<p>I was under the impression that students were admitted to USC first, and then placed under either their first-choice major, second-choice, or as undecided. But I just talked to a current USC student who said that which USC school (Annenberg, Marshall, etc.) you apply to DOES impact your chances of acceptance. I applied to the School of Cinematic Arts, but now I'm wondering if that was the wrong choice, especially if what the student says is true. Can anyone clarify this? Thanks!</p>
<p>For many Schools at USC, the School itself has an admissions process involving supplements, essays, extra LORs, etc etc and the files of those applicants are reviewed and admissions decisions are made by the School (Marshall, Thornton, Viterbi, School of Theatre BFAs, School of Cinematic Arts, etc). The applicant must be admissible to USC standards so the main admissions department must also approve the applicant, but if grades and scores and other academic issues seem fine (in the range listed for USC) that student is admitted to their major in the School they applied to. However, if the decision is made to pass on the applicant by their first choice school/major, the second choice (which conducts the same type process in their own admissions) may admit the student. If none of the independent schools says yes, the general admissions committee may still admit the student as undeclared major in the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences (Dornsife). Those admits are basically very very good in academics all around, but may not pass the auditions (BFAs) or other special criteria important to specialized majors.</p>
<p>In theory, it shouldn’t hurt to apply to the most selective majors (for instance, SCA is said to admit 4-6% in past years) because the applicant will also be considered for 2nd choice major and also as an undeclared major. </p>
<p>If your best shot (all your ECs, work experience, LoRs, years of private lessons, awards, honors, etc) is applying to one of the most selective majors…and it is your dream to attend USC as one of those majors, why not apply? Your passion will most likely be apparent, which can only do your application good. However, if you are applying to Thornton School of Music as a Popular Music performance major and you haven’t studied music, haven’t written pop music, haven’t performed, but only are just thinking it would be fun to try it… it may be a very long long shot. ;)</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>Thank you, madbean, for your response. I really appreciate it; it was very useful and made me feel a lot better about my decision! :)</p>