USC: Reach, Match, or Safety?

Applying to College
1

<p>I’m a hs junoir, and I want to go to USC but I can’t really figure out if I have a chance at USC or not. Some people tell me I should get in no problem, while others say it’s a reach. Anyway, here are my stats:
GPA (unweighted): 3.7
SAT: 730 math, 620 verbal, 600 writing (I just retook the SAT’s though, and I am certain my writing and verbal scores went up significantly)
I have taken all possible honors classes except this year I took regular english.
Senior year I’m taking 2 AP’s, some honors classes, and an independent study course where I write a 50 page thesis paper.
EC’s: Italian Club, Latin Club, Environmentalist club, table tennis, 4 hours/week volunteering, and 400+ hours work expeience</p>

<p>So, what are my chances at USC?</p>

2

<p>your chances are pretty good since you have about an A- average. As long as the verbal and writing scores go up to around 700+ i’d say your a match.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the reply.</p>

<p>Can anybody else give me thier opinion?</p>

4

<p>I know you want help, but the only thing that’s sticking out in my mind is that you have to write a 50 pg paper! That seems a little strange…what is it for?</p>

5

<p>I think its a match, but then again USC is kinda random sometimes.</p>

6

<p>It depends on your high school.</p>

7

<p>slight reach</p>

8

<p>I’d say a match for the university. What school/major were you thinking of?</p>

9

<p>USC-Match.</p>

10

<p>I’d say it’s a reach, USC’s standards got TOUGH pretty suddenly.</p>

11

<p>I want to major in computer science and engineering which I believe is in the Viterbi School of Engineering, but do you think I would have a better chance at getting in by applying as undecided and then choose my major once I get in?</p>

12

<p>That’s a tough call. By your extracurriculars I would’ve guessed that you wanted to do an International Relations major… The fact that your extracurriculars have nothing to do with your major supports that idea, but then applying to the engineering school might get them to overlook the fact that your obvious weakness is English. But then also, I know a lot of people who came in undecided and then couldn’t get into the school they wanted, so I’d generally say that applying to your major right away is better. At least if they reject you you’ll know right then and have a chance to go in another direction, instead of already committing to the university and not being able to major in what you want.</p>

13

<p>in-state a reach, OOS a match</p>

14

<p>I’d say slight reach. USC’s standards got tough this year.</p>

15

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</p>

<p>If they don’t admit you to your first choice or second choice major, you are still considered as an undecided.</p>

16

<p>I say match.</p>

17

<p>If your goal is to major in engineering, I wouldn’t put undecided on your application, unless you are going to put engineering-undecided. Engineering at USC is hard to get into, so if you put on your application that you want to major in the humanities, for example, it’s hard to switch from a humanities major to an engineering major.</p>

18

<p>some girl on here got into harvard but rejected from usc…so i dont know</p>

19

<p>USC’s average GPA for accepted students was 3.7 (unweighted), so I think you’re academically qualified for USC. In my opinion, your extracurricular seems little weak (any sports? band/orchestra? or leadership position for clubs?) USC admission rate is going down annually, so it’s definitely getting more competitive. You should try to connect your extracurricular activity with essays and retake SAT I</p>

20

<p>I think I like the idea of applying for engineering-undecided because I’m still not sure if I want to do CS or CE and CS. So, does anyone know what the the Viterbi School of Engineering requires? Would they take into account that next year, I’m taking AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, and Honors Java, which are all pretty advanced courses geared toward engineering? Also, does being out-of-state put me at an advantage?</p>