<p>Hi! I’m about to become a senior in high school and college application time is slowly but surely approaching so I was wondering if you guys can help me get a sense of my current predicament concerning acceptance of USC</p>
<p>Some background information: I’m an Asian Male born in China, spent 8 years in China, 3 in Canada, and 6 years in the United States so I can speak English, Chinese, and French. </p>
<p>My Stats and I regretfully has slacked off tremendously so my GPA is horrible </p>
<p>GPA: Unweighted: 3.16
Weighted: 3.67
SAT I: 2200
SATIIs: Math II C: 750
Biology 700
Chemistry: 630 (blah horrible i know)
Literature: 620 (same here)</p>
<p>APs: 5 in AP English Language
4 in AP Calculus
3 in AP Biology
2 in AP Chemistry (Once again i know! its horrible )</p>
<p>ECs: Tennis Team (9, 11, 12) Captain senior Year
Badminton Team, Math Team, National Honors Society, School Newspaper Staff, Prom Committee(Dance Committee) Leader, Freshmen Orientation Staff, French Club, French Honors Society, Hospital Staff/Volunteer (City of Hope Oncology Department), Coaches kids tennis.</p>
<p>Your GPA is low for USC. However, your test scores are high. So I’d imagine you have a good shot for spring admissions. However, if you have an upward trend, then you may be better off. At this point, the best thing you can do is get as close to a 4.0 UW first semester and write some great essays. Good luck!</p>
<p>yah i m pretty sure my essays will be exceptional cause i have to admit english is my forte and i have an amazing ap english teacher that will help me with my personal statements and recs. and as far as the 4.0 first semester i will definitely try! so assuming that i am able to accomplish all of this, what is the rough possibility of me getting in? like 40%? 50?</p>
<p>OP- unfortunately, ericmodify has given you incorrect information.<br>
</p>
<p>I’m not sure why that poster would say that- maybe he is thinking USC is part of the UC system which is a common mistake.</p>
<p>USC is a private school and generally selects those for admissions with high stats and a good fit for USC. Geography may only have a play on an application if there is something unique in an individual related to their location that can come out in essays. </p>
<p>You really do have some strong ec’s and I would encourage you to write some great essays and apply. Again- you have a shot.</p>
<p>Agree with cc411. Your state will not play into USC’s decision unless you come from a very underrepresented state and, of course, also fit the stats profile of admitted students. In 2008, the average GPA UW was 3.8, and the admissions office lists GPA as the most important indicator of a student’s ability to thrive academically at USC. If you seriously want to attend USC, you must address why you got such low grades. Slacking off isn’t the best excuse (did you have any health issues? family changes? moves?), but it’s human and people mature at different times. If you have a good guidance counselor, talk to her/him about how you can write an essay to explain what went wrong with the early grades and what you have done and will continue to do to take classroom requirements seriously. It will take a very honest and passionate essay.</p>
<p>Your test scores are good, but that GPA is really going to hold you back. Write a GREAT essay with an EXCELLENT topic and aim for a 4.0 first semester of senior year.</p>
<p>uh yeppp i live in california and the school i go to produces the most UC students and the most USC students per year in the united states so apparently UCs and USC love us. And my ap english teacher is an extremely informed and experienced college “counselor” type character so I am set and like i said, i’ve moved around a lot (i’ve attended 9 schools in 12 years) and i m writing about that in my personal statements so yep! THANKS FOR ALL THE FEEDBACK</p>
<p>I agree that your GPA is too low for USC. However, I went to the USC seminar and they said they like to view students holistically so I actually think you have a decent chance. Good luck!</p>
<p>By all means apply! I think you only have an “outside” chance of acceptance based on your GPA, SAT II scores (excluding math II), and your EC’s. Speaking 3 languages and well-written essays will help but will not overcome your low GPA for such a selective school. </p>