@seabee91 I sent so many transcripts over to them that I probably annoyed them to be honest. They will need to see your fall grades, so maybe it would be a good idea to wait until you have them. Otherwise, you can send in transcripts via mail or the portal as often as you need to. I took things like winter classes and short-term spring classes the first time I applied to USC and I sent in those grades as they became available.
@seabee91 We always sent in what we had and then sent in update. I suppose your transcript may show “in progress” for the fall pre-requ so that is good for them to know too. We felt like the earlier files are kept up to date (and updated when new stuff came) was the way to go. So I agree with @zettasyntax process. And regular communication like this with pertinent information (non annoying kind) doesn’t hurt.
Hey guys, I am applying to USC this fall for Biological Sciences, but I am a little confused on how their evaluate their applicants. I have a 4.0 GPA with a decent amount of GEs done and sciences courses finished. From what I have seen, USC is more strict on GE requirements than major prep? UCLA is very strict on major prep and I was wondering if USC was the same.
@uclaking USC looks for three major things (aside from GPA) in your application as a transfer student:
- Completion of 6 out of 8 courses in the GE Core Literacy categories (A-F). You need to complete 2 of these at USC, so it makes no sense to complete more than 6.
- Completion of major pre-req courses. USC is certainly more lenient than UCLA (or any UC really) with this, but it is still very important! Missing a single pre-req course isn't going to kill you, but it is better to have completed all of them to maximize your chances of admission.
- Essays! These are extremely important and can be the thing to make or break an applicant. A strong applicant with poor essays can definitely be rejected, while an okay student with amazing essays could certainly get in. Take your time with these.
I hope this helps. I wish you the best of luck with your applications to USC and UCLA! I got into both schools last year, so feel free to direct any questions you may have my way about either school. Fight on!
@vegastransfer Hey, thank you so much for answering my question. Do you mind PMing me so i can get to know more information?
Hi all,
After this Fall semester—if I get all A’s—I’ll have a 3.84 GPA. However, I have 2 W’s from this fall (one in a non-transferable Stress Management class, that I was misinformed about the date to drop before the W, and a W in Multivariable Calculus—change of major). I also have another W from Winter 2019 (Gender Studies, same reason as the Stress Management). I’m a prospective Economics transfer. Will this heavily affect my admission?
@superbeewhy The average GPA for transfers is 3.7, so you are certainly in a good position there. Things get tricky with the Ws though. USC doesn’t really like seeing Ws on a transcript (especially multiple Ws). The W in Multivariable Calculus MAY have an impact depending on which Economics degree you plan to apply for. If you plan to do the BA in Econ, then you should be okay. If you’re applying for the BS in Econ/Math, then the W will have a bigger impact since Calc 3 is a major pre-req for Econ/Math.
When it comes to the other Ws, be sure to explain your reasoning for dropping these courses in your essays. Find a way to fit it in so that they have some context when weighing your application. Wishing you the best of luck!
Wanted to stop by this and wish everyone good luck this application process. Glad to see some familiar names in this thread again from last year. I’m reapplying for Fall 2020 with a much heavier resume and honors curriculum to Annenberg. Best of luck to all of you.
I’m gonna try this time around not to spend too much time on here, made me more worried and anxious waiting for my decision.
I see @vegastransfer & @woshua again, great to see you both 
also great to have you guys back, @CADREAMIN & @zettasyntax , can’t thank you both enough for all of your support last time.
Again, best of luck to all of you. I hope the application process is smooth and if anyone has any questions I’d love to help best I can!
@transferusc88 You go girl! I get this place being anxiety producing. You got this! PM me anytime - always a fan.
@transferusc88 I was hoping to see you pop back in here. I’m happy knowing that you are giving it another shot this year! I wish you the best of luck this go around. You got this!! 
If you need any advice or an opinion on an essay or whatnot, feel free to message me. I’m happy to help!
@transferusc88 I admire your determination! Definitely not easy to go through the agony of the transfer cycle again. You’ve got another supporter in your corner. And yeah, if it makes you more anxious, not a good idea to spend too much time here comparing yourself to others. You can always PM me as well. I can show you my super corny essay where I used “fight on” to basically say I wasn’t giving up and wanted to try a second time to get into USC. I just started the core sequence of my graduate program and it’s completely insane, lol, but I still like to lurk around 
I seen on their transfer class profile there’re less than 10% of the transfer are accepting from UC/CSU. Does anyone know is it hard to transfer to USC from CSU? (Currently in San Jose State)
@vegastransfer If I only have one W from intro to biology class, do I bother to explain? I’m planning to major in sociology.
@transferr2020 One W isn’t really a huge problem. USC typically likes to see no more than 2, but of course, no W’s is always better. I didn’t explain the W I had in pre-calc, but I did have a medical issue if I did have to explain. I was having heart problems and visited the ER during Friday/Saturday a number of times during the first month of class. My pre-calc class only met Saturdays, but I didn’t want to interfere with my other classes. I fell so behind and decided a W would look better than the D or F I was headed for. It’s typically a good idea to explain when you have multiple W’s during the same semester. When you have multiple W’s in multiple semesters, it certainly becomes a problem for USC. They might assume you can’t handle a full schedule and that’s why you keep dropping classes.
@zettasyntax Thanks for responding and your insight for that. I dropped my biology class for similar reason as you, except I was having insomnia and depression first enter college. That’s the only W on my transcript, and I don’t think I will be getting any W in this semester.
@transferr2020 You should be fine. I applied to USC for Fall 2019 and got in for Spring 2020 with two "W"s. I dropped those because I might have gotten “B” for those two classes and retook them the following semester and got “A” for both.
Just try to keep “W” no more than 2 and you should be fine. You can have 3 "W"s if you come in with a lot of AP credits. The main problem for "W"s is that they will lower your units and USC does not want you to be too behind if they accept you.
For example, you will be at least 6 but usually 9 to 12 units behind if you have 3 "W"s.
@transferusc88 Good to see you again and best of luck!
I can’t believe how quickly time flies and I am close to finish up my Fall semester (last semester) at Pepperdine. I am so excited to start USC in January and begin a brand new chapter of my life.
I will most likely live in Lorenzo though (still trying to find housing) since I have heard that Gateway is old and Icon is small lol. USC’s off campus housing is definitely not at its best and could be a hassle.
@sagaciousforever Gateway is not old, Lorenzo is fancier but far off campus and you can’t walk around there at all. No services in walking distance of Lorenzo and not good area outside the property. You have heard things about these places??? No reason you shouldn’t have toured housing options by now yourself being you are at Pepperdine. Uber over there and form your own opinions. Good luck!
@CADREAMIN I actually visited Lorenzo, Icon, Tuscany a few days ago! I have friends living in those apartments. In terms of facilities, Lorenzo is probably the best but it is indeed a little far from campus.
After my visit, I found Icon is a little small and old. Tuscany is perfect but I could not find anyone who tries to sublease it. I did not visit Gateway but I have heard negative reviews from my friends about it (they all visited Gateway before and one person had lived there). If I do get the chance, maybe I should visit Gateway myself.
Meanwhile, I will most likely end up with Lorenzo for one semester and then find a better place for Fall 2020! Off-campus housing is not ideal for Spring admits and at this point I just want to take a transition to live in a place with good facilities for my first semester.
Lorenzo is very nice, people enjoy living there. If you don’t mind the distance, it’s otherwise very sweet!