Just Curious about Chances? (Avg GPA, Decent Test Scores)

Colleges & Universities University of Southern California
1

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>I’m currently working on my RD apps, counting the days until USC scholarship decisions roll out…I applied by the Dec 1st deadline, so if it’s not too much trouble, chance me for scholarships? [I know there must be some bored CCer perusing through chance threads…I can’t be the only one! X)]</p>

<p>I have an Average GPA, decent test scores, and I think a lot of great ECs…will be applying for Financial Aid.</p>

<p>Major(s) Selected

  1. Film/TV Production
  2. Critical Studies
  • Pre-Planning Emphasis (Therefore I assume a 3rd choice major would be Policy, Planning, and Development…)</p>

<p>GPA - 3.6 UW (probably went down though because of my Senior Grades…B-range and one A-)
SAT - (superscored) 2200 (CR 800, M 700, W 700)
ACT - (highest sitting) 32 (R 36, M 29, E 34, S 27, Writing 08)</p>

<p>Honors - Chinese II Adv, Chinese III Adv, Adv Chem, Alg/Precalc/Trig Adv
AP - Calc AB, Chemistry, Chinese, English Language, English Literature, Statistics, Micro/Macro Economics, World History, US History.</p>

<p>Senior Year* My senior year curriculum is very rigorous, and I am auditing (no credit, not listed on transcript) another history class, for a total of 6/7 classes 1st semester and 7/8 classes second semester.</p>

<p>Awards: School Writing Prize, National Chinese Essay Contest Honorable Mention, PSAT letter of commendation, AP Scholar, ISAC Scholar Award.</p>

<p>ECS:</p>

<p>Cross Country - 4 years, captain, Freshman Yr MVP, 4 Varsity Letters</p>

<p>Basketball - 4 years, 2 years floor captain, Varsity this year</p>

<p>Track - 3 years (planning on 4), 3 Varsity letters, co-holder for all-school record in the 4x800 relay.</p>

<p>Drama Productions - 2 years, 5 productions</p>

<p>Started two clubs senior year (Writers’ Workshop and a Creative Problem-Solving Club)</p>

<p>Community Service = Approx. 100 hours (not that much…wish I had more time!)</p>

<p>Key Club - 4 years, Sr. Leadership Position, Peer Mentor</p>

<p>Listed Writing/Film as a major EC, published in the literary magazine every year in HS</p>

<p>Music Involvement - Piano, various school performance participation</p>

<p>Various Subjective:</p>

<p>RECS (Didn’t see/waived my rights)

  1. Chemistry teacher - teacher for 2 years, XC coach for 3 years, sponsors one of my clubs, she knows me very well!
  2. AP English teacher/Film teacher - doesn’t know me as well, but knows my writing.
  3. Counselor - knows me very well!</p>

<p>Film Supplement - My resume was actually more extensive than I thought (> 40 items), and I think showed a variety of creative interests (visual art, video, writing, music, theater). I felt OK about my writing/visual samples, but I’m always critical with my own work, especially my writing.</p>

<p>Interview - I WAS SO NERVOUS! I even said it during the interview! lol… But the interviewer said I did well…we covered a lot of topics and he was very genial…we had a lot in common, too! I showed him my sketchbook and I think he was kind of surprised to hear that I was into comic books and went to chess club for fun! (He then told me that he used to be the advisor for chess club and that he was into comic books too…also lived in San Fran aka the home of Comic-Con. What luck!) I gave him a printed resume with some of my creative writing stapled to it. Also pretty funny/embarassing depending on how you look at it, but instead of going out the correct door, I almost opened a broom closet. If anyone reads this and was there, they’ll know who I am. XD Also, I was interviewed with the last batch of interview-ees, so I’m pretty sure I was as memorable as could be. At least I can say I made an impression? </p>

<p>Long Essay: Pretty decent, but again, I’m always critical.
Short Essay: Counselor loved it. Was about XC.</p>

<p>Additional Essay: Attached an Additional Essay on the Common App about extenuating circumstances, but though the first half of it is a bit of a downer, I tied it into why I want to do what I want to do (Film/Public Policy)…I hope they read it though, since it is a bit on the long side…not a problem for smaller schools, but for USC…Idk…Overall, I think it accurately portrays an essential (though likely unknown or unmentioned) facet of my character. Also reveals various obstacles and how I overcame (am overcoming?) them.</p>

<p>Ethnicity - Asian American (not Chinese, not Korean)
Location - Midwest
School - Private
Income - currently dependent on the government to survive lol.
Financial Aid - yes
Parents - Married, both immigrants/college grads, Dad is a US veteran
Other Schools - so far rejected from UChicago and admitted to both Clark U and Emerson with scholarships, if that helps to compare.</p>

<p>All right, I think that’s all. Chances? (:</p>

2

<p>I think you have really good chances. You have strong test scores, and an appropriately rigorous academic schedule. I’m going to stay in touch with you over these next few months and maybe we’ll see each other in Cali in less than a year! </p>

<p>Also, do you know anything about contacting a regional admissions counselor? Where would I locate mine to ask questions? I sure have a lot… haha</p>

3

<p>^^ Admissions counselor profiles and info can be found here:
[Counselor</a> Profiles - USC Undergraduate Admission](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/prepare/counselor_profiles.html]Counselor”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/prepare/counselor_profiles.html)</p>

4

<p>indigo, your background and stats are great and within USC’s range for Cinema School majors. That’s all good. </p>

<p>But no one can give chances on admission to the SCA since the portfolio is a very big component to the decision. Not only can’t a bunch of folks on CC tell if your essays, creative samples, etc are competitive, we certainly have no idea who else is applying this year and how the pool compares. USC tries to balance their incoming film class, so there are too many variables. KWIM?</p>

<p>I’m sure you know the scary 4-6% admissions numbers and with so few seats (50 production majors/ 75 crit studies) many amazing students will not get admitted in any given year. </p>

<p>Feel good that you did your best, gave your supplement a lot of effort, and wait for fate to reveal itself. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

5

<p>Thank you so much! I’m a little less nervous now…</p>

<p>@Nihility - definitely. PM me whenever!</p>

6

<p>According to a director of admissions for USC, they look for a 3.8 GPA and a 2100 SAT, but I think maybe your EC’s and essays will help outweigh your GPA.</p>

<p>-------------------------------------------If it is to be, it is up to me…</p>

7

<p>A 3.6 is below the mid-point for admitted students and it certainly doesn’t help that your recent performance is on a negative trend. That said, as you can tell by the Film/TV application, a great deal of emphasis will be placed on your additional essays and portfolio. Assuming both of those are strong I think you have a fair to good chance.</p>

8

<p>I think you have the grades to be considered. But like other people have said, we don’t know what your portfolio is like. Good luck!</p>