<p>GPA: 3.3UW 3.8 W (sucks, I know)
Decently rigorous schedule
Rank is around 15%, not completely sure
SAT: 2020 total, 690 CR 660 M 670 W (will probably go up to a 2100 when I retake it next weekend)
ACT: 31 (I’m retaking this too. Is it worth it to send both tests?)
ECs: Varsity tennis and French Club for all 4 years, might get a leadership position in French. Have some other ECs but these are the ones that I’ve been in the longest. </p>
<p>Other stuff:
First generation
Mexican/Korean
National Hispanic Recognition Program
Essay is either going to be about my dad’s DUI or, if things pan out the way they seem to be going, moving out on my own when I turn 18 (my mother has recently gone INSANE and my dad is gone most of the time because he works in Mexico).
Don’t know if it matters, but I live in Texas</p>
<p>I know it’s a reach, but exactly how high of a reach is it? And does submitting the application early improve my chances, or is it fine to wait till late November/December?</p>
<p>i got in with a 3.54 (UW) 2090 (December SAT)
nat’l hispanic recognition will probably help u
so its a flip of a coin chance (which turns into a resonable reach)
if ive learned anything after getting rejected, then admitted off appeal its this:
USC LOVES MENINGFULL EXTRACURICULAR ACTIVITIES!!! any awards, competitions with academic merit needs mentioning.
Second: use your essays to talk about yourself, what you have done and what you can accomplish…really how you stand out…what talents you have that they want
Talking about the unfortunate situations your parents put you in is not it. It may merit a couple lines in extra info, but as of now, it seems that unless your situation was one where you were able to overcome something despite it etc… where you have already done something. then talk about it… MAKE YOUR ESSAYS STAND OUT!!! if you were applying to any UC’s then you want to really talk about your parents situation in the “family and where you came from” question cuz they will care, USC wants stuff about what you have and can do.</p>
<p>also submittitng early could help, i really dont know, but i know they say it doesn’t, its only if you want a scholarship</p>
<p>I had similar stats and I got rejected. 
But you have some unique things like your ethnicity and the Hispanic Recognition Program. It could go either way, depends on what major you’re applying to.</p>
<p>Applying earlier will not improve your chances. If you send all materials in by the December 1st deadline, you will be considered for a scholarship. If you do not receive an interview, then you will be moved to the same pile as the people who applied by the regular, non-scholarship deadline.</p>