i wanna be a trojan! chance it

Colleges & Universities University of Southern California
1

<p>Location: CT
Junior (going into senior year)
unweighted gpa: 3.83
weighted: i don’t know how to calculate that…could someone tell me actually? haha
Class Rank: school hasn’t told us yet but I believe I am in the top 10 out of 350
SAT: 2040 (630 Reading, 710 Math, 700 Writing) - this is only my first take and I will be retaking next October
SAT Subject: US History - 610
Math Lv 1- 660
Math Lv 2 - 670
AP Scores: US Hist - 4, Eng Lang/Comp - 4, Calculus AB - 4, Comp Sci A - 4
I got A- final grade in all four of those AP’s</p>

<p>Took 2 classes at Yale University (B in Music Theory, A in Private Trombone Lessons)</p>

<p>EC:
-Class of 2009 Advisory Board (Treasurer 9-12)
-Student Council (10, VP 11, most likely President 12)
-Tri-M Music Honor Society (10-11, Pres. 12)
-National Honor Society (11-12)
-Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society (10-12)
-Spanish Honor Society (11-12)
-SADD (9, Treasurer 10-12)
-Spanish Club (9-12)
-Peer Mediation (9-12)</p>

<p>Music EC:</p>

<p>Professional Jazz Trombonist
CT All-State 3rd Chair Jazz Ensemble Freshmen Year, 1st Chair Soph and Junior
CT Regional 1st Chair Jazz Ensemble
Recorded on a released jazz CD
My School’s Jazz Ensemble 1st Chair
Won Best Soloist Awards at jazz competitions in Virginia Beach, Disney World, and Toronto
Grammy Band finalist (national high school jazz ensemble)
Co-Created and Planned a Jazz Concert at my school to raise money for a student to be able to go on our band trip for free (raised over $1000)</p>

<p>Awards/Achievements:
Yale Book Award (based on academics)
Nominated to represent Student Council at CT Capital discussing education in CT</p>

<p>Work Experience: Jazz Musician, I have my own quintet, and play in various big bands and ensembles. I also freelance in the area.
Cold Stone Creamery </p>

<p>Sports: High School Baseball freshmen year
Played travel for four years</p>

<p>Community Service: 70+ hours of playing in school play pit orchestra </p>

<p>I will be auditioning for the USC Thornton School of Music for jazz studies, because trombone is my passion, and that is the bulk of my extracurriculars. It will also be the topic of my essay.</p>

<p>So, what do you guys think are my chances for USC? Go Trojans!</p>

2

<p>Your stats look very good, and at a certain point, performance majors are judged much more on their auditions/portfolios than students in CLAS. We cannot chance you on that–but reading your ECs (and your trombone awards/activities) you look extremely impressive.</p>

<p>And I’d love to see you playing in the Trojan marching band!</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

3

<p>I agree with madbean. Your stats are within the admissible range, but the music talent will set you apart. Having your own quintet and actually working for money should show that you are a self-starter, someone who takes initiative, and that you are completely invested in your passion for music. They like that, I think. Make sure you communicate it via essays and recommendations. Don’t let it get buried in a laundry list of EC’s.</p>