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USC Price Blog

Get the latest news and highlights featuring students and faculty from the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy’s online programs.

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January 17, 2024

How to start a personal statement for grad school

A well-written personal statement showcases an applicant’s unique qualities, experiences, and aspirations to the admissions committee. This guide will help you start the process of writing an effective personal statement for grad school, providing valuable tips to help you stand out from the crowd. Get started Begin the writing process early to allow ample time…

October 17, 2023

What does an admissions counselor do? How they can help

An admissions counselor’s primary role is to provide information, guidance, and support tailored to prospective students’ academic and career goals as they navigate through the university application process. They also have the responsibility to evaluate applicants and assess their compatibility with the program’s enrollment standards. Their expertise allows them to identify promising candidates who demonstrate…

How to get letters of recommendation for grad school

Applying to graduate school is a significant milestone. Compelling letters of recommendation, which play a crucial role in being admitted to the program, are critical to a strong application. These letters provide valuable insights into an applicant’s character, achievements, and potential. Here are some effective strategies on how to get letters of recommendation for grad…

How to get college transcripts for your graduate school application

Whether applying to USC Price’s Master of Public Administration online program or a graduate program at another university, prospective students must submit official transcripts from all previously attended postsecondary institutions, both graduate and undergraduate, as part of their application. College transcripts are records of your academic performance, including the courses you’ve taken, the grades you’ve…

August 26, 2020

Managing your ‘grad school’ emotions

BY DORA KINGSLEY VERTENTEN For those of us in a traditionally online program, multitasking is nothing new.  This week is a small break between summer school and the launch of a new fall semester and all of the anticipation and excitement which comes from looking forward to meeting dozens of new students. Faculty are posting grades…

July 20, 2020

Managing stress in uncertain times: From short-term coping to longer-term resilience

BY KELLY CAMPBELL RAWLINGS When COVID-19 first appeared on our radars and began showing up in our communities, we braced for impact. States were locked down and everyone scrambled to respond to emergency conditions. Schools went online, employees worked from home, and we hunkered down for what we thought might be a few weeks of…

June 30, 2020

Managing an online classroom in times of emotional crises

BY MATTHEW WHEELER All of our eyes are wide open, but what happens when the eyes are on you as the professor as students seek productive and safe places to share their emotions?  As a professor of online learning for nearly a decade, it has taken time to realize that our global classrooms are more…

May 6, 2020

Problem or opportunity? The sudden move to online

BY TARA BLANC Much has been made (and rightly so) about the problems involved in the sudden move of most of the nation’s universities to online classes in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s no doubt that many faculty and students have struggled with the concepts and processes of remote learning that were imposed…

April 21, 2020

Camera Mode, Off

BY MATTHEW WHEELER As a professor of online learning for nearly a decade, it took years to build comfort and rapport in our virtual classrooms.  In my initial online classes, I would require all students to turn their cameras on so that I could view their attentiveness and prowess for participation.  When a student would…

April 20, 2020

Serving students in a remote classroom

BY DORA KINGSLEY VERTENTEN After teaching online for nearly a decade, the learning opportunities continue to pile on: from students, from colleagues and from life.  Here’s a list of ten online learning lessons that I hold close right now during the pandemic of a lifetime. The first lesson is particularly important. Teaching in a digital…

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