect 36 Score on the ACT
• SAT Info and Tips
• ACT Info and Tips

Note: USC has been test optional for recent application cycles and will be test optional going forward. That said, CollegeVine generally recommends taking the SAT/ACT anyway to improve your chances of admission. Applicants who submit scores are accepted at higher rates than those who do not.

A good rule of thumb is that you should submit your score if it falls above the 25th percentile (1330 SAT/30 ACT). You can get recommendations on whether or not to apply test optional using our free chancing engine .

3. Write engaging essays

Once you clear USC’s academic thresholds, essays are the best way to set yourself apart from the competition—USC considers them “very important.” USC’s application includes a writing supplement featuring one required essay, one optional essay, and 10 short answer prompts—things like “What is your favorite snack?”

USC is looking for interesting applicants with unique stories and perspectives. Set yourself apart with an attention-grabbing essay that is written in your voice, and that creatively frames your experiences and highlights how you’ll be as a student and on campus at USC.

For more USC-specific essay advice, check out our article, How to Write the USC Supplemental Essays.

4. Secure humanizing letters of recommendation

Letters of recommendation are another “very important” aspect of a USC application. Letters of recommendation highlight your academic success and classroom contributions, and hint at how you’ll fit in at USC. USC recommends one letter of recommendation either from a high school counselor or teacher.

Because USC places considerable weight on your letter of recommendation, you’ll want to get the best one possible. One way to ensure a compelling recommendation is to follow the nine rules for requesting letters of recommendation from teachers , which cover everything from who to ask, to the timeframe, to how you can support the process.

Keep reading for my tips and tricks on securing an outstanding letter of recommendation.

5. Cultivate one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars (find your “spike”)

Extracurriculars are marked as an “important” part of USC’s admissions process and can carry serious weight when applying to coveted programs like the university’s film school. Having a highly developed interest, known as a “ spike ,” supported by one or two extracurricular activities that demonstrate high levels of achievement or leadership can bolster your application.

Not all extracurricular activities are equal—some have more influence over admissions than others. Learning about the four tiers of extracurriculars is a simple way to understand how a college like USC values your activities outside the classroom.

• Tier 1 includes the most impactful activities. These are rare and demonstrate exceptional achievement and leadership, such as earning national recognition in athletics or winning a prestigious national competition.
• Tier 2 activities also show great achievement and leadership, but are more common than those of Tier 1. These activities include state-level recognition in athletics, winning a regional competition, or holding a leadership position in a well-known club.
• Tier 3 extracurriculars demonstrate your interests but don’t carry the same weight as those in the tiers above. These include playing a varsity sport or holding a minor leadership position in a well-established club.
• Tier 4 is home to the least distinguished and influential activities, such as playing a sport and participating in a club.

6. Apply Early Action

For most programs, USC has two different application deadlines: November 1 and January 15. The November 1 deadline is called the “Early Action” deadline—a non-binding, non-restrictive application. If you apply by this deadline, you are automatically considered for all USC merit scholarships, while regular decision applicants are not considered for merit scholarships.

Students who apply by the early deadline are typically accepted at a 6% to 8% higher rate, so even if you aren’t hoping for a scholarship, applying by November 1 is a smart strategy for gaining admission to USC.

How to Apply to USC

You will apply to USC through the Common Application. In addition to your Common App essay, you will submit:

• USC Supplemental Essays
• A high school transcript
• At least one letter of recommendation
• A mid-year report
• SAT/ACT scores (optional)

USC has a few different application deadlines. It is important to note that, if you apply to a regular program by November 1, you will automatically be considered for all USC Merit Scholarships . Regular decision applicants must apply by January 15 and will not be considered for merit scholarships.

Additionally, there is a separate application deadline for students of special programs—all Dramatic Arts, Cinematic Arts, and Music programs, the Kaufman School of Dance, the Iovine and Young Academy, the Roski School of Art & Design, and the School of Architecture. These programs may also require a portfolio, resume, and/or samples of work.

*These programs do not allow Early Action applications, so all students who apply to these programs by December 1 are considered for merit scholarships.

1. Don’t underestimate the importance of recommendations

It is important to ask someone who knows you very well, academically and personally, to write your letter of recommendation. Then, fill that person in on the image you are trying to impress upon admissions officers.

If they know what your academic profile looks like, your strengths and weaknesses, and, importantly, what your essay is about, they can write a letter of recommendation that rounds out your application. They can help you form connections between parts of your profile that feel disconnected, explain gaps in your resume or coursework, and simply humanize you.

2. Apply by the scholarship deadline

My most important advice to you is to apply by the scholarship deadline. The best part about the early application is that you don’t have to do anything extra—no supplements or extra questions. You simply have to submit the same application earlier.

There are multiple levels of merit scholarships that you are automatically considered for through your early application—Dean’s Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, and Trustee’s Scholarship. These scholarships cover 25%, 50%, and 100%, respectively, of your tuition each year for four years of study.

Additionally, receiving a scholarship makes you eligible to live in USC’s honors dorms—McCarthy Residential College for first-year students and Ilium Residential College for sophomores. These dorms create a special type of community that I am still grateful that I was a part of.

What Are Your Chances at USC?

Only 9.9% of USC applicants were accepted in 2023. If you’re feeling discouraged by this low acceptance rate, remember that your personal chances of acceptance can vary greatly based on your profile.

To better understand your chances of acceptance, use our free admissions calculator. This tool will not only let you know your chances at hundreds of schools, but will also give you tips for improving your profile. Getting into a selective school requires a strong strategy, and our free admissions platform can help you every step of the way.

Interested in learning more about USC? Check out these other articles:

• What is USC Known For?
• How I Got Into USC
• USC vs. UCLA: Which College is Right for You?
• USC vs. UC Berkeley: Which College is Right for You?

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

University of south carolina honors college

My daughter will be applying to USC. She will have no problem getting in and will go on a near free ride. She will be a national merit scholar finalist. But her #1 requirement on any school she goes to is to be in the Honors College. Can anyone tell me now hard it is to get into honors college at USC and what they are looking for (grades, test scores, etc are not an issue, but not a ton of extra curriculars). Also, if you get into the honors college are you guaranteed to get into honors dorm?? thanks!

Also - she is out of state if that makes any difference

My DS is a rising freshman at the South Carolina honors college. He got in with a higher than average test score and a lower than average GPA. He also did not have many extra curricular activities. We are local and know a lot of kids who got in. That being said I do know of a few that didn’t, so pay extra attention to the essays since I understand that they are very important for admission. As for dorms I do believe the honors dorm is guaranteed. DS just received his assignment yesterday. To be safe apply to USC as early as the app opens. Dorm assignment priority is based on this date. It will also give you plenty of time to write the essays for honors college. Good luck!

Getting into the Honor’s College is very competitive, but she should be able to get in with top scores and stats. I would not count on any type of full ride, even with the NMF status. The essays are weighed very heavily for the Top Scholars awards and there are very few near full rides for out of state students and it is super competitive. Both of my daughters were accepted into the honors college (oldest will be a senior and youngest turned down and will be attending Duke). Getting into the honor’s dorm is pretty much a given, but I know that my oldest daughter’s freshman class had a higher than anticipated yield and about 40 students were placed into other housing because of lack of space. Most were given the option to live on the Horseshoe in the apartments. Housing priority is based on application date. Also make sure not to chose a non honor’s student as a roommate, that can potentially create complications with getting into the honor’s dorm if the yield is higher than anticipated.

I would recommend reading through their scholarship awards in order to understand exactly what they award. My dd is an OOS McNair TS and NMF and she is not attending full-ride. Her brother attended Bama on a true full-ride where every single thing was covered by scholarships. With dd we still owe a few thousand plus books every yr. (From a btdt POV, it feels very different.)

Agree that essays matter. Our dd did not have a long list of ECs, but she did have some significant achievements like international level awards.When we attended TS weekend, they stated that test scores and GPA were not the deciding factors and that plenty of top scoring students including 36s were not invited to TS weekend. The group of kids at TS weekend were all kids with pretty amazing levels of accomplishments.

