Chance me? Lowish SAT score

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>Hi, </p>

<p>I am very interested in USC's broadcast journalism program however I do not think I will have time to take my SAT one more time since this is my senior year.</p>

<p>My scores are:
First time I ended up with a 1650, I don't remember the scores but of course they were all low. Let's just say I had no clue what I was getting myself into and only finished a paragraph on the Essay.
Second time: CR=620 M=580 W=700 Overall=1900</p>

<p>So far my AP scores/grades are:
World History=4 Got an A in the class
U.S. History=4 Got an A in the class both semesters
AP English Language=5 Got an A in the class both semesters
AP European History=3 Got an A in the class
AP Human Geography=4 Got an A in the class
AP Statistics=3 Got an A in the class
AP Spanish=2 Got an A in the class (probably won't send that one in :()
The rest of my classes are honors classes and I also got A's in those, except for Honors Physics when I got an 88.</p>

<p>My senior year schedule looks like this:
P.E. (required to take it to graduate)
AP Economics (2 semesters)
AP Comparative Government (2 semesters)
AP Literature
Accelerated Math 3
Journalism (2 semesters) I will be Editor in Chief of the school newspaper
Advanced Scientific Research</p>

<p>I hope to get at least 4's and 5's on my last AP exams and I will end up with having taken 10 AP classes throughout my high school years.</p>

<p>EC's:
President of Drama Club
Senator of my class
Editor in Chief of Newspaper
Got the lead role in our school productions for 3 years
Played a principle role in the Atlanta Opera's "The Magic Flute" as the Second Genie
Participated in 3 Theater of the Star's productions (these are national tour musicals)
Have over a 100 hours in community service by helping out my local nursing home
Worked in a non-paid internship position for Celebrate Life International
Part of NHS
Part of BETA club
My entire family is Russian and I speak the language.
I translated missionary packets for the Celebrate Life program in Russia.</p>

<p>I am in a magnet program for international studies in GA and it is a very rigorous program.</p>

<p>If USC looked at me holistically, do you think I may have a chance at their program?</p>

2

<p>oh, and my GPA unweighted is a 3.95 and weighted is a 4.45</p>

3

<p>Any replies? :(</p>

4

<p>USC is very very very hard to get into nowadays.</p>

<p>My brother’s son did not get in, but got into Cornell.</p>

<p>My friend’s son did not get in, despite a 740 on his Math SAT.</p>

5

<p>Oh, well I guess I should probably cross it off of my list then. What schools would you recommend with my stats?</p>

6

<p>You should still apply to USC - ECs are decent, but your GPA and bilingualism makes you more competitive. Also, try taking the ACT. I know people who have scored a 2000 on the SAT but 34-35 on the ACT.</p>

7

<p>I agree with HappyBuddha–you should still consider applying. Try the ACT, as many students do better on one test or the other (or retake the SAT in October). The rest of your package looks competitive, and hopefully you will shine on the essay. Higher test scores would help, though.</p>

8

<p>You have really great ECs, especially for journalism. A lot of kids on CC don’t realize how important having something like editor in chief of the school paper really is; they’re more concerned that they’re in EVERY honors society. (Which are BS ECs that only show you have a good GPA. The school sees that anyway!)</p>

<p>Being EIC is a great strong point for you. It shows commitment and dedication that other ECs don’t. Your GPA is also very good. I am just worried about the low SAT and the low AP scores.</p>

<p>I think you’ll have time to take the SAT ONE more time in the fall. Start studying now and try to get a 2000+ score. If you do this, I think you’re a plausible candidate. If you don’t, I can’t say what your chances would be – but I’d guess spring admit or 100% rejected.</p>

<p>You should definitely apply no matter what – but you should REALLY, REALLY, REALLY take the SAT one more time and study as much as humanly possible if USC is your dream school. Do flashcards, study/memorize math formulas, get a friend who did well on the test to tutor you, etc.</p>

<p>I bet if you got a 2000+ you’d have a good chance of getting in!</p>