<p>im currently a sophomore who needs to know what NOT to screw up and where i need to become more involved if i'm aiming for places like tufts, ucla, usc. what do i need on SATs etc. thanks in advance! </p>
<p>Current APs/honors
-AP Spanish Language
-Honors English II
Planned APs/honors
-Honors Biology
-AP Spanish Literature
-AP French Language
-Honors English III
-AP Statistics
-AP English Literature
-Honors Advanced Topics in French: Renaissance
-Honors Advanced Topics in French: Romantic
-AP Environmental Science</p>
<p>Extracurriculars
Journalism: Yearbook Concentration (Reporter year 10)
Advanced Journalism: Yearbook Concentration (Assistant Photography Editor year 11/ [prospective] Sports Editor or Assistant Editor in Chief year 12)
National Honor Society ([prospective] inducted year 11)
Spanish National Honor Society (inducted year 10) (will def be in leadership position in jr and sr year, probs president. i am literally the only mexican person in my grade)
French National Honor Society (inducted year 10) (can probs get leadership position sr year)
Tutoring Club (4 years, [prospective] PR Manager year 11 and def something big year 12)</p>
<p>Other
State: CA
School Type: Private VERY competitive. 2 AP national winners, intel finalists like no other type of competitive
Ethnicity: Hispanic (in a <em>largely</em> asian school)
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: Less than 30,000
Hooks: First generation, low income</p>
<p>It’s pretty much impossible to chance anyone without GPA, SATs or ACTs.</p>
<p>For USC you want to be in the top 5% of your class (lower is OK if it’s a competitive private school like you say), 2100+ on SATs, 31+ on ACT. That is pretty much for the average applicant, for a low income first gen Hispanic female you could get in with less.</p>
<p>The major you’re applying for at USC can also significantly affect your chances, if you know what you want to do yet (it’s fine if you don’t).</p>
<p>thanks! yeah, i know it’s dumb not to have my SAT up but like i said, soph. probably taking it next october and march. thanks again :)</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1112/USCFreshmanProfile2011.pdf[/url]”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1112/USCFreshmanProfile2011.pdf</a></p>
<p>The above link details the stats for last year’s entering class. I think a good strategy is to aim for being at the mid-point (3.8 UWGPA 2130 SAT). This year the admit rate is down to about 18% and rumors are that the average GPA and SAT/ACT went up a little more. So things are only getting tougher.</p>
<p>thanks for the link! my school is one of the most represented, actually. i’ll keep what you said in mind</p>
<p>As an incoming freshman, hopefully I can provide a little insight for you:</p>
<ul>
<li>GPA and SAT’s: Yes, average SAT scores for admits DID go up this year (I believe about 30-50 points on either side), and GPA’s are similarly competitive. Honestly, exact scores aren’t really the objective here. Students with sub-2000 SAT scores are admitted, and National Merit Finalist are rejected; the point is that you try your absolute hardest. I have multiple B’s on my high school transcript, and I’m sure I’ll receive one or two more in this final semester, but what gave me an edge is that I took the toughest courses available to me; 9 of the 12 AP’s offered at my school, AP scholar, etc. I definitely don’t rock at every subject, and that’s okay. Just challenge yourself and stick with it!</li>
</ul>
<p>Also, give both the SAT’s and ACT’s a shot, but DON’T overdo it. Study, prepare, be calm on test day, and don’t second guess yourself too much. For me, my first shot at each test was the best. </p>
<ul>
<li>Major: It appears from your extracurricular activities that you might be interested in journalism in college. As a Print and Digital Journalism major (200 admitted of over 1800 applicants to Annenberg), I believe that a few things gave me an edge here: the fact that I had a solid leadership position within my newspaper (online editor, founded the website), and served roles such as copy editor, reporter, etc. I’ve won state and national awards for my writing, and I spent a lot of time writing my statement of intent for Annenberg. I think that my dedication to journalism and passion for pursuing it was apparent to the selection committee.</li>
</ul>
<p>Hope that helps! You seem to be on the right track! If you have any other questions, you can reply here or PM me. Best of luck!</p>