We also know a couple of great students who did not get accepted into the HC (not sure exactly why, but in hindsight they think they didn’t put enough effort into their essays), though most of the top kids we knew about did get accepted into the HC.

IIRC, the HC is about 500 students.

A NMF with close to 4.0 unweighted gpa should be able to get into Honors, but getting Horseshoe or McNair is very difficult. Don’t count on it. My kid got into Stanford but didn’t get Horseshoe or McNair.

@themcgees full ride?

Yes, my kid did not put that much effort into Honors essays because he did not find their questions all that interesting. However, he also did not possess top GPA or test scores, so didn’t think he would get it. Also, the CA rep quit her job the same year, and the school really did not seem all that motivated to bring in kids from CA. Got NMF merit and Coopers merit that year which was expected, as well as Honors and IB major. Would have made an official visit had he not gotten into Stanford early.

Does anyone know what the extra fee for honors students covers? I heard its $575 per semester additional.

@freebie73 The official answer is that the fee primarily helps defray the costs of offering almost 600 Honors courses per year. It also allows the Honors College to fund student research, internships, study abroad, service learning, and senior thesis research. My oldest is graduating in May from USC, as a Honor’s student and has nothing but positive experiences with the program. I will say that you also need to be mindful that specific departments will have additional fees as well. She is in the Darla Moore School of Business and that is an additional $678 per semester.

POPULAR STATES

Search sat scores, search act scores, search gpa’s, subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay informed with the latest from the CC community, delivered to you, for free.

CONNECT WITH US

© 2023 College Confidential, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

• Best Colleges
• Application Advice

• Acceptance Rates

University of South Carolina – Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Requirements

Located in South Carolina’s capital city of Columbia, the University of South Carolina is one of the top 60 public institutions in the country. 

In addition to having an outstanding business school, UofSC’s nursing and engineering programs have also received top accolades.

More than 30,000 students enjoy a challenging academic environment, notable athletic scene, and fun college town experience. 

Outdoor enthusiasts can visit the nearby Congaree National Park for free, sunbathe and fish at Lake Murray, or exercise at various city parks.

Museums and concert venues are abundant, as well as the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden. 

Undergraduate students often take weekend jaunts to coastal cities like Charleston and Myrtle Beach or mountain retreats like Greenville. 

Of course, the University of South Carolina has so much more to offer than a stimulating environment. Read ahead to learn about the school’s acceptance rate, admitted student statistics, admissions process, tuition, and exceptional programs.

University of South Carolina Acceptance Rate

The UofSC has an acceptance rate of 68 %. 

Exceeding 8,000 new undergraduate students, the most recent incoming class of 2021 represented the second-largest group of new enrollments in the school’s history. 

Of this cohort, 53% came from the state of South Carolina.

University of South Carolina Out-of-State Acceptance Rate

The University of South Carolina’s most recent first-year class had an out-of-state population of over 40% . 

According to the S.C. Commission on Higher Education, out-of-state students only made up 19% of the UofSC student body in 1997, while in 2016, that number had reached 42%.

What makes UofSC such a welcoming choice for non-South Carolina residents? 

The institution uses a sliding scale to calculate out-of-state tuition. Some admitted students invest over $16,000 per year, while high-achieving out-of-state admits can pay at discounted rates that parallel what South Carolina residents pay.

Along with a rise in out-of-state student enrollment, UofSC has also observed an increase in the diversity of its overall student body. 

African-American enrollment has grown by 85% since 2016 and Hispanic enrollment has increased 53% in the same time frame.

For the incoming class of 2021 , 75 new admits were high school valedictorians and over 16% were first-generation college students

GPA for University of South Carolina

UofSC’s incoming class of 2021 averaged an impressive 4.4 GPA – a record for academic excellence. 

Of this cohort, 596 students enrolled in the Honors College with an average GPA of 4.9, and 1,400 additional first-year students enrolled in the Capstone Scholars Program with a 4.55 average GPA.

While UofSC does not stipulate a minimum GPA for admittance, applicants should expect to submit a competitive GPA. 

When analyzing the middle 50% of the University of South Carolina’s recent freshmen class, admitted students maintained a GPA between 4.1 and 4.7 and ranked in the top 7 to 28% of their senior classes. 

Within that middle 50% range, Honors College students held a GPA between 4.5 and 5.0 and ranked in the top 1 to 5% of their senior classes. 

Additionally, Capstone Scholars maintained a 4.2 to 4.8 GPA and ranked among the top 4 to 18% of their graduating class groups.

SAT & ACT Requirements 

After testing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of South Carolina campus at Columbia no longer requires first-year applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores – this policy will hold until at least the fall 2022 term. 

Still, many applicants choose to offer their standardized score results.

Let’s look first at the middle 50% of scores for South Carolina residents versus out-of-state residents. 

For the incoming class of 2021, SC admits scored between 1100 and 1300 on the SAT and 23-30 on the ACT. Nonresidents’ scores were notably higher, with an SAT window of 1250-1380 and an ACT composite score ranging between 28-32.

We can also break down SAT and ACT averages by special programs. The middle 50% of Capstone Scholars, for instance, scored between 1340 and 1420 on the SAT and a 29-32 on the ACT. 

Honors College admits within the same 50% window were the most high-achieving, with SAT Superscores between 1430 to 1520 and an ACT score of 32-34.

Other Requirements and Admission Tips

Candidates seeking admission to the University of South Carolina are expected to meet the minimum college preparatory high school course curriculum designated by the S. C. Commission on Higher Education. 

These classes include four English units, four mathematics units, three laboratory science units, three social studies units, two foreign language units, one fine art unit, and two academic electives. 

Eligible students may then submit four components : a Common App or Coalition App (including a completed essays and activities section), a school report form (submitted by a high school guidance counselor), an unofficial high school transcript, and a $65 fee (or fee waiver).

For regular decision applicants , the application deadline is December 1, with all credentials provided by January 15. Typically, this cohort of applicants can expect to receive their admissions decisions by mid-March. 

Those interested in applying to the S. C. Honors College or Top Scholars program are advised to submit their materials by October 15, the early action deadline. 

In addition to the general application materials, these students should also complete the Honors College/Top Scholars application, which prompts the applicant to complete two essay prompts and one short-answer question (more on those in the following section). 

Additionally, these students should coordinate with their high school guidance counselor(s) to submit two letters of recommendation.

Honors College applicants should anticipate an admission decision by mid-February, while Top Scholars candidates will be invited to participate in a mandatory interview weekend (usually hosted in late January). 

Students who are awarded merit scholarships can expect to receive them around mid-March.

Essays for University of South Carolina

Applicants may submit one of three items to meet the supplemental material requirement : (1) SAT or ACT scores, (2) three alternative exam scores from a list of approved exams , or (3) a graded writing assignment. 

Those who choose to submit a writing assignment should make sure to include their full name, the date the paper was turned in, the grade received, and any available teacher comments. 

The paper should have been written during the applicant’s junior or senior year in high school, and UofSC recommends that students submit an English/social studies paper, essay exam, or research paper written in English.

Students wishing to share more information about what makes them stand out from other candidates need not despair – there is a separate essay section that affords students space to share more information about themselves. 

The Office of Admissions advises students to reflect on an experience, tell a story, and allow their personalities to shine through.

Is the University of South Carolina Right for You?

As previously mentioned, the University of South Carolina is an appealing option for SC and non-SC residents. 

Many tout their affordable tuition scale as one of their deciding facts for applying to the university.

97% of UofSC first-year students received some form of financial aid in the 2020-2021 academic year. 

The following price tags for tuition and technology fees are not necessarily set and do not take into account the financial awards that most students receive, which significantly lower their school attendance costs.

Without financial assistance, SC residents can expect to pay $12,688 per year for tuition and technology, while out-of-state residents contribute $33,928. 

When housing, meals, books, and supplies are factored in, the SC resident cost increases to $26,822 annually, while the non-resident costs jump to $48,062.

