chance an average dreamer :/

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>White male
Texas
Large competitive high school
anticipated major: psych/bio</p>

<p>Academics</p>

<p>GPA: 4.02 (W) ??(UW)
Rank: 140/955 (top15%)
ACT: 33 - Writing(31) Math(35) Reading(32) Science(34)
SAT II's: taking in october (Math II and Lit)
Sr sched: BC Calc, AP Bio, AP Eng IV, AP Govt/Econ
Jr APs: AP US History, AP Enlish III, AP Computer Science
Soph APs: AP World History</p>

<p>Extra Currics</p>

<p>Math Honor Society - (12)
Founder/President of Vehicle Enthusiasts Club - (12)
Co-Founded Red Cross Club - Treasurer - (9,10,11,12)
National Honor Society - 30 hrs of comm serv a semester - (9,10,11,12)
Internation Jewish organization (BBYO) held position in chapter for 2 yrs and attended leadership programs every summer - (9,10,11,12)
Anti-Drug Club - (9,10,11)
Jewish Student Union - (9,10)
Health Occupations Students of America - (10,11)
JV Swimming/Diving - (9,10)
Water Polo team - (10)</p>

<p>Awards</p>

<p>AP Scholar with Honor
Most improved/Swimmer of the year - 2 yrs in a row
3 chapter awards for jewish youth group</p>

<p>Comm serv/work</p>

<p>300+ hours of comm serv through local hospital, red cross, and jewish youth group
held atleast one job since 13 yrs old</p>

<p>Activities</p>

<p>Played guitar for 9 years
4 yrs tennis</p>

<p>Recommendations - 2 solid recs from teachers, and 1 from counselor</p>

<p>Essays - working on right now, they are turning out pretty good.
*Family probs fresh/soph year trying to address in essay to compensate for poor grades:[ </p>

<p>Any input would be greatly appreciated!!</p>

2

<p>I think you’d certainly have a competitive app- :slight_smile: </p>

<p>I would also suggest you try to get to any type of “meet USC’” program that may be in your area or at your high school (ask the College Guidance Counselor if USC visits your school). You can also call USC and ask if they’ll be in your area. Introduce yourself if you get to one. Return information request card to show sincere interest in the school.</p>

3

<p>Since you have a lot of APs which show academic strength, I am confused why you want to devote your essay to explaining low grades due to family problems. I suggest that you show your essay to your English teacher and/or high school college counselor for an outside opinion. If you think you interview well, I suggest you consider going on a USC local interview and use that as an opportunity to address any concerns about GPA. You have a lot of nice extra curriculars. There is an excellent scholarship for Jewish leadership at USC which you could apply for (I think it is a $10,000. scholarship, but check the scholarship list).
If you are serious about wanting USC, I just think you should get some outside second opinions about your essay topic so that it highlights your strengths.</p>

4

<p>I feel like my GPA wont be able to compete with the other applicants and i dont know any way to compensate for it:/. I had my english teacher read the essay i am talking about and she said it was very powerful and had a lot of voice. I am extremely serious about USC and am planning on setting up a local interview soon so hopefully that helps. And that is very interesting about the Jewish Scholarship. Thanks</p>

<p>any other imput?</p>

5

<p>You could always raise your scores, it’ll only help.</p>

6

<p>USC looks at the whole application.
If you feel your weakness is your uw GPA, be assured that the rest of your application looks very solid, ACT, interesting EC’s, some of which are long term which show committment, etc. and you have obviously taken a rigorous courseload.
If you have held a job during the academic year at HS, that is certainly going to be looked well upon also, particularly in light of what you feel is your less than stellar GPA.</p>

<p>Perhaps your GC could briefly address your family problems in his/her recommendation letter?</p>

7

<p>dont waste your essay to talk to give excuses for bad grades. u can talk about how the family problems affected you and changed you, but dont write about your grades.</p>