Thanks for your interest in the Global Scholars Program. Here is a step-by-step guide on how the program works.

In order to be designated a USC Global Scholar candidate, you must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program with expected graduation in either December 2009 or May 2010. You will need to complete the online application before 5 p.m. on Monday, March 22, 2010. Since USC offers a diverse array of undergraduate majors, encompassing the humanities, sciences, arts, and professions, the criteria for earning the Global Scholar designation differ by discipline (check the capstone criteria for your school by clicking here). Your experience(s) abroad will be certified by your own school.

In some cases the capstone project created to earn the designation may be a senior honors thesis, design project, or other capstone activity. Such projects are generally completed late in the senior year, and for this reason the deadlines for submission of materials have been set up to be as flexible as possible.

If you would like your work to be considered for the Global Scholar Prize, it is necessary that you submit your materials along with the online application form to the Office of Undergraduate Programs before 5 p.m. on Monday, March 22, 2010. Completed application dossiers will be forwarded to your school by the Office of Undergraduate Programs.

Based on the submissions received by March 22, your school will nominate a short-list of Prize Finalists to advance to the university-wide competition. The deadline for schools to submit their short-lists to the Office of Undergraduate Programs is 5 p.m. on Friday, April 2, 2010. It is a significant honor to be recognized as a Prize Finalist – this indicates that your international experience is among the most distinguished submissions by any student in your school.

If you are named a Prize Finalist, a faculty panel drawn from across the University will evaluate your completed application dossiers.  The faculty panel will select Prize Awardees by April 16, 2010 in time for an announcement at commencement, which takes place this year on Friday, May 14.

If you do not wish to be considered for the Global Scholar Prize, your materials can be submitted for certification to the Office of Undergraduate Programs at any time before the last day of classes (April 30, 2010). Note that in order to earn the Global Scholar designation you must also graduate in no more than five years at USC, and your overall grade point average must be at least 3.5.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Office of Undergraduate Programs at (213) 740-1741 or contact us by e-mail, at dglasgow@usc.edu. Good luck!