Regardless of tuition cost, the value of a University of South Carolina education seems to be worth the expense. 

UofSC has held the number 1 ranking for international business for 23 consecutive years ! The most recent graduating class of the Darla Moore School of Business earned an average starting salary of $58,251 and a 90% job placement rate.

According to the U.S. News and World Report, UofSC also offers the top first-year student experience of any public college in the country. 

Indeed this guarantee of support is a decisive factor that attracts incoming students from all over the state and country. University 101 is a first-year seminar experience that is designed to help freshmen transition to college life. 

Students enrolled in University 101 experience a higher first-to-second year retention rate . Syllabus topics include fostering academic success, connecting with the university, and promoting personal development, wellbeing, and social responsibility.

The University of South Carolina is an excellent choice for students looking to attend an elite Honors program housed in a diverse, best-value school– future entrepreneurs are especially advised to look more into UofSC’s business programs.

Related Posts

The flagship school of the University of North Carolina, UNC-Chapel Hill is recognized as one…

Students looking for curricular flexibility, study-abroad opportunities, a socially diverse community, and access to state-of-the-art…

American University was founded on a mission.  Long after George Washington’s passing, his call that…

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

College of William & Mary Early Decision Acceptance Rate

Boston College Early Decision Acceptance Rate & Decision Date

UCLA Engineering Acceptance Rate, Ranking, and More

UMich Engineering Acceptance Rate, Ranking, and More

Cornell Engineering Acceptance Rate, Ranking, and More

Purdue Engineering Acceptance Rate, Ranking, and More

POPULAR POSTS

The 10 Best Marine Biology Colleges in the US

Here Are the 10 Best Optometry Schools in the US

Here Are the 10 Best Dental Schools in the US

Popular category.

• Acceptance Rates 253
• Hidden Gem Colleges 81
• Medical Schools 76
• Ivy League Schools 62
• Law Schools 49
• Performing Arts 45
• Art Schools 42
• Health Sciences 40
• Summer Programs 39
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the 10 best honors colleges and programs.

College Admissions , College Info

For students who are really set on enrolling in a quality honors program, it's important to learn about some of the best honors colleges before making that big decision. That's especially true because your honors program will dictate how difficult your classes are...and the perks you get from doing well in them!

We're here to help you get all the information you need about the top honors programs in the country so you can pick the program that's right for you. In this article, we'll:

• Explain what an honors college is
• Provide our research-based ranking of the ten top honors colleges and programs at U.S. colleges and universities
• Give you five tips for applying to top college honors programs

Ready? Let's dive in!

Feature Image: slgckgc/ Flickr

What Is an Honors College?

Honors colleges and honors programs are supplemental and/or alternative learning programs that undergraduate students can complete while pursuing a traditional bachelor's degree.

Honors colleges typically function independently within a larger university system, similar to the college of business or the college of arts and sciences at a big university. Additionally, honors colleges typically come with their own funding, facilities, faculty, course offerings, and perks for their students. In many instances, honors colleges can offer their students more rigorous educational opportunities since they serve fewer students and often have better funding than the bigger colleges within a university system.

College honors programs , on the other hand, function like an academic track. Eligible students can follow honors programs' guidelines to receive a more rigorous education and an honors distinction at graduation. At many universities, these honors programs are managed by individual departments. While honors programs aren't usually big enough to constitute a college within the university system, honors programs can still offer students the opportunity to take special courses and participate in extracurricular activities that aren't open to "regular" students.

If honors colleges and honors programs sound similar...that's because they are! They both give qualifying college students the opportunity to pursue a more challenging educational track and graduate with honors. Even more importantly, honors colleges and programs provide students with the opportunity to get an elite education at colleges and universities of all kinds.

While honors colleges across the U.S. are pretty similar in terms of their rigor and individualized attention, some honors colleges stand out from the rest . The best honors colleges support and reflect their universities' mission and identity, create ties to their community, and offer top-tier resources to support their students' career goals. Enrolling in an honors college can help set you on the path to long-term success.

If you're still curious about honors college and want to learn more, check out our introductory guide to honors colleges in the United States .

We considered many different factors, like academic rigor and funding opportunities, when deciding which schools to put on our list.

Our Methodology for Choosing the Best Honors Colleges

Now that you know a little more about honors colleges, it's time to look at the best honors colleges in the US. Here's our methodology for our honors college rankings.

To put together our list, we evaluated honors colleges based on admissions requirements, curricular and extracurricular program offerings, community, financial aid opportunities, and innovative approaches to the honors educational experience. The colleges that made our list offer rigorous coursework, tailored learning plans, excellent funding opportunities, and unique or out-of-the-box learning experiences.

During our research, we found that there are many different types of honors colleges and programs out there, and every honors college is unique. And you know what? That's a great thing! Every student is different, so our goal is to include a diverse array of honors colleges so you can find your perfect fit.

Now that you know how to navigate our list of the nine best honors colleges, let's look more closely at our picks for the ten best honors colleges and programs in the U.S.

Barrett College at Arizona State University tops our list of best honors colleges in the United States.

The 10 Best Honors Colleges

We've divided up our list of the ten best honors colleges into three main categories: the best honors colleges, best honors programs, and best affordable honors colleges.

The Best Honors Colleges

These are honors colleges that are stand-alone schools within a university. They can have the benefit of additional funding, school-wide extracurriculars, and sometimes even additional distinctions at graduation!

Here are the honors colleges that are at the top of PrepScholar's list.

Barrett College, Arizona State University

• Location: Tempe, Arizona

Barrett College, the honors college at Arizona State University, is a stand-alone college within the ASU system. Ranked #1 among honors colleges in the United States , Barrett College has a presence on ASU's four campuses in Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, and Glendale, Arizona

In the 2021-2022 academic year, Arizona State had an 88% acceptance rate, which means it's an accessible school for many students. Though Barrett College doesn't publicize its acceptance rate, it does provide other stats that can help prospective students know where they stand as applicants. For example, the average unweighted high school GPA of students admitted into Barret in 2021 was 3.81 . In terms of test scores, the average composite score on the SAT was 1347, and the average composite ACT score was 29. If your GPA and test scores are above average, you have a better shot at getting into Barrett.

Despite the large number of students attending Barrett College, honors class sizes are still small. In addition to offering a required sequence of signature honors courses (the central theme being "The Human Event"), Barrett College allows students to conduct research and thesis projects , has a private writing center for Barrett students, and offers many global internship, study abroad , and real-world service opportunities. Barrett College also provides quality housing facilities for the majority of its nearly 7,100 first- and second-year undergraduate honors students.

Barrett is nationally prestigious, and is among the top 20 universities in the US for recipients of the Fulbright fellowship . It's also the only honors college that has a Nobel Prize recipient teaching undergraduates.

Schreyer Honors College (SHC), Pennsylvania State University

• Location: University Park, Pennsylvania

Schreyer Honors College is Penn State's honors college. Considered one of the top honors colleges in the nation , Schreyer provides approximately 2,000 honors college "Scholars" with an educational experience that is dedicated to academic integrity, fostering a global perspective, and rich opportunities for leadership and civic engagement.

The acceptance rate to Penn State is about 54% , but the average acceptance rate to Schreyer Honors College is between 8-10% , making this one of the more competitive public university honors colleges. Another unique feature of Schreyer Honors College is it doesn't consider SAT/ACT scores or high school GPA as part of the application process . Instead, the Schreyer admissions committee is interested in the creative thinking and authenticity applicants demonstrate in their admissions materials.

Schreyer also offers an abundance of honors-specific courses for admitted students. In fact, Schreyer offers over 300 smaller-sized honors courses to its students , usually taught by senior faculty members. Schreyer students also have the benefit of access to priority registration and living learning communities (LLCs) in residence halls that primarily house honors students .

One stand-out offering at Schreyer Honors College is the Integrated Undergraduate Graduate (IUG) Program . The IUG program allows exceptional students to complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees concurrently, or at the same time. Eligible students will be able to meet the requirements for this accelerated program by completing an honors thesis that meets both undergraduate and graduate standards and taking a series of cross-listed undergraduate and graduate courses. If you're interested in enrolling in an honors college and completing an accelerated graduate degree program, Schreyer could be a good fit for you!

