Viterbi GCSP Designation
Application for 2024-2025 Now Open!
Deadline: March 28th, 2025 at 11:59pm
What is Designation?
Viterbi GCSP Designation is the programmatic objective of students involved with Viterbi GCSP and the culmination of your hard work engaging in activities that prepared you to join the next generation of change makers.
During senior year, Viterbi majors will be invited to apply for Designation as a Viterbi Grand Challenges Scholar. The process consists of submitting a narrative application discussing the students' activities and experiences to meet each of the Five Mindsets. In their narratives, students are expected to briefly discuss what they did to meet a particular Mindset, how their experience relates to Grand Challenges, and what they learned from the experience. A review committee will make determinations on Grand Challenges Scholar eligibility. Applications that best embody the mission and spirit of GCSP will be reviewed for further distinctions as Top Scholars, including award and recognition.
Students who earn the designation of Viterbi Grand Challenges Scholars receive the following:
- A transcript designation as a Viterbi Grand Challenges Scholar
- A medal to be worn at Commencement and all other end of year celebrations
- A recognition letter from the National Academy of Engineering's President
- Recognition from the international GCSP Network
- A Linkedin profile badge to display for resumes, employers, or graduate school opportunities
How Do I Receive Designation?
Students can begin the process of applying for GCSP Designation in the fall of senior year. You will be required to write a narrative for each of the five Mindsets, explaining your activities, intentions, and what you learned from your experiences. Prior to completing your narratives, you will need to earn your Mindset badges on EngageSC. A committee will review all applications, and final decisions will be announced toward the end of the spring semester.
The GCSP Committee will only accept applications from graduating seniors with a Viterbi major. Each application will be evaluated on the student’s focus on their chosen Grand Challenge and interpretation of their work and experiences across the Five Mindsets.
While we accept applications from students who are graduating in either Fall or Spring semester, Viterbi GCSP only offers ceremonial experiences in the Spring semester prior to commencement. Please take this into consideration if you plan on participating in commencement ceremony in the Spring but will finish the last of your degree in the fall. If you finish your degree in the Fall semester and plan to participate in the following Spring commencement celebrations, please be sure to complete your Designation application in the Fall semester prior to officially completing your degree.
You will notice the Five Mindsets of a successful Grand Challenges Scholar have flexibility built in. While we list possible interpretations of the Mindsets in the application, on the Viterbi GCSP website, and in this document, we encourage you to think of these areas broadly. While focusing on your selected Grand Challenge only one Mindset requires in-depth focus.
It is highly encouraged to take advantage of advisement and application review throughout the application season.
Designation decisions will be based on the following considerations:
- Fulfillment of each of the five Mindsets, including the number of activities in each tier
- Mindset narratives, including the overall quality of writing and addressing the questions asked of each narrative:
- What did you do to fulfill the Mindset?
- What was your involvement?
- Why did you choose to pursue the projects or activities in relation to your Grand Challenge?
- What is the end result of your efforts?
- What did you learn from your experience(s) related to Grand Challenges and this Mindset?
- What, if any, are your next steps or plans to build on what you learned, did, or accomplished?
While not every narrative needs to be exceptionally strong and robust with experiences, applicants who do not have a mix of experiences and only list major and general education coursework to meet each of the Five Mindsets may be deemed noncompetitive and considered for rejection.
Applications must meet these requirements and will marked as rejected otherwise:
- Includes a narrative for each of the Five Mindsets
- Applicant must be in good academic standing (no academic probation at the time of application
- Applicant must be a Viterbi Major
Resources for Designation
GCSP Activities List- see some of the Viterbi and USC programs, coursework, organizations, contests and more that may qualify for GCSP Designation.
Example narratives from Students who received designation
Designation Application Overview Video (the application interface will look different, as this video is from 2022)
Book an in-person or online appointment to go over your narratives, experiences, or learn about the designation process.
Learn how to add your experiences to your co-curricular transcript in EngageSC.
View GCSP Handbook with Designation Overview