Chance for USC-my top choice

<p>Sex: Male
State: NJ
School: Public (no religious affiliation)
Religion: Roman Catholic</p>

<p>GPA: 4.25 weighted, 3.7 unweighted (all A's and B's)</p>

<p>Here are my grades...
Freshman year
Honors LA I (B+), Honors Bio (A), Honors World History (A-), Geometry (A),
Spanish II (A), Photography (A), Band (A), Phys Ed (A)
Sophomore Year
Honors LA II (B+), Honors Chem (A-), AP US 1 (A-), Honors Alg 2/Trig (B),
Spanish III (A), Computer Applications (A), Band (A-), Phys Ed (A)
Junior Year
Honors LA III (B), Honors Physics (B), AP US 2 (B), Honors Precalc (B),
Honors Spanish IV (A), Technical Drawing (A+), Phys Ed (A)
Senior Year Schedule
AP LA IV (B first quarter), AP Bio (A- first quarter), AP Environmental Science (B+ first quarter), AP Spanish V (A first quarter), Calculus (A- first quarter), Phys Ed (A first quarter)</p>

<p>SAT: 2020 superscored (600 CR, 730 Math, 690 Writing).
ACT: 28
SAT 2's: Spanish 500 (haha) math II 600. How big of a deal are these tests? I heard they are only used for placement. I know NOT submitting them won't help me, but I also think submitting them won't, because they are so low. I had a bad day when I took them.</p>

<p>AP US History exam: 5</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Technical editor for school newspaper 10, 11
editor in chief 12
Newspaper photographer 9
Varsity golf 10, 11, 12
Swim team 10, 12
Marching band 9, 10, 11
Concert band 9, 10
Junior jazz band 9, 10
FBLA 10, 11, 12 (treasurer senior year)
Nominated for Understanding American Business, a summer business leadership conference. For anyone that is wondering, I went. (This probably counts as a special award/ hook, but I'm not sure)
Peer counseling 11, 12 (shows excellent character and leadership qualities)
Academic team 11, 12
Student council treasurer 11
National Honor Society 11, 12
I've been taking weekly guitar lessons since 6th grade
I am also in a rock band with some of my friends in which i play lead guitar. We write our own music and play gigs regularly. We were finalists in 2 state-wide battle of the bands competitions out of approximately 300 bands. </p>

<p>Volunteer hours- not many, probably only like 100 or so hours.
CCD teacher at local church 11, 12
Antioch retreat team member at local church 11, 12
Volunteered at some hospital charity events
Confirmation service hours
I also have a summer internship in the office of an NJ Assemblyman, where I did quintessential intern duties.</p>

<p>Teacher Recs: One was awesome, it was from my freshman English teacher, who is also the advisor for the newspaper. I didn't see the other one, but I think it's good too because my math teacher was not just fond of me as a student, but as a person.
Counselor Rec: How bad could it be?</p>

<p>Essays: I think my essay is very good, but after all it is my essay. It discusses how participating in the Antioch retreat helped me learn that I am very fit for helping the community, whether it be peer counseling, tutoring, working, and other stuff.</p>

<p>My short answers talk about the school newspaper as my favorite activity and Spanish as my favorite academic subject and how it is beginning to play a significant role in my life. I'm still in the process of editing them.</p>

<p>I'm having trouble with a choice of major, so I'm applying undeclared.</p>

<p>Please give me feedback! I hope I get in! I'll chance people back too.</p>

<p>Knowing your class rank or decile would be helpful. It appears USC will be a low reach given your test scores and perhaps not taking the most rigorous course load available at your HS, something that USC really emphasizes. Good luck!</p>

<p>How good a golfer are you? (No, I am not being snide). Are you state or nationally ranked? Will your coach contact USC’s golf coach and make him aware that you are applying? Golf can help you get into college. (not for a scholarship necessarily, but helps.)</p>