Clemson Honors College at Clemson University offers honors students a rigorous academic experience. ( Spyder_Monkey /Wikimedia)

Clemson  Honors College, Clemson University

• Location: Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University's honors college is called Clemson Honors College. Clemson’s acceptance rate is 62%, and while Clemson Honors College doesn’t publish its admissions rates, it’s likely that getting in is more challenging. That’s because the honors college has more rigorous GPA requirements: the minimum required GPA for the honors college is a 3.7, but most students accepted to Clemson Honors College far exceed that minimum.

There are plenty of benefits to being an honors student at Clemson. Honors students receive priority registration, extended library privileges, and are eligible to apply for research grants to support their Departmental Honors research projects at the beginning of both the fall and spring semesters.

Another stand-out feature of Clemson  Honors College is the brand new Honors Residential College (HRC) facility , which includes housing and dining for honors students, administrative offices, a library, study rooms, classrooms, and a kitchen. These facilities are available exclusively to honors students, so you'll have the space you need to study (and have fun, too).

Clemson Honors College also offers many unique academic opportunities, including the highly selective EUREKA! Program . The EUREKA! Program invites 50 incoming honors freshmen (25 in person, 25 online) to participate in research projects over a five week period before the start of the fall semester. Many EUREKA! Program participants go on to receive elite scholarships and fellowships , such as the Rhodes, Fulbright, Goldwater, Marshall, and Truman scholarships.

Rutgers University Honors College

• Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey

The Honors College at Rutgers University is both a stand-alone school and a student living-learning community . The goal of the honors college is to blend the classroom and the community to create a transformative learning experience for its students.

The Rutgers acceptance rate is 67% , and while the honors college doesn't publish its admissions rates, it's safe to assume that getting in is more competitive. The test scores of accepted students reflect that idea: the median SAT score for the Honors College class of 2022 is 1530 (the composite SAT score for non-honors students is 1300).

Luckily for incoming students, there isn't a separate or additional application for the Honors College. The Honors College admissions committee uses the general Rutgers application to determine who will be admitted into the honors program.

Once admitted into the college, honors students have access to top-notch facilities and academic resources . The Honors College at Rutgers has its own state-of-the-art building, which is the hub for honors courses and seminars, research opportunities, an Innovation Lab, on-site academic advising, and lounges where honors students can build community and even get to know live-in faculty.

One of the best things about the Honors College at Rutgers is that all honors students receive a four year renewable scholarship . The Honors College also provides additional scholarship opportunities for study abroad, research projects, and even has an Honors College Student Emergency Fund for students who encounter unexpected financial hardship.

The University of Texas at Austin takes the top spot in our list of the best honors programs in the United States. (Kumar Appaiah /Flickr)

Best Honors Programs

The biggest difference between an honors college and an honors program is that honors colleges are stand-alone schools within the university system, and honors programs are not. For our list, we focused on finding the best university-wide honors programs in the United States.

Plan II Honors Program, University of Texas at Austin

Location: Austin, Texas

The College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin offers the Plan II Honors Program, which is an interdisciplinary arts and sciences major with a core curriculum. Unlike stand-alone honors colleges like the ones listed above, the Plan II Honors Program is housed within UT's College of Liberal Arts .

Sometimes called a "public Ivy," UT has a 32% acceptance rate. Plan II, however, usually receives around 1400 applications every year and only admits around 175 freshman honors students every fall. (In other words, getting into Plan II can be a little tough!)

Plan II Honors is a prime example of the difference between an honors college and honors program . As an honors program, Plan II Honors doesn't have its own housing, nor are its programs consolidated in one stand-alone honors college. However, Plan II does have its own scholarship and grant programs, study abroad opportunities, and student clubs.

A major perk of the Plan II Honors Program at UT is its flexibility. For students who are interested in double majoring, combining multiple UT honors programs, or even getting a second degree concurrently, Plan II Honors is a great choice. Over 70% of Plan II Honors students complete the requirements for a second, third, or fourth major , and close to 35% complete the requirements for a second degree. That makes the Plan II honors program great for ambitious students who are pursuing a more interdisciplinary course of study!

Echols Scholars Program, University of Virginia

• Location: Charlottesville, Virginia

The honors program at the University of Virginia (UVA) is called Echols Scholars Program. UVA's Echols Scholars Program is housed within the College of Arts & Sciences at UVA.

The acceptance rate to UVA is around 23%, making it one of the most competitive schools on our list. Luckily, all applicants to the College of Arts & Sciences first-year class are automatically reviewed for admission to Echols. Each new class of Echols students typically has approximately 200 students, so if you want to get into Echols, you'll need to make sure your UVA application stands out from the crowd .

The key value that defines the Echols is that students get the opportunity to shape the program. For instance, the Echols Council is a student-led governing body that represents Echols students and works with the honors program's administration to design and implement initiatives that give students the best learning experience.

Another unique opportunity that the Echols Scholars Program offers is the Echols Interdisciplinary Major . The Echols website explains, "The principle underlying the Echols Interdisciplinary Major is that no existing major, or combination of majors, fully satisfies a student's broader interests." This means that Echols students have the chance to create their own course of study that best fits their future career goals. If you want the chance to chart your own course in college, you may be a great fit for the Echols Scholars Program.

University Honors Program, the University of Kansas

• Location: Lawrence, Kansas

The University of Kansas Honors Program, which is more commonly referred to as "University Honors," is a campus-wide honors program open to students of all majors.

The acceptance rate to KU is about 91% , but acceptance to the University Honors Program is highly competitive. The average GPA for freshmen entering the honors program is 3.95, which is much higher than the average GPA of all incoming freshmen, which is 3.6. To get into the honors program, students have to apply to University Honors as part of the KU admissions application, which requires you to submit an additional essay and short answer response.

The University Honors program at KU is built on the concept of experiential learning . To graduate from University Honors, students are required to earn "Honors Experience" units by engaging in Enhanced Learning Experiences (ELEs) . ELEs at KU include opportunities in public service, cultural literacy and social justice, global citizenship, aesthetic engagement, professional development and social entrepreneurship, leadership, and research. Honors students can even propose alternative experiences of their own design to meet the ELE requirement.

Honors College, University of South Carolina

• Location: Columbia, South Carolina

The Honors College at the University of South Carolina is one of the larger honors college programs on this list, with roughly 2,300 students, but that doesn't mean they receive fewer resources. In fact, the honors college offers nearly 600 honors courses, as well as the option (only available to honors students) to design your own major. Average class size for honors college classes is only 16, so students there also get more one-on-one interaction.

The acceptance rate to the University of South Carolina is roughly 68%, with an estimated SAT midrange of1100-1300 and an estimated ACT midrange of 21 to 29 for South Carolina residents, and an SAT midrange of 1250-1400 and ACT midrange of 28-32 for nonresidents. For the honors college, the SAT midrange is 1410-1520, the ACT midrange is 32-34, and the average weighted GPA of admitted honors students is 4.77.

Honors college students benefit from additional perks like honors-specific living communities in particular dorms and strong financial aid packages. The Honors College at the University of South Carolina has also received the highest ranking among public school honors programs for the fifth straight time by the publication  Inside Honors.

An impressive 87% of Macaulay Honors College students graduate debt free! Beyond My Ken /Wikimedia

Best "Bang for Your Buck" Honors Programs and Colleges

If you're looking to get the most out of your educational dollars, you might consider enrolling in an honors college or program that offers financial assistance. Here are two honors colleges that can give you a top-tier education without breaking the bank.

Macaulay Honors College, City University of New York (CUNY)

• Location: New York City, New York

Macaulay Honors College is the independent honors college housed within the City University of New York (CUNY). Macaulay is affiliated with eight senior colleges within the CUNY system and has a presence on the following CUNY campuses: Baruch College, Brooklyn College, City College, Hunter College, John Jay College, Lehman College, Queens College, and the College of Staten Island (CSI). And guess what? All of these campuses are located in New York City!

