Our Program

Program Learning Objectives

Pre-Program

• Receive orientation to the USC Bovard Scholars program.
• Prepare for arrival to the USC campus.
• Complete required forms.
• Familiarize yourself with USC campus resources.
• Meet peers and create a shared purpose and goals as a community.
• Establish a positive team culture and build trust among USC Bovard Scholars and program staff.
• Review test preparation materials and take online practice ACT or SAT.

Personalized Career Exploration

• Identify occupational interests, skills, abilities, values and personality characteristics to develop a comprehensive self-assessment.
• Examine a broad range of vocational identities.
• Analyze potential careers, industry trends, job expectations, duties and requirements.
• Integrate self-assessment (i.e., values, interests, strengths, personality traits, learning style) and industry exploration discoveries to narrow personal career options.
• Determine appropriate college major options for desired career field.
• Construct measurable career development goals.
• Formulate a personal brand.
• Create a career preparation action plan, incorporating clear and measureable goals.
• Learn networking skills, the fundamentals of job shadowing and the value of informational interviewing.
• Apply networking skills.
• Identify and use job-search tools.

Comprehensive Test Preparation

• Determine whether to prepare for the ACT or SAT exam.
• Understand the structure, purpose and use of the ACT or SAT exam.
• Develop general test-taking skills and strategies.
• Create an individual learning plan based on pre-test scores and desired outcomes.
• Study the following topics:
  • Reading comprehension and passage types
  • Math and linear equations
  • Writing, language and infographics
  • Systems of equations
  • Synthesis questions
  • Rates, ratios, proportions, percentages
  • Two-way tables
  • Statistics and probability
  • Rhetoric and organization
  • Functions
  • The essay
  • Quadratic equations
  • Connections and vocab-in-context
  • Exponents, radicals, polynomials, rational expressions
  • Conventions of punctuation, sentence structure
  • Geometry
  • Detail and inference questions
  • Effective language use

Expert Admissions and Financial Aid Support

• Review the financial aid process to enhance personal financial literacy.
• Explore post-secondary education options to identify target schools.
• Write two full (500-word), final draft college application essays.
• Learn how to showcase your personal achievements in a manner that promotes your strengths and resonates with the admissions committee.
• Explore and complete college application drafts for chosen schools and clearly communicate knowledge, skills and abilities throughout the application.
• Explore scholarship possibilities and applications.
• Develop a plan for completing the application process upon your return home.

Leadership Development

• Build community and become comfortable with the campus environment to ease your transition from high school to college.
• Recognize high-impact educational practices.
• Strengthen critical- and reflective-thinking.
• Exhibit self-regulated and collaborative learning.
• Develop a range of leadership skills and abilities, such as effectively managing change, resolving conflict and motivating others.

Post-Program

• Complete your college application preparation with confidence, including standardized testing and financial aid preparation.
• Apply to college(s).
• Decide where to attend college.
• Evaluate the USC Bovard Scholars program experience.
• Improve interviewing skills to prepare for an admissions interview.