<p>Hey guys. I’m a freshmen at Penn State and I’ve been wanting to transfer to a school with a better program of my interest. I’m currently a Media Studies major but I don’t really like how weak the film department is here. I’m super interested in USC’s Critical Studies major because it seems to focus more on Film and Television. Anyway, my first semester gpa will be around a 3.8 or 3.9 (possibly 4.0). BUT my high school grades were average: 3.3-3.4 gpa, 1800 ACT, 27 ACT. Yeah, pretty darn average; I didn’t even know how I got into PSU. I love it here, but I just want to go to a place with a concentration on films (not necessarily production, but having that option is great). Really wanted to go to NYU (got in), but it was TOO expensive. Ridiculous. Anyway, I was thinking about waiting until the end of sophomore year to apply but I’m planning on keeping my gpa around 3.7 to 3.8. Do people with my stats have a chance at transferring to USC? Thanks.</p>
<p>In general, transfer applicants who would have been accepted as freshmen or who have completed two strong years of college work are the most likely to be admitted. In your case, however, your first semester GPA is VERY strong, so depending on the courses you chose for your first year you might have a stronger chance than your high school record would suggest. Would your courses meet these suggestions?
[Transfer</a> Students - USC Undergraduate Admission](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/apply/transfer.html]Transfer”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/apply/transfer.html)</p>
<p>For admission to Critical Studies, the following will also be very important:
[Transfer</a> Students Application Procedure - USC School of Cinematic Arts](<a href=“http://cinema.usc.edu/criticalstudies/transferprocedures.cfm]Transfer”>http://cinema.usc.edu/criticalstudies/transferprocedures.cfm)</p>
<p>If you continue as you are, you would be an excellent candidate as a Junior transfer, and if you can spare the application fee this year and you have some of the background/experiences the Critical Studies department is looking for described above, it would probably be worth giving it a shot this year.</p>
<p>Transfer brochure: <a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1213/TransferringToUSC_2012.pdf[/url]”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1213/TransferringToUSC_2012.pdf</a></p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Hi! I’m a Crit Studies major who transferred in this semester. I’m not sure what you mean when you say that it focuses more on Film and TV because all of the majors here focus on Film and TV. You’ll like the major if you like learning about film, writing about it (A LOT), and discussing it (why the film is the way it is because of the decade in which it was made and what movement it was part of, etc). CS is very flexible and it’s easy to study abroad and declare a minor. I personally have not taken any of the Production classes at USC yet (though we are required to take one and are allowed to take others), and I have learned everything I know by crewing on friends’ projects and from having an extensive background in theater. However, you have to be self-motivated to do that. If you would rather learn how to use different cameras, the fundamentals of sound, etc then you should apply for Film & TV Production (similarly, they are required to take some Critical Studies courses).</p>
<p>My high school grades were also fairly average, my GPA was around the same as yours. ACT was 31 or 32, I can’t remember, and my SAT was around 2100. I was rejected when I applied in high school, and I went to CC for a year. USC’s policy is that if you take 30 transferable credits (NOT including AP credit), they will focus more on your college record (mine was a 3.6 and I submitted my scores anyway) than your HS one. That’s what I did.</p>
<p>I also got into NYU out of high school like you did, and I also didn’t go because it was too expensive. Don’t regret making a smart decision. And in case you’re worried, USC does have spectacular financial aid.</p>
<p>Both of you guys are amazing! Thank you both so much! My gpa is based off of these classes:</p>
<p>SPAN 003 - Intermediate Spanish
ENGL 015 - Rhetoric and Composition
COMM 150 - The Art of Cinema
SOC 001 - Sociology
BI SCI 001 - Biological Science</p>
<p>Next semester, I’m signed up for:</p>
<p>ENGL 474 - Issues in Rhetoric and Composition
ECON 102 - Microeconomics
CAMS 045 - Classical Mythology
COMM 250 - Film Theory and History
MATH 140 - Calculus with Analytic Geometry</p>
<p>Are these what they would consider “diversified liberal arts and humanities” classes?</p>
<p>I’m aiming for above a 3.5 for next semester.</p>
<p>@dreamupsidedown,</p>
<p>I’m so glad you got in! Congrats!! I hope to get in, too. Thanks for the comforting response.</p>
<p>Dream is a special individual. This is a student who has a unique story. Test scores and grades are only part of a new Trojan’s long process to be admitted.</p>
<p>If you’re wondering about what classes to take, I would just look up your school’s articulation history with USC to see what classes have successfully transferred in the past. For example, I probably would not take that Film Theory class because you will not get credit for it from the SCA. HOWEVER, there was a film class at my CC that counted as GE credit (for category V, specifically).</p>
<p>USC has a wonderful transfer brochure/guide that you can look up, and you can look at your school’s articulation history here: <a href=“https://camel2.usc.edu/articagrmt/artic_hist_range.aspx[/url]”>Error;
<p>Thanks for the link, Dream. Fortunately most of my classes will transfer for credit. How do I find out if my class(es) will transfer for credit to the SCA?</p>
<p>Edit: Also, I’m not sure how important “extracurricular activities” are in transferring process, but I just joined The Daily Collegian (Penn State’s paper) Film & Television reporting staff. If that really puts any weight toward the application process…</p>