CUNY is pretty selective—the university's acceptance rate is about 51%. Macaulay itself is also competitive, offering just 520 seats to incoming students across all eight campuses each year. To apply to Macaulay, prospective students must submit a high school transcript, resume, two letters of recommendation, and two maximum 500 word essay responses.

While Macaulay scholars will spend most of their time studying at their home campus, they will have the opportunity to attend lectures, seminars, and even take courses at the other CUNY campuses in New York City. In fact, Macaulay makes learning about New York City a key feature of its honors education. To that end, Macaulay students receive free admission to hundreds of the city's cultural institutions, and participate in required honors seminars that use New York City as a teaching tool.

Besides its exceptional honors education, perhaps the most appealing thing about Macaulay Honors College is its financial aid package . Macaulay offers all of its students a merit scholarship package that includes tuition and a laptop computer, plus access to funding to support study abroad, research, and internship opportunities. Most impressively, 87% of Macaulay students graduate debt-free!

Macaulay's excellent academics—they even have a Nobel Prize winner on faculty— and its generous financial aid package makes it an excellent value. High-achieving students who have limited funds (but want to get a top-tier education!) should definitely consider CUNY's Macaulay Honors College.

The University of Alabama Honors College

• Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The honors college at the University of Alabama, which enrolled students call "UA Honors," is a stand-alone college within the larger University of Alabama campus.

Admissions into UA Honors is equally competitive : applicants must have a minimum ACT score of 30, minimum SAT score of 1360, and a 3.5 high school GPA or higher to get accepted to UA Honors. There is a fast track into UA Honors for certain students: National Merit Finalists and National Achievement Finalists are admitted automatically once they complete the honors application.

UA Honors offers admitted students tons of academic opportunities . One of the most prestigious is the Randall Research Scholars program , which is the first interdisciplinary research program in the United States. Randal Research Scholars learn how to combine computing skills with their academic interests to perform high-level research in their field.

UA Honors also offers top-tier leadership and service opportunities through the University Fellows Experience . This four-year program allows students to develop elite leadership skills while empowering them to give back to the community around them through service and mentorship. The combination of academics and service offered by UA Honors helps honors graduates stand out as they embark on their future careers.

The amazing academic and extracurricular activities available through UA Honors comes at a reasonable price, too. That's because UA Honors offers some of the most generous merit aid packages in the country to its students . At least eleven different types of merit and need based scholarships are available to UA honors students. On top of those scholarships, UA Honors students are eligible for study abroad scholarships and research fellowships.

5 Tips for Applying to Top College Honors Programs

Applying to college is already a demanding task. If you're planning to apply to honors colleges on top of that, you've got your work cut out for you!

Our list of five tips for applying to top honors colleges can help simplify the honors application process.

Tip 1: Do Your Research Before You Apply

Lots of prospective honors students consult the annual honors college rankings to help them decide which honors colleges to apply to. But rankings are just the tip of the iceberg! You can—and should!— learn a lot about college honors programs just by browsing university websites before you make any decisions about where to apply.

Honors college applications can be long and involved. You want to make sure you know that an honors college is a good fit for you before you dump your time and energy into a secondary application. By doing a little research up front, you'll save yourself precious time during college application season.

Tip 2: Learn How You're Being Evaluated

You can almost always find out the average SAT/ACT scores and GPA of students who are accepted to a school's honors college before you apply. Many college honors programs have higher requirements for standardized test scores and GPAs that determine whether an applicant qualifies for admission.

Though you shouldn't necessarily let your GPA, class rank, or standardized test scores deter you from applying to honors colleges, these numbers can help give you an idea of where you stand going into the application process. If your scores and GPA are a lot lower than the honor program's stated requirements, then you may have a hard time getting in.

On the other hand, some schools no longer take SAT/ACT scores and GPA into account as a part of their honors college applications. These schools are more interested in learning about who you are through written essays and short answer questions. If you're applying to these schools, you can't plan to simply rely on a perfect SAT score or 4.0 GPA—you'll need to make sure you're a well-rounded candidate before you decide to apply.

The bottom line? Go into the application process knowing how different honors colleges are going to evaluate you and what qualities they're looking for. This will help you know which components of the application to focus your energy on.

Tip 3: Brush Up on Your Writing Skills

We've already mentioned that honors college applications are more demanding than regular college apps, usually because they ask you to write additional essays as part of the application process.

Also, the essay prompts usually require you to think creatively about yourself, your intellectual interests, and global issues. While some honors colleges ask standard questions like "why this school," most are going to ask you to think way outside the box. (For examples of essay questions like these—and to prepare yourself for what you may see on an honors college application— check out the University of Chicago's essay prompts .)

You'll also want to apply for special scholarships or fellowships available through your selected honors programs. Most merit-based scholarship applications include a required essay section that asks you to explain what experiences, achievements, or goals make you the best candidate for the scholarship. That's right— more writing!

Are you starting to see how the essays can add up if you plan to apply to an honors college? Don't worry, though! If you're prepared to write persuasively about your skills and achievements, you're prepared to show that you're an amazing honors college candidate.

Tip 4: Be Ready for an On-Campus Interview

Sometimes (though not always) honors colleges will narrow their applicant pool by inviting select applicants to visit their university's campus for an in-person interview . There are some great things about being invited to an on-campus interview: you get to meet faculty and current students, and you'll get to tour the college's facilities.

There are also some scary things about an interview: namely, it will help admissions officers determine whether you'll be invited into the program or not.

Does this sound nerve-wracking? Don't worry: you can take a lot of the anxiety out of the interview process with a little preparation. Our guide to conquering the college interview is a great place to start !

Tip 5: Be Yourself!

It may sound cheesy, but honors colleges want to get to know you through your application. Don't lie or exaggerate to try and impress the admissions committee! You're already a great student: all you have to do is put together an equally great, authentic application .

Keep in mind that creativity and curiosity are two of the qualities that honors colleges desire the most in potential students. If you can demonstrate what makes you a creative thinker and what intellectual topics get you excited in your application essays, you'll be more likely to stand out to the faculty and staff members who evaluate your application materials!

What's Next?

If getting into an honors college your goal, then you need to make sure you're setting yourself up for success. This starts with having a solid GPA . First, make sure you're calculating your GPA correctly . Once you figure out what your current GPA is, you can focus on raising it as quickly as possible !

Once your GPA is looking good, it's time to start focusing on your test scores. Having good test scores is one key to getting into the honors program of your dreams! The first step is deciding whether you should take the SAT or ACT . Then it's time to start studying. Check out our expert SAT study tips and expert ACT study tips to make sure you're studying smarter and harder.

But like we mentioned earlier, the best honors programs know that you're more than just your grades and test scores. Honors colleges want to see that you're involved in things beyond school, which is where extracurriculars come in . This article will teach you everything you need to know about writing about extracurriculars on your college applications so that you stand out from the crowd.

Want to build the best possible college application?

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools .

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

What are you looking for?

Suggested searches.

• What We Look For
• First-Year Dates and Deadlines
• Transfer Dates and Deadlines

Cost and Financial Aid

• Tours and Events
• How to Apply
• Applicant Portal
• International Applicants
• Transfer Applicants
• Admitted Students
• Prospective Students

First-Year Students

Admission decision timeline.

First-Year Applicants: Admission decisions will be available on March 22 in the USC Applicant Portal .

Transfer Applicants: An admission decision or request for spring-term grades will be posted by May 31.

Admission letters and certificates will be mailed following the release of admission decisions online.

Share your USC admission with #IGotIntoUSC.

Each year more than 50,000 of the most talented high school seniors in the country and from all over the world apply to USC. We are proud of the quality, diversity and uniqueness of these applicants. We welcome you to apply.

“I chose USC because there is no better place to study the impact of digital media on entertainment... The support here is unbelievable.”

Dates and Deadlines

Early action (ea) vs regular decision (rd).

