An international student's plea for some form of advice

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>Hello!
So, I'm an international student who's looking to apply to USC's Fall 2014 intake. I've had my sights set on USC for just about the longest time but have recently been wracked with worry over some issues and was hoping that I could get some guidance here :)</p>

<p>I'm from Singapore, and the local education system eventually leads us towards the Cambridge International Examinations ('O' Levels and 'A' Levels). I'm in my last year of junior college and waiting to take the A Levels in November, and have already completed my standardized testing, and subject tests.</p>

<p>Breakdown of whatever tests or exams I've taken so far and what I have to offer:</p>

<p>'O' Levels:
English A1
Combined Humanities (Geography Elective and Social Studies) A2
Mathematics A1
Additional Mathematics A1
Chemistry A2
Physics A2</p>

<p>SAT:
Writing 650
Critical Reading 610
Mathematics 780</p>

<p>SAT Subject Tests:
Physics 670
Chemistry 760
Mathematics IIC 760</p>

<p>I'm pretty involved in extracurriculars too (240 hours of community service, school and community choirs, photographic society). As for leadership, I'm the treasurer of my school choir and the House Captain. After I'm done with the A Levels, I plan on interning at an arts management company :)</p>

<p>So, here are my problems....
1. I've read in some thread the profiles of those who got admitted (scores, ECs etc...) and feel kind of scared. My 'achievements' (if you will) are somewhat mediocre and I feel as though I'm not in good standing for the application. USC is my dream school and it's really a do-or-die situation for me. Is there any way I can spruce my application up (apart from the essays)? I'm planning on retaking the SAT seeing as my Writing and Reading don't even fall within the 25th and 75th percentiles of those who were admitted in 2012. Should I retake the subject tests as well?</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I've also read about people who aren't offered their first AND second choice majors and just being admitted as undeclared/open. My first choice major is Chemistry and second is Biochemistry. What are the chances of me being given the undeclared option? Is chemistry/biochemistry popular in Dornsife?</p></li>
<li><p>I love singing, and have been doing so for as long as I can remember. Four years of private voice training have led me to wanting a second major in Vocal Arts. I know that a double major will take me more than the normal four years to complete (I'm quite fine with that) but what is the workload like for someone double majoring in a science and music performance under these circumstances? Will I have enough time to actually have a life or will I be doomed to studying all day and night? It would be nice to hear from someone who's done this/is doing this so I can mentally prepare myself for whatever may come :)
That being said, the USC website said that I could use my 'A' Level qualifications to substitute some courses (in Chemistry and Mathematics) and I was wondering if this would free up some time for me to focus on the second major :)</p></li>
<li><p>If whatever I described in (3) doesn't work out, I'm also quite attracted to the Musical Theatre minor seeing as I LOVE belting out musical numbers in random (but appropriate) settings. How do I go around applying for this minor? Do I have to present an audition? And, as this is a minor, will the workload be very heavy? I know it's weird to take a minor across disciplines but it's all I've ever wanted and was hoping that someone who's doing a science major/MT minor (if possible) could share their experiences. Just to get a rough idea of what this entails.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I hope I'm not being too much trouble here. Just a very curious, excited, and hopeful student who's looking forward to the possible future in my dream school. Thank you so much :)</p>

2

<ol>
<li><p>Does your current school have naviance or a way they track past students’ acceptances? If so, you should look at those scores/gpas as a guide. As a general rule, we would expect most students who are in the top quartile to be admitted – but there are exceptions of course. Those who fall in the top half of the 25-75% have about a 50-50 chance of acceptance those closer to the bottom number (25%ish) are a longer shot, and those lower than 25% most often have some compelling hook that brings some extra qualities to USC they are looking for. Truthfully, the stronger your stats, the less likely they will be a red flag no matter what school you apply to.</p></li>
<li><p>It’s been my observation (not official!) that students offered admission as undeclared were not originally applying to a Dornsife major. Some of the other Schools at USC are mega-competitive (Viterbi, SCA, Thornton etc) and may use talent as a criteria for evaluation. So, while a particular School may not have a space for a worthy candidate, in some cases USC will admit them to Dornsife undeclared. This typically happens for students who have excellent gpas and scores and essays, and bring their high stats to USC plus other desirable hooks (diversity, extraordinary leadership, national awards/honors). Again, I believe this applies mostly to non-Dornsife applicants with very high stats/hooks.</p></li>
<li><p>If Vocal Arts is a by-audition major, you may want to audition and see how it goes. It is possible that a talent-based major will admit a student despite (marginally) lower SATs over a science-based major (although your Math and Science scores rock). It can’t hurt to apply to both majors (USC allows 2) and see how it goes. If you do get admitted to Chem, but not to Vocal, I’m not sure if it is possible to re-audition after you matriculate. Be sure to check that out. However, if you are admitted to Vocal, you can add the Chem major without special applications.</p></li>
<li><p>The Musical Theatre minor holds auditions after you start USC. We hear it is competitive, but not crazy hard to be admitted to this minor. All USC students are invited to audition for the big Musical each year, and there are many independent musicals (student run) and a capella groups open to all as well. And I’ll also just add that USC is really encouraging to students who want to tackle wildly diverse double majors or major/minors. They even offer a large prize at graduation open only to students who do so.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>The above info is really only the best of my knowledge. Others who know more, please post corrections.</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

3

<p>Hi! I’m also applying for Fall 2014 as an international, and I’ve recently taken the CIE A-Levels.
A-Levels are one of the most rigorous courses out there, so I think that having those is a great advantage, and if you do well in them, you’ll be fine. The only problem is, however, that if you take them in November, you’ll have to send USC your predicted grades, and not your actual ones. (Though they will ask for those too, eventually.) Did you perhaps take AS Levels, that you can send?
I think your subject tests are fine, you may want to think about retaking the SAT. Critical Reading scores are a little low.
Also, do you want to be considered for merit scholarship? You do know that for internationals, there is no financial aid, right? If you do, then definitely retake the SAT.
That’s all I can help for now, sorry I don’t know much about music and the sciences.</p>

4

<p>Try here for CIE exams:</p>

<p>[USC</a> ARR : Articulation : A-level Exam Credit](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/dept/ARR/articulation/alevel_exam_credit.html]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/dept/ARR/articulation/alevel_exam_credit.html)</p>