Has anyone used College Essay Guy's resources for the USC supplemental essays?
I'm starting to write my USC supplemental essays and I've been considering following some of the advice on College Essay Guy’s site. Has anyone tried using his specific guides or watched his videos for the USC prompts?
I’m wondering if it actually made your essays stand out more or if you felt like you ended up sounding similar to everyone else who probably used those resources. I want my essays to be genuine and personal, but I also don’t want to miss anything important that the admissions officers are looking for.
If you have any tips or feedback based on your own experiences, I would love to hear them!
I’m wondering if it actually made your essays stand out more or if you felt like you ended up sounding similar to everyone else who probably used those resources. I want my essays to be genuine and personal, but I also don’t want to miss anything important that the admissions officers are looking for.
If you have any tips or feedback based on your own experiences, I would love to hear them!
1 week ago
•
15 views
Camille L.
• 1 week ago
Advisor
College Essay Guy's resources are pretty popular, so you definitely won’t be the only student referencing his advice for the USC supplements. Many students find his guides useful for understanding what each prompt is really asking and how to brainstorm relevant ideas. For example, his breakdowns often help people clarify which stories best match prompts like 'Describe yourself in three words' or the classic 'Why USC?' essays.
That said, whenever a resource gets widely used, there's always the risk of essays starting to sound formulaic if you follow the templates too closely. It's kind of like using an outline for a class term paper – it’s the content and voice you add that ultimately make your essay unique.
The best way to make your USC supplements stand out is to use the guides for structure and brainstorming, but then use your own distinct voice and details. For instance, instead of just listing USC clubs that sound impressive, try to connect them to a specific anecdote or personal reason. If you love filmmaking and you’re drawn to the School of Cinematic Arts, don’t just say that – tell a story about the short film you made in your backyard that flopped, but taught you three things you’re eager to explore with USC’s resources.
I’ve heard from friends who used advice from College Essay Guy and got into places like USC. The key for them was using his worksheets to dig deep, then tossing the examples and focusing on their own voice. For instance, one wrote about their love for cosmic horror novels in the quick-take questions—a quirky passion that clearly wasn’t copied from an example essay.
So, it’s fine to use the resources, but let them be a springboard for your own personality and experiences. Admissions officers have seen every essay hack, but they remember ones with authentic details only you could write. If you’re ever unsure, have someone who knows you read your draft and see if it still sounds like you.
If you need help reflecting your individuality through those prompts, try jotting down a few key moments in your life that have shaped your motivations or values, and see how they fit the USC questions. That way you keep the structure but lose the sameness.
That said, whenever a resource gets widely used, there's always the risk of essays starting to sound formulaic if you follow the templates too closely. It's kind of like using an outline for a class term paper – it’s the content and voice you add that ultimately make your essay unique.
The best way to make your USC supplements stand out is to use the guides for structure and brainstorming, but then use your own distinct voice and details. For instance, instead of just listing USC clubs that sound impressive, try to connect them to a specific anecdote or personal reason. If you love filmmaking and you’re drawn to the School of Cinematic Arts, don’t just say that – tell a story about the short film you made in your backyard that flopped, but taught you three things you’re eager to explore with USC’s resources.
I’ve heard from friends who used advice from College Essay Guy and got into places like USC. The key for them was using his worksheets to dig deep, then tossing the examples and focusing on their own voice. For instance, one wrote about their love for cosmic horror novels in the quick-take questions—a quirky passion that clearly wasn’t copied from an example essay.
So, it’s fine to use the resources, but let them be a springboard for your own personality and experiences. Admissions officers have seen every essay hack, but they remember ones with authentic details only you could write. If you’re ever unsure, have someone who knows you read your draft and see if it still sounds like you.
If you need help reflecting your individuality through those prompts, try jotting down a few key moments in your life that have shaped your motivations or values, and see how they fit the USC questions. That way you keep the structure but lose the sameness.
Camille L.
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
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