personal statement for usc

USC Essay Examples

Usc essay examples – introduction .

If you’ve been searching for USC Essay Examples, you’re in the right place. The University of Southern California is a private university located in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1880, USC has 21,000 undergraduates and is a premier research university in the United States. So, it’s no surprise that the USC admissions is very competitive. The most recent USC acceptance rate was under 12% , lower than the average USC acceptance rate of 16%. 

USC has a total undergraduate enrollment of 20,790 students, as of Fall 2021. It is ranked #25 in the U.S. News College Rankings. Its ranking, paired with the low USC acceptance rate, qualifies USC as a very competitive university. According to their website , most first-year students were in the top 10% of their high school class.

An Overview of USC Application Requirements

To understand how to get into USC, you must thoroughly examine the USC application requirements. This includes the USC supplemental essays. In this article about USC essay examples, we’ll look at USC essays that worked. We’ll also provide a breakdown of why these USC supplemental essay examples were effective. That way, you can learn how to write the best USC essay.

Let’s take a closer look at the USC application requirements. When you apply, you’ll submit several USC supplemental essays in addition to your Common App or Coalition App personal statement . Below, we will go through each of the USC essay prompts for the 2022-2023 admissions cycle. We’ll also provide USC essay examples and USC supplemental essays examples. 

How many supplemental essays does USC have?

Technically there are 12-13 USC supplemental essays. However, don’t let that number scare you. Most of these are short answer essays, which are much easier to write than the typical supplemental essay.

The USC application only requires you to write one or two 250-word supplemental essays depending on your choice of major. You’ll also complete 10 short answer essays and one optional 250-word essay.

You should mostly focus on the required USC essay (or essays). Most students will only complete the required USC essay prompts. We’ll explore some USC supplemental essays examples—or USC essays that worked—later on in this article. That way, you can understand how to craft a successful USC essay.

Essays are a key part of the USC application requirements. So, use these USC essay examples as a blueprint. Then, model your USC essays after our USC supplemental essays examples. Remember, the USC essays are a way for USC admissions to learn more about your unique experiences. By reading your USC essays, USC learns who you are beyond the numbers and why you belong on campus. 

As of this year, USC admissions is test-optional . This means that the SAT/ACT is not part of the USC application requirements. If you don’t submit test scores, writing strong USC supplemental essays is even more important. So, make sure you understand why these USC supplemental essays examples stood out. Read these USC essay examples of USC essays that worked to learn what will make your USC essay shine.

What are the USC essay prompts?

Usc supplemental essay requirements for 2022-2023.

• 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) (REQUIRED)
• Starting with the beginning of high school/secondary school, if you have had a gap where you were not enrolled in school during a fall or spring term, please address this gap in your educational history. You do not need to address a summer break. (OPTIONAL)

The second USC essay prompt listed above is optional and is not included in the USC application requirements. So, we have not included it in our USC supplemental essays examples. If this prompt applies to your experience, you should answer it. Try to be straightforward and honest about your personal reasons for having a gap in your educational history. 

USC Short Answer Essays

For the USC application requirements, applicants are also asked to complete 10 short-answer questions. These are not the same length as the USC supplemental essays or the other USC supplemental essays examples. They have a 25-100 character limit. 

The short answer USC supplemental essays are:

• 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?

Dream trip:, 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.

These short answer USC supplemental essays, or “ short takes ,” are designed to help USC get to know you personally. These are more straightforward than the longer “Why USC” essay examples that we’ll look at. So, don’t stress yourself out trying to choose the perfect answer! This could be a chance to showcase parts of your personality that aren’t clear from the rest of your USC application. 

When reading this article on USC essay examples, keep in mind that the USC essay prompts are subject to change. That means the USC essay examples below will not match perfectly to the USC essay prompts above. They also might not match USC essay examples from other previous years.

However, these USC essay examples that worked can still provide insight into what makes USC supplemental essays successful. This can help you learn how to make your USC essay stand out to the USC admissions committee.

Before diving into the USC essay examples, take a short break with our college admissions quiz! 

USC essay examples

First, we’ll go over the two longer USC essay prompts. Then, we’ll analyze some USC essay examples—not just any examples, but specifically USC essays that worked. 

The first of our USC essay examples answers a USC essay prompt from a previous year. Though this question is not available this year, it can still be helpful. Remember, the USC supplemental essays give you the chance to highlight aspects of your identity and beliefs. As these USC supplemental essays examples demonstrate, when writing your USC supplemental essay, you should reveal something unique about your experiences. 

USC believes that one learns best when interacting with people of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Tell us about a time you were exposed to a new idea or when your beliefs were challenged by another point of view. (250 words)

Usc essay examples #1.

“Maybe I’m playing the devil’s advocate here, but rural white Americans have been marginalized by our economy. Think about coal-miners whose livelihoods depend on this job. Imagine how threatening global warming policies would be.” Silence. Shock was discernible in the sideways glances of my peers, who like me, were processing this statement.

I attend a private Christian high school. Located in the heart of Hollywood, it has exposed me to diversity of many kinds: religious, racial, and socioeconomic. However, the majority of us hold the same political views, hence our aforementioned reaction. Here he was– teaching at a liberal L.A. high school– asking us to consider the opposing perspective. In this climate of increasing political polarization, his proposition was refreshing. I found solace in this newfound ability to analyze current issues through an academic lens and explore different perspectives in the safety of our classroom. These discussions helped me recognize and overcome my own unconscious bias for the sake of learning, which ultimately expanded my worldview.

At a crossroads to either remain happily entrapped in the bubble of my beliefs, or expose myself to new perspectives, I chose the path of most resistance, bursting the bubble of political ignorance that threatens to divide people. Rather than delegitimizing different outlooks, I will embrace diversity at USC, listening to every perspective with an open mind. Though I initially misunderstood him, I realize now that my teacher had the right mentality; we could all stand to play the devil’s advocate once in a while.

Why did this USC essay work?

To write one of the many USC essays that worked, you must tell a concise and thoughtful story. Your essay should highlight aspects of your personality not seen elsewhere in your application.

As the first of our USC supplemental essays examples demonstrates, many successful USC supplemental essays also describe a personal change. This USC essay example shows the admissions committee that this applicant is a critical thinker with the ability to self-reflect. 

Of course, we don’t know who the writers of these USC supplemental essays examples are. Still, this essay discusses a piece of the writer’s experience likely not clear from their extracurriculars or intended major . Successful USC essay examples, however, should highlight a student’s character. Whether the author is a pre-med student or a history buff, their understanding of political polarization adds depth and to their profile. In this USC essay example, we don’t just learn who the author is. We also learn how they think and how they would operate on USC’s campus.

Growth narrative

Crucially, this USC essay example does not just describe an experience. It also focuses on the personal growth the student underwent. When thinking about what experiences to write about for your USC supplementals, ask yourself: how did this experience change me? What were my views on myself and the world before this experience, and what were my views after? As shown in the best of our USC supplemental essays examples, this essay demonstrates that the student has undergone a change in perspective. 

Additionally, our USC supplemental essays examples are well-structured and concise. This essay is no exception. When you only have 250 words to tell a story, a clear structure is paramount. By choosing to start with a quote from a teacher and moving into an anecdote, the writer immediately puts us, the readers, in their place. In this USC essay example, an anecdote serves as the “hook” for the essay. It engages the reader and makes them listen to what the author has to say.

