The statement above that no love was shown to USC (with the implication that admission was secured regardless) is, in my opinion, likely somewhat disingenuous.
While his son’s stats, accomplishments and admission success involving a # of elite colleges and universities is undoubtedly impressive, the impression offered that his son was either completely neutral toward USC, or even that his son’s application packet reflected some potential disdain for USC, is highly unlikely. In my opinion, it is simply his effort at emphasizing that his son’s application packet was so impressive that such normal and rudimentary measures used to assist one in gaining admission were not even necessary in his case. To me, such comments also run contrary to the primary focus of such forums here on CC… the goal of assisting or aiding current and future applicants… and then thereafter, assisting those admitted or enrolling, etc…
USC rejects 4K+ applicants each cycle with 99th percentile test scores and 4.0 unweighted GPAs. So, many applicants who are equally as impressive on paper in terms of stats routinely face disappointment. Those who succeed likely do show at least a cursory interest in USC to a level that would satisfy those admission personnel reviewing the application files.
It is also simply horrible advice for any future applicant. Demonstrating significant interest in USC, and especially within the essays themselves, is critically important in my opinion to securing admission. Last year, a whopping 89% faced rejection. Most do not have stats or accomplishments to present on such a level. And even many who do have such stats still face rejection.
An applicant’s “Why USC?” explanation is likely the most important single component of an application. An applicant does need to provide a well-thought out and well-researched answer as to why attending USC is truly significant and important to them specifically. And moreover, USC does want to gain a sense as to what an applicant will be uniquely contributing to the greater USC community if admitted. So, anyone in essence bragging about how they or a member of their family secured admission without in any manner or form expressing such a genuine interest in attending USC does a disservice to the process and those future applicants that may be reviewing this thread. That is at least my take on the matter. But, clearly, every member is free to post as they see fit at will.
@WWWard and @CADREAMIN - Thank you both so much for committing your time and energy moderating this thread. Your perspectives and guidance was very helpful. Gracias!
Too difficult to visit USC in this COVID environment. Son is going to decline his acceptance; headed to Duke.
Congratulations to all those accepted and very best of luck to everyone else.
@GrandCarlo’s Z You’re welcome. I do not really see my role as a moderator though. Just trying to help out when I can. Good luck to him at Duke. Great school.
@CindyLeuWho - Your posts were a spark of joy and kindness throughout this thread. I am CERTAIN that you will accomplish amazing things in your future. Wishing you the very best of luck to you!
Son Accepted
Dornsife (Computational Neuroscience)
ACT: 32
GPA: 3.97 UW, 4.53W (competitive public STEM magnet)
AP Psych (4), AP Computer Science Principles (4) AP Computer Science A (4) AP Euro (5) AP U.S. History (5)
IB Courses: IBSL Computer Science, IBSL Spanish
Senior Year Course Load: AP Gov, AP Lang, AP Bio, Computer Science IBHL, AP Macro Economics, AP Calculus (AB)
Major Awards: National Hispanic Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction
Extracurriculars:
National Honors Society
President, Mock Trial Club
Lead Programmer, First Robotics Team 5810
Programming Mentor, Boys and Girls Club
Founder GoBabyGo: Los Angeles Chapter (non-profit serving disabled children)
NJROTC Distinguished Service Award (US Warrant Officer Association)
Head of Communications Department (NJROTC)
Stop Motion Animation (started YouTube channel)
Internship UC Irvine Medical Center (Neuroscience Critical Care Unit)
Strong Essays (including Why USC)
Strong Teacher recommendations
In State
Legacy
USC was his first choice so he is very excited!
