USC Requirements

[thegenius]

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They state that an applicant must have 30 credits/units in the Social Sciences, Humanities, and English Composition. Has anyone asked USC how strict they are on this requirement?

It might sound like a silly question, but it seems to me that this requirement would be extremely difficult to fulfill for engineers (like myself). We have a fairly established curricula regimen that doesn't offer us much room to take other non-engineering courses, and if one is engineering and pre-med, then the vast majority of your courses are consumed by those two academic paths.

That is essentially 1 full year of non-engineering and non-premed courses. I can see how english majors, or political science majors can fulfill this requirement, but does anyone else find this requirement to be excessive?

I counted that I have 28 credits, and I'm stretching one class to be either a Social Sciences, Humanities, or English composition. Before I call them, I'm wondering if anyone else asked Keck about this requirement and what their response was.

Lastly, I suppose I could say that I'm "Not finished yet", and if I get in I can take a summer course to fulfill that requirement, which I would consider doing.

What's odd too, before I finish this long and rambling post, is that they don't ask you to list all of the courses. It's just a checkbox. I wonder if they actually go over your transcript to verify that you fulfill their academic requirements (they probably do.)

 

[doublepeak]

I have found this to be excessive too. I'm not 100% sure about foreign language or dance would fit into those. If it does then I'm have finished them all, but I have been planning on taking couses anyways that would get me at 30 exactly (so I put "not yet" to be safe).

I would say you could try calling or emailing them. But if not you could always just check the box, and then you can make sure you take the class - particularly if you get an interview or go further in the app process.

 

[thegenius]

I think that is sensible. I'm basically one class away so I could always take another course in the spring or summer if I get in (or get an interview.)

Thanks.

 

[dara678]

i really wouldn't sweat it. give them a call to double check, but if you're at 28 hours i can't imagine that they would be strict on that. they're generally pretty lenient ppl (some ppl even got in without taking mol bio - but don't quote me on that) ...

 

[TheMightyAngus]

If it's a requirement, it has to be completed before you matriculate. Schools may be somewhat flexibile if you can substitute courses. But dont expect them to let you get by omitting them entirely.

 

[thinmints]

I emailed USC about this four days ago. So far I haven't gotten any response. Maybe i'll call today.

 

[Jalby]

They honestly don't care. I wouldn't worry about it.