As the author of these USC supplemental essays examples demonstrates, you should “hook” your reader with an attention-grabbing statement. Then, use the rest of your essay to tell your story. The writer’s use of an anecdote in their USC essay example grabs our attention. It makes us want to finish reading their USC supplemental essay—and offer them a spot at USC.

Why USC Essay Examples

The next two USC supplemental essays examples are examples of the “Why USC?” essay. The “Why USC” essay serves to convey to the USC admissions committee why you belong at USC. It does so through two “whys”: first, why you would like to go to USC, and second, why USC admissions should accept you.

In these USC supplemental essays examples, the writers detail their academic plans. They also highlight why USC is the best place for them to pursue those plans. Read these two USC essay examples to see how these students used their USC supplemental essays to enhance their USC applications. 

Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests at USC. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (Max 250 words)

Why usc essay examples #1.

Eleven years of dancing have given me a unique fascination for human biology. With each grand jeté and every pirouette, the biological systems in my body—circulatory, respiratory, nervous, and skeletal—operate together in their own constant dance, their harmonious movement choreographed by the brain. I am amazed by our bodies’ complexity, present even in the simplest of acts (it takes just eight muscles to point my toes). I’ve chosen to major in Human Biology, confident it will satisfy the insatiable curiosity I developed in dance class. Not only would its core requirements build upon what I’ve already explored in high school, it would allow me to delve into topics that pique my interest: genetics, evolutionary medicine, and neurobiology. 

While Human Biology would stimulate my intellect, my second choice major—Global Health— would challenge me to apply biology to the real world. Through this interdisciplinary major, I would be expanding various science-based courses to the humanities through electives like AIDS in Society and Cultural Competence in Medicine. Both of these majors are career-oriented and excite me to be a Trojan.

Although my ultimate goal is to become a doctor (possibly a neurologist), I am very passionate about doing missionary work in Peru after I finish pre-med. Applying my medical studies to serving impoverished Peruvian communities would give purpose to my family’s sacrifices for my education, and it would answer the question I have always asked myself: How can I make the greatest change in the world?

Let’s take a closer look at the second of our USC supplemental essays examples. As one of our “Why USC” essay examples, it focuses on specific majors and courses that will help the applicant achieve their career goals. When writing a “why USC” essay, or any “Why this college” essay, consider specificity . This student could study biology anywhere, so why should they study it at USC?

Their answer in this USC supplemental is clear, thoughtful, and well-explained. In the first of our Why USC essay examples, the student highlights USC’s majors of Human Biology and Global Health . It shows how these programs would provide the interdisciplinary education that this student is looking for. The unique electives will not only help the student on their way to becoming a doctor; they would also contribute to their humanitarian passions. 

A great hook

The “hook” of this why USC essays examples also makes it special. The student weaves dance,  one of their extracurriculars, into why they want to study human biology . In number two of our USC supplemental essays examples, this student employs a creative tactic to uniting two seemingly disparate interests: dance and a career in medicine. If the USC admissions committee were just reading this student’s resume and intended major without their USC supplemental, they would have no idea how this students’ hours of dance practice related to their dreams of becoming a doctor . Compared to other Why USC essay examples, this essay adds crucial information to the student’s USC application. 

Why USC Essay Examples #2

Captivated by connections between biology, public policy, and the social sciences, I hope to pursue a career in healthcare leadership that, uniting these fields, enables me to enhance the health and wellbeing of broad populations. USC’s strong focus on interdisciplinary exploration within and outside the classroom would encourage me to develop the necessary capacity to collaborate across multiple pathways, while building a deep understanding of the systems and complexities underlying the challenges of managing population health.

The Global Health and Health Promotion & Disease Prevention majors would allow me to explore these complexities through courses such as Case Studies in Global Health, which surveys different international responses to healthcare crises. Through Behavioral Medicine and Biological & Behavioral Basis of Disease, I could pursue my interests in psychology and study with faculty who focus on systemic connections, like one professor’s investigations into the overlap between behavioral health and biological stress responses. 

USC’s interconnectedness extends beyond pure academics—working with the Institute on Inequalities in Global Health, particularly the Ensuring Human Rights in Family Planning & Contraceptive Programs initiative, could provide valuable hands-on experience navigating social issues in a medical context. Similarly, the USC Inter-Health Council would provide unique opportunities to interact with diverse groups within a healthcare framework.

Increasingly, healthcare advances come with pressing questions about how to most efficiently and equitably manage them for the greatest public impact. USC’s emphasis on interdisciplinary learning offers the perfect environment to develop the multifaceted knowledge and creativity needed to successfully address these challenges.

Similar to the previous example, the third of our three USC supplemental essays examples shines in its specificity. The student who wrote the second one of these Why USC essay examples clearly has done their research. They list multiple unique opportunities that only USC could offer. They have gone further than only looking at class listings and professors. In fact, they specifically address the organizations that they could only access at USC. 

Moreover, the third of these USC supplemental essays examples strikes a great balance . First, it shows that the student has done research about USC for their USC application. However, it does so while showcasing the student’s personal passions and goals.

In this USC essay, the student first details their own desire to “pursue a career in healthcare leadership” that would affect broad change. They also explain their need for an interdisciplinary course to achieve this goal. Then, finally, they explain how USC offered the best possible education for their personal purposes. 

How do I write a USC supplemental essay?

Now that you’ve read some USC essay examples that worked, you might wonder about your own USC essay. So, how can you write a USC essay that is as successful as these USC supplemental essays examples?

The key to supplemental essays is in the name: they should supplement your application materials. Your USC supplemental essays should add depth to your USC application. In doing so, they should help the USC admissions committee understand who you are. We can assume that our USC essay examples each added a piece to the puzzle of the writer’s identity. For example, the student who wrote about how dance inspired their interest in Human Biology. 

Three key criteria to keep in mind while considering how to write your USC supplemental essays are:

• Personality

In the USC example essay about different perspectives, we see how structure plays a role in how we read an essay. The essay had a clear beginning, middle, and end. It started with a particular experience, told us how that experience changed the student, and ended with how the student would act at USC given the lesson they had learned. 

When writing a USC supplemental, content means: what is this essay about? No topic is off-limits (though we would discourage you from choosing overly-done topics like winning the big game, overcoming a sports injury, going on a mission trip, or dealing with a loss). Overall, whatever you choose should be meaningful to you. Writing about something that matters to you will automatically make your essay stronger. It will also demonstrate that you are a passionate individual. In the third USC essay example, you can tell that the writer cares deeply about pursuing a career in health leadership. The USC essay is focused and clear. 

Personality in your essays

When thinking about how personality factors into your supplemental, think about authenticity. What are the things that make you, you? Think of the author of the second USC essay example. In their USC essay, they combine their dance extracurricular with their desire to study medicine. Then, they close the essay with a statement of their desire to make a positive impact on the world.

At first glance, these are all unrelated ideas. However, by using a comprehensive structure, the writer showcases many aspects of their personality in only 250 words. As long as you steer clear of anything too personal (ask yourself: would you discuss this at the dinner table?), you are free to highlight your unique strengths and traits in your supplemental.