My son was accepted as a Spring admit yesterday. It has always been his first choice and he thought he had little chance of getting in so wasn’t getting his hopes up. He goes to a small private school in Los Angeles. Until yesterday, he was deciding between Univ. Washington (which he has never seen), SMU and LMU. Of course he is really excited but can’t help feeling like he will be missing out on the first days of college, making friends, being in dorms with his fellow freshmen, etc… because of this he hasn’t been able to decide 100%. I totally understand his concerns and wish there was some way to know the chances of being bumped to fall before committing. I would think this year there may be many accepted international students who can’t commit so maybe more likely than previous years…anyway we plan to “go” to the Spring admit virtual panel coming up soon. Congrats to all!
ACT: 34
GPA: 3.78 UW, 4.32W (competitive public high school)
AP Lang (4) AP Euro (5) AP U.S. History (5)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Gov, AP Psych, APES, AP Calculus (AB)
Major Awards: Red Cross Summer Leaders Award
Extracurriculars:
National Honors Society
President, Mock Trial Club
President / Founder, Rock the Vote
President French Club
3 years of school volleyball
summer camp counselor
Congressional Intern
Lots more that would take too long to type out
Strong Essays (including Why USC)
Strong Teacher recommendations
In State
Legacy
I was accepted for fall!
Dornsife: International Relations (Global Business)
SAT: 1200
GPA: 3.62 UW, 4.18W (competitive public high school and full IB Diploma Program)
AP Courses: AP World History, AP Comparative Government, AP US Government
IB Courses: IBSL Spanish, IBHL History of the Americas, IB Theory of Knowledge, IBSL Calculus, IBHL Psych, IBHL Literature/Language, IBSL Chemistry
Senior Year Course Load: All IB’s, AP Comp Gov, AP US Gov
Major Awards: Scholarly Athlete all 4 years
Extracurriculars:
National Honors Society
President, Spanish Honors Society
Vice President, FBLA
Secretary, DECA
Senior Class Secretary
Varsity Volleyball, all 4 years, captain last 2 years
Founder of school’s Korean culture club
Founder of ‘One for All’, Ugandan clothing company, Kampala Uganda
Internship GAIT Internet Servers (Start up)
Strong Essays (including Why USC)
Strong Teacher recommendations
Out of State
Family connections
USC is my first choice so he is very excited!
Can anyone offer insight into living in LA? I am beyond excited about my acceptance, but as a lifelong Midwesterner I have no idea what to expect. I’m considering several East Coast schools as well (UNC, UMD, UConn, etc.) and I know there’s a huge difference between those and USC.
Stay in touch all you wonderful seniors and parents! Since we all have similar goals, networking is key so I would love to know how everyone does with their goals! We will all see each other one day on the big screen (for those in film production), and if you ever need a boom op, gaffer, AC, AD, etc. haller out!
Good luck everyone in your final decisions!
Congrats to all those who have the opportunity to join the USC class of 2024. Now the decision process switches to your control.
The very same thing also now applies to those whose final decision does not include USC. Hopefully you each find a great school to call your own.
In reality, let’s face it, too much is made of this notion of where you got in or even choose to attend. It is far more important what you actually do to embrace the educational and other opportunities afforded to you while in college.
What do Steven Spielberg, Warren Buffet, Ted Turner, Meredith Vieira, Nobel laureate Harold Varmus, Bryan Singer, Scott McNealy, Tom Brokaw, Columbia University President Lee Bollinger, The Duffer Brothers, John Schlifske, Paul Purcell and countless others have in common…? They were all rejected by their dream schools. And they all went on to monumental success regardless.
To the class of 2024… the path you will create remains uncharted. And that goes for those admitted to USC too… even if you do enroll. That decision alone guarantees you each nothing.
Ultimately, the true and lasting results will come from hard work, dedication, connections made / networking, persistence and a tenacious will to overcome future obstacles and prevail. There will be challenges and hurdles. Deal with them. Persevere and make them future building blocks to your own individual foundation for success. And you each have it in you to succeed regardless of the school that emerges as your future alma mater.
This is my first time commenting on here, I just wanted to thank everyone for making this process a little easier. I ended up being accepted into the Kaufman School. I’m from Vancouver, BC, Canada if anyone was wondering. Congrats y’all, fight on