Applying by the Early Action (EA) deadline enables you to plan for college earlier, should you be accepted during this round of application reviews. It also ensures that you will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships . Early Action (EA) is non-binding, non-restrictive, and is not available for majors requiring a portfolio or audition. Students choosing to apply under USC’s Early Action (EA) plan will need to submit their application materials earlier in the process but will receive an admission decision (or deferral to Regular Decision) sooner than Regular Decision applicants.

We recommend this option for those who have thoroughly researched their college options and have settled on USC as their top choice. We estimate that 20-25 percent of our admission spaces will be granted during the EA round.

Please note that applicants to the World Bachelor in Business program must apply Early Action.

USC’s Regular Decision (RD) plan follows a more traditional timeline: If you submit your application by December 1 or January 15, depending upon major, you will receive a decision by April 1.

Students who wish to have more time to fill out their application, or those who wish to have their records for the fall semester of their senior year included as part of their application, may wish to wait until the Regular Decision (RD) deadline.

The following programs do not participate in Early Action:

Iovine and Young Academy Kaufman School of Dance Roski School of Art and Design School of Architecture School of Cinematic Arts School of Dramatic Arts Thornton School of Music

Students applying to these schools must submit their application materials by December 1 to be considered for admission and USC Merit Scholarships. Please refer to the Regular Decision deadlines for more information.

Early Action

Applicants selecting Early Action will be notified of their admission or deferral to Regular Decision in mid- to late January 2024.

Application Deadline: November 1, 2023

Early Action (EA) is non-binding, non-restrictive, and is not available for majors requiring a portfolio or audition. Students must apply EA in order to be considered for USC Merit Scholarships , unless their intended major does not participate in Early Action.

Students applying to majors requiring a portfolio or audition (see below) will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships as part of their Regular Decision process.

Regular Decision

Applicants selecting or deferring to Regular Decision will be notified of a decision by April 1, 2024.

For majors requiring a portfolio or audition: Application Deadline: December 1, 2023

This is the final deadline for students applying to majors in the following schools:

See Additional Major Requirements for information about your intended program.

Regular Decision candidates applying to these programs by December 1 will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships .

All other majors: Application Deadline: January 15, 2024

Extensions of application deadlines are considered on a case-by-case basis. Students who are unable to meet the published deadlines may contact an admission counselor to be considered for an extension.

• Financial Aid

Early Application Deadline: January 12, 2024 Regular Decision Deadline: February 7, 2024

Applicants who want to be considered for need-based financial aid must submit the FAFSA * and CSS Profile applications by the appropriate deadline. *Undocumented or DACA students should submit their 2021 tax return and third-party letter confirming undocumented status instead of the FAFSA.

Cal Grant Application Deadline: March 4, 2024 California residents should apply for Cal Grants by this date.

Visit our Financial Aid page for more information. To check on the status of your financial aid application, visit the FAST page in your applicant portal .

Early Action FAQ's

Early Action applicants apply earlier and may be informed of their admission to USC in January. Early Action is required for most students wishing to be considered for merit scholarships. It might also be an attractive option for those with particularly strong records who consider USC one of their top choices. Regular Decision applicants follow a more traditional timeline, with later deadlines and a decision notification date of April 1. Neither plan requires admitted students to enroll at USC.

Yes, unless your intended major does not participate in Early Action. Early Action is not available if you are applying to the Iovine and Young Academy or majors in Architecture, Art and Design, Cinematic Arts, Dance, Dramatic Arts or Music. Applicants to these majors should apply by December 1 to be considered for both admission and scholarships.

Other scholarships offered through USC-affiliated organizations are available but require a separate application. Visit our Scholarships page for more information. USC also offers a robust need-based financial aid program. More information is available at the USC Financial Aid website.

No, we cannot guarantee that fall grades will be considered if you apply Early Action.

We anticipate that about 20-25 percent of the class will be admitted early. Early Action applicants who are not admitted in January will be able to defer their application to the Regular Decision round.

Not all early admits will be selected to continue in USC’s merit scholarship process. Students who are selected as scholarship finalists will be notified of their next steps in February after receiving their admission decision.

No, Early Action admission is non-binding and does not require enrollment at USC.

No, no one will receive a denial letter in January. Students who are not admitted early will be given the chance to defer their application for consideration in the Regular Decision round. We expect that 75-80 percent of the class will be admitted Regular Decision.

Most admitted students will receive their financial aid summaries around the same time. EA applicants should apply for need-based financial aid by January 12, 2024 and RD applicants should apply by February 7, 2024 to be considered for all types of financial aid for which you may be eligible.

No, but transfer applicants interested in Dance, Music, and BFA majors in Cinematic Arts and Dramatic Arts must apply by December 1. The admission and scholarship application deadline for all other transfer applicants is February 15.

Application Checklist

Complete the Common Application .

For students who submit test scores, USC records the highest scores for those who have taken tests more than once. For the SAT and ACT, the highest scores for each section of the exam will be recorded, even if achieved in different sittings. USC does not require the writing section for either the ACT or the SAT. Find answers to questions you have about how our test optional policy will affect your application .

First-year applicants should submit official transcripts of all high school and college coursework completed.

One letter is required from either your school counselor or a teacher from your school. Applicants to the School of Cinematic Arts must submit two letters of recommendation.

Performance majors may also require auditions. Refer to the Additional Application Requirements section below for more information.

Use the Mid-Year Report Form included in the Common Application or visit  your applicant portal  to submit your fall grades.

Affirmations  will be available in the portal after we receive your application. Your digital signature may be submitted after the application deadline.

If the application fee poses a financial burden, you may request a fee waiver through the Profile section of the Common Application.

International applicants: Please refer to the International Students page for Additional Requirements.

The USC Office of Admission reserves the right to make admission decisions with unofficial documents and may collect official documents post-admission or enrollment.

Additional Application Requirements

If you are applying to a major in any of the schools listed below, it is your responsibility to complete your application by the appropriate deadline. Unless otherwise noted, all deadlines are the same as those listed on the Dates and Deadlines section. Be sure to obtain any required supplementary forms and to fulfill all departmental requirements.

Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

USC School of Architecture

Roski School of Art and Design

Iovine and Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation

Marshall School of Business (World Bachelor in Business)

USC School of Cinematic Arts

Kaufman School of Dance

USC School of Dramatic Arts

Viterbi School of Engineering

Thornton School of Music

Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Home-Schooled Students

Home-Schooled applicants must also submit answers to the home-school questions on the Common Application Secondary School Report. Be sure to include information about your home-schooling philosophy, curricular choices and textbooks used. Although the application process for the 2023-2024 Academic Year is test-optional, we still find it helpful to have work from home-schooled students that is externally graded or examined. Therefore, we recommend submitting either SAT/ACT results, SAT subject exam results, AP exam results, or transcripts from college courses or other accredited online schooling programs if possible.

USC does not conduct admission interviews. However, prospective students are welcome to contact their USC admission counselor with any questions about the admission process. To learn more, please visit our Find Your Counselor page .

International students interested in providing additional evidence of English language ability should visit our Additional Requirements page for more information.

DACA Students

For information about application for DACA students, please refer to this page .

Keep Exploring

• Scholarships

Baylor Bears

USC Trojans

Game leaders, s. andrews g - bay, j. watkins g - usc.

Game Information

• Melissa Barlow
• Cameron Inouye
• Kevin Pethtel

Video Highlights

Juju watkins drops 30 to lead usc to 1st elite eight since 1994, sarah andrews' triple pulls baylor within 1 late in the 4th-quarter, baylor-usc trade impressive defensive plays, juju watkins buries a 3 from the top of the key for usc, baylor's back-to-back 3's tie the score at 53, juju watkins scores 30, powers southern california past baylor 74-70 for spot in elite eight.