USC states on their website that they look for “a diverse group of students who represent a vast array of perspectives and passions, who will enrich each other’s education by challenging each other, inside the classroom and out.” They expect your essay and short answer responses to help them “get to know your personality and your voice.” So, use your USC essays to showcase your unique perspective. Throughout your USC application, try to show USC admissions how you would contribute to the community. 

Additional Tips to Write the USC Supplemental Essays

Let’s break down this USC supplemental essay. This USC essay prompt asks you to explain your academic interests and how you plan to pursue them at USC. The USC essay can include your first and second choice major selections. Though this is seemingly optional, it is recommended. In fact, both of the USC essay examples detailed in this article list multiple major choices. 

Of course, a plan to pursue your academic interests must involve choosing a major. So, you should first reflect on what major you want to pursue at USC. If you’re not sure how to choose, USC has its own suggestions on how to select a major . Remember, whatever major you choose, you can always change it once you are admitted to the school. The USC admissions team just wants to understand how your academic interests will manifest at USC. So, you need to detail specific programs and majors that you are interested in. Look at our Why USC Essay examples above if you need inspiration for your USC supplemental.

Brainstorming

Once you have decided on your intended USC major, you can begin brainstorming for your USC essay. Think long term—what do you hope to achieve with your USC education? How can USC help you not only follow your academic interests but, more importantly, achieve your larger goals? Remember the second of our “Why USC” essay examples: without knowing the author’s goal of becoming a leader in healthcare leadership, we wouldn’t understand the importance of pursuing an interdisciplinary education. 

Also, always remember to highlight your personality. If you don’t share your unique story in your USC supplemental, your essay won’t enrich your USC application. If the USC admissions committee comes away from your USC essay learning more about USC than they do about you, then you haven’t done a thorough job with your USC supplemental essays.

USC Short Answer Essay Examples

When writing your short USC supplemental essays, don’t overthink it! Have fun with these ones. As long as you don’t say anything offensive or inappropriate, you can answer honestly. 

Remember that even though these questions are short and fun, you’re not answering them in a vacuum. Each of these questions still contributes to the story your USC application tells. For example, if you have a long list of TV shows to binge-watch, pick the one that best adds to your application– someone interested in animation might pick Bojack Horseman instead of Grey’s Anatomy .

If you need more prompting to spark your creativity, check out our more detailed review of these short USC supplemental essays from a previous year’s guide . 

University of Southern California (USC) Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022

How to craft original short answer responses

We’ve gone over some USC essay examples and what made them shine. Now, you might be wondering how to write unique, original short answer responses with only 100 characters. These short answer questions aren’t unlike the other USC supplementals. All USC essays that worked will highlight what makes a certain student unique. For these particularly short USC essays—as with the longer USC essay examples—the most important aspect is that you are true to yourself. 

The second piece of advice to consider when crafting these short answer USC supplemental essays is to pick the most creative choice. As long as you’re answering honestly, you have a lot of room to pick the answer that you think is the most fun or tells the most about how you view the world. But remember: the goal is to create the best possible depiction of yourself, not to be the “perfect” applicant. 

Here are some short USC essay examples to get the brain juices flowing. 

Let’s say I’m a student who is passionate about theater and want to go into K-12 education:

“Don’t Rain on My Parade” from Funny Girl

Watching an original production of Shakespeare in the Globe Theater

Abbott Elementary

Mrs. Frizzle

The BFG by Roald Dahl

“‘Vocal Adrenaline’? The Science of Singing as Depicted in 21st Century Popular Media”

So, why did these essays work?

As this hypothetical student, I’ve:

• Listed things that I genuinely care about 
• Tied my answers into the story of my application ( Abbot Elementary is a show about teaching, The BFG is a well-known children’s book, “Don’t Rain on My Parade” is a musical theater song where the character won’t be stopped from achieving her dreams)
• Showed creativity and personality in my answers (traveling back in time to see Shakespeare, using the show choir team from Glee as the title of my class on vocal science). 

USC Supplemental Essay Top 5 Tips

With such a low USC acceptance rate, your supplemental essays are crucial to impress the admissions committee. Now that you have read and analyzed these USC essay examples, you are far better prepared to write your USC supplementals. That way, you can create the strongest possible USC application. 

Top 5 Tips for crafting your USC essay prompts:

✔️three key facets.

Remember the three key facets of a good supplemental essay: structure, content, and personality. In USC essays that worked, you’ll find that the author uses a strong structure to convey their ideas. They also make sure their character shines through. Strong USC essay examples paint a vivid picture of who the writer is and how they’d contribute to campus life.

✔️Focus on what matters to you

If you write passionately about something that matters to you, the essay will automatically be more effective. All of the USC essays that worked embody this perspective. So, use our USC essay examples as inspiration. Then, apply what you’ve learned from our Why USC essay examples (and other USC essay examples) to your own writing.

✔️Be detailed and specific

Be specific and do your research—take points from the Why USC essay examples. The more specific you are in your USC essays, the stronger they’ll be. The USC application process is competitive, so you should do all you can to stand out.

✔️Authenticity is key

Be vulnerable —let the USC admissions committee get to know you. As with all aspects of the college admissions process, authenticity is key. Be yourself in your USC supplementals.

✔️ Fill in the gaps

Use your essays to cover any gaps in knowledge that USC might have from the rest of your USC application. 

USC Essay Examples – Final Thoughts and Tips

The best way to become a writer of one of the few “USC essays that worked” is to study USC essay examples. The USC essay prompts change over the years. Still, how to get into USC despite the low USC acceptance rate always depends on the same factors.

Those factors are:

• Meeting the USC application requirements
• Crafting strong essays
• Doing all you can to help the admissions committee paint a comprehensive, compelling picture of who you are

So, use our USC essay examples to jump start your writing process. We hope they help you write clear and compelling USC essays. Finally, for more advice on how to write the best supplemental essays for USC, check out our blogs from previous years.

This article was written by Rachel Kahn . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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The GRE will not be accepted for Early Decision or Rothman Scholar applicants. All Early Decision and Rothman Scholar applicants must apply with the LSAT.

The personal statement is your primary opportunity to discuss who you are beyond the application basics. We are particularly interested in how your background (academic or otherwise) has led to your decision to study law. This is not the place to repeat items on your résumé.

The personal statement should be two to three pages, double-spaced and in at least 12-point font. The Admissions Committee values essays that are clear, concise and compelling. The personal statement is a writing sample, and you should pay particular attention to the details of your composition. The statement must be attached electronically.

We require two letters of recommendation and will accept a maximum of three. The most influential recommendations focus on your academic potential and are written by people who know you well and can evaluate your academic performance. Although recommendations not pertaining to academic abilities can be helpful, academic recommendations carry the most weight with the Admissions Committee. If you have been out of college for a number of years, a letter from an employer would be appropriate. We encourage employers to discuss your written and oral communication skills, leadership abilities and potential for the study of law.

You are required to submit a résumé that illustrates your work history, volunteer commitments, extracurricular activities, and any awards and/or honors. Your résumé should be no more than two pages, and all sections should be listed chronologically (most recent first).

