What to know when submitting your written application
Written applications are how we get to know you initially! We ask a lot of questions so you have a chance to show us who you are, your background, what you care about, and where being part of Spark's leadership fits into that picture. Here are all of the questions we ask on our written application each semester.
In Spark recruitment, each application is read three separate times by three different board members that do not know the identity of the applicant. All members read applications. Our Core Team facilitates the process and normalizes scores.
Application questions
After we close submissions, three Spark Board members will review and evaluate your anonymized application.
We anonymize, triplicate, and divide the apps among the Spark members who are available to read (20-30 people). Their job is to evaluate your responses along with the questions we listed above. When you apply, your reviewer can see the following information:
- Your graduation year
- Your major and minor
- Your responses to each of the questions
Spark members evaluate anonymized applications using the following four criteria:
- Growth mindset
- Passion & drive
- Creative thinking
- Mission fit
Does this person demonstrate a desire to learn? A desire to fail upward? A desire to grow from experiencing challenges?
Do they have extensive knowledge about one or more topics? Have they shown a drive to pursue their passions through experience or expressed commitment?
Creativity is hard to define, but we like thinking of creativity as divergent thinking for the use of solving problems. Does this person demonstrate a desire to take unprecedented or experimental approaches when solving problems or completing a task?
Does this person demonstrate desires, passions, and values aligned with our mission? Does this person express a belief in expanding the definition of entrepreneurship for others? Does this person show interest in working on things that benefit or support others?
If we don't ask you to participate in the next round of interviews, we hope you apply again! We're happy to chat with you more about entrepreneurship at USC and our events. Just send us an email at hello@sparksc.org and ask to grab coffee with a Board member.