<p>applying as mechanical engineer
UW GPA: 3.975
W GPA: 4.2
rank: 4%
SAT combined best: 2080 (CR:750 M:640 W:690)
SAT II: 750 bio and 710 mathII
ACT: still waiting on the scores but i'm certain i did better than SAT
southern california native from a well ranked public school
white male
recs: very strong from calc and ap english teachers and phenomenal from ASB advisor
interview: interview lasted one hour (because i was the last interview) and at the end she said, "I'll be honest with you, bluebeard, you're one of the best interviews I've ever had."
essays: very strong, couldn't be happier with them
ECs
2 years ASB Commissioner of Spirit and President of Spirit Club
1 year class council
1 year school news broadcast anchor
helped implement a new program (only student that worked on it) at school that welcomes freshman into high school called Link Crew (2 years)
3 years starting varsity volleyball
2 years junior olympics for volleyball
1 year of basketball (special reason for only one year, explained in the interview)
3 years of competitive improv theater (Comedy Sportz)
major parts in two plays (one was otto frank in diary of anne frank)
University Exchange Youth of the Year
3 spur awards (school's citizenship award)
3 heritage awards for academic excellence (lit, hist, and drama)
1 year as Youth Action Team Member: competitive position as community services employee for the city (run a large network of social and community services for over 10,000 high school students)
named Most Valuable Dodgeball Player by the staff at Improv Theater Camp (my proudest moment)</p>
<p>I'm also curious about my chances for a scholarship. if i don't get any money, then i plan on living at home and going to UCI for a year and then transfering. do you think this is a good idea?</p>
<p>its kinda weird how you want to be an engineer and your verbal/ writing score is higher than your math. But i say you have a decent chance.</p>
<p>i know. for some reason i've never done well on standardized math tests but math and science are definitely my best subjects. i'm putting my hopes in them recognizing my communication and leadership abilities and how that will help with engineering as much as anything else.</p>
<p>If you want to transfer, you had better have very good GPA (not nearly as easy in college as it is in HS)</p>
<p>Sounds like you have a great chance of getting admitted to USC! USC likes smart, involved, passionate, spirited people, and it sounds like you meet their criteria. They want well-rounded engineers, not science and math geeks who have no life outside of school.</p>
<p>I had similar GPA and SAT scores (also "white male") and was given the Presidential Scholarship (1/2 tuition for 4 years). I'd say you have a shot at the Presidential or the Trustee Scholarship - which is the full boat free ride. Invites for scholarship interviews come out in the spring. You can be invited to interview for a certain scholarship, but then they can decide to give you a better one, a worse one, or none at all. Since it sounds like you are a good interview, you should do pretty well. Good luck and Fight On, future Trojan!</p>
<p>thanks! when i visited, the engineers there really impressed me. there were hardly any "nerdy" engineers. everyone had marvelous social skills, and, i'm not gonna lie, those were the most attractive engineering women i've ever seen.</p>
<p>i just got my ACT scores. do you think they help my chances for a scholarship?
Composite: 32
English: 29
Reading: 31
Math: 33
Science: 35</p>
<p>You are definitely in. I also think you have good chances at a scholarship, especially considering you have strong interviewing skills, as the merit award interviews are apparently pretty important. If you've got your heart set on going to USC, then transferring might be an option. At the same time, if USC doesn't offer you a merit award and you can't afford it, I don't see why you wouldn't be happy for four years at another university. California has some great, affordable schools that would love to have you, like UCLA. I don't think it's a good idea to commute from home if you can afford to live on campus your first year, and I also think the transfer process might cause some unnecessary stress. If I were you and USC didn't give me enough money, I'd just go to UCLA instead. You'll get a great education without the social disruption of commuting/transferring/etc.</p>
<p>Just my two cents.</p>
<p>yeah that's what i've been thinking about alot lately. usc is my first choice, but UCLA is a close second and i'd be more than happy to attend either university. my family and i have been praying alot about it lately, and the only thing we're certain about is that there's nothing more i can do about it haha. just gotta trust that everything will work out. and thanks groovinhard. very good advice.</p>
<p>I was "in" with an ACT composite of 33. Got the Presidential.</p>
<p>english - 34
math - 29
reading - 34
science - 34
writing score - 10</p>
<p>Both your math and science scores are better than mine - helps if you want to be an engineer. You are looking good, mi amigo.</p>