rushed my essay and short answers...chances at USC?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

<p>I had been working on my USC essay for 2 days, but I decided to scrap it and start afresh 3 hours before my application was due. I didn’t really have time to proofread it before I sent it, since I finished a minute before the deadline. I later found a few grammatical errors and had an overall dissatisfaction with the essay itself.</p>

<p>Are my chances of being accepted still decent (how much does USC use the essay)? And also, is the essay one of the factors used in scholarship consideration?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Gender: M </p>

<p>Location: Stow, Ohio </p>

<p>College Class Year: 2013 </p>

<p>High School: private </p>

<p>High School Type: sends many grads to top schools</p>

<p>GPA - Unweighted: 3.8?</p>

<p>GPA - Weighted: 4.0? </p>

<p>Class Rank: top 25%? </p>

<p>Class Size: 115</p>

<p>SAT I Math: 800 </p>

<p>SAT I Critical Reading: 780 </p>

<p>SAT I Writing: 750 </p>

<p>ACT: 33</p>

<p>SAT II U.S. History: 730</p>

<p>SAT II Math Level 2 (IIC): 800</p>

<p>SAT II Physics: 770</p>

<p>Significant Extracurriculars: </p>

<ul>
<li>Ohio Math League</li>
<li>Science club</li>
<li>Chess club</li>
<li>JETS Competition</li>
<li>piano and drums</li>
</ul>

<p>Leadership positions:</p>

<ul>
<li>VP of chess club</li>
<li>VP of science club</li>
<li>Captain of track team</li>
</ul>

<p>Athletic Status:</p>

<ul>
<li>Track (Varsity, captain)</li>
<li>Gymnastics and Parkour/Freerunning independently for 4 years</li>
</ul>

<p>Volunteer/Service Work:</p>

<ul>
<li>Habitat for Humanity in summer '07</li>
<li>Worked on Nature Conservatory in '06</li>
<li>math tutor for 2 years</li>
<li>computer technology aid (sophomore year)</li>
</ul>

<p>Honors and Awards:</p>

<ul>
<li>National Merit Semifinalist</li>
<li>AP Scholar with Distinction</li>
<li>2nd (junior year) and 3rd (sophomore year) in nation for JETS engineering competition </li>
<li>2 gold and 1 silver medal on National Latin Exam</li>
</ul>

<p>College Summer programs:</p>

<ul>
<li>CTY (JHU in '05 and Franklin & Marshall in '06)</li>
<li>Duke TIP (for astrophysics) in '07, wrote published research paper on galactic rotation</li>
<li>Phillips Exeter Academy Summer Session</li>
</ul>

3

<p>I think you should still be in easily regardless of the essay… and I don’t know for sure, but I don’t think essays are a main component in scholarship consideration. Your excellent scores/grades speak for themselves in that regard, I believe. But I may be wrong…</p>

4

<p>I think you have a solid shot at USC, but, you should have nailed the essay. The university offers an amazing merit award for top students, ummm, full tuition. I am a native Ohioian, and you’re going to love the atmosphere in southern California. USC is an amazing school, the school of engineering is top notch, and you will have the opportunity to pursue other diverse course offerings. Did you consider Harvery Mudd, Cal Tech, MIT, Reed, Pomona, University of Michigan, Case Western Reserve? If you receive the top merit award at SC, you will be foolish not to attend. The university is on the move, and the undergraduate community is as competive as any other top school in the nation-- Fight on!</p>

5

<p>“is the essay one of the factors used in scholarship consideration?”
You had to have your complete application submitted by DEC 1 in order to be considered for the full tuition scholarship. As a NMSF you are eligible for the 1/2 tuition scholarship, if you are accepted, which given you stats, you should be. Good luck.</p>