I am a high school senior student in California, what are my chances at the USC?
Background/Context:
GPA: 4.03 W, 3.77 UW
SAT: 1550
SAT SUBJECT TEST: MATH 800, BIO 800, CHINESE 800
AP:
5: Calculus AB, Biology, Chinese
4: Statistics, Psychology
3: Music Theory
ECs:
4 year concert band
4 year marching band(rank captain 11th, section leader 12th)
4 year varsity badminton team
4 year youth Orchestra
10 years piano
Long term job in a tutoring center and an ice cream shop
Built and maintain a website for a non-profit organization
Awards:
USABO semifinalist
Presidential Volunteer Service Award Silver Medal(10th) and Bronze Medal(11th)
AllState Honor Band, Regional Honor Band
Badminton Regional and State Championships
Piano CM Advanced level Branch Honors
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 13% 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…
https://tfm.usc.edu/a-guide-to-uscs-college-admissions-process/
Good Luck…
I think you have a good chance, but cannot assign a percentage. You have very good EC activities, SAT score (well above the middle 50% range (25 to 75 percentile) for 2018 admitted USC student range), good subject test and AP test scores. Your GPA is still in the middle 50% range. Do well on your essay. USC does turn away many excellent students. USC also likes to attract the HYPSM type students and offer them full merit awards or partial.