<p>What are my chances of getting into USC (University of Southern California)?
My GPA isn't as great as it could be... 3.5 unweighted
I have high SAT Scores
Good extracurriculars inside and outside of school
A strong essay</p>
<p>I also heard that an interview will also help boost my shot so I'm scheduling one soon.
My main concern is my low GPA. I'm hoping they'll overlook it if I have good test scores and a strong essay, but it still concerns me. What do you think?</p>
<p>[Facts</a> and Figures | About USC](<a href=“http://about.usc.edu/facts/]Facts”>Facts and Figures - About USC)</p>
<p><a href=“http://about.usc.edu/files/2011/07/FreshmanProfile2010-1.pdf[/url]”>http://about.usc.edu/files/2011/07/FreshmanProfile2010-1.pdf</a></p>
<p>The above links paint an uphill climb. Making things worse is that this will be the first year that USC uses the Common App. Last year Michigan used the CA for the first time and saw a 25% increase in applications. If something similar happens at SC you’ll see admissions rates drop to below 20%.</p>
<p>Your GPA is on the low side. Is your GPA trending up, flat or down? What are your SATs? Are they 75th%-tile or higher? The biggest problem with moderate GPA and high test scores is that it sends the message that you may be smart but don’t apply yourself. A lot of people can suck it up for one test day, but fewer also put in the work necessary to grind out the year after year good grades. </p>
<p>I recommend spending a lot of time on your essays. Explain to USC what you are going to bring to campus that few others will; show them how you’re going to make USC a better place. I’d also make sure and post a spectacular first semester senior year. Right now, without knowing more about your profile (extra-curriculars, APs, recommendations etc) SC looks like a reach.</p>
<p>My GPA is trending up. Unfortunately, I didn’t as well as I could have Freshman and Sophomore year. I was an average student. I received mostly B’s with a few A’s, and a C every now and then. Junior year, I received almost straight A’s. I’m going into Senior year with all honors and 2 AP classes. I studied extremely hard on my SATs and received a 2100 (it wasn’t my first time taking them), but I’m planning on taking them again to see if I can score much higher. </p>
<p>USC is my dream school, so I’m hoping I’m not too far out of reach.</p>
<p>Sadly a 2100 is a high score, but not uncommon at USC. Your GPA is really what will bring you down in admissions. Most students have a 3.8+ uw GPA. How many times have you taken the SAT? Ideally you shouldn’t take it more than twice, but a third try isn’t unheard of (don’t bother taking it more than 3 times). SC is a reach. I recommend looking at similar schools such as Loyola Marymount or Chapman to find a school more within your range you would be happy going to in case you get rejected from SC.</p>
<p>Okay, thanks guys! Now I wish I wasn’t stupid during my Freshman and Sophomore year :/</p>
<p>taylor,</p>
<p>We’re not saying you have no chance, just that you’re fighting an uphill battle. You need to accept it and act accordingly. According to the above pdf file a 2100 SAT is basically the average SAT last year for admitted USC applicants. That’s good news. I don’t know that taking the SATs a third time is going to dramatically change your chances. The bad news is that 3.5 UW is below average. </p>
<p>What you need to work on are the things that you can control. You need to pull as close to a 4.0 first semester senior year as you can. You need to pick teachers whose recommendations can really speak to the person you are and how you will improve any campus you matriculate to. If you haven’t already, start today working on the essays for the CommonApp and the USC supplement. Write an essay that shows SC (or any of your other schools) how your presence is going to affect and improve the campus community. Everyone knows that “FillInTheBlank College” will improve your life situation, not enough applicants spend the time to show the reverse. Finally, don’t slack off second semester. You’d hate to put in all the effort to get close to admission only to have SC ask for an update of grades that shows you took your foot off the gas because of senioritis.</p>
<p>It’s a bit “reachy” and the additional apps from the CommonApp crowd doesn’t help, but you have a chance. It’s time to accentuate the positive and, if forced, turn your lemons into lemonade.</p>