<p>ccon, why don’t you read the threads already posting a lot of the information you seek? In particular, look at the OFFICIAL Stats of Admitted students thread. Everyone who posted their decision listed amazing gpa/rank/scores/ECs/Essays. And yet, there are many many applicants with the same numbers or higher who were disappointed not to get invited. Check back at the end of March and you will see what I mean. Each year there are admitted students to USC who get notified in March whose raw numbers and amazing ECs seem just as impressive as those who get the lucky finalist status. In general, it’s like admission to a super-selective ivy–or harder. There are many more qualified than spots.</p>