@woshua Yup, @pomeranian4rich is correct. You can’t possibly complete all of your GE requirements at a CC. When people post their stats and say “GEs Completed: All” it somewhat irks me if they don’t say “All (except the required 2 USC courses)” 
You definitely won’t get rejected if you don’t complete all of the GE’s you can complete at the CC level, but it benefits you to have them all done - it only makes your application stronger.
Just noticed that this 2019-2020 thread is already up! I have lurked on these USC transfer threads for a few years now. It is finally time for me to begin the transfer process and I am a mix between excited and nervous lol.
I’m not sure if I should leave Biology and Physics as the 2 GE’s to take at USC or 2 of the Humanistic Inquiry core classes. I guess taking Philosophy/History over a science might be easier on my GPA? Are Bio and Physics considered difficult classes at USC?
@Halofax Is physics required for your major? I’ve heard horror stories about chemistry (mainly the labs), so I would imagine that bio and physics are going to be challenging with tough curves that might kill your USC GPA. I’ve heard fantastic things about the astronomy course at USC (when taught by Professor Peroomian). He even gives extra credit opportunities which is a total blessing. I’ve seen many syllabi that explicitly state that no extra credit is offered, so it’s nice to have.
@FilmAve Thank you for this. But don’t you think they will determine my acceptance a little harder considering I was at a CC in California the whole 2 Years and you were at a UC for your first year where they have more rigorous courses?
@zettasyntax Physics isn’t required for my major at either my current school or USC. I plan on double majoring in Accounting and Business at USC. I guess I’ll try to finish bio and physics at my current school which should be easier on my overall GPA.
@Halofax It’s still the same math. Still the same science. I mention this because I took statistics at my CC and I earned a C grade, but with a ton of extra credit, I was bumped to a B. Something like that isn’t very likely to happen at USC (especially since they make use of +/-). My grade for stats was a B, but at USC, it might have been a C- or C. Math is also something that has a bit of a tough reputation at USC. One of my friends dropped the same math course twice and would often skip - he really didn’t enjoy going to lecture. There’s something about math at USC that doesn’t click well with everyone apparently.
@Prlewis9 Of course, the UC courses are more difficult but that does not mean that a strong upward trend will be discounted. Everyone’s situation is different, and USC ultimately wants to see that you can make a positive change in your grades and maintain that high standard as long as possible.
@Lilyding I don’t recall the specifics from last year, but the Common App opens August 1. It would be worth registering right when it opens since you’ll need the account to apply anyway. I’d imagine that USC would have the supplements ready by then 
Hey everyone!
I am applying for fall 2019 as a cinema and media studies major, and I am also going to declare cinema arts as my minor. I also have American Studies as my backup. I currently have a 3.9 GPA, and I have also completed more than have of my GE’s. However, I am aware that in order to get into the SCA, I need to have a very strong portfolio…so hopefully I am able to put together a portfolio that demonstrates my artistic capability. I would appreciate any tips from other cinema and media studies students. Thanks!
Hello! As of this year, I’ll be a freshman at Pasadena City College and will have 19 units (12 being USC transferrable) completed in my first semester, with the hope to have another 3 during winter intersession, and another 18 during the Spring for a total of 33. I know I’ll be submitting my application prior to my spring semester and will only have those 19/12 units, my question is will they need my SAT/ACT scores or is that only if I haven’t completed 30 units by the end of my spring semester? Any information will be greatly appreciated
@clementineohara This is what admissions says:
But another thread says:
So I would assume that you send them in anyway and if you have 30 by the end of the spring term they just don’t factor it into the decision.
Yeah, I just found the 2011 discussion where that is also mentioned and found some further discussion of it. I copy and pasted it below if it may help anyone. Based on this, I feel it may be more of a case by case situation and that is where Spring Grade Requests become a more expected factor. Thank you!
“Originally posted by alamemom
I think the confusion comes from the flexibility of USC’s admissions office - you are all looking for a black or white answer and are missing the shades of grey.
I’ll offer my opinion once more (and try to explain it more clearly this time), and emphasize that it is JUST an opinion - you are all free to disagree, disregard and offer your own opinions - all of which are just as valid and valuable as mine.
If you are applying as a Junior transfer (completed two years elsewhere), the admissions decision will be made based on your college record. (I don’t think there is any confusion here - right?) If you had great test scores, it won’t hurt to send them along, but no test scores are needed.
If you are applying as a sophomore transfer, there are varying scenarios (the shades of grey):
- Sophomore transfer applicants who had high school records (GPA + Test scores) that likely would have resulted in admission to USC plus a good first semester of college (3.5+, 3.7 better) have a good chance of admission without an SGR. They should submit their ACT/SAT scores regardless of the number of units they will complete by Feb OR June.
- Sophomore transfer applicants with excellent high school records (uw GPA 3.8, rigorous schedule), but test scores below the middle 50% of matriculated freshmen (so below about 1900) and an excellent first semester of college (3.7+), will likely get an SRG. It would be fine if those applicants don't submit SAT/ACT scores even if they won't reach the 30 unit total until the end of Spring - USC has flexibility there, which is why you get different answers from different USC sources.
- Sophomore applicants who high school records (GPA and/or rigor) were not the type that would be accepted as freshmen, but who had high test scores (2100+) and an excellent first semester (3.7+) will likely get an SRG. Those applicants should submit test scores.
