Chances and Areas in Need of Improvement

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of South Carolina
1

<p>Do I seem to have a chance at being admitted into the Honors College or Capstone Scholars program?</p>

<p>RACE: African American / Black</p>

<p>GENDER: Male</p>

<p>LOCATION: South Carolina</p>

<p>GPA: 3.8 Un-Weighted / 4.7 Weighted</p>

<p>RANK: 3 or 4 / 342</p>

<p>SAT: Took the June 2, 2007 test (maybe 1200+ math and critical reading)</p>

<p>SAT II: Taking Literature and US History in November (maybe 650+)</p>

<p>GRADES:
FRESHMAN YEAR
Algebra 1 CP - 97
French 1 CP -99
Algebra 2 Honors - 91
Physical Science Honors - 88
English 1 Honors - 98
World History Honors - 95
Honors Seminar - 99
French 2 CP - 96
Physical Education (CP) - 100
Computer Applications (CP) - 96</p>

<p>SOPHOMORE YEAR
Geometry Honors - 94
Biology 1 Honors - 90
English 2 Honors - 95
AP European History - 89
French 3 Honors - 97
Visions of the Future Seminar (Honors) - 95
Art 1 (CP) - 96
Health (CP) - 96</p>

<p>JUNIOR YEAR
Algebra 3 Honors - 97
Chemistry 1 Honors - 93
AP English Language & Composition - 99
AP United States History - 96
AP Art History - 97
Introduction to Philosophy Seminar (Honors) - 97
Global Issues Seminar (Honors) - 96
French 4 Honors - 97</p>

<p>SENIOR YEAR
Pre-Calculus Honors
Physics Honors
AP English Literature & Composition
AP United States Government & Politics
AP French Language & Composition
Talented & Gifted Art (Honors)
AP Studio Art
AP Human Geography
Twentieth Century Seminar (Honors)
Economics CP (could not fit AP)</p>

<p>EXTRACURRIULAR ACTIVITIES
Youth Action Council: Co-Chair / President; Finalist in the Project Ignition National Seat Belt Campaign; presented multi-media campaign at the National Youth Leadership Council's (NYLC) National Service-Learning Conference; recipient of the Best Grassroots Impact Award for working with South Carolina legislators to enact stronger seat belt safety laws; recipient of the $25,000 State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grant</p>

<p>Student Government
Senate; House of Representatives; Representative-at-Large; National Association of Student Councils (NASC) Council of Excellence Award; Certificate of Excellence and Varsity Letter for 300+ Hours of Service; South Carolina Association of Student Councils (SCASC) Gold Honor Council Award; Junior Class Leadership Council Secretary; Certificate of Excellence for 200+ Hours of Service; Sophomore Class Leadership Council Secretary; Outstanding Freshman Class Service Award for 100+ Hours of Servce; South Carolina Association of Student Councils (SCASC) District Conference; School Improvement Council (SIC)</p>

<p>Scholars Symposium / Honors Forum
Senior Class Advisory Council Representative; Junior Class Advisory Council Representative; Sophomore Class Advisory Council Representative; Freshman Class Advisory Council Representative; Peer Mentor / Tutor</p>

<p>National Art Honor Society (NAHS)
Awards and Ceremony Coordinator; Scholastic Art and Writings Award Competition; South Carolina State Fair Student Art Show; Spring Visual Arts Show; Photography Club</p>

<p>National French Honor Society (NFHS)
President / Awards and Ceremony Coordinator; Darfur Advocacy Campaign (Co-Chair); Peer Mentor / Tutor</p>

<p>National Honor Society (NHS)
Peer Mentor / Tutor</p>

<p>National Senior Beta Club
Peer Mentor / Tutor</p>

<p>COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS
Amnesty International USA
"Malaria No More" Campaign
STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition
Genocide Intervention Network
Andy Thomas Radio Network Teen Forum Show
National Service-Learning Partnership
Service-Learning and Civic-Engagement Collaborative Workshop
Good Neighbor Home Works Renovation Project
Winter Holidays Service Project
Board Election (Co-Manager for Gregory Branch)</p>