• JuJu Watkins made Jumper. Assisted by McKenzie Forbes.
• JuJu Watkins missed Jumper.
• McKenzie Forbes missed Jumper.
• JuJu Watkins missed Three Point Jumper.
• Rayah Marshall made Jumper.
• JuJu Watkins made Jumper.
• Rayah Marshall missed Jumper.
• Kayla Padilla missed Three Point Jumper.
• Kayla Padilla made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Rayah Marshall.
• McKenzie Forbes made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Kayla Padilla.
• McKenzie Forbes made Jumper.
• Clarice Akunwafo made Layup. Assisted by McKenzie Forbes.
• Clarice Akunwafo missed Two Point Tip Shot.
• McKenzie Forbes made Two Point Tip Shot.
• Rayah Marshall made Layup. Assisted by Kaitlyn Davis.
• Rayah Marshall made Layup. Assisted by JuJu Watkins.
• Kayla Padilla missed Jumper.
• Taylor Bigby missed Three Point Jumper.
• Kayla Padilla made Two Point Tip Shot.
• Kaitlyn Davis made Layup. Assisted by Kayla Padilla.
• JuJu Watkins made Three Point Jumper.
• Rayah Marshall missed Layup.
• Kaitlyn Davis missed Jumper.
• Kaitlyn Davis missed Two Point Tip Shot.
• Kayla Padilla made Jumper.
• McKenzie Forbes made Three Point Jumper.
• Kaitlyn Davis made Jumper.
• Clarice Akunwafo made Layup. Assisted by JuJu Watkins.
• JuJu Watkins made Layup.
• Kaitlyn Davis missed Layup.
• Jada Walker made Jumper.
• Darianna Littlepage-Buggs missed Jumper.
• Jada Walker missed Jumper.
• Sarah Andrews made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Darianna Littlepage-Buggs.
• Jada Walker made Layup. Assisted by Sarah Andrews.
• Bella Fontleroy missed Three Point Jumper.
• Darianna Littlepage-Buggs missed Two Point Tip Shot.
• Aijha Blackwell missed Jumper.
• Darianna Littlepage-Buggs made Jumper.
• Darianna Littlepage-Buggs made Jumper. Assisted by Dre'Una Edwards.
• Sarah Andrews missed Three Point Jumper.
• Jana Van Gytenbeek missed Three Point Jumper.
• Dre'Una Edwards made Layup. Assisted by Jana Van Gytenbeek.
• Dre'Una Edwards missed Layup.
• Dre'Una Edwards missed Three Point Jumper.
• Dre'Una Edwards made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Jada Walker.
• Jada Walker missed Layup.
• Sarah Andrews missed Layup.
• Sarah Andrews made Layup.
• Aijha Blackwell made Layup. Assisted by Dre'Una Edwards.
• Sarah Andrews missed Jumper.
• Aijha Blackwell made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Dre'Una Edwards.
• Darianna Littlepage-Buggs made Jumper. Assisted by Jada Walker.
• Aijha Blackwell made Layup. Assisted by Jada Walker.
• Darianna Littlepage-Buggs made Layup. Assisted by Jada Walker.
• Aijha Blackwell missed Layup.
• Sarah Andrews made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Jada Walker.
• Bella Fontleroy made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Sarah Andrews.
• Bella Fontleroy missed Layup.
• Sarah Andrews made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Dre'Una Edwards.
• Dre'Una Edwards missed Jumper.
• Darianna Littlepage-Buggs missed Layup.
• Dre'Una Edwards made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Sarah Andrews.
• Jada Walker made Layup.
• Denae Fritz missed Three Point Jumper.
• Aijha Blackwell made Two Point Tip Shot.

2023-24 Big 12 Conference Standings

2023-24 pac-12 conference standings, d1 single-season freshman scoring leaders: watkins, clark, more, andraya carter: hailey van lith on caitlin clark felt like a mismatch, svp's one big thing: the drama of the women's ncaa tournament.

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Disney Ad Sales Site
• Work for ESPN
• Corrections

What are you looking for?

Suggested search, faculty and alumni featured at 2024 la times festival of books.

Book worms, prepare your tote bags. The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is returning to USC’s University Park Campus on April 20 and 21. The fair features more than 200 conversations and performances along with book signings, cooking demos, poetry readings, bilingual programming and children’s entertainment.

Faculty and alumni from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences will present on topics such as love and friendship, the immigrant experience and the 2024 election.

For the full list of events, general information for attendees and to purchase tickets, visit the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books website .

Saturday, April 20

Religion in the Public Sphere (Tickets Required)

Speakers: Diane Winston , Varun Soni , Duncan Ryūken Williams , Sherman Jackson

Location: Wallis Annenberg Hall

Description: Award-winning scholars on Islam, Christianity and Buddhism will discuss the role of religion in public settings and spaces and the relationships between religion and culture, politics, and identity.

The Never-Ending Plague: Guns in America (Tickets Required)

Speakers: Celeste Fremon ’70, Cameron McWhirter, Ieva Jusionyte, Zusha Elinson

Location: Hancock Foundation, Newman Recital Hall

Description: It’s difficult to think of a more charged or necessary topic in American discourse than gun control. These authors focus on the inception and eventual ubiquity of the AR-15, a lethal handheld icon of the current century, and also give us a rare, intimate look into the world of firearms trafficking, urging us to understand the effects of American gun laws not only at home, but abroad.

Writing in Public (Tickets Required)

Speakers: Hari Kunzru , David L. Ulin , Maggie Nelson

Description: Join us for a cross-genre investigation into artists and art-making with two writers at the top of their game. Maggie Nelson’s chronological essays show the writing, thinking, reading and conversing that occupied her while writing her most well-known books. Likewise, Hari Kunzru’s novel moves back and forth through time, delivering an extraordinary portrait of an artist as he reunites with his past and confronts the world he once loved and left behind.

The 2024 Election: Politics, Media, and Culture (Tickets Required)

Speakers: Manuel Pastor , Brett Carter , Elizabeth Currid-Halkett , Roberto Suro, Erin Baggott Carter

Location: Wallis Annenberg Hall Presented by USC

Description: Experts on electoral politics, political strategy, economic development and immigration will have a wide-ranging discussion on the 2024 election and the systems that influence and inform voter beliefs and engagement.

Love & Friendship: Miranda July & Maggie Nelson in Conversation with Jessica Ferri, in partnership with USC Arts Now (Tickets Required)

Speakers: Maggie Nelson , Miranda July, Jessica Ferri

Location: Town and Gown

Description: Maggie Nelson , professor of English , and Miranda July have produced some of the most memorable, incisive, funny and devastating works of art in the past few decades. Often focusing on the experience of inhabiting a human body in contemporary society — whether it’s physically, emotionally, socially or spiritually — they are masterful translators of the complexities of human experience.

Stories of Resistance and Protest (Tickets Required)

Speakers: Wolf Gruner , Hajar Yazdiha , Susan H. Komei, Allisa V. Richardson

Description: A diverse panel of experts will shed light on how individuals and communities have stood against oppression and persecution during World War II, the civil rights movement and today’s struggles for social justice.

Sunday, April 21

Arts & Culture: A Conversation on the Immigrant Experience, presented by The Pulitzer Prizes (Tickets Required)

Speakers: Viet Thanh Nguyen , Marjorie Miller, Sanaz Toosi, Hector Tobar

Description: A memoir of refugeehood and colonization, fatherhood and identity; a group of Iranian students learning English and exploring the link between language, personality and relationships; and a definitive and personal exploration of what it means to be Latino in the United States.

Description: Join us for a cross-genre conversation with Pulitzer Prize winners as they discuss the creation and process of their work and what it means to them — both personally and professionally — to win a Pulitzer.

The Latino Experience: Layered Stories from the Past & Present (Tickets Required)

Speakers: Natalia Molina , Marie Arana, Jason De Leon, Fidel Martinez

Location: Taper Hall 201

Description: Latinos are the fastest-growing minority in America and still one of the most misunderstood. These writers cover a wide range of topics, from family-run restaurants and neighborhood communities to international relations and immigration, inviting you to see America through the eyes of the grandmother matriarch who gave fellow immigrants a literal seat at the table, a “coyote” who fell in love and tried to leave smuggling behind, and the rich array of Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Dominicans, Salvadorans and more who call this country home.

