2023-2024 University of Southern California (Keck)

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Could I get opinions on my idea for question 4 (Describe a situation in which you didn’t get something you felt you deserved.) I was thinking of writing about not qualifying for ncaa d3 nationals - I trained really hard to drop time and only had to drop half a second to qualify (I was spot 21, 20 qualify) going into our conference meet. I got performance anxiety and ended up adding time, but given my training, I felt like I "deserved" to qualify. Idk if this would be the best response though given it was myself that prevented me from getting what i felt like i deserved or if it would seem like a diss to other athletes who probably put in lots of training as well
 
swimdoc23 said:
Could I get opinions on my idea for question 4 (Describe a situation in which you didn’t get something you felt you deserved.) I was thinking of writing about not qualifying for ncaa d3 nationals - I trained really hard to drop time and only had to drop half a second to qualify (I was spot 21, 20 qualify) going into our conference meet. I got performance anxiety and ended up adding time, but given my training, I felt like I "deserved" to qualify. Idk if this would be the best response though given it was myself that prevented me from getting what i felt like i deserved or if it would seem like a diss to other athletes who probably put in lots of training as well
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I think it would be best to have a clear takeaway in mind—the danger of this prompt is coming off "whiny". 65 words makes it really hard to do this though. I think your story is a good starting point, but having some sort of lesson is necessary imo. If it helps, I wrote about how I was shocked when a conventional piece won over my more creative (in my eyes) submission. I then ended it with something vague about how everyone has their own unique view and reaction, and acknowledging that these diverse perspectives exist is important (or something vague like that).
 
opabiniafan said:
I think it would be best to have a clear takeaway in mind—the danger of this prompt is coming off "whiny". 65 words makes it really hard to do this though. I think your story is a good starting point, but having some sort of lesson is necessary imo. If it helps, I wrote about how I was shocked when a conventional piece won over my more creative (in my eyes) submission. I then ended it with something vague about how everyone has their own unique view and reaction, and acknowledging that these diverse perspectives exist is important (or something vague like that).
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Thanks, that makes sense! I was thinking of spinning it into how I've started to measure success in other ways (when I historically measured it as only dropping time which contributed to my anxiety) and implementing technique fixes to become a better athlete. Obviously will be difficult within 65 words, but do you think that would be a good takeaway if I can fit it in the limit?
 
potatoe79 said:
I wrote why Keck and got an interview, I would try not to stress
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mellowyellowkaz said:
dumb that i find this out now --- how annoying
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Eh I wouldn't put too much weight on it. If they really hated it that much they would tell you not to write about it IMO or narrow down the focus of the question to things they were specifically looking for in the additional essay.
 
pablo213 said:
Eh I wouldn't put too much weight on it. If they really hated it that much they would tell you not to write about it IMO or narrow down the focus of the question to things they were specifically looking for in the additional essay.
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i will just never understand these optional essays if there are certain things they don't want to see in writing lmfao
 
lianabanana22 said:
Hi! For those of you who have had an interview already how was it?
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I had a good time. My interviewers were very nice and easygoing and had questions they needed to go through but would then tangent off of them towards a more of a conversational style. Also it seemed like the faculty interviewer pairing was purposefully with someone we could connect with (i.e. where we were from, specialties of interest, etc.) but that might've just been a one off coincidence for me
 
CRISPRi said:
I had a good time. My interviewers were very nice and easygoing and had questions they needed to go through but would then tangent off of them towards a more of a conversational style. Also it seemed like the faculty interviewer pairing was purposefully with someone we could connect with (i.e. where we were from, specialties of interest, etc.) but that might've just been a one off coincidence for me
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when did u submit secondary and receive an II?
 
Anyone know whether they track attendance on the zoom student q/a and if we need to dress at all?
 
opabiniafan said:
Anyone know whether they track attendance on the zoom student q/a and if we need to dress at all?
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This is the post interview student q/a right?

I didn't attend mine and still got in, so I doubt they track attendance. Most of the time it's casual especially with students so I wouldn't worry about your attire. Plus you could just leave your camera off and say you are in lab lol they won't care.
 
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