<p>I am a senior in HS (class of '09) and USC is my number 1
From a large, competitive private HS, we don't rank but I'd guess I'm in the top 15-25%
White male
GPA: 3.4 UW (my school doesn't weigh)
ACT: 33
Taking AP english this year, have at least a few honors classes every year. Overall, my schedule is probably in the top 10% of my school in terms of rigor
National Merit Commended Scholar (chose USC as one of my two schools to be notified)
65-70 hours of community service at a camp for mentally challenged kids
Cross country 3 years (9,10,11, Varsity 11)
Track 2 years (9,10)
Rec league basketball (10, 11 and 12)
Honor Roll 4 out of 6 possible semesters (end of frosh/beginning of soph year was pretty rough)
Great teacher/counselor recs
Great essay about my mom having cancer and about how it helped me get my act together
Last note: i know a 3.4 is pretty low, but ive got a good upwards trend:
9th grade: 3.22 (really bad second semester)
10th grade: 3.34 (not a great 1st semester but second was better)
11th grade: 3.70 (strong both semesters)
Honors classes by year :
9th: Algebra, English, Physics
10th: Chemistry, English, Geometry
11th: Alegbra II, Biology
12th: AP english, honors pre-calc</p>
<p>Also, If anyone who goes to USC knows, how much can a good ACT score help with grades like mine that are pretty well below the average? thanks</p>
<p>I'm applying to Marshall, and on my application I think I did a good job of explaining why I want to pursue business and how USC and the LA area would be a great way to get started.
What are my chances? Thanks to anyone who can help</p>
<p>bumpity bump... any input would be greatly appreciated</p>
<p>I don't know if your course load will be good enough. Only one AP along with only being at pre-calc for a senior is going to hurt too. However, that 33 on the ACT along with the uperward trend in your GPA is really good. The economy is bad so a lot less people will be applying to private schools. Your essay has the potential to touch the adcoms and by impoving your grades shows a rising level of maturity. If this was a year ago I would tell you to definately not get your hopes up. With present times as they are I think you have a decent chance. I think you'll get in.</p>
<p>Thank you for the replies, I appreciate the honesty. Since I made the original post I've gotten a letter of recommendation from a USC alum who is a prominent realitor and I think an active donor to USC. Any ideas how much something like this helps?</p>
<p>That letter of rec. will definitely help, whatever you can do! The high ACT score will definitely help with the GPA issue, but won’t erase it. Your EC’s are strong but don’t really show to me your interest in… business, right? Good course load, don’t bank on the essay putting your over the top-- from what I hear a lot of kids use that as their tragic story line, sadly. Apply, and best wishes!</p>
<p>Any suggestions for me? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/brown-university/956328-help-optimistic-but-lacking-gpa.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/brown-university/956328-help-optimistic-but-lacking-gpa.html</a></p>
<p>Unless an alum has real power at a school (name on building, trustee) a letter means little.</p>
<p>I would say you have pretty good chances, but not definite.</p>
<p>This thread is nearly 2 years old. OP is already in college.</p>