LSkaiWalk

So, currently I have narrowed down my list to 12 schools, and am in the process of narrowing it down a bit more. I am graduating in 2010.

Currently USC is my biggest reach, would it even be worth applying? How low are my chances? Would I have a shot?

White Male
Upper-Middle Class
Los Angeles Area
Pretty good public school. Ranked about 50th in CA & 500th in USA.
This year sent like 8 kids to USC.

GPAs are unweighted:

9th Summer:
Computers: A

9th:
3.4 / 3.6
1 Honors Course

10th:
3.0 / 2.8
4 Honors Courses (Killer!)

11th:
3.67 / 3.33
1 AP & 1 Honors (Eased it up a bit)

12th:
Planned 2 APs + Leadership + Varsity Elective Class + Rest are normal classes (total of six classes per semester)

SAT: My Strength!
CR: 690
M: 710
W: 610

Total: 2010


I plan to take it at least once more. I didn't prep that much for this one, and plan to prep a bit more for the next one. Probably just a 50 point increase or something I'm guessing when I take it again.

Sat Subject Tests

Chemistry: 560
U.S. History: 540

(I know, terrible) Does USC require subject tests??

Pretty Good ECs:
-Leadership (Commissioner of Academics)
-Lots of JV Sports
-Varsity Sport Sr. Year
-Leadership in an Elective Class
-Couple Awards
-Traveled to 10 Countries
-70 Hours of Community Service (40 in Foreign Country Building a House)
-Fairly Active in Church
-2 Clubs
-Leadership camp this summer

Courses:
-Only 3 Years of Math (Adv. Alg, Pre-Calc, & Stats) - No Math Sr. Year (AP Calc is super hard at our school, my friend got an F and we have no other math classes.)
-Only 2 Foreign Language (Teachers sucked & I got bad grades)
-4 Science (2 AP, 1 Honors)
-Lots of Electives
-Everything else is good.

Yeah, so I kind of screwed up during 10th grade. Chance me! I'm nervous with my low GPA!

Planned Major: Business

Thanks!!


GPAs:
(None of them include sports, Weighted = All APs + Honors = Additional Point)

9-11 Un-Weighted:
-3.33
9-11 Weighted:
-3.65
10-11 Un-Weighted:
-3.2
10-11 Weighted:
-3.6
UC GPA:
-3.45

(I'm not sure which one USC uses haha)

So, should I even bother applying? Or would I have a decent chance? I need to shorten my list, but if it was on my list, USC would be my number 1 choice. Also, USC doesn't do common app, so I'd have to do a whole new app. But that's not a big deal.

Also, I'm not sure if I'm legacy, but my mom got a masters degree at USC.

So, what are my chances, and should I apply??

Also, any colleges like USC that offer a business degree that you can suggest to me? haha

Thanks!! (Sorry that it was sooo long! - wanted to be thorough)

lauravaz10

USC doesn't require subject tests, but the UCs do.

LSkaiWalk

k thanks!! good to hear.

so how are my chances / should i apply?

akalboy

This could be of some use to you:

http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergr...file2008v3.pdf

It shows the general stats of admitted students to USC. Truthfully, I think you will have to have very compelling essays to get in. While your test scores aren't bad, they lie in the lower/middle range of accepted students to USC, thus it probably wouldn't offset your GPA much. EC's are ok, but still nothing that's going to make you stand out. But if USC is your top choice, reply regardless! Just do well your senior year and write great essays and you may very well get accepted! Good luck!

lauravaz10

^^ Yeah make sure your essays are top notch!

mdcissp

Check to see if USC will accept the ACT test. If USC accepts the ACT, you might want to consider taking the ACT test. If you send in the SAT scores, the SAT subject test scores will be on the same report. If you get great ACT scores, and if USC will accept the ACT, then you can send in the ACT without the SAT subject scores. Also, try to limit applying to 6 schools.
It gets very expensive to pay for all of the application fees, too many essays to write, and just adds to senior stress.

alamemom

USC accepts the ACT (with writing) or the SAT and considers them equally. You can apply with one, the other, or both. Freshman Standards - USC Undergraduate Admission

LSkaiWalk

yeah im workn on narrowing. i was wondering if usc would be too big of a reach.

cant i just use score choice and only submit the normal sat and choose not to send the subject tests?? thats new this year.

LSkaiWalk

so what would my chances be exactly about??

dreamupsided0wn

I'd recommend taking the ACT too. In MY opinion, it's a lot easier to get a high score on the ACT than on the SAT. Your only real problem is your low GPA and lack of Honors/AP courses, but you could definitely offset that with well-written essays and all of your ECs. What's your class rank?

LSkaiWalk

thanks. i think sat better suits me, but i'd give it a shot.

rank kind of sucks. probably in 30s. i got to a school with tons of asians who do really well. and then i have a friend whos not too academic, and takes all easy and normal classes and has a 3.5, while I've taken 7 honors and 1 ap and have a 3.3...

LSkaiWalk

so yeah.. anyone else?? haha thanks though everyone!!

marco911

Like everyone else has said, write a killer essay. Also, get some really good recommendations, put as much of your personality and desire into your app, and keep in touch with your regional counselor (it really does help your chances if you maintain consistent contact and show a lot of interest). I'd say if you do all of that and keep up your GPA, you have a pretty good shot.

chrisandrewhui

Consider applying to some safety schools, but don't get your hopes up for USC, especially for the business school, school of cinematic arts, architecture school, and gerontology. Your best bet is the CLAS.