Year-by-Year Roadmap

A roadmap for exploring fellowships, research, leadership, and global opportunities at USC.

USC awards and external fellowships require significant time, energy, and support. Our office offers a suggested roadmap to serve as a general guide throughout your first, second, third, and fourth years, and post-graduate. The earlier you begin the better but most external opportunities have application deadlines during junior and senior years.

The goal is not to complete every item below.
The goal is to intentionally build experiences, relationships, and skills that align with your interests, values, and aspirations.

There is no “perfect” path

Competitive applicants come from every major and background. What matters most is thoughtful engagement, intellectual curiosity, initiative, and a clear sense of purpose.

Start where you are

Students who arrive at USC with different experiences and different starting points. You do not need prior research, international experience, or leadership titles to begin exploring fellowships. Use this timeline to identify opportunities that fit your own journey.

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Transfer Student Pathway

Fellowship committees value growth over time. Bring your experiences from all of the places you’ve been – before and during USC.

Examples of experiences that you can consider:

• Community college leadership
• Student government
• Employment
• Family responsibilites
• Research projects
• Military service
• Volunteer work
• Life experiences

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Reflection Questions:

How has your journey through multiple institutions shaped your perspective and goals?

How have you built upon or expanded interests you first explored before transferring?

What strengths, skills, or insights did you gain from your previous institution(s) that continue to influence your work at USC?

Thoughtfully connecting experiences across institutions can create a compelling narrative for fellowship applications and interviews.

What Competitive Applicants Often Have in Common

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Intellectual Curiosity

Demonstrate a genuine commitment to learning that extends beyond academic achievement. They ask thoughtful questions, seek new perspectives, and actively engage with ideas, experiences, and opportunities for intellectual growth.

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Service & Collaboration

Demonstrate a commitment to improving their communities through service and partnership. They work across differences, build consensus, and empower others to advance shared goals.

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Initiative

Identify needs or gaps and take action to address them. Rather than waiting for opportunities, they create them by solving problems, mobilizing resources, and driving positive change.

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Reflection

Intentionally align their involvements with their values, goals, and aspirations. They thoughtfully connect their experiences to their motivations and clearly articulate how those experiences inform their future goals.