Hi. I applied to a lot of really good schools, but my SAT score isn’t that good. USC has always been one of my top 5 choices, but I don’t want to get my hopes up. So, if you can please chance me!!:
GPA: 4.0
Rank: 18/434
Classes: Full honors freshmen and sophomore year. My school does not offer AP. IB Diploma student 11th and 12th grade.
SAT: 1290 670 math 620 English
ACT: 26 (32 reading 25 math 25 science 24 English) Writing score 8/12.
Extracurriculars:
Learn and Serve Member (9th-12th grade)
French Club President (9th-11th grade)
DECA Chapter Officer (11th-12th grade)
Soccer Team Manager (11th grade fall)
Football Team Manager (11th grade summer going into 12th grade and fall of 12th grade)
Community Service Club President/Founder (11th-12th grade)
President of National Honor Society (11th-12th grade)
Secretary of French Honor Society (11th-12th grade)
Social Studies Honor Society (11th-12th grade)
Community Service:
Various volunteer work ranging from collecting money and clothes for charity to volunteering at a soup kitchen.
Volunteered as a daycare camp counselor during the summer (mid- June to mid-August) 8 hours a day for approximately three times a week.
Race: Black
First Generation American
Financial Income: low, my city as a whole is low-middle class / regular middle class. Our average household income is about $60,000.
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.
I suggest reading through the very helpful insider’s guide to USC admissions…