<p>Hi, I am a high school sophomore whose dream school is the awesome USC! I understand that I have some time before I do actually start applying but I would like to know if I am on the right track. I would really appreciate any input and opinions! Thanks and fight on! :D</p>
<p>Basic Info:
Asian male</p>
<p>Academics
grade- 3.7 unweighted, about 4.1 weighted
rank- top 40 out of about 850 in class</p>
<p>Current Schedule- all honors level classes if available
Marching Band
Spanish II
honors english II
honors world history
honors chemistry
honors algebra II
tennis </p>
<p>Tests
PSAT-not yet taken
SAT-not yet taken </p>
<p>ECs
American red cross
a volunteering club
rotary interact (secretary)
national honor society (wants to become vp)
film and broadcast (president)
california scholarship federation
vex robotics (secretary)
volunteering at a local hospital
*most ecs are centered around community service</p>
<p>Over the summer, I volunteered for some orphanages overseas.</p>
<p>Thank you once again. </p>
<p>Another note: how hard is it to join the Trojan Marching Band? Btw, I play sousaphone, and trombone.</p>
<p>You’d be in good shape if you can get your GPA up to 3.8-3.9 with a 2200+ SAT. You should also try playing a sport or two. Good luck man, and keep us posted.</p>
<p>Anyone who wants to can join the marching band. ANYONE. They love new members, even if they’ve never played an instrument before… think of them as more of a spirit group playing music. They’re crazy welcoming. haha.</p>
<p>And take some AP classes and try to do well on your standardized tests, because the applicant pools keep getting better every year. This year, they had 9000-something students apply with above a 4.0 and around 36,000 total applicants, yet they only have 7000-something spots to offer admission. So stay exciting and stay smart!</p>
<p>^^And for the above information, I know about this stuff for sure. I heard it from the Dean of Admissions at the Explore USC event for possible scholarship recipients.</p>
<p>Yeah, the TMB takes anyone who is interested. I knew a girl who was in it and she LOVED it – but it isn’t for anyone. The schedule is grueling and it’s a bit cultish; expect minimal to no free time during football season. I was a musician, but the band was 100% NOT for me.</p>
<p>What is your intended area of study? I can’t say much without any AP/SAT/ACT scores, but being an Asian male won’t help your chances. You need to find a way to stand out from the pack.</p>
<p>If you consistently score a 4.0 GPA for the rest of high school and knock a 2200+ SAT, your chances will improve…But if you’re going for a generic program, it’s hard to say. Good EC’s, though!</p>
<p>Joining the Trojan Marching Band was the best decision I made at USC. It’s intense and it takes a lot of time, but the people you meet, the friends you make, and the really cool things you get to do make it all worth it.</p>