Each U.S. jurisdiction establishes bar registration and admission standards for individuals who wish to practice law within the jurisdiction. An evaluation of character and fitness is an essential aspect of those qualifications.

We encourage you to contact the Board of Bar Examiners of the state(s) in which you intend to practice to learn the qualifications for admission to the practice of law in that jurisdiction. The  National Conference of Bar Examiners  shares additional information on its website. If you are interested in practicing law in California, visit the  State Bar of California website  for information.

An affirmative answer to any of the character and fitness questions on our application requires a detailed written explanation and supporting documentation.

All candidates for admission have an ongoing duty to disclose material changes to their application especially as they relate to conduct matters (criminal or disciplinary) to the Dean of Admissions prior to enrollment. Candidates agree that providing inaccurate, misleading, or incomplete information on the admission application, omitting information, or any additional changed information provided can lead to the rescission of any offer of admission and/or scholarship, or for discipline, dismissal, or revocation of the degree if discovered at a later date. Additionally, such a violation during the admission process may lead to referral to LSAC for a finding of misconduct in the admission process.

Diversity of Background and/or Experience Statement

The USC Gould student body is an exceptional group of individuals working collaboratively, empathetically, and with cultural competency, to best serve the various communities they will represent as lawyers. USC Gould aims to generate lawyers that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to leadership, public service, and serving those in need. Please describe how your contributions to the USC Gould student body may be unique by highlighting anything related to your life experiences or personal background that will help us get to know you better. Some examples of this include, but are not limited to the following:

• How your upbringing, culture, or other aspects of your life experience have influenced your goals and/or leadership development;
• How your experience with discrimination, economic disadvantage, family or personal adversity, or other hardships demonstrates your ability to lead, or serve the public or those in need;
• How living in a foreign country, rural or isolated community, or speaking a language other than English at home has better equipped you to attend and flourish in law school;
• Any unusual career goals, employment history, or educational background (including graduate study);
• Demonstrate unusual courage, determination, or inspiration that stems from overcoming hardship, including violence, illness, or natural disaster;
• Any unusual extracurricular achievement (including school or community service).

If you believe any item in your application requires clarification, you are welcome to submit a brief addendum to address the issue. However, an addendum is not another opportunity to submit a personal statement; it should be a concise statement addressing a particular aspect of your application.

USC Gould requires that your foreign transcripts be submitted through the LSAC JD Credential Assembly Service (CAS). If you completed any postsecondary work outside the United States (including its territories) or Canada, you must use this service (unless your foreign education was through a study abroad, consortium or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution and the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript). A Foreign Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), which will be incorporated into your CAS report.

Foreign-educated applicants are not required to take the TOEFL exam. However, if you have taken the TOEFL exam, you must report your score on the application.

Non-resident applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships but are not eligible for federal financial aid.

USC Gould School of Law is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, disability, religion, political beliefs, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or age.

View the university's notice of non-discrimination.

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USC Gould School of Law 699 Exposition Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90089-0071 213-740-7331

USC Gould School of Law

699 Exposition Boulevard

Los Angeles, California 90089-0071

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MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY ONLINE

Online Master of Science in Applied Psychology Admissions Criteria

Take Your Next Step

Receive information about the benefits of our programs, the courses you'll take, and what you need to apply.

Step 1 of 2

The Applied Psychology program is seeking students who have excelled in their academics and who show exceptional promise for professional success. While highly selective, our program includes a diverse group of students from across the U.S. with varied professional experiences.

Although there is no required major for admission to the Applied Psychology program, most of those who are admitted will have completed coursework in the social sciences. Additionally, success in the program will require a working understanding of major concepts and research methodologies associated with the study of human behavior. Students with interdisciplinary backgrounds are also appreciated for their unique contributions to the classroom.

To initiate your application, please contact an Enrollment Advisor by calling us at 888-836-4681 or reaching out via email at [email protected] .

Admission Requirements:

• USC Application: Please complete all fields of the application, including paying the $90 non-refundable application fee.
• To learn more about submitting official transcripts, please contact an Enrollment Advisor by calling 888-836-4681 or reaching out via email at [email protected]
• How does your background, experiences and interests lead you to seek ways to apply psychology in organizations for the benefit of consumers or employees?
• Why do you believe the USC MAPP program can help you achieve your career goals?
• Your essay should be 750 words maximum and be submitted as a single document.
• At least one recommendation should come from an individual who has been a supervisor in an employment setting or leadership activity and who knows you well.
• Recommendations should be from professional and academic sources only.
• Resume:  Please submit a current professional resume that highlights your academic achievements, work history and skills.
• Enrollment Deposit:  If you are admitted into the Master in Applied Psychology program at USC, students are required to pay a non-refundable commitment deposit of $500 to reserve their spot in the incoming class. This deposit is credited towards tuition upon registering for classes.

Academic Calendar

Summer 2024

Term Start Date: Summer May 13, 2024

Application Deadline: Fall July 29, 2024

Term Start Date: Fall September 2, 2024

Tuition & Financial Aid

Per Unit Cost : $2,244* Total Tuition Cost : $76,296 (34 units)*

*Transfer credits are not accepted for this program. Tuition is subject to change each academic year. Tuition is based on a full-time student’s course load.

The ability to pay for your education is always an important consideration. Many organizations offer tuition assistance to employees and, in some cases, cover 100 percent of tuition costs. Programs and policies vary among employers. Consult your human resources office to learn more about tuition assistance at your organization.

Many options are available to fund your graduate education. The USC Financial Aid Office administers federal and private programs to assist you.

For more information on applying for financial aid, please visit  USC Financial Aid .

Learn More About Our MAPP Program.

Viterbi Graduate STEP Workshop

S tep t owards e ngineering p rograms, no longer accepting applications for 2024, about the workshop.

The Viterbi Graduate Step Toward Engineering Programs (STEP) Workshop invites students to explore master’s and doctoral degree programs during a 2-day workshop at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering in Los Angeles, CA.  During the Viterbi Graduate STEP Workshop, students from across the country can explore our rich academic programs, exciting research opportunities, world-class faculty,  stellar student services, and valuable mentoring resources.

In fulfilling our mission, the Viterbi Graduate STEP Workshop actively seeks engineering achievers from diverse backgrounds, particularly students who have been historically underrepresented in the field of engineering, including African Americans, Native Americans, and the Latinx community.

Viterbi Graduate STEP Workshop Details

Dates : April 26 - 27, 2024 (Friday - Saturday)

Location : University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Housing accommodations will be at the USC Hotel.

Who should apply : Current undergraduate sophomores, juniors, seniors, or 1st year master's students with a strong background in engineering, computer science, math, or a hard science.

Application materials :

• Complete the online application
• Attach a personal statement describing your goals
• Attach your academic transcript
• Attach your resume

Program participants will have the opportunity to:

• Learn about 13 Doctoral programs and over 70 Master's programs in engineering & computer science 
• Gain insight on the graduate application, admission, and fellowship processes 
• Interact with current graduate students, faculty, and staff
• Find out about summer research opportunities
• Build your personal STEP roadmap
• Attend free of charge. Flights and ground transportation to and from campus as well as hotel accommodations and meals will be hosted by USC Viterbi School of Engineering.

