Wallis Annenberg Scholars 2010
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Overview of the Wallis Annenberg Scholars Program
The Wallis Annenberg Scholars program 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 the value of personal growth
• A commitment to developing community
The program offers students the chance to experience life 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 leadership skills that will enhance their personal and educational success.
Wallis Annenberg, for whom this program is named, is an active advocate for students. Her commitment
to meaningful and enriching educational experiences led her to develop this program. The University of
Southern California is pleased to partner with The Annenberg Foundation to offer this program.
Scholarship Details
The program is sponsored by The Annenberg Foundation, who generously provides full tuition
scholarships that afford the program fees and transportation costs for each Scholar.
All Wallis Annenberg Scholars will arrive on Sunday, July 4, 2010 and depart for home on Saturday, July
31, 2010. The Office of Continuing Education and Summer Programs will make flight arrangements to
and from the program. The Scholars will fly into and out of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The Foundation also awards each Scholar a $600 stipend upon successful completion of the program. In
order to receive a stipend, each Scholar must possess a valid Social Security Number and must complete
a W-9 Form. Instructions for completing the W-9 form will be given during orientation on July 4th.
Academic Details
The Scholars will take classes and live with other students from across the country in the USC Summer
Seminars. To ensure their academic success, first-year Wallis Annenberg Scholars participate in one of
three Seminars: Exploring Psychology, Playwriting, and Writing Techniques for the College Bound
Student. During the second summer, Scholars may select from any of the Seminars offered. Students
can earn three units of University elective credit for each seminar. Additionally, second-year Scholars
who have demonstrated maturity will be invited to develop their leadership skills as a peer mentor to firstyear
Wallis Annenberg Scholars.
In addition to the seminar in which the student is enrolled, each of the Wallis Annenberg Scholars will
attend a mandatory workshop. First-year Wallis Annenberg Scholars will participate in the Writing for
College workshop. This mini-seminar will assist students in understanding and strengthening the basic
writing techniques necessary for college success. Second-year Scholars attend The College Application
Process workshop offered by USC’s Office of Admission.
Nomination and Application Deadline: Friday, March 5, 2010
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About the USC Summer Seminars
The USC Summer Seminars represent the breadth of disciplines at the University of Southern California
(USC). Studying in the same classrooms and laboratories and dining in the same facilities as USC
undergraduates, students view university life from the inside. Students get an extra “taste of college life”
by living in freshman residence halls. All students benefit from personal academic support of faculty,
teaching staff, and Residential Counselors in the positive learning environment fostered at an
internationally recognized research university.
Academics
Each seminar 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 foretaste
of college academic life, each course awards three (3.0) units of University credit. These elective units
can be used towards an undergraduate degree at USC or transferred to other colleges and universities.
Faculty, teaching assistants, and Residential Counselors are available to help students succeed in their
Seminar courses. In addition, academic support groups for laboratory meetings and daily study sessions
offer students opportunities to connect and learn from their peers.
Students will be provided with school supplies at the start of the program including a notebook, paper,
pencil, pens, USB Flash Drive for computer use, and seminar specific supplies.
Activities & Excursions
An active social life is an integral aspect of the USC Summer Seminars. Weeknight activities include
movie and game nights, intramural sports, and other activities in the residence halls. Students spend
Friday nights on campus with activities that include karaoke, dancing, movies and a birthday party for all
of the students who celebrate their birthdays during the Seminar. 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 the Hollywood Bowl, the J. Paul Getty Museum, Disneyland,
Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park, and the Santa Monica Pier. Additional outings may include a youth
symphony concert, a sporting event or a visit to the beach.
Residential Life
Students live on USC’s University Park campus in freshman residence halls, equipped with a mini
refrigerator and microwave, and eat in dining halls that provide them with three meals a day. Each
Scholar rooms on a single-sex floor with another Summer Seminar student who is not part of the Wallis
Annenberg Scholars program. Additionally, each residence hall has at least one lounge with a TV,
computer lab, and several study areas. A pre-paid phone card and land line telephone is available to
each Wallis Annenberg Scholar.
The Director of Summer Programs and a staff of full-time Residential Counselors are available 24 hours a
day and live in the residence halls with Summer Seminar 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.
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Sample Schedule
Breakfast 7:00 am – 8:30 am
Lecture 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lunch 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Workshop 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Study Session 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Dinner 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Evenings and weekends are reserved for study and project time as well as social activities (intramural
sports, movies, games and more).
Please visit our website at http://cesp.usc.edu/2010/summer/summer.shtml to read course descriptions of
the different seminars and to find answers to any further questions you may have.