How I got into the University of Southern California!

Big Dawg Time!

Here's the strategic way I used my benefits! (and you should too!)...

El Camino College is where my journey began, try to be a good student and get good grades! I Choose classes wisely and utilized rate my professor; life changer.

I did some recon on my target school a year in advance and looked at all the requirements ahead of time, by this I mean, looked at the common application questions then went on campus and asked questions to the veterans resource center. Continuing my recon, I went to my specific school, USC Marshall in my case, and observed everything and wrote down some details the school had. Details I thought I could use on my application.

I asked alumni basic questions: How do you like it at USC? Was it hard to get in? How do you get in? I researched some on linkedin and looked for "veteran USC" and then just wrote a thought out note reaching out.

I applied STRATEGICALLY and was ORIGINAL. Be yourself but in a strategic way. For instance, some questions that were asked on the application: "What's your favorite movie: ___Goodwill Hunting____", "Who would you most like be roommates with fictional/nonfictional:_Tony Stark_". I was strategic by answering "Good Will Hunting" because it was an intellectual movie from my era that resonated with my life. I chose "Tony Stark" because who wouldn't want a genius billionaire philanthropist as their roommate?! (lol if you get the reference).

Look into your schools website, mention professor and organizations you would like to meet and be apart of.

Write your essay and REVISE REVISE REVISE! Utilize your resources such as the writing center if you have one.

After that apply and meet the deadline! Once your accepted a couple of months later, getting your benefits started at USC is fairly easy.

Tip: Once your accepted, call and ask the USC VRC of how and what you need to turn in (COE, ASE etc.. ) the earlier the better!

Best of Luck!