OFFICE OF THE PROVOST Mark Todd, Ph.D. Associate Provost for Academic Affairs February 2, 2015 Dear Applicant, On behalf of the Provost, I am writing to invite you to apply for the 2015 Provost s Pre-College Summer Scholarship for Military High School Students at the University of Southern California (USC). This opportunity seeks to provide full scholarships to students from a military family to attend the rigorous USC 4-Week college credit program. USC students preview freshman year at one of the world s leading private research universities, studying in the same classrooms and laboratories, residing in the same residence halls, and dining in the same facilities as USC undergraduates. The Office will cover the entire tuition and fees, airfare, room and board, and course materials for the student to attend the 4-week college credit program. The completed online application with supporting documents must be received by: Wednesday, April 1, 2015. Please follow the application instructions carefully to ensure that all materials are received on time; incomplete applications cannot be considered. Email notifications to all applicants will be sent on Friday, April 17, 2015. Application Criteria: 1. Applicants must be currently in high school grade 10 th, 11 th, or 12 th. 2. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. 3. Applicants must be the son or daughter of an active or veteran U.S. military service member, reservist, or guard. 4. Applicants must demonstrate academic ability, maturity, and a commitment to education and developing community. We look forward to receiving your application. If you have any questions as you review the materials, please contact Thea Uy, Assistant Director of, at summer@usc.edu or (213) 740-5679. Best regards, Mark Todd Associate Provost for Academic Affairs University of Southern California 3601 Watt Way Suite 304, Los Angeles, California 90089-1695
Scholarship Overview USC seeks to enhance, motivate, and inspire students to achieve higher academic, social, and ethical standards. The program is based on the following core values, which Scholars are expected to exemplify: A commitment to the value of education A commitment to developing community The program offers students the chance to preview freshman year on a college campus, opening a window to the world beyond their own environment. Students will have the opportunity to: Enrich their educational experience and explore post-secondary opportunities. Strengthen their interpersonal skills by interacting with culturally diverse students from around the world. Develop life skills that will enhance their personal and educational success. The Scholarship The program is sponsored by USC Office, within the Provost s Office to provide full tuition scholarships that cover the program fees and transportation costs for each Scholar. All Scholars will arrive on Saturday, June 13, 2015 and depart for home on Saturday, July 11, 2015. The Office will make flight arrangements to and from the program. The Scholars will fly into and out of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Academics The Scholars will take classes and live with other students from across the country in the USC Summer Programs. Scholars may select from any of the over 20 courses offered and will earn 3 units of university elective credit upon successful completion of the course. In addition to the course in which the student is enrolled, Scholars will be able to participate in the College Application Process workshop offered by USC s Office of Admission. Application Deadline: Received By Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Please visit us online at summer.usc.edu for more information and the current course offerings. 2
About the USC Students get to view university life from the inside by studying in the same classrooms and laboratories, living, and dining in the same facilities as USC undergraduates. All students benefit from personal academic support of faculty, teaching staff, and residential counselors in the positive learning environment fostered at a top global recognized research university. Academics Each course is designed to be interactive, engaging and challenging, allowing students to explore new areas of study or build on knowledge from their high school courses. Intended to give students a preview of college academic life, each course awards 3 units of university elective credit. These elective units can be used towards an undergraduate degree at USC or transferred to other colleges and universities. Activities & Excursions An active social life is an integral aspect of the USC. Weeknight activities include movie and game nights, talent shows, intramural sports, and other activities in the residence halls. Saturdays are spent visiting some of the attractions that make the greater Los Angeles area one of the nation s most popular tourist destinations. In previous summers, students have visited Disneyland, Knott s Berry Farm amusement park, and the Santa Monica Pier. Residential Life Students live on USC s University Park campus in freshman residence halls, and eat in dining halls that provide them with three meals a day. Each Scholar rooms on a single-sex floor ideally with another Summer Programs student who is not in the same course. The Director and Assistant Director of and a staff of full-time Residential Counselors are available 24 hours a day and live in the residence halls with students. They help students maintain their busy schedules as well as provide academic support. Residential Counselors also plan recreational activities and social events that are held during the evenings and on weekends. 3
Application Instructions Application Criteria Applicant must be currently in high school grade 10 th, 11 th, or 12 th. Applicant must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicant must be the son or daughter of an active or veteran U.S. military service member, reservist, or guard. Please check one: Active Veteran Both, Active & Veteran Initial Parent Name Branch of Service Date(s) of service 1. Complete the Online Application at http://summer.usc.edu, (Click on Apply/Login) After registering, for the Application Type, choose Scholars (SCH) option in the dropdown menu. In the Essay Question section, simply type Scholar in the text box. You do not need to complete this essay. Choose the Residential option Select your 3 course priorities Save & Submit, the Application Fee will be waived. Do not enter any credit card information. 2. Complete the 2 essay questions 3. Secure 2 Letter of Recommendations One (1) from a Teacher One (1) from a Counselor 4. Provide an Official High School Transcript 5. Enclose Page 4, essay responses, recommendation letters, and official transcript and mail to: ATTN MILITARY SCHOLARSHIP USC Office 3601 Watt Way, GFS 304 Los Angeles, CA 90089-1695 The completed online application and supporting documents must be received by Wednesday, April 1, 2015. Late applications cannot be considered for the scholarship. Email notifications will be sent once an application (with supporting documents) is complete. If you have any questions, please contact us at summer@usc.edu or 213.740.5679. 4
