Background/Context:
Gender: Male
Race: African-American
Public High School - 5000
Top 5% of my class (44/1010) Intended Major: Biochemistry
EXTRACURRICULARS AND OTHER
IMPORTANT STUFF
GPA: 4.44 W, 3.88 UW
MAJOR: Biochemistry
ACT: 32C - 34E 32M 31R 30S SAT
SUBJECT TEST: MATH, BIO, CHEM - aiming for 750+ on all
Marching Band VARSITY (10TH-12TH) (Done band all 4 years)
-Section Leader (11TH-12TH)
Concert Band (Symphonic Winds)
-Solo Festival (2 Years - Superior (10TH), Excellent (11TH)
-CBU Festival (EXCELLENT - 10TH)
-United Sound (12TH) - teach special educated kids how to play an instrument
Track & Field VARSITY (12TH) (Been in the team all 4 years)
-100M (9TH-11TH)
-200M (9TH-11TH)
-4x100M (10TH-11TH)
-Throws (Shot Put & Discus) (11TH-12TH)
Science Olympiad (11-12TH)
-President (Founder)
STEM (4 years)
-Science Fair (2ND PLACE MICROBIOLOGY- District Level) (Went to district twice) (9TH-10TH)
-Science Fair Mentor(Junior)
-STEM Ambassador: Event Committee (12TH)
STEM EXPO (16 hours)
CSF (11TH-12TH)
Kaiser Hospital Volunteering (Summer) (10TH-12TH)
-140+hours
Principal Advisory Committee (11TH)
In terms of getting “Chanced” for USC, it is virtually impossible for others to predict what may or may not occur in your specific case. With an admit rate now below 12% and falling, and with 4K+ applicants with 4.0 unweighted GPAs and test scores in the 99th percentile among those not gaining admission, your success will instead likely depend on too many potential factors for anyone to correctly evaluate… making predicting admission nearly impossible.
But this also shows that they admit many without perfect grades or test scores. They are after all seeking to craft a well-rounded and diverse freshman class comprised of those who actually have a strong affinity for or connection to USC. They do aim to admit those who they project will thrive well at USC and bring something unique to the campus environment.
So your individual admission decision will likely come down to a composite and holistic analysis of your stats coupled with writing ability / essays, ECs, potential leadership roles, potential other unique qualifiers (URM, First Gen, geography, demographics, etc.), your Why USC? explanation/reasoning, etc. And that “Why USC?” explanation is likely the most important single component of your application. You do need to provide a well-thought out and well-researched answer as to why attending USC is truly significant and important to you specifically. And moreover, USC does want to gain a sense as to what you will be uniquely contributing to the greater USC community if admitted.
Before applying, I suggest reading through the very helpful insider’s guide to USC admissions…