Can you chance me(an upcoming senior) for USC!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>GPA: UW:3.77/W:3.9
SAT:M:730 W:680 CR:600 (2010)
ACT: 29
SAT II: 770 Math2, 680 Chem., 660 French
Fresh/Soph year: a bunch of honors
Jr: 3 AP's, Chem (3), USH (2), English Comp (4)
Jr. summer: Calculus 1 at comm. college: A
Sr: AP stats, AP Lit, APGov/Econ, French 4, HP Physics, Accounting 1
Teacher Rec: French teacher who I will have had for 4 years by senior year "fostered" me throughout high school and I always got A's in her class, she loves me.
AP English Comp teacher said if we got As in his class (Which I did) and a 4 or 5 on the AP test, (I got a 4) he would right us "a glowing recommendation)</p>

<p>Essays: they will probably be the highlight of my application because I enjoy writing!</p>

<p>EC's: 4 years tennis (3 varsity), 2 years of Marching band/concert band(I couldn't do 4 b/c it conflicted with tennis, which I chose to do because i like it more) Invited to Disney World in Florida to play ( I went) Other random band/tennis awards. 4 years French club (VP 11th, Pres. 12th probably) 2 years Faith club, 2 years FBLA, 2 years CSF. 300+ hours of community service at local rehab center, (hospital).</p>

<p>Awards: I really do not have a lot of awards except a writing contest award and a couple of mediocre awards in other stuff.</p>

<p>Hooks: Low income family, 1st generation college student, brother goes to West Point (will that help at all?) </p>

<p>COMMENTS: My school doesn't offer too many AP's in general, only jr.'s and sr.'s usually take APs. IMy transcript shows a really visible upward grade trend. (I got 3 B's combined in Freshman year and 1st semester of sophomore year I got 2 B's and 1 C, but after that I got only 1 B per semester with a lot of honors/AP classes.) </p>

<p>Intended major: 1st choice: undecided, 2nd choice: architecture, 3rd choice: accounting</p>

<p><strong><em>This is my #1 school so I will probably spend A LOT of time on the application.
*</em></strong><em>If there are any other schools you recommend that "suit" my stats, please list several.
*</em>**Thank you so much!</p>

2

<p>stats-wise usc is a reach for you but you have a shot. good luck!</p>

3

<p>There are hundreds of schools that suit your stats. What part of the country are you interested in or do you want to stay in CA? I think your shot at USC is a long one at best, but not altogether impossible with your tennis/marching band combo and being a first gener. Assuming you want to stay in CA, what about some of the mid-tier UC’s like SB and Davis? Another really nice school that kids seem to love is Cal Poly SLO.</p>

4

<p><a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/0910/FreshmanProfile2009.pdf[/url]”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/0910/FreshmanProfile2009.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Your GPA is basically the average admit, your SATs are around the 25th%-tile (ACT is <25th% so send the SATs). This biggest issue I see is the low CR score of 600. A good essay highlighting your 1st generation college status should help. I think you have a fair chance, but not something you can be very comfortable about.</p>

5

<p>I got in with extremely similar stats… don’t say it’s a long shot.</p>

<p>I think what got me in was my letters of recommendation and essay. So that is what you need to focus on!</p>

<p>The upward grade trend is nice and being a low-income family USC will give you pretty good financial aid if you get in. They’re need-blind so no worries there.</p>

<p>Good luck, I think you have a shot. I saw many people with SAT scores soaring above my measly 29 on the ACT that ended up getting rejected. If USC is where you want to go write a great essay. Your SAT score is better than your ACT, so why not try taking the SAT again? If you improve that CR score, you will be much more competitive.</p>

<p>I don’t think its a high reach or a long shot. Good luck!</p>

6

<p>Even if you don’t get in out of high school, you can always try to transfer in.</p>