<p>SATS math 790 reading 800 writing 720
sat 2 math2 800 physics 730
GPA 3.5 unweighted 4.1 weighted
all honors and AP classes throughout high school
pretty good ec and good essays
National merit semifinalist
white non/hispanic
USC is my number one choice and I have interviewed with them but my grades are pretty average and im not sure if they place enough emphasize on scores to get me in so please give me an honest opinion on my chances.</p>
<p>I’m certainly no expert but for what its worth and from what I’ve read, I would say you’re a shoe in</p>
<p>also, 3.5 is better than “pretty average”</p>
<p>Great test scores, great ec, great essays.
Your GPA may be the only part in your resume that is not top-level. 3.5 is great enough, if not perfect.
Relax, I think you have a really good chance.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1213/USCFreshmanProfile2012.pdf[/url]”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1213/USCFreshmanProfile2012.pdf</a></p>
<p>You have exceptional SATs, above the 75th%-tile for USC, but as the above link shows your GPA is well below the average admit and even below the average applicant. Your National Merit SemiFinalist award will be a big boost. As LynnDay says, with great recs and essays I think you have a good chance, but I certainly wouldn’t characterize your profile as a “shoe-in”.</p>
<p>Low GPA hurts you; if you had a 3.8+ GPA you’d be a match but now it’s a high match; reach if you want to attend USC for film.</p>
<p>What’s your backup plan?</p>
<p>Its going to be a reach bc of your low GPA. But I would say they would admit you bc you have other strong points too.</p>