<p>SUMMER EXPERIENCES
The Governor's School of South Carolina at the College of Charleston
South Carolina Business Week at Presbyterian College
Clemson University Program for Academically Talented Students</p>

<p>ACADEMIC HONORS
Principal's Scholar Honor
National Ventures Scholar Program
National French Contest Level 4 Honorable Mention Award
Junior Marshal at Senior Graduation
Coker College Scholar Award
Lander University Junior Fellow Award
Newberry College Scholar Award
University of South Carolina Aiken Scholar Award
University of South Carolina Upstate Scholar Award
AP English Language & Composition Award of Excellence
Outstanding Academic Achievement in Junior English Award
South Carolina Governor's Scholar Award
Golden Palmetto Leadership & Service Merit Award
Outstanding Academic Achievement in Sophomore History Award
National History Day Certificate of Achievement
Outstanding Academic Achievement in Freshman Social Studies Award
Academic Honor Roll
Duke Univeristy Talent Identification Program Scholar
Scholars Academy / Honors School</p>

2

<p>I don't know about the honros college, but for Capstone, your grades are more than enough. I'm trying to get into Capstone too, and on USC's webpage, it says you need strong grades (like you have) and at least a 1250 on the SAT or 28 on the ACT. I think with your grades if you got in the 1300s or 14000s, you could probally apply for the honors college and get in.</p>

3

<p>blazer
I thought I wrote you an answer but I don't see it here.
Yhey are going to love everything about you except your SAT score.Hopefully you have time to pull it up to match the rest of the excellent package you are presenting them.
They (Honors) absolutely love leadership and community service.You seem to be an outstanding candidate for the Carolina Scholar scholarship and should persue it with your HS Guidance Counselor.
Best of luck!!</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the replies! I'm going to try my hardest to bring up my SAT score. I'm going to prep through the summer and take it again in October and December if absolutely necessary.</p>

5

<p>Update: I got my SAT scores today.</p>

<p>660 Critical Reading
600 Math
610 Writing (7 Essay; 63 Multiple Choice)</p>

<p>Does this change anything?</p>

6

<p>Blazer- I would suggest that you print a copy of the Honor's application as soon as you can and spend some quality time completing it. It is quite a challenge in and of itself and could make or break your chances. You have presented yourself very well here so we can see that you have a lot great stuff for your application. Just don't wait until November to start with the application LOL. I think you have a good shot- Good luck!</p>

7

<p>Blazer
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I looked up the stats on the USC website of mean SAT scores for Honors and Capstone for the past two years:
Honors-2006-1398 (Math/CR) 2005-1404
Capstone 2005-1310 2006-1302.They are not as yet counting the writing section of the SAT.
I would suggest to you that you seriously need to think about how to bring your SAT score in line with the rest of your stats and accomplishments.Tutoring?Sometimes you need someone to review with you if perhaps you are just taking the test "wrong" and learn the tricks to better testing.
From what I know,USC has in the past been a stickler for keeping to the stats for Honors/Capstone admittance..theres a CC member whose D was # 1 or 2 in her class ,had excellent EC's,etc but was only scoring in the 1200's on her SAT's.USC admitted her,even gave her a scholarship but didnt give her admittance into Capstone or Honors.She chose to attend elsewhere.
Have you spoken to your guidance counselor? In every other way you are exactly what the Honors progran at USC is looking for.Perhaps your GC has suggestions for you on upping the SAT,or trying the ACT instead?</p>

8

<p>You're right cathymee- I remember that they were pretty strict with the minimum. I think for Capstone it was 1250 so blazer would have a shot at Capstone -
Honors may be a long shot but maybe with a really great app they would weight that higher than the sat?
Anyway.. I wish I could predict with accuracy ( ohhh, wouldn't I be popular on CC ! ? ) but instead I'll just wish you the best of luck!!</p>