Decision: Accepted (Spring 2018)
Date applied: 1/13/17
Date decision postmarked/received: 3/25/2017
Which school/major at USC: Viterbi School of Engineering, Aerospace Engineering
Scholarships: N/A
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1410 (660 Reading, 790 Writing, 21 Essay)
ACT (breakdown): 30 (35 English, 28 Math, 26 Reading, 29 Science, 8 Writing)
SAT II (place score in parentheses): 660 Biology E, 670 Mathematics Level 1
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.92
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 19 out of 339 (5.6%)
AP (place score in parentheses): AP Chemistry (Test not taken yet)
IB (place score in parentheses): [ALL IB Classes, since 6th grade (5 in Psychology, other Tests not taken yet)]
Senior Year Course Load: AP Chemistry, IB Theory of Knowledge II, IB English, IB Biology, IB Math SL, IB Spanish VI, IB World Topics, Marching Band, Concert Band
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): 10 years Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout, Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Marching Band (2 year Drumline, 2 year Drum Major),
Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community Service: LOTS of hours helping Richmond Friends of the Homeless
Summer Activities: Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Congress (HOBY) and World Leadership Congress (HOBY WLC), James Madison University Summer Band Camp (for Drum Major), other leadership workshops, Marching Band camps, etc.
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App Essay: 8, talked about my how my social anxiety lead me to study philosophy;
Other Essays/Engineering Supplements: 9, about my leadership philosophies and experiences, favorite website (YouTube), my passion/background for aerospace & why USC (I put a heck ton of time into these)
Teacher Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): Did not see
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details): Did not see
Additional Rec (rating 1-10, details): N/A
Interview: N/A
Other
Applied for Financial Aid? No
State (if domestic applicant): Virginia
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Mid-High
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/A
Reflection
Strengths: Extracurriculars, leadership experience, community service, student qualities, high school transcript
Weaknesses: Standardized test scores
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted (Spring 2018). Not totally sure why, but praise God; it’s a miracle!
Where else you are applying or have already applied: Accepted to Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech; Rejected by University of Michigan, Stanford University, University of Colorado (Boulder)
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: I followed USC avidly on all platforms (especially social media), and everything I sent to them portrayed my excitement and passion for attending. I believe that was a major factor, and also the reason why I was denied to these other schools. Again, praise the Lord! It was a miracle that I got into this school (2nd most selective school I applied to) and got in! Never surrender!