I plan on applying to USC-Marshall (Business Administration-Emphasis: International Relations) in December for the merit deadline.
GPA: 3.84 unweighted
SAT: 700 CR/690 Math 1390 superscore
ACT: 30/31 superscore (30 English/28 Math/34 Science/33 Reading)
Class Rank: Junior Marshal/top 4
Attending a good private school
AP’s: US government (online-3), World History (5), Language and Comp (5), Environmental Science (4), Macroeconomics (online-3), Microeconomics (online-2).
Senior year classes: AP US HIstory, AP Calc AB, AP Art History, AP Literature and Comp, Span 3
I took US Gov, Micro, and Macro online because my school did not offer them. I got A’s in the class but the exams were not so hot. Hopefully it looks good because I went out and pursued classes that were not offered to me.
Awards: Catalyst nominee at Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics (VERY prestigious public-funded summer camp in NC), North Carolina Governor’s School, FBLA 1st place state competition in Financial Business Plan, placed in several math competitions
EC’s: SGA President(Treasurer last year), Yearbook, Newspaper (Editor), Started a community service club at my school, I have a part time food service job, Key Club, I tour prospective students around my school, North Carolina House of Representatives Page, UNC Catalyst Conference(focused on developing leadership skills concerning social justice issues), Varsity Tennis, I have also volunteered with my church youth group and with several other organizations.
What are my chances for acceptance and what scholarship could I get?
Chances really are based on GPA and test scores and, if you have something that USC wants like a talented athletes for their sports teams. Many accepted students have over 4.0s and high test scores.
Scholarships are very difficult to get unless you are a NMF or URM. Our son, was both; he was admitted and was guaranteed ½ tuition as a NM winner, but that was only about $20k out of a total cost of over $60k. That would still have left us with $40k to pay for each year, so he didn’t accept the package.
Play up your page experience and apply. You never know, but be prepared to pay $70k per year.
Agree with above. You can apply but have backup plan and a financial plan. So many kids think they are in “VERY prestigious” this or that, but it is only considered that in their tiny bit of geography. When you look at the entire nation it is a different story and this is what USC is looking at. I would think a “good private school” would have all those AP classes you had to take online, not sure that doing those will get you any gold stars at USC, but it doesn’t hurt, may help elsewhere. So have other plans, don’t get into “dream school” mode, that is emotionally risky. Find some safeties. And just to be realistic (not trying to be harsh), your scholarship chances are pretty much zero at USC. There are many with well over 4.0 gpa’s and 32 to 34 ACTs that don’t even get accepted to USC (this is true) and some that do get accepted with those marks, but don’t get a penny. Apply broadly and find schools where you are in the top 25-50% test score and gpa wise.