- Sophomore applicants who high school records and test scores were both below what would typically be admitted as freshmen but with an excellent first semester (3.7+) of college work may receive an SGR (if there were circumstances explaining the hs record), or they may be rejected - USC will want to see two solid years of college work from those applicants.
- Sophomore applicants with a crummy first semester of college (probably 3.2 or less? Not really sure of a specific number here... but you probably can identify "crummy" yourselves) will probably need to work on the GPA and try again next year regardless of hs record and/or test scores.
So don’t worry that your application will be “incomplete” if you choose not to submit your test scores. Present your application in the way that you feel puts you in your best light and USC will consider it - they are pretty flexible. If you have great or good test scores, submit them. If you don’t have test scores or don’t like your test scores, don’t submit them.”
@okurr Hey there! I was admitted as a Cinema and Media Studies major this application cycle. To transfer to the SCA, you do need a strong portfolio. However, for CAMS, it’s not so much your artistic ability as it is your understanding of media theory that they want to see. Make sure your portfolio demonstrates why you would be a capable media researcher at USC.
Let’s Start off With a Chance Me Shall We?
CCC Transfer: Cosumnes River College
Major: Business Administration
GPA: 3.76 (As of Summer 2018)
UC GPA: 3.76 (As of Summer 2018)
DEGREES (Earned by Spring 2019):
AS-T Business Administration
AA-T Economics
AA-T Sociology
AA Interdisciplinary Studies: Social and Behavioral Sciences
AA Interdisciplinary Studies: Pre-Law
AA Interdisciplinary Studies: Math and Science
Extracurriculars/Work Experience:
Co-Founder of Clothing business
UC Berkeley Tap
UC Berkeley Starting Point Mentorship Program
Assistant Manager of Souvenir shop
Honors Progam
Volunteer/Community service:
Food Donations and Volunteer programs in Mosques
Volunteer at Daycare Programs
Personal Statement:
Working on it so I can’t say for sure, but I will have them checked out by multiple faculty members from multiple departments at my school
Wrote about how I didn’t have an education for three years due to being trapped in Pakistan for losing my identification before adolescence
Wrote about my significant health problems and disabilities that preventing me from performing well in high school and how I am dealing with them currently in college
Wrote about how I’ve lost many family members during my time in high school and college that also prevented me from reaching my academic potential and the struggles my mother and I had to make when my father, in particular, died from an accident and the economic struggles that came with not having an income for the first 6 months.
Wrote about how I would like to earn 6 degrees within two years of enrolling at a CCC to show a testament toward my willingness to continually learn every day and take advantage of every opportunity this country has to offer after witnessing people in Pakistan who would give their left foot to receive any education in general.
EFC: 0
California Resident, USA
Asian American Male
Income below $15,000
Hooks
EOPS
DSPS
First Generation Officially, not so much Unofficially (My father and mother both got their degrees from Pakistan but there is no evidence that they had an education at all, not even in their government profiles, perhaps I’ll not consider myself as a first-generation student just to be safe
Ethnic Minority
Strengths:
Currently taking 15 units in the summer, 25 units in the fall, and 24 units in the spring while dealing with kidney problems, type 1 diabetes, Heart dysrhythmia, blood pressure issues, thyroid issues, and cholesterol issues at the age of 19. Also handling all this with running a business in which I need to travel 5 hours total front and back with my mother to Fremont to host exhibitions
Weaknesses:
Received two B’s in prerequisites required for my major at UC Berkeley, both of which are Macro and Microeconomics. I want to explain my situation in spring 2018 why I received a B in Micro and tell them that my mother had heart problems and my doctor recently revealed I was at risk for undergoing kidney dialysis so I needed to focus more on my health, more so than my education.
I would like to be in more clubs and programs and interact more with the community. I will be in PTK and a business club in the fall so I don’t know how much that will affect my application. I’ve primarily been focused on my business and my education.
Applying:
UC Berkeley (Business Administration)
UC Los Angeles (Business Economics)
UC Irvine (Business Administration)
UC Davis (TAG- Managerial Economics)
UC Santa Barbara (Economics)
UC San Diego (Economics)
UC Riverside (Business Administration)
UC Merced (Management and Business Economics)
University of Southern California (Business Administration)
San Jose State University (Business Administration)
CSU Los Angeles (Business Administration)
San Francisco State University (Business Administration)
San Diego State University (Business Administration - Emphasis in Finance)
Santa Clara University (Business Administration)
USC is too holistic to give a chance that is anything but a guess from a random stranger. You are applying to a lot of schools, so you will certainly have some good options. Good luck!
@GoodAfternoonSir I agree with CADREAMIN on the holistic process. I also used to think that “holistic” was just a buzzword and stats and other big ticket items were all that mattered, but having gotten in with a subpar GPA I think yours as well as being a business co-founder give you as good of a shot as any.
My general advice is to make sure to show multiple sides of you/your life in your essays and to show how you will succeed at USC.
Application officially opens today. Good luck to everyone
Was the transfer app being separate from the regular common app always a thing? Or is that new as of this year? It says it should be up on August 1st but you can’t login. 
@Halofax I remember the transfer application being separate last year too. I am having difficulties logging in myself. The freshman application is already working so I am sure they are working on getting the transfer app uploaded to the website as soon as they can.
I can’t believe the day has finally arrived. Good luck to everyone! 