<p>Asian male from MI
3.5 UW GPA (out of 4)
8 AP classes total
Last year: 5,5,4,3 on US Govt, Lang, Physics C, Calc BC
Class Rank: top 25% ~450
SAT: 780M,780R,760W (2320)
National Merit Semifinalist
Essays: Very very good (at least, let’s assume so)
ECs:
4yrs school newspaper, 2 years as Opinion Editor, some state writing awards
4yrs varsity cross country and track, all area, all regional awards
Vice President of quizbowl club
NHS
President/cofounder of tabletennis club</p>
<p>I put Political Science as my first choice, Journalism as my second choice. </p>
<p>Do I have a shot? Also, if accepted, do I automatically get the half tuition scholarship from being NMS, or was that supposed to be part of the Dec.1 scholarship deadline?</p>
<p>You do NOT automatically get the half tuition Presidential scholarship from being NMS. National Merit will mail you a form where you list your FIRST CHOICE college. The following has to open (at least last year, I don’t know if there was a policy change at USC this year): 1. You have to write down that USC is your FIRST CHOICE college. 2. You have to be a National Merit Finalist. 3. You have to be accepted to USC. If you are accepted to USC, are a National Merit Finalist and you write down that USC is your FIRST CHOICE college (and you do not change your decision), then you should get the Presidential half tuition scholarship. This was last year’s procedure. Read the scholarship info. in the USC brochure to see if this is the same or different policy/procedure this year. My understanding is that you have to apply by Dec. 1 to be considered for USC scholarships. I don’t know what happens if you meet the criteria for a presidential scholarship but did not meet the Dec. 1 scholarship deadline.</p>
<p>So let’s say I qualify for the Presidential scholarship and get accepted. But I applied after Dec.1, so I don’t get the scholarship? If so, would this increase my chances of getting accepted, as the admissions officers know that I will be paying the full price?</p>
<p>Also, any thoughts on my chances at getting in?
Thanks.</p>
<p>My son applied by the Dec. 1 deadline for scholarship consideration, so I really don’t know what happens in your case if you applied after Dec.1. Your SAT scores are excellent. Your GPA is a little lower than the AVERAGE GPA last year. I don’t think anyone knows what will really happen with the numbers and quality of the applicant pool this year because of the bad economy. My suggestion to you is if you really like USC, then apply and see what happens.</p>
<p>There were students that were NMS for 2008 and were not admitted to USC. One parent wrote her son was rejected from USC with 3.5 uw GPA and 2200+. So do pay attention to how you fill out your application and your essay.</p>
<p>My S has extremely similar stats and ECs. I consider his chances to be 50/50. That GPA is the problem. Nothing to do but apply and see what happens.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. A couple more questions:
What school should I apply for that would give me the best chance of being accepted?
How does USC consider the rigor of the classes (I have a pretty tough curriculum)?
Columbia Student: Was that person rejected a NMF? Does anyone know anymore instances of NMS being rejected, and what their stas were?
mdcissp: You think the poor economy will play a factor in what way, it will be easier to get in to the private schools?</p>
<p>I’ve heard CLAS is the easiest school of being accepted.
I don’t know their stats but they posted they were NMF and were surprised they were not admitted. Also if you call USC, the admission office will tell you the same thing. The fact that you are NMF is not a guaranteed for admission. However, if you get admitted, you will qualify for the Presidential scholarship.
Here is a thread of last year applicant that was admitted as a Spring Admit at USC with SAT 2300 and 3.5uw GPA.
<p>Given the way the economy is now, I think merit and/or financial aid will play a greater factor in the ultimate college decision. Many will continue to apply to their favorite school(s) and see how the numbers work out. Ultimately, the yield may change given the family’s financial circumstances. Therefore, I think USC will see a large number of highly qualified students competing for aid. It is going to be difficult for many families to pay full tuition and all associated costs if there is a decline in college savings and/or family income. </p>
<p>The Cinema school and Viterbi Engineering are very competitive to get into. My suggestion is to apply to the major you are most interested in studying. If you are not sure of what you want to study, you can declare “undecided” on your application.</p>
<p>To Columbia Student–the problem with the post from “Unexpected result” is that the UC system uses points for specific things. For example, if this applicant did not fulfill the A-G requirements, then that might explain why the applicant did not get into UCLA, and some of the other UCs. I have not heard of USC having A-G requirements.</p>
<p>Well, I know of 5 students from D’s school who had SATs above 2200, but who had low GPAs, who did not get admitted to USC, UCLA or UCB and in three cases not UCSD either, and one not even to UCI. All five were NMFs and had taken 5 to 9 APs and done the UC a-g requirements. One of them had a 36 ACT and an above 2300 SAT.
A good GPA is really crucial in getting into these schools.
I do know of another who was denied by USC, (mid 2100s and 3.6) but appealed, and will attend in spring.</p>
<p>dma, I don’t have exact stats but I know they were in the range of 3.45 to 3.7 unweighted. Also, there’s no way of telling what their essays were like, and it’s possible they didn’t get the greatest recommendations or counselor reports. I do know that a couple of them were considered “lazy” and didn’t have much in ECs either. Also, I’m not sure what departments they were applying to (some are more selective).
Don’t let this discourage you too much…USC very much takes into consideration all aspects of the app. Make sure you pay lots of attention to your essays and short answers in presenting yourself. You never know. USC does offer Spring admission too.</p>
<p>Columbia…yes it was brutal, there were a lot of surprises last year, particularly regarding the UCs. It was also a very competitive year for all, as I guess this year will be too.</p>
<p>Perhaps “unexpected results” applied really late which explains getting admission in the spring, not the fall. Also, in Sequoia’s case of the students who were denied–perhaps their GPA did not score enough points for the UCs. I am kind of surprised that someone would become a NMF without a high GPA. One other thing to think about—these universities are going to compare your stats with your classmates in your high school. I doubt that the UCs and USC (as well as any other highly regarded university) is going to take a large class of high school kids from the same high school.</p>