<p>Here’s a discussion topic for you all. It’s something that I’ve been pondering about for a while:</p>
<p>How valuable is a degree from USC? If we’re all currently doing so well at our respective colleges/universities, why are we applying to transfer? According to Malcolm Gladwell in his speech about elitist college (<a href=“Why Did I Say "Yes" to Speak Here? | Malcolm Gladwell | Google Zeitgeist - YouTube”>Why Did I Say "Yes" to Speak Here? | Malcolm Gladwell | Google Zeitgeist - YouTube), he says the dumbest kids at Harvard is as smart as the smartest kids at Hartwick College. Perhaps USC isn’t as elitist as Harvard, but I would argue it’s still a top tier school. So, what are your hopes of transferring to USC? Why not stay the course and get a degree at your current school? (Assuming you’re currently at a 4-year institution). I understand people have different reasons, but I’m curious to hear them. </p>
<p>@greengecko I want to attend for many different reasons and it has nothing to do with the business program at my current university. I’m a Marketing major and my university’s B-School is a top 10 according to USNWR (not that this really matters).</p>
<p>There is virtually no film scene at my school. My school is known for engineering (top 10 in the nation), business (top 10 in the nation), and medicine + nursing (top 1% in the nation – renowned hospital system). NOT any of the creative fields (besides maybe the visual art school because it is the only 4-year art school in the state). I want to pursue a film degree in conjunction with a business degree and meet a variety of different creative thinkers.</p>
<p>I’ve always been strongly supportive of USC’s sports teams. I stay up on USC news (not obsessively but just so I know what’s going on). I have always been a Trojan at heart.</p>
<p>I think USC has always been a good school, it’s just taken US News & World Report 25 years to realize that… (they started ranking schools back in the mid '80’s). I really don’t want to compare USC to other top privates simply because I believe that if something is truly amazing, nothing else is even worthy of comparison.</p>
<p>@scahopeful I think you’ve got a really good shot at getting in! USC loves upward trends. Good luck and fight on! </p>
<p>My stats:
Major: Political Science (Dornsife)
Currently at #2 CC in California
GPA: 3.41 (had a low GPA my freshman year because I became my grandfather’s caretaker–talked about this in an essay)
Strong upward trend, Fall 2013 I took 21.5 units and had a 3.83…This semester I’m taking 22 units and so far it’s looking like a 4.0</p>
<p>Currently taking:
Natural Disasters (Geology w/ lab)
Spanish 2
Writing 2
Model United Nations (MUN)
Macroeconomics
Communications </p>
<p>First generation college student
Single mom
Serious financial problems starting my freshman year of high school (had to mention in app because I switched high schools due to this)
I have worked since I was 15 and currently work 2 jobs (about 35 hours/week)</p>
<p>Co-President of my colleges MUN team (ranked top 30 in the nation – only community college that is ranked)
3 National MUN awards (team)
3 National MUN writing awards (individual)
About 5 other local/state MUN awards (I have competed against and beat USC’s MUN team )
Secretary General of a MUN conference that my school hosted (big deal for us MUN geeks!)
Internship for a Congresswoman (invited to join her DC staff)
Minor volunteer work, but enough to mention on the app</p>
<p>My essays were not my favorite. I mean, they were good, but nothing I would brag about. </p>
<p>1 RL from a professor
1 RL from the Congresswoman I interned for
1 RL from the Congresswoman’s Financial Advisor whom I worked under
(These were all well written and personal)</p>
<p>I think that my EC’s are fairly unique, but I feel like my GPA is holding me back. What do y’all think? </p>
<p>@hepburn95 WOW! I think that your GPA is okay because your circumstances explain it (plus you had an upward trend). I think that your EC’s will definitely stand out. What school/major did you apply to?</p>
<p>I think you have a good shot of getting in and I hope you do! Especially since you are have certain circumstances that would make you an interesting and diverse addition to the school.</p>
<p>@scahopeful Thanks for the positive words! And yes, I am from California! Born and raised Do you mind me asking what school you currently attend? </p>
<p>For sure. It’s just nerve wrecking just waiting for USC to update something on SCConnect. I applied back in November just because I didn’t want to wait. Along with my 3.7 I’ve worked part time, involved with student body, had an internship for a nonprofit last summer and even ran track and field for my community college last season. </p>
<p>I hope all of you guys get in as well. All we can so is wait…</p>
<p>I started my application in August but didn’t submit it until late January. I just wanted it to be absolutely perfect even though that’s impossible. </p>
<p>Have the high schoolers started receiving acceptances? The sooner they get theirs the sooner (I assume) they start reviewing ours…</p>
<p>:(. I just want to look on connect and see something lol. It’s kind of funny because my financial aid application is being reviewed but I my admission application isn’t</p>
<p>@hepburn95 - Impressive would be an understatement to describe your stats. Honestly, I would be very surprised if you didn’t get in!</p>
<p>@scahopeful - Your stats look really good too! </p>
<p>As for my stats:</p>
<p>Applying to Marshall.
Completed all required reqs but Writing (Which I’ve been told isn’t a big deal since I’m now attending a University.)</p>
<p>HS GPA: 3.67 UW; 3.81 W
Lots of ECs in HS.</p>
<p>Attended the largest CC in my state for a year (Fall 2012 and Spring 2013); Completed 34 credits there - 4.0 GPA
Quite a few ECs at CC </p>
<p>Took a semester break due to financial situation. (Fall 2013)</p>
<p>Started attending University (Spring 2014)
Currently taking 19 credit hours - So far, all A’s.
A few EC’s
Started Interning in mid Feb 2014, as a QA test intern. (20 hours/week)</p>
<p>Recently submitted two recommendation professors that I have this semester. They don’t know me too well, but they are good recommendation letters.</p>
<p>Excellent Essays, in my opinion. I remember polishing and refining those essays for an extra 2-3 hours after completion. </p>
<p>I honestly would love to attend USC as I’m sure all of you would too. It’s the number one school on my list - that I have a reasonable shot of being accepted into. </p>
<p>I don’t think I’m missing anything as far as my stats are concerned. But if you have any questions, let me know.
And please do chance me, if you so wish!</p>
<p>@esai23 Thank you very much for saying that! I think you’ve got a great chance! I wouldn’t worry all about the break, I saw someone get in after not being in school for a year due to a similar situation. They love essays, so you being confident in them is a great sign! Good luck and fight on!</p>
<p>@scahopeful I wish mine were better, I liked the ones I put for Chapman better :/</p>
<p>Three words: Inquisitive, Compassionate, Dauntless
Favorite Food: Bruins
Favorite Fictional Character: Sirius Black
Greatest Invention: Sports bra
Things to do for fun: Watch football, dance, play World of Warcraft
Role model: Mama T (my mom)
Book: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Movie: Shawshank Redemption
Performer: Queens of the Stone Age
Dream Job: Ice cream tester</p>
<p>I have withdrawn from a math class freshman year fall semester as the teacher was awful and I wasn’t doing well and now I have to withdrawal freshman spring semester from my independent studies finance elective because it’s too much work on top of my 4 other classes and my job. I don’t plan on withdrawing again. Should I add an extra class to my sophomore year summer or fall semester to make up for it or no?</p>
)
Do you mind me asking what school you currently attend? </p>