Selections will be announced on April 1, 2024 by email

DIVERSITY AT THE VITERBI SCHOOL

As a premier engineering institution, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering takes pride in its shared responsibility for developing high-achieving, diverse graduates who are fully representative of our pluralistic society and can tackle the ever-evolving needs of the global community. With our world-class professors, rich academic programs, and stellar student services, we are dedicated to supporting and mentoring this next generation of exceptional engineers. We believe that engineers, as multicultural and diverse as the world they design for, who are lifelong learners, and with a bounty of talent are best prepared to advance technology with social and environmental responsibility. Therefore, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering strives to be a leader in this pursuit to engineer a better world for all humanity.

Questions? Contact Juli Legat at [email protected] .

Published on August 3rd, 2017

Last updated on April 1st, 2024

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Post-Doctoral

Tips for Your Personal Statement

November 4, 2022 by Leah

Admissions Life Hacks What are OS/OT?

Here are some tips and tricks on what helped me write my personal statement 😊

1. Reflect on what matters to you and see how it aligns with the school’s mission

I thought, why do I want to be an OT? I read through the division’s mission and most resonated with its commitment to inclusion. I then jotted down experiences and parts of my life that I most valued and thought related to this theme of inclusion.

2. Try finding a theme between your experiences to create a cohesive story.

This was a piece of advice I received from a previous mentor. I knew I had valuable experiences volunteering at an oncology camp, working in permanent supportive housing, and then working at a multiple sclerosis clinic. Still, these all felt like such different populations, so I needed to figure out how to share my story without feeling like I was jumping all over the place.

My mentor asked me questions such as:

How did one experience influence or lead to another? What did you value in each of these experiences? How did you continue to grow throughout these experiences? Is there a commonality in how these experiences made you want to be an OT?

3. Get other eyes on your writing!

I know it can feel uncomfortable or even embarrassing to have other people look at what you have written. Still, I found it helpful to overcome that fear and get other people’s input. I wanted to see if my writing was conveying the message I wanted to share. For my statement, I had willing co-workers, mentors, and even roommates read through my essay. I received input such as: “this section is confusing” and “wow, I loved this story, focus more on that!” The most helpful thing I did was read my statement out loud with my roommate. I could identify awkward phrases, grammatical errors, and unnecessary words. Reading out loud was the most helpful in cutting my statement down to the required character count.

For all those applying this cycle, you got this!!

Next is Practice What You Preach (Seriously) Next by Leah is OT school helped me get diagnosed with ADHD (and gain tools to thrive in grad school!)

Next by tag   Admissions ⟩ Life Hacks ⟩ What are OS/OT? ⟩

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ACOTE accreditation | NBCOT certification

The USC entry-level master’s degree program ( cost of attendance ) is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE). The USC entry-level OTD degree program ( cost of attendance ) has been granted Candidacy Status by ACOTE. View our program’s ACOTE standards public data . ACOTE c/o Accreditation Department, American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.®, 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, (301) 652-6611 x2914, acoteonline.org

Professional program graduates are eligible to apply for certification by National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT), nbcot.org . Program results from the NBCOT can be found online at www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance .

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Freshmen Application Procedures

The primary goals of the Film & Television Production program are to develop the student’s ability to express original ideas and to instill a thorough understanding of the technical and aesthetic aspects of motion pictures and television. Students learn all aspects of the art of storytelling and develop the ability to take audiences on emotional journeys using a wide array of cinematic skills. Students learn to access this unique power by working in many forms - from traditional large-screen films to those designed for the smallest cell phone screens, to episodic content across multiple formats. Courses in production provide individual and group filmmaking experiences and the opportunity to learn all aspects of filmmaking in a collaborative environment.

Access the Film & Television Production B.F.A. Program - First-Year/Freshmen Applicants SlideRoom Application here.

The Cinematic Arts Personal Statement will be read by the admissions committee as a measure of creativity, self-awareness and vision. We are looking for a sense of you as a unique individual and how your distinctive experiences, identities, values, and/or views of the world have shaped who you are and what you want to say as a creative filmmaker. We want to know about the kind of stories you want to tell. Bear in mind that enthusiasm for watching films, descriptions of your favorite films and the involvement in the filmmaking process is common in most candidates. As a result, we encourage that you focus on your individuality. Note that there is no standard format or correct answer. (1,000 words or less)

• A description of a four-minute film that contains no dialogue. It can be fiction or non-fiction. The story has to be communicated visually. (No more than two pages)
• A dialogue scene between two people. Provide a one-paragraph introduction describing the two characters in screenplay format. (No more than three pages)
• Describe a concept for a feature-length movie, fiction or documentary, which you would like to develop. (No more than two pages)
• July 2019,  A Day in the Life,  digital video, 12 minutes. Position: writer/director. A documentary on a homeless Iraq vet who has lived on the streets since his return from the military. Created for senior-year multimedia term project, San Raphael High School, Miami, Florida.
• March 2020,  Doorways,  a series of 5 black-and-white photographs. Position: photographer. "Second Prize Winner" in the Des Moines Sunday Journal photo contest.
• February 2021,  Cellomorphosis,  short story. Position: writer. A variation on the novella by Franz Kafka; published in Writing, vol. IV, 2021, at Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts.

Describe a project that you worked on with multiple collaborators that left you feeling proud and fulfilled. Discuss your role in the project and explain why this collaboration was successful. Then, describe another collaborative project that left you unsatisfied. Discuss your role in the project and explain why this collaboration frustrated you. Finally, summarize what you learned from each of these experiences and describe the lessons you learned that inspire your future collaborations. (No more than two pages)

Submit a 30-60 second video of yourself speaking directly to the camera, in a single take with no edits, introducing yourself and explaining what will make attending SCA a successful experience for you and others.

• Video Option: Create a narrative video that is no longer than five minutes in which you had a major creative role. The video can be live-action or animation, fiction or documentary, but it should reflect your aesthetic tastes and intellectual and emotional interests. You must specify what role(s) you played. Submit only  one  video. Multiple submissions will cause your application to be rejected.
• Photo Option: Prepare a series of eight photographs you have taken which, when viewed in a specific sequence, portray a unique and original character or which tell a simple narrative story. Also include a one-page narrative about the character being portrayed in the photos. The images may either be black-and-white or in color. Please upload the photos in order of sequence. The one-page narrative must be uploaded in PDF format only.

The faculty admissions committee evaluates applications for originality, clarity, personal insight and artistic excellence. As part of the Film & Television Production program applicant review process, applicants may be selected to have a remote interview with faculty or staff. Not every applicant will be interviewed, and an interview is not required for admission. The window for the interview time may vary, so please keep an eye on the inbox of the email address used in your application for a request to schedule one. Please respond to such requests within 72 hours.

FAQ for April/May 2024

Events of may 5, 2024.

Why did the university clear the encampment on April 24 and again on May 5?

The university is legally obligated to ensure that students, faculty and staff can move freely throughout our campus while pursuing their studies, work, and research. Every part of our campuses, including Alumni Park, must be fully accessible and free from vandalism and harassment.

Like many other universities, USC has longstanding, established policies against encampments, harassment, and vandalism. By repeatedly and flagrantly violating laws and university policies, the encampment and occupiers endangered the health and safety of our community, created a focal point for potential violence, and deprived our community members of a safe and freely accessible academic environment.

