Chance a sophomore?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
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<p>Ok, I know that as a sophomore I probably don't have a lot of crucial information that I could give out to you guys to predict my chances, but I'm not looking for that right now. I just want to know if I'm on the right track of getting accepted USC and what I need to improve on to raise my chances.</p>

<p>Right now, I'm looking at a 4.1 weighted GPA this semester but last semester I had a 3.5. Freshman year I didn't do so hot as I got around 3.4-3.5 taking honors classes going from 2 B-'s to 2 C+'s. Obviously they don't look very good, but I know that I got them because of my lack of effort, and not a low level of intelligence. So basically, I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a 4.1 this semester seeing how my grades are turning out now with a huge increase in effort, but will maintaining these grades be enough?</p>

<p>Next year, I'm probably (hopefully) going to be Vice President of an organization dedicated to the welfare of the community and section leader for my marching band. The club was voted last year as the #1 club on campus now having around 200 members, while my band is one of the top bands in the state and has won thousands of prestigious awards.</p>

<p>I have been taking some SAT prep classes and I think I will be able to pull at least a 2100 with some work but I know that I can get at least a 2050 with what I'm getting right now. As of now, I probably have around 70-80 hours of total community service, 8 years of piano, 6 years of clarinet, I am a Taekwondo Black Belt, etc.; the normal stuff people do to be competitive for a top ranked university.</p>

<p>Next year, I'll be taking 3 AP's and an Honors course and I would say it's a fairly difficult load with helping manage the club and my band section. I have very good relationships with my teachers so I'm pretty sure they could write me some good recommendations. </p>

<p>What I'm worried about is that this isn't enough. USC is my dream university and I'm scared and paranoid that I won't get in. The business school seems to be the perfect fit for me and I'm and honestly scared that I won't be able to get in. So in order to prevent any regrets and sorrow that I might face later on, I want to honestly know if I have a shot at getting in. I know that people might say that I have a "chance", or that I should stop worrying, and that I seem really insecure (haha my post does make me seem that way) but I want to do everything I can to get into this college of my dreams. I know that I don't have enough hard facts to actually "chance" me, but I just want to know if I'm on the right track and what I can improve on to help me stand out.</p>

<p>I've been brought up by my parents who tell me to be honest about my work and be good at what I like, and I've followed their words, but after seeing all of my friends make up random clubs, cheat off of their smarter friends to get better grades, and suck up to their teachers, I don't know how I can compete with them when all their shallow actions are making them seem better than they really are.</p>

<p>^ lol that makes me look so insecure and whiny</p>

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<p>You should be fine. In fact, I think if you pull off good grades in your junior and senior years, you’ll be accepted. Remember, your essays count for something, too.</p>

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<p>Thank you :)</p>

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<p>roylikeswaffles-</p>

<p>I can’t really give you my opinion on your chances (I’m not good at that) but I just wanted to tell you that it sound like you are doing things right. </p>

<p>To help you feel better about your freshman grades (from the USC Admission website)-

</p>

<p>So- just keep improving those grades. Since weight is given differently at every high school, unweighted GPA is usually used here for comparisons. The mean GPA of admitted freshman last year with 3.8 UW. An SAT of 2100 would be great as the middle SAT accepted was 2095.<br>
<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/0910/FreshmanProfile2008v3.pdf[/url]”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/0910/FreshmanProfile2008v3.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>USC really does take into account your entire application (from their website)-

</p>

<p>Be sure to be yourself in your essays to show YOUR personal accomplishments and potential for success. </p>

<p>Just a note about applying to Marshall/Business- they like to see strong math scores and definitely take Calculus. They also want to see that you have leadership skills so write about that in your essays. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>USC has a wonderful marching band. If you are serious about wanting USC, I suggest that you “tune” your application to play up your musical talent and desire to be part of the USC marching band (if this honestly would interest you). Also, try to be a leader of some kind of socially oriented type of group. USC is very social.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the advice!</p>

<p>@mdcissp: Are you implying that tuning my app to show desire to be part of the band will help my chances?</p>