Placemaking and the Politics of Land (Tickets Required)

Speakers: Joan Flores-Villalobos , William Deverell , Julia Ornelas-Higdon, Alexander Robinson

Description: From California’s wine country to the Panama Canal to Owen’s Lake and the LA River, this provocative panel will explore placemaking and the land that we share, looking at issues related to labor, race, gender, sustainability, and more.

Viet Thanh Nguyen and Minnie Phan, author and illustrator of Simone

Speakers: Viet Thanh Nguyen , Minnie Phan

Location: Children’s Stage

Screen Time: Television, Society, and Identify (Tickets Required)

Speakers: Karen Tongson , Anthony Sparks , Tara Lyn McPherson, David Craig

Description: Authors and creators will discuss the role of TV in society historically and today, including connections to politics, queer spectatorship and representations of race, class and gender.

Creating New Futures through the Arts (Tickets Required)

Speakers: Jonathan Leal , Annenette Miae Kim, Brettany Shannon, Ben Caldwell, Robeson Taj Frazier

Description: Authors, artists and activists will share how film, music, public art and other art practices can help build communities and imagine new futures.

Women and Bodies: Science Meets Sociology (Tickets Required)

Speakers: M.G. Lord , Cat Bohannon, Susannah Breslin, Jen Gunter Dr.

Location: Hoffman Hall, Edison Auditorium

Description: These writers share thought-provoking research and personal experience on everything from the role of female bodies in human evolution to the gaps in medical knowledge about female reproductive systems and a 30+ year lab experiment about human personalities, and how all of this plays into the dolls we make to represent women. Though their stories differ, these writers are all experts in one extremely difficult field: being a woman.

Looking Back to See Forward: Contemporary Historical Fiction (Tickets Required)

Speakers: Melissa Ann Chadburn ’23, Nguyen Phan Que Mai, Crystal Hana Kim, Sasha Vasilyuk, Myriam J. A. Chancy

Location: Albert and Dana Broccoli Theatre

Description: Historical fiction paints a new picture of familiar stories, allowing us to witness history from the perspectives of characters we’d never get to meet otherwise. The relationships, struggles, joys and tragedies in these novels, despite being set in specific time periods and countries, ring true to the same experiences in contemporary life, especially when it seems like so much of history is currently in the midst of repeating itself.

Related Articles

Meet spring’s new usc dornsife faculty members, usc professor scott fraser appointed to leadership role at chan zuckerberg initiative, student scholars and the philanthropists who support them celebrate shared successes.

• Arts and Culture
• campus news
• festival of books

• Trojan News
• Trojans in the Pros

USC Women's Basketball: Trojans Fall Short of Final Four in Loss to UConn as JuJu Watkins Breaks Record

• Author: Eva Geitheim

In this story:

USC women's basketball will fall short of making their first NCAA Final Four appearance since 1986 after falling 80-73 to UConn in their Elite Eight matchup tonight. After a close battle between two of the top teams in women's college basketball, the Trojans have been eliminated.

Final from Portland. pic.twitter.com/N6FoI8kSNn — USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB) April 2, 2024

USC took an early lead in the game, finishing the first quarter up 17-15. UConn then snatched away the momentum in the game's second quarter, before USC went on a run at the end to tie the game 33-33 at the half. UConn snatched their momentum back after the second quarter, and took a 55-51 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Though the Trojans would tie the game again during the fourth quarter, the Huskies managed to pull away toward the end of game, and USC could not come back.

The matchup between Trojans star wing JuJu Watkins and Huskies star guard Paige Bueckers lived up to the hype, as both players were phenomenal in the game. Watkins would break the NCAA freshman scoring record in the second quarter on her way to 29 rebounds, 10 rebounds and two assists. She becomes the first freshman to score over 900 points in a season in women's college basketball history, finishing with 920. Bueckers notched comparable numbers, scoring 28 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

The bucket that put JuJu in the history books. https://t.co/4FWKUilf7f pic.twitter.com/RUH3NHAmcu — USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB) April 2, 2024

Outside of Bueckers and Watkins, USC forward McKenzie Forbes added 24 points and Trojans center Rayah Marshall put in another double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds. UConn's Aaliyah Edwards added 24 points.

The loss is a disappointment, but should not undermine all the Trojans accomplished this season. USC completely exceeded their expectations this year, coming into this game with a 29-5 record and a No. 1 seed. The Trojans won the Pac-12 Tournament for the first time in a decade, and advanced all the way to the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time in three decades. While they would have loved to cap off this season with a Final Four appearance and national title, they ultimately fell short of reaching these goals.

Latest Trojans News

USC Women's Basketball: JuJu Watkins First Trojans Player Since 1990s to Secure All-American Honors

USC Collective House of Victory Tips Off NIL Campaign for Women's Basketball

USC Women's Basketball: JuJu Watkins Nets Another Freshman of the Year Honor

Expect the Women’s Tournament to Have Plenty of Drama

USC Women's Basketball: Trojans Earn No. 1 Seed in NCAA Tournament

Advertisement

Friends, Allies and Even Former Rivals Eulogize Joseph Lieberman

Al Gore, his running mate in the 2000 election, called him “a truly gifted leader, whose affable personality and strong will made him a force to be reckoned with.”

• Share full article

By Chris Cameron

• March 27, 2024

Friends, allies and former rivals of Joseph I. Lieberman, who died on Wednesday , offered condolences and praise for the four-term senator from Connecticut who was once a standard-bearer of the Democratic Party.

Mr. Lieberman, who was Al Gore’s running mate in the 2000 presidential election, had made his presence felt in politics long after his defeat in that race. He was the deciding Senate vote that led to the passage of the Affordable Care Act, allowing him to veto specific provisions like a public health insurance option .

He had also more recently aided the centrist organization No Labels in its search for a 2024 presidential candidate .

“Senator Lieberman leaves behind a void that cannot be filled,” the group said in a statement. “But we are honored to have known him, and we hope his family can find comfort in the difficult days ahead knowing the tremendous impact that he had.”

Mr. Gore, the former vice president who chose Mr. Lieberman as his running mate during the 2000 election, said it had been “an honor to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail.”

He added, “I’ll remain forever grateful for his tireless efforts to build a better future for America.”

Mr. Gore continued: “He was a truly gifted leader, whose affable personality and strong will made him a force to be reckoned with. That’s why it came as no surprise to any of us who knew him when he’d start singing his favorite song: Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way.’ And doing things Joe’s way meant always putting his country and the values of equality and fairness first.”

Former President George W. Bush, the victor — with Dick Cheney — over the Gore-Lieberman ticket in 2000, said: “In both loss and victory, Joe Lieberman was always a gentleman. I’m grateful for Joe’s principled service to our country and for the dignity and patriotism he brought to public life.”

Mr. Bush added, “Joe was as fine an American as they come and one of the most decent people I met during my time in Washington.”

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who had struck a close friendship with Mr. Lieberman and Senator John McCain of Arizona — the men referred to themselves as “the three amigos” — said the news of Mr. Lieberman’s death was “devastatingly sad.”

“The good news, he is in the hands of the loving God,” Mr. Graham said . “The bad news, John McCain is giving him an earful about how screwed up things are.” Mr. Graham signed his statement as “the Last Amigo.”

Mr. Lieberman cast the 60th and deciding vote under Senate rules to pass the Affordable Care Act in 2010, a signature achievement of President Barack Obama’s administration. “Joe Lieberman and I didn’t always see eye-to-eye,” Mr. Obama said in a statement, “but he had an extraordinary career in public service, including four decades spent fighting for the people of Connecticut.”

Former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, who had spoken to Mr. Lieberman as he considered running for president on the No Labels ticket, offered his condolences hours after publicly turning down the group’s offer. Mr. Lieberman was the centrist organization’s founding chairman and had recently served as its co-chairman.

“I am sad to lose him as a friend and as an example for how to conduct yourself in public life,” Mr. Christie said, adding that “the country is greater for his example and lesser today without his fearless leadership.”

Chris Cameron covers politics for The Times, focusing on breaking news and the 2024 campaign. More about Chris Cameron