DJS3CA

No she was not a legacy. And my GPA is actually 3.6 currently not 3.5. Still should i be scared?

coffeeandtobacco

I see that there are a lot of people who are worried about their stats.
But as they say, college admissions is really a crap shoot. There's
definitely an advantage with strong stats but then again, there are
people who get rejected with 4.0s and others who get accepted with
3.6s. Comparing stats can only do so much. In my opinion, even if your
stats don't fair up to others that may have gotten rejected/accepted,
1. it doesn't hurt to try and who knows?
2. there are variables with every applicant
Hope this helps.

DJS3CA

It does and it is not like ive heard it before. I think we can all agree that we are all trying to figure out what the formula for getting in USC is. In reality there is no formula exactly. But we still want to help our chances in every way. Any one started their essays yet? Any advice and DOs and DO NOTs for writing them?

DJS3CA

oh and my friend was a Business major aswell

Doryx

Contrary to popular belief, legacy does not offer a lot of help to applicants. Legacy only applies to applicants who are on the border. (ie. Two students who have identical stats, 3.5 GPA, same SAT, same HS everything. Whoever has legacy will get in.) Legacy will in no way help a 3.2GPA student get in when the average admittance has been 3.7GPA.

If anyone has researched the facts, only 15% of the admitted students had some type of legacy.



USC is a private school, so there is no straight formula for getting admitted. Someone can have amazing GPA, but can still be rejected for whatever reason. (ie. Didn't do any requirement courses, choosing a competitive major, having a weak essay, etc.) I can tell you right now, I know a bunch of 3.8+ GPA students who have been rejected and several 3.4GPA+ who have been admitted.


Remember, when you are calculating GPA, you can only calculate classes that can transfer over to USC (mostly classes that apply to USC GE or USC preq). Just because your transcript GPA is a 3.8, it makes you a 3.8gpa student. You could have A's in PE, intermediate alegra, dance, and other classes that USC doesn't take seriously that pulled your 3.5 to a 3.8gpa.


http://www.usc.edu/dept/ARR/articulation/
The only classes USC counts are the one listed in your specific school articulation agreement and your specific major's prereqs.

southbaygirl

I'm looking for a strategy to improve my chances for admissions. I would ultimately like to end up in Marshall but doubt that my GPA is going to get me there. I've read that you can still be admitted to your second choice then change majors after being enrolled for a semester. Is this true and what would be the best choice for a second major?

Here are my stats:
current transferable GPA 3.15
hope to have GPA of 3.27 after this semester's classes
I have over 64 transferable credits with all of my GE completed
in the prereq. classes for Marshall I have all A's & B's.
Calculus is in process now and I am praying for an A grade.
Legacy: Grandfather was alumni

Lastly, I'm a non-traditional student, in other words, I have been in the business field for over decade and held positions with a great deal of responsibility and authority while going to school when the stress of work permitted. How is this viewed by admissions? Age and work experience I mean?

Your honest advice is welcomed! Thanks!

bumbumbum

does anyone know if its possible to set up an individual counseling meeting w/ a USC admissions rep?

lreds4life

when I called USC they said that they don't meet with transfer students one on one.

DJS3CA

bumbumbum there r transfer days and marshall has transfer workshops

DJS3CA

So if i went to another junior college for a semester but I didnt transfer any units to OCC went i went back. Can i just say i went to OCC only? And not count the classes i took at the other CC

erraticme

I emailed USC last summer and was informed that if you have 30 or more credits your high school career is meaningless. I'm trying to find the email so I can quote it directly. I was surprised to get a response at all, but this was VERY direct. Naturally it varies, but for those of you who maybe don't have much to show from high school, you shouldn't be discouraged. If you've worked hard and improved during your freshman/sophomore college years you have a good chance.

queen10

how many units do you need to have to enter as a junior for USC

lreds4life

@queen10: You can come in as a junior transfer with a maximum of 64 units I believe.


K, some questions everyone. I'd really appreciate the help.

1) If I previously applied to USC for freshman admission, will I need to obtain a new USC ID for my transfer app?

2) If I feel like my essay and short answers were strong for the freshman admission application, would it be wise to use them again? Does USC allow this? Would it be better to write totally new responses?

fight_on1

lreds im in the same situation as you. i made a new one for the transfer process. in response to the essays i would redo them. tell them something new. build on your new experiences from this past year. gluck.

lreds4life

@fight_on1: did you apply for freshman admission last year? That's what I did. I just graduated from high school and have only been at my CCC (California Community College) for about 5 months. Apparently they focus on both your HS record/SAT scores + your college units if you have under 30 units. I'll have 21 at the time I turn in my application, but I talked to them and they said it's alright if I'm in progress of completing the rest of the requirement during their app review period. They will most likely request for my Spring grades at a later time. Best of luck to you bro.