<p>I looked at the threads from last year and it looks like soo many people got in with scores in the 1800s and I got an 1850. I don’t care when I go to USC, i just want to go there SOMETIME. well actually idk…i was kind of thinking of transferring to NYU and to do that, i would have to take 2 semesters of coursework meaning this would delay the process if i had to wait till spring to go to USC but i guess i would just stay at USC if i got in. i mean theyre both equally prestigious and amazing…except that nyu is in ny haha and in a nicer location. </p>
<p>however, i was wondering if i was missing something. did these people do something to get in with an 1800 or higher sat score? ppl were rejected with 2050 and higher. what would be the pros and cons?</p>
<p>If you got into USC with a score in the 1800s, then the other parts of your application definitely stood out to the admission team, as a score 1800s would fall in the bottom 25% of the SAT score range of admits. I got into USC, with a Dean’s scholarship, this year with an 1840 SAT score. As you know, USC takes a fair, holistic approach when reviewing applicants. They consider everything. I got into USC despite the fact my SAT score is lower than the average USC admit. However, I had a 3.92 unweighted GPA, a strong essay, mentioned how I took the most rigorous courses possible, decent extra curricular activities, and I THINK I probably stood out since I was an international student applying from Sudan. If USC really wants you, but you’re not quite as impressive to them as the fall applicants, then there’s a chance they’ll accept you as a spring admit.</p>
<p>Obviously we don’t know the stats for this year’s admits. And, (not that I am asking as you certainly have the right to maintain your privacy) you have made no mention of your gpa or ecs. </p>
<p>But I will say this: USC does look at your total application. I have two kids (one a grad one currently attending) who went/go to USC. One had an excellent gpa and didn’t standaridize test well, excellent ecs (not a lot, but importent ones). The other had mediocre grades and mediocre SATs. She too had good ecs. Both got in.</p>
<p>Spring admit is more challenging. You are thrown into social and educational situations that other kids already know how to navigate. BUT you can do it. </p>
<p>And, as for my d who is attending (pm me if you want her exact stats), she has a 3 plus gpa, is in a sorority, and is on a club sports team. LOVES SC.</p>
<p>The other graduated in Cinematic Arts. Got a job in the toughest market…and just got a promotion. SC works, you just have to put in the work.</p>
<p>ellebud - did the daughter with the “mediocre grades and mediocre SATs” apply to SCA or one of the other portfolio/audition-based programs? I have mediocre grades but really high test scores and I really want to get into SCA. :(</p>
<p>Yes to both. The mediocre grades etc. refused to audition. She is already a member of SAG and didn’t want to get a BFA. She really doesn’t act or model anymore, although that may change. (She was offered a job…)</p>
<p>The other had great grades. Both were spring admits, the first because her counselor “forgot” to write the rec. Don’t ask. Please note: Many times if you are a spring admit you will have to come in undeclared and then transfer into your field. DO NOT become discouraged. It can be done. </p>
<p>I also have a third child, the oldest: He was accepted into the Cinema program and then refused admission to the University. It can happen. His counselor (the idiot) said that there was no appeal. There is and take advantage of that process.</p>
<p>And the best revenge? (on the counselor not USC)…He is a success in the movie business, much more than would suit his age. Too bad for SC, which we love: They missed out on a VERY generous young man.</p>
<p>ellebud, so your third child appealed successfully to USC? Or he didn’t bother and went elsewhere? I didn’t realize students could appeal if accepted to their major department, but not the university.</p>
<p>He is my oldest. This was before I knew (We were actively discouraged by his counselor to appeal) that there was an appeals process. My middle child (with the same counselor) we had to appeal: We won, but she had to be a spring admit. My youngest was a spring admit (could have moved up but she didn’t want to do the paperwork) Although she had a different counselor I politely refused any assistance from her. Did everything on my own.</p>
<p>He started at another college and went for a week. He got his dream job and has been happily (and sometimes not so happily because of the nature of the business) working since then.</p>
<p>MagicalMalik - well, my school doesn’t tell us UW GPA but I tried calculating it myself and it’s about 3.4 I think. My W GPA was 3.89 but I think it went down a little after first semester of junior year (I got a C in Physics… ugh, it’s not even related to my major). My rank used to be in the top 20% (right on the edge too) but ~50 people dropped out of my class (no idea how/why) so now I’m not in the top 20% even though my grades BARELY changed. But I have a 31 ACT and a 2090 SAT so I guess THAT’S a plus… :(</p>
<p>SC uses the holistic process in the admissions office. I have seen scores posted on the Ivy League admissions threads in the 1800s. There are certain students who for some particular reason “stand out”. On another SC board there were upset alumni who had seniors with SAT scores in the 2200s who were not admitted. </p>
<p>Ellebud’s daughter is a very special person. Ellebud is being modest about her daughter’s accomplishments. There are people in this world who have “IT”. This quality is difficult to define. Her daughter has “IT”. </p>
<p>Many applicants define themselves by a SAT score. This is only one small part of what is desired in a class. As I wrote in another thread there are students who have had to overcome huge challenges to obtain a high school education and do well. It is not uncommon to see students on campus in wheelchairs. I wrote on another thread about a band member with neuromuscular disease. There are blind students who attend and use special techniques to master course material. Each class needs writers, artists, musicians, inventors, scientists, dramatic artists, linguists, historians, geographers, philosophers, businessmen/women, engineers, anthropologists, journalists, composers, teachers and future professors.</p>
<p>Building a class of freshmen from a pool of over 35,500+ seniors is a daunting task. From the posts of present SC students it appears the ad coms have chosen unique individuals. Each one has something special to offer.</p>
<p>GeorgiaGirl: On behalf of my daughter thank you so much for your very kind words. I can truly say that she is enjoying her time at SC very very much.</p>
<p>sorry for not posting my gpa. I had a 3.73 gpa uw and 4.111 weighted at the time of my application, but i recently got a 4.00 uw and 4.8 weighted so that should bring everything up. </p>
<p>so my sat score is 1850 and i have done a sport for one year and volunteered for 3 years at one program, 4 years at another, and done little side volunteering jobs. </p>
<p>im a first generation
i have a disability statement and documentation (although the disability is minor…PM for more info)</p>
<p>PS, I was deciding between USC and NYU, too, (as a Business/Film major) but at the end of the day, USC is the legit college you’ve always dreamed of going to. NYU doesn’t have a real campus, no sense of school spirit and you’re pretty much thrown into living in the city. You get such a great sense of unity - we all BLEED cardinal and gold - at USC, and it’s a gorgeous bubble, gated campus in the middle of downtown LA. Plus, as someone who lived in NYC’s suburbs, I can safely account for the fact that NYC is HELLA expensive, and as a broke college student, you’ll appreciate any break you can get. (Not to say that LA isn’t expensive either, though… ha). Plus, southern California weather? Automatic win.</p>