Application Question(s)

CHIEFS · 09-12-2009, 10:10 AM

So I started my application to SC the other day and I have a few basic questions:

1. When entering your senior year classes, you're supposed to list the term in which you are taking a course(the options are 1st Semester, 2nd Semester, 3 Trimester, and 4th Quarter), but what should I put if it's a year long course?

2. How do you feel about the optional personal statement? I think my GPA and ACT scores are good enough; do I have anything to lose/gain but submitting/not submitting this optional personal statement?

Thanks in advance!

fendrock · 09-12-2009, 03:24 PM

1. I would suggest you put the same class twice, ie 1st Semester, Physics, 2nd Semester. Physics.

2. Since the personal statement is optional, submit it only if you wish. My d did not submit it and was admitted. (If you are applying for Honors, I believe there is a supplement which does require at least one essay. I don't know if this is the case for Capstone.)

athemom · 09-13-2009, 12:03 AM

1. As fendrock states, I would suggest listing for each semester/trimester/term depending on the schedule your school uses.

2. I think it depends. If memory serves me correctly the personal statement is part of the regular SC application. If you are applying for honors, you probably don't need it unless there is a weakness or area of your application that you need to and can explain. If this is the case, then by all means complete it. The honors application is quite extensive with an essay and multiple short answer questions required. If, however, you aren't planning to complete the honors application I would suggest completing this section as it is the only area of the application that will provide the admissions couselors insight into you as a person, and it won't hurt but could only help. I don't think my D completed the personal statement as the honors application was pretty detailed. In any event, if in doubt I'd complete the personal statement.

MeKimber · 09-13-2009, 07:32 AM

All of the advice offered so far sounds great! For what it's worth, my S did not complete the Honors application, he did not provide the optional personal statement and he was invited into Capstone and received a generous scholarship. Being that it is optional it isn't counted against you if you don't provide it.

proudpop · 09-14-2009, 03:11 PM

CHIEFS:

FWIW, my D claims that her personal statement that she included with her Honors App made the difference in her becoming a Mc Nair finalist. I wouldn't know as Dad and Mom were not privy to any application before it was submitted. She said she told of her life goals and how USC was THE place that could make them a reality. She said every member of the Mc Nair interview panel commented on her statement.

I would say it couldn't hurt!

Knights09 · 09-15-2009, 12:45 PM

The personal statement for the regular application is truly optional. There is no extra application for Capstone, but there is a separate application for Honors (all McNair hopefuls have to do this one) that is pretty tough and asks some in-depth question. That application is due later than the EA deadline, I believe.

CHIEFS · 10-05-2009, 05:31 PM

Geez, how long does it take for my counselor to send a transcript???

cathymee · 10-06-2009, 07:27 PM

Chiefs
if you think its been too long, be your own advocate with the GC..go there and inquire on your transcripts status.

stuckinillinois · 10-10-2009, 03:50 PM

On the application it asks whether I sent all of my SAT/ACT results to South Carolina. I sent all of my scores except one of my bad SAT tests. Since I only care about my ACT do I have to report my SAT? And if I don't have to report my SATs do I have to click the box that says, "Have you taken, or do you plan to take the SAT?"

2010applicant · 10-11-2009, 12:15 PM

You have to send all of them, good or bad. Here's a quote straight from the application (my emphasis):

Quote:

If not, please ask the testing center to send all your official test results to USC so we can process your application. Remember to have all your official test score results sent directly from the testing service. The University of South Carolina requires applicants to submit all SAT and ACT scores for every test attempted. Applications without official test scores for every test attempted will not be processed. The University's reporting code for the SAT is 5818, and for the ACT, 3880.

AL34 · 10-11-2009, 02:21 PM

^ ok, obvious question then, ethics aside how would they possibly know if you took the SAT at all? I hate the idea of giving SAT the money for a test you wouldn't report to any other college. I can see if you took multiple ACTs or SATs, but how in the world can they cross check to see if you took both tests?

MeKimber · 10-11-2009, 04:38 PM

i think you are worrying to much about sending the poor SAT score. They take your best score from each section and creat a composite score which is what they use. So if you took the test 6 different time and got six different scores they will take the best CR, the best Math and the best Writing to determine your composite. Don't sweat it, a lot of people don't test well and get a poor score somewhere along the line.

Knights09 · 11-05-2009, 10:48 PM

You do not need to send both SAT and ACT scores if you took both. You can if you want to, but only one is necessary.

AL34 · 11-06-2009, 09:25 AM

The University of South Carolina requires applicants to submit all SAT and ACT scores for every test attempted. Applications without official test scores for every test attempted will not be processed.

I don't know, this read to me to be all scores from any test you took. Not sure how they would verify this but I feel it goes under the "I didn't lie on the app" thingy DS signed.

Knights09 · 11-06-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Official SAT or ACT test scores (for all dates you have taken) sent to us directly from the CollegeBoard or ACT, respectively.

USC Undergraduate Admissions

Quote:

Admission requirements:

* Required: SAT Reasoning Test or ACT
* If submitting ACT, the writing section is required

College Search - University of South Carolina - USC - Admission

Only one of the two is necessary. I'm pretty sure "every test attempted" is referring to Score Choice.

Stuckinillinois, if you are only sending your ACT scores, you're fine. But if you want to send your ACT scores and use Score Choice to only send your best SAT, this is not allowed.