The university has received multiple reports of harassment, threats, and violence as a direct result of the illegal encampment, including:

• Vandalizing and defacing university buildings and monuments, including Tommy Trojan and the fountain
• Stealing and misappropriating university property
• Bringing dangerous items into the encampment
• Dismantling and theft of commencement structures
• Blocking access to a central location needed for commencement events
• Defying countless directives from DPS and other university officers
• Noise disrupting exams and studying
• Harassment and violence towards DPS officers and other students

What USC policies did the encampment violate?

Multiple university policies forbid encampments on campus, including:

• Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation
• USC Student Handbook Camping Policy (pg. 111)
• USC Student Handbook Time, Place and Manner Policy (pg. 96)

In addition, the university received multiple reports that occupiers violated several university policies and local, state, and federal laws against trespassing, defacing and stealing property, verbal harassment, and others.

Don’t students have a right to peacefully protest? Does clearing the encampment violate their right to freedom of speech and assembly?

Freedom of speech and assembly are among our foundational values. Throughout this academic year, faculty, staff, and students have held countless lawful free speech activities and assemblies, including marches, vigils, die-ins, and other peaceful demonstrations.

Free expression does not entitle anyone to obstruct equal access to the campus, deface and steal university property, harass other members of the community, interfere with studying and exams, disrupt commencement, or otherwise interfere with core operations of our university.

The university established a free speech area a short walk from the encampment. Students from the encampment refused to use that alternative space.

Why did the university call in LAPD rather than using its own Department of Public Safety?

USC’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the university’s private security force. While a limited number of DPS officers are able to make arrests, DPS primarily works to enforce student conduct policies without arrests, in collaboration with USC’s internal disciplinary offices, and often at risk of their own safety. It lacks the resources to undertake an operation of the type required on April 24 and May 5.

USC is under the geographic jurisdiction of the LAPD. DPS maintains an MOU with the LAPD that allows DPS to enforce the law and investigate some, largely nonviolent, crimes. DPS can request assistance from the LAPD when it determines that assistance is necessary.

How many students, faculty and staff have been arrested?

In the university’s initial action on April 24, 93 individuals were arrested, including 48 students, three faculty members, three staff members, and 39 individuals unaffiliated with the university.

The university’s second operation on May 5 did not lead to any arrests.

Did the university administration meet with the students involved in the encampment? Was there any attempt to find a peaceful resolution?

President Folt, along with the vice president for Student Life and USC’s general counsel met with the self-appointed liaisons from the encampment, and one faculty member, twice for a total of three hours to listen to their concerns and discuss options to reach an amicable resolution. Members of the Office of Student Life have also been engaging with the occupiers on a daily basis. Unfortunately, the occupiers gave no indication of any willingness to remove their illegal encampment.

Why wouldn’t the university agree to the demands of the occupiers? 

In their meetings with the self-appointed liaisons of the encampment, university administrators recognized the important concerns the occupiers had regarding world events and the reasons behind their activism. Without agreeing to negotiate over their demands, university administrators explained that the occupiers needed to follow the university’s policies regarding free speech and assembly. The administrators also explained a number of ways the occupiers could reasonably address their most important concerns following existing university processes. Their demands and the university’s brief responses are below.

1. End War Profiteering and Investment in Genocide. USC must fully disclose and divest its finances and endowment from companies and institutions that profit from Israeli apartheid, genocide, and occupation in Palestine, including the US Military and weapons manufacturing. USC must commit to accountability through full transparency of their financial investments.

The university already has a process for students, faculty, and staff to raise and address questions and concerns relating to the endowment. In particular, the Advisory Committee on Investment Responsibility was formed in 2022 to advise the Board of Trustees on matters related to investments as expressed by the broader community. Several universities that have apparently negotiated with occupiers have now formed committees such as these.

This process was shared with the liaisons of the encampment, as well as avenues to get involved. They did not want to engage in this existing avenue; rather, they demanded to know every investment the university has made, and wanted to determine themselves which investments the university should divest from. 

2. Complete Academic Boycott of Israel. USC must end its study abroad programs at Hebrew University’s Rothenberg International School and Reichman University and sever all academic ties and research cooperation with Israeli universities.

USC adheres to a longstanding position against academic boycotts such as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement because a robust intellectual environment requires the free and civil exchange of ideas. Additionally, academic boycotts go against the principles of academic freedom and freedom of speech, for which these occupiers were allegedly fighting.

3. Protect free speech on campus and provide full amnesty to all students, staff, and faculty disciplined, penalized, or fired for their pro-Palestine activism. USC must abide by their self-proclaimed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion values and implement material policies protecting the safety of its marginalized students.

USC is committed to protecting free speech and academic freedom, in compliance with state and federal law and university policy. USC has a one-stop website on free speech and free expression. The university must also comply with its legal obligations to provide a harassment-free educational environment for all students, faculty, and staff. The University’s DEI values are stipulated here , along with USC’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation .

The university must follow its established processes in taking appropriate internal disciplinary actions.

4. Stop the Displacement, from South Central to Palestine. No land grabs, whether in South Central, which is unceded Tongva territory, or Palestine. Cease expansion, provide reparations, and support housing for low-income South Central residents. No development by USC without genuine community control.

For more than 140 years, USC has partnered with our neighbors to continuously strengthen the educational, economic, and health equity of the communities we serve. This includes engaging more than 4,000 LAUSD students daily in college and career preparation, operating eight neighborhood-serving Head Start early childhood centers, partnering with dozens of community-based nonprofits and small businesses, and continuously working to eliminate health disparities. More information on community programs and initiatives is available here .

5. No Policing on Campus. End the targeted repression and harassment of Black, Brown, and Palestinian students and their allies on and off campus, including through university disciplinary processes. Defund the Department of Public Safety and disclose and sever all ties with the LAPD.

During the 2020-2021 academic year, President Folt formed a Community Advisory Board (CAB) to develop tangible recommendations to strengthen trust between the university, DPS, and the broader community.

The result of these efforts was a  ONE USC Safety Vision , which describes an environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and protected, and which has led to significant improvements in how USC’s Department of Public Safety conducts its operations. All members of the USC community are invited to share their input as the CAB continues its work.

6. End the Silence on the Genocide in Palestine. Release a public statement calling for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza, denouncing the ongoing genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people, and call on government officials to do so too.

The university must maintain an environment where all members of our community feel free to express themselves and engage in vigorous debate. In order to maintain this open environment, it is important for the university to exercise great restraint before issuing statements on issues over which members of our community may vehemently disagree.

Where can I find additional information about the university’s policies on free speech, free expression, and protests?

USC is committed to protecting free speech and academic freedom, in compliance with state and federal law and university policy. The university’s policies on students’ right to free speech are set forth in the  USC Student Handbook , and the university’s policies on academic freedom more generally are set forth in the  Faculty Handbook . Additionally, USC has developed a dedicated website with resources, policies, and FAQs around free speech, free expression, and campus activism, available here .

Conduct and Disciplinary Processes

Will the university press charges or pursue other disciplinary actions against students, staff and faculty participating in the encampment?

