Questions about USC and a Chance!

Colleges and Universities University of Southern California
#1

<p>So to apply for USC, we need a Common App Essay and fill out the USC supplement right? So only one essay unless you are applying for journalism?</p>

<p>Chances?</p>

<p>UW GPA- 3.85-3.9.... W is a 4.45 </p>

<p>Took all honors and AP classes in HS, with exception to electives which are only college prep.
ACT-28
SAT-1830
Volunteered 223 hours
pres one club, founded one club, treasurer one club, head volunteer at hospital, editor-in-chief of a website, featured in New York Times, national honor society and class advisor for my grade.</p>

#2

<p>GPA is on par and ecs are decent as well. Need to increase either SAT or ACT scores in order to have a chance though. If you can get 30 or at least 2000 on either test you should have a good shot.</p>

#3

<p>What's the average GPA?</p>

#4

<p>SAT/ACT is far too low, especially for the journalism major. I agree that for AT LEAST a shot at spring admission, you'd need a 30/2000 and for fall admission you should strive for a 31/2100. Also, if you are serious about Annenberg, I think it would be foolish to use the common app.</p>

#5

<p>you can't use anything besides the common app</p>

#6

<p>USC is using the common app this year for first time.</p>

#7

<p>If you can't increase your scores, you better write a damn good essay. That's another option</p>

#8

<p>I was mistaken -- I thought the common app was optional, not mandatory this year. What a bummer; I don't think the common app is a very good indicator of a student's ability to stand out from the crowd as it's rather generic (supplement or not.)</p>

<p>OP: Can you explain the disparity between your SAT/ACT and your high GPA? If you really took all honors and AP classes in high school, there must be a reason the test scores don't really match your academic success. (Learning disability, day of test issues, etc?)</p>

<p>If this is true, perhaps you can explain that in your application -- but I still think that you should try to raise the SAT by another 200 points to have an actual shot.</p>

#9

<p>test day paranoia</p>

#10

<p>Take it again and RELAX. If you can't raise it to 2100ish levels, I don't see USC in your future.</p>

#11

<p>Test day paranoia? As in you don't trust the test and have suspicions of the motives of the proctors? I don't understand. Do you mean test day anxiety? </p>

<p>I performed my best strangely when I told myself "it didn't matter at all." I know that probably doesn't help you because you'll be feeling the pressure but I actually performed my very best the day I slipped up huge and forgot my admission ticket. Had to call my dad. As result was late to the testing room. Last to get a seat. I just told myself "wow this is a joke just have fun with it this time" and not coincidentally that time (which happened to be my lowest stressed testing day because I told myself "oh well just pretend it's a game and go with it") I did my best scoring significantly higher than all other times I tested. Needless to say I didn't score higher than that 34 on the ACT that day (~2280 SAT equivalent I think) again in high school.</p>