A ? for those recently accepted to USC

[Qarmonist]

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If you were accepted to USC. During the PBL interview:

1) What made you stand out?
2) Were you more outspoken than the rest in your group?
3) Did you have better ideas than the rest in your group?
4) what did you do to increase your chances of getting your acceptance during the interview?

other than grades and all that bs is there anything else you think will help increase your chances during the interview?

Thanks

 

[Jess_SB]

I don't really think that I stood out, but I volunteered to record the ideas first (and people made remarks about how clear my notes were). I also tossed in my ideas, but I wasn't constantly talking. Instead, I tried to come up with interesting and different perspectives on the issue. I really don't think you can be anything but yourself at that kind of interview. Just try to go into it with energy and your "game on" personality. I'm somewhat shy, so I had to just get over it 😀

Good luck, and don't worry about it too much. It was actually kind of fun!

Jess

 

[Sprgrover]

If you were accepted to USC. During the PBL interview:

1) What made you stand out?
2) Were you more outspoken than the rest in your group?
3) Did you have better ideas than the rest in your group?
4) what did you do to increase your chances of getting your acceptance during the interview?

other than grades and all that bs is there anything else you think will help increase your chances during the interview?

Thanks

There isn't a traditional interview - you are thrown in a room with several other applicants and asked to work through a scenario so the typical items one might use to 'stand out' are not very applicable. I spoke with Ryan after the interview and he said that USC looks for someone that is willing to contribute to the conversation and not hog the floor (it seems they hate big, flashy displays of personality and ego). They don't like applicants that are pushy, so be polite. Allow others to speak, and don't yell or shout like it's a game show. Remember, what they are assessing is your ability to function in an independant-study work group. The best way to stand out is to mesh well with the others in your group, allow others to speak, volunteer when needed and be agreeable without being a pushover. Hope this helps! 👍

 

[Johnson22]

When is USC doing their second round of acceptances? It seems like a lot of people that were accepted there are choosing other schools.

 

[Literati81]

If you were accepted to USC. During the PBL interview:

1) What made you stand out?
2) Were you more outspoken than the rest in your group?
3) Did you have better ideas than the rest in your group?
4) what did you do to increase your chances of getting your acceptance during the interview?

other than grades and all that bs is there anything else you think will help increase your chances during the interview?

Thanks

1) Absolutely nothing other than I volunteered to transcribe.
2) Heck no. But I tend to be very quiet in group settings; I dwell on ideas long before I speak.
3) Not at all.
4) To be totally honest with you, I thought I bombed the interview. I was tired and flustered the entire day so I felt my presentation was a little off. Then again, I'm my worst critic.

Since USC is entirely PBL, I think they're looking for someone with good communication skills and is comfortable in a group setting. Don't mistake the interview as a debate and you should be fine. Also, I don't think the evaluation puts much emphasis on your analytical skill (judging from the conclusion), so feel free to make random guesses as long as they're not too facetious.

 

[Qarmonist]

bump

 

[Johnson22]

When is the next round of acceptances for USC!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cindy82]

When is USC doing their second round of acceptances? .

People at the admissions told me that the second round would go out in a couple of weeks. They can't even tell an approximate time for that. I guess there's still a long wait. 🙁

 

[Johnson22]

People at the admissions told me that the second round would go out in a couple of weeks. They can't even tell an approximate time for that. I guess there's still a long wait. 🙁

I am going crazy! I wish they didn't take so long!

 

[luder98]

I am going crazy! I wish they didn't take so long!

Hope this won't make you go crazy faster... They will interview into May... By that time I'll prob be ready to submit my app for 2006 cycle!

 

[Johnson22]

They will interview into May... By that time I'll prob be ready to submit my app for 2006 cycle![/QUOTE]

HAHA...seriously! I guess I better learn patience.

 

[Cindy82]

I am going crazy! I wish they didn't take so long!

I feel your pain. I am checking my e-mails so many times a day just to see if there's any news from them...