Application Deadline: Received By Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Essay Questions: (Please answer each question on a separate sheet of paper) Please complete the 2 essay questions below. Each response must be completed on a separate sheet of paper. Each response should be no more than one page: typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins and a standard 12-pt font (Times New Roman). Be sure to include your full name at the top of each page with the essay number, do not rewrite the prompt. No staples, paperclips, or essay title. 1. Describe an accomplishment that you are most proud of or an experience that inspired you. It can be something academic or something in the arts, sports, in your community, or part of an extracurricular activity in which you are involved. What made the experience so significant for you? 2. How has the military impacted your life, educational goals, and future aspirations? What do you consider the most important aspect you learned from being part of a military family or a military environment? 5
February 2, 2015 Dear Teacher: The student presenting this form is applying to the 2015 Provost s Pre-College Summer Scholarship for Military High School Students at the University of Southern California (USC). If selected, he or she will attend the USC this summer. The Office will cover the entire tuition and fees, airfare, room and board, and course materials for the student to attend the 4-week college credit program. Students selected as a Scholar will spend one month at USC, participating in the rigorous academic USC. During this time, students live on the USC campus and take an academic course in various subject fields. Located near downtown Los Angeles, USC is an ideal location for high school students to preview freshman year while studying at one of the world s leading private research universities. Selection is based on recommendations, grades, and student essay responses. Your input is extremely important to this process; please provide as much information as possible for the review committee. Please place your recommendation in an envelope, seal it, sign the seal, and return it to the student. The student will return these documents to us to complete the application process. If you have any questions, please contact the USC Office at summer@usc.edu, Attn: Military Scholarship. Please note that the completed application with supporting documents is due back to USC no later than Wednesday, April 1, 2015. Please return the recommendation form to the student with sufficient time to allow its processing and submission to our office. Thank you for participating and assisting this student with his/her application for this scholarship. Sincerely, V. Sonny Hayes Director of Office 6
2015 Provost s Pre-College Summer Scholarship for Military High School Students Student Name: Teacher Recommendation Form Application Deadline Received By: Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Please complete the following form. Place the form in the envelope, seal the envelope, and sign the back of the envelope over the seal. How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant? How does the applicant interact and participate in an academic setting? How well does the student work with others and socially interact with his or her peers? 7
The students selected as Scholars are expected to meet USC s high academic standards and demonstrate maturity and a commitment to education and developing community. Please comment on how well you think the applicant will be able to meet these expectations. Please provide additional information that would help the Admissions Committee assess this applicant. Teacher s Name Teacher s Signature Teacher s Email / / Date Please seal this form in an envelope, sign the seal, and return it to the student. 8
February 2, 2015 Dear Counselor: The student presenting this form is applying to the 2015 Provost s Pre-College Summer Scholarship for Military High School Students at the University of Southern California (USC). If selected, he or she will attend the USC this summer. The Office will cover the entire tuition and fees, airfare, room and board, and course materials for the student to attend the 4-week college credit program. Students selected as a Scholar will spend one month at USC, participating in the rigorous academic USC. During this time, students live on the USC campus and take an academic course in various subject fields. Located near downtown Los Angeles, USC is an ideal location for high school students to preview freshman year while studying at one of the world s leading private research universities. Selection is based on recommendations, grades, and student essay responses. Your input is extremely important to this process; please provide as much information as possible for the review committee. Please place your recommendation in an envelope, seal it, sign the seal, and return it to the student. The student will return these documents to us to complete the application process. If you have any questions, please contact the USC Office at summer@usc.edu, Attn: Military Scholarship. Please note that the completed application with supporting documents is due back to USC no later than Wednesday, April 1, 2015. Please return the recommendation form to the student with sufficient time to allow its processing and submission to our office. Thank you for participating and assisting this student with his/her application for this scholarship. Sincerely, V. Sonny Hayes Director of Office 9
2015 Provost s Pre-College Summer Scholarship for Military High School Students Office of the Provost Continuing Education & Student Name: Counselor Recommendation Application Deadline Received By: Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Current Grade Point Average: Please describe the grading scale used by your school. How well does this applicant show a commitment to education and learning? What contribution does this student make to the overall community of your school? Please provide any additional information that may help the review committee on a separate piece of paper. Please submit a copy of the student s official transcript with this form. Counselor s Name Counselor s Email Counselor s Signature / / Date Please seal this form in an envelope, sign the seal, and return it to the student. 10