No charging decisions by the City Attorney’s office have been made at this time.

The university will follow its established processes in taking appropriate internal disciplinary actions. Students, faculty, and staff who commit repeated offenses will face more significant consequences.

Why can’t you provide “amnesty” to any students going through the disciplinary process?

It is critical that the university follow its established policies and procedures around student discipline and not make special exceptions with respect to certain policies, certain groups, certain individuals, or certain viewpoints. Once the university begins making special exceptions for some, it will have to do the same for others. That would be deeply discriminatory, would violate the law, and would undermine our authority to apply any of our rules at all.

We are prohibited by law from discussing specific disciplinary matters. With that said, the disciplinary process is led by professionals who review the specific facts of every case carefully, and seek to come to outcomes that are fair, consistent, and reasonable. It is critical that the university leadership not jeopardize the integrity of these established processes by interfering in particular cases. As part of the process, all students have appeal rights.

Will students involved in the encampment be able to participate in graduation?

Each student’s situation will be evaluated based on the facts, including past student conduct history. Student records are private (protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), and students are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Community Expectations to learn more about the process and their current standing.

What is the student disciplinary process like?

All reported student conduct that potentially violates university policies and/or community expectations is referred to the university’s disciplinary process, which is described in the USC Student Handbook. Office of Community Expectations team members are very experienced, follow robust processes, strive to resolve cases expeditiously, and treat every student with care. We have prepared additional FAQs about what students can expect when engaging with the university’s disciplinary process.

How can students, faculty and staff seek additional help?

The university offers many support resources. Specifically, the  Office of Campus Support and Intervention  ( 213.740.0411 ) provides all members of the USC community with support, guidance, and resources to address a wide variety of challenges.  Counseling and Mental Health Services  ( 213.740.9355 ) supports students with therapy, crisis support, referrals to long-term providers, and other services. I encourage students to connect with either of these resources as needed.

Access, Support and Accommodations

How will individuals with ADA needs be able to access campus with the limited entry points?

All of the curb cuts around the university perimeter are manned by community service officers who are instructed to let anyone who is disabled out of the university gates. All pedestrian gates have full ADA compliance. Additional measures will be put in place throughout the week prior to commencement to ensure the campus remains as accessible as possible for all members of the USC community.

Where can I find information about accessing campus? What if I need to help my student move out of USC Housing?

Campus access information is available on the USC Transportation website.

USC IDs will be required for students and employees to enter campus. All guests must register via the visitor.usc.edu website for a daily guest pass. As of May 3, 2024, guest registration is paused indefinitely.

While the visitor registration process is suspended, parents and helpers coming to campus to assist students moving out of USC Housing should have received an email from USC Housing with instructions for how to enter campus during this time.

Guests coming to USC for commencement activities must have a valid ticket for each event they will attend. Commencement ticketing information is available here .

What academic accommodations are available to students who are concerned about their safety on campus or their ability to focus on final exams and assignments during this time?

We have put in place an enhanced accommodations protocol, similar to what was used during COVID. Students should work directly with their faculty for accommodations such as extended deadlines, incompletes, or adjusting the parameters of their final assessments.

Students may also contact their advisors through the Advise USC platform or the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs, which can also assist with requests for accommodation.

What additional support is available to USC students during this time?

The recent events on campus have been challenging and disruptive for many members of USC’s community. Students have many resources available to support them throughout this time. Questions regarding grading can be directed to the University Registrar at  [email protected] . Students in need of mental health resources can access them via  USC Student Health . Students looking to navigate complex situations can be connected to  Campus Support and Intervention

Commencement

Will this impact commencement activities planned for May 8-11?

This action to remove the encampment will have no impact on scheduled commencement celebrations and activities. We remain focused on honoring our graduates and giving them the celebration and recognition they deserve.

Where can I find information related to USC’s 2024 commencement ceremonies, ticketing, and other visitor information?

All information related to commencement, including a schedule of events, ticketing, and other information is available on the USC commencement website .

Where can I find more details related to the USC Trojan Family Graduate Celebration on Thursday, May 9 th ?

Special guests and surprise performances will create an electric atmosphere at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as graduating students and their families gather for a graduation celebration Southern California-style. Count on drone shows, fireworks, the Trojan Marching Band, and a special gift for members of the Class of 2024. This is a ticketed event available to graduating students and five plus-ones per graduating student (six tickets total). More information will be shared with graduating students and their families via email and on the USC commencement website .

Why did the university make the decision to cancel the valedictorian’s speech, and the mainstage commencement ceremony?

The main stage commencement ceremony at USC draws more than 65,000 people to our University Park Campus. The university made the decision that the valedictorian would not give a speech at the mainstage ceremony after hearing from campus security and threat experts about security concerns that rose to the level of credible. The university then finalized additional security protocols – including bag checks and ticketing processes, to mitigate those concerns. Understanding the time it would take for families to enter campus with additional protocols in place, the university then canceled the mainstage ceremony.

Refocusing commencement on school ceremonies will allow graduates to celebrate with their families in a more intimate environment, hear their names called, walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, shake the hands of the faculty and deans who mentored and educated them, throw their hats, and celebrate with those who made their time at USC so special.

Opinion: The commencement USC students, and their parents, should have had

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Last weekend as a parent, and 36 years ago as a student, I went to Michigan Stadium to be among tens of thousands for the annual graduation ceremony of the University of Michigan.

On Saturday morning, I walked with my wife and daughter — and 87-year-old Grandma Nora — the mile from campus to the Big House, waited in a long security line and then climbed the steps to row 96, the top of the bleachers. Fifteen thousand students from 26 of the university’s schools were on the football field, my son among them. More than 60,000 extremely proud parents and loved ones sat in the stands.

I do not know the precise risks USC, Columbia and other universities faced that caused them to cancel their school-wide commencement ceremonies this year. But what my family experienced on Saturday underlined that the loss will be substantial, and it extends well beyond the personal.

USC’s faculty senate censures President Carol Folt and provost over commencement

The vote followed a nearly three-hour meeting Wednesday in which USC’s faculty members criticized the decisions of President Folt and provost Andrew Guzman.

May 9, 2024

After the obligatory “Hail to the Victors” rendition, and the flag raising, when all were seated and the speeches began on Saturday, I teared up thinking of our son’s measly high school graduation in spring 2020. We watched a pretaped video from his high school in our kitchen, and that was it. The opportunity to be captain of his ultimate frisbee team senior year, gone. Same with high school prom. Never a goodbye or thank you to his favorite history teacher. No graduation parties. And his first year in Ann Arbor was just as riven by COVID-19.

But four years later, the pomp and circumstance were very satisfying. Some of the speeches were very good, others less so. And, yes, there was a protest — about 50 among the thousands of graduates unfurled flags and banners and chanted in support of Palestinian rights. A plane circled the stadium with a banner saying “We stand with Israel,” and a later a banner (perhaps pulled by the same plane) read “Divest from Israel.” Yet the speakers’ voices were heard; the students were honored.

At a college graduation, parents need to be able to share a spiritual high-five on the enormity of mentoring (and paying for) a child’s education. And students need to be with peers for a grand public celebration of all they’ve achieved.

Metal detectors, fear, frustration. College commencements altered amid Gaza war protests

At many universities across the country, graduation for the Class of 2024 will feel more like making it through airport security than a procession through a free-flowing campus green or a cheering stadium crowd.

May 5, 2024

The universities that have canceled their main-stage events may counter that they are offering smaller, more intimate ceremonies that also publicly acknowledge the next generation. That’s nice, and before and after the Big House spectacle we attended department-only events. I met our son’s favorite professor and hugged his sophomore-year roommates and their parents. But department gatherings are far from an adequate replacement for community-wide ceremonies.

When I got my bachelor’s degree in 1988, I remember that we students talked so much during the commencement address — while beach balls bounced from row to row to row of capped and gowned graduates — that the speaker admonished us for being rude. (He was right.) There were protests then too: The biggest demonstration was reserved for former U.N. Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick, who had helped engineer the U.S. military role in Central America. I was a student activist — winning a campaign for student government president on a platform that the university should not be able to expel students for non-academic protest activity.

Yet I didn’t view the graduation ceremony as a referendum on the school or my free speech and assembly rights, or national defense policy either. It was a public acknowledgment of a personal milestone, and it was meaningful.

Did USC set ‘very bad precedent’ by canceling valedictorian speech over safety threats?

Campus administrators nationwide struggle to uphold principles of free expression amid pressure from those who claim speech, or potential speech, can subject students to harm.

April 18, 2024

Saturday night, I carefully composed the obligatory social media post of the day’s events for friends and family who couldn’t be there. I purposely didn’t include images or mention of the protests. But sure enough, the protests were what generated front-page coverage across the nation.

Signs and chants indeed offer sensational media images. VIPs and their speeches may be rudely interrupted. Protesters may exercise their rights and make a mess of the program. Security may be tested. But absent profound dangers, cancellation or curtailment do not outweigh the benefits of a public celebration of education and excellence.

College graduation at USC, or Columbia or Michigan, is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone; a balkanized approach doesn’t do it justice. Administrators should not cause students and their families to settle for less.

Ken Weine lives in Brooklyn and is a communications consultant.

More to Read

Pomona College moves graduation ceremony to L.A. after protesters occupy stage

May 11, 2024

After USC canceled graduation, Jewish students held their own ceremony

May 10, 2024

Silenced USC valedictorian walked the stage and the crowd reaction was anything but silent

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News | USC valedictorian gets cheers, standing ovation…

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News | USC valedictorian gets cheers, standing ovation during commencement

Though usc canceled its main-stage commencement, asna tabassum got to walk across the stage at the engineering school's ceremony.

But it didn’t take place during the traditional main-stage commencement ceremony.

That event, which would’ve occurred Friday, was canceled in the wake of campus unrest over the past few weeks due to tension stemming from the Israel-Hamas war .

Asna Tabassum, USC’s class valedictorian who was barred from speaking at the university’s commencement ceremony, graduates from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

USC Dean Yannis Yortsos reaches out to Asna Tabassum, the class valedictorian who was barred from speaking at the university’s commencement ceremony, as she graduates from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

USC Viterbi School of Engineering graduates celebrate during their commencement ceremony at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

USC Trojan Marching Band plays USC’s alma mater song during the USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s commencement ceremony at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

USC Viterbi School of Engineering holds their undergraduate commencement ceremony at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Asna Tabassum, the USC class valedictorian who was barred from speaking at the university’s commencement ceremony, graduates from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Asna Tabassum, USC’s class valedictorian who was barred from speaking at the university’s commencement ceremony, is hugged during the USC Viterbi School of Engineering commencement ceremony at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Instead, Tabassum — sporting a tassel in the colors of Palestine’s flag — crossed the stage Friday in a much smaller ceremony held by the Viterbi School of Engineering, where she was one of 758 engineering students to graduate – a new record for the school.

The engineering school’s ceremony was peaceful and went off without incident, putting a bookend to weeks of uncertainty about how commencement events at USC might unfold in the wake of the controversies .

With the main-stage commencement canceled, USC was scheduled to proceed with smaller ceremonies put on by individual schools .

As Tabassum’s name was called and she crossed the stage, some audience members in the stands cheered, as did some of her fellow classmates who gave her a standing ovation. Tabassum waved at her classmates as she walked back to her seat.

The moment Tabassum’s name was called was a reminder of the controversy USC has been embroiled in in recent weeks.

There was a moment in Dean Yannis Yortsos’ speech where he spoke of the world being “in pain.”

“International events take place thousands of miles away in different parts of the world, but we feel them here on our campuses,” the dean said. “Through it, you have demonstrated dignity, moral compass and true grace.”

USC Dean Yannis Yortsos speaks with a math lesson during the USC Viterbi School of Engineering commencement at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

USC Dean Yannis Yortsos tries out Jack Wang’s lightsaber as he graduates from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Christian Dior Bryan gives the student address during the USC Viterbi School of Engineering commencement ceremony at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

But overall, Friday’s ceremony unfolded as one would expect at any commencement ceremony, with graduating students and their family members in celebratory moods.

And in a moment of levity, one graduate swung around a blue lightsaber as he crossed the stage and walked back to his seat after his name was called, drawing laughter and cheers from the audience.

Although Tabassum never got to speak at commencement, she did make a statement of sorts on Friday.

The Daily Trojan , USC’s student newspaper, and Annenberg Media, another student newsroom at USC, published what would have been Tabassum’s speech – though most of it was self-redacted by the valedictorian.

The speech started out with: “President Folt, Provost Guzman, faculty, staff, families and fellow Class of 2024:

It is my honor to stand before you today as your Valedictorian. I am filled with gratitude to have the privilege of” …

That was followed by several blacked-out paragraphs before her speech concluded with “Congratulations, Class of 2024,” another blacked-out line, then the line “Thank you.”

An editor’s note by the Daily Trojan said the paper “did not write, edit or change the speech or its presentation. This speech is published as was written and shared to us by Asna Tabassum.”

After Friday’s ceremony, Adrian Martinez, who graduated with a degree in computer science, said he had heard about the publication of Tabassum’s speech and her decision to black out most of it. He said he thought she made a bigger statement by redacting most of it and interpreted that gesture as Tabassum’s way of illustrating how she had been censored by the university.

“I think it was very impactful that she did that,” Martinez said.

“She already had said a lot through interviews (in recent weeks) so doing that (the self-redaction) was definitely another statement,” he added.

Martinez admitted he wasn’t sure when he woke up Friday what, if anything, would happen at the Viterbi ceremony – whether there would be protesters or other disruptions during the event.

“I was just wondering if anyone was going to say anything during the commencement … but it wasn’t necessarily a concern of safety,” he said.

If there were any students concerned about how the event would turn out, those worries appeared to be laid to rest by the time the ceremony was over. Many of the graduates and their family members appeared to be all smiles following the ceremony at the Galen Center.

Victoria Pinkett, who graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering, said she wished the university hadn’t canceled the main-stage commencement ceremony. But given that her high school prom and graduation ceremony were canceled four years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she said she was glad she at least had the chance to walk across the stage at Friday’s smaller ceremony put on by the engineering school.

“Being able to walk with my peers and celebrate – I know it’s not what we were expecting – but I still feel like it’s been a good experience,” Pinkett said.

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