<p>GPA: Freshmen year : 3.9 1st sem, 4.0 2nd sem U.W and W
Sophomore year : 4.0 1st sem , 3.9 U.W 4.0 W 2nd sem
Junior year : 3.8, 4.31 1st sem, 3.8, 4.31 2nd sem</p>
<p>SAT : 2270</p>
<p>AP's : Chem(5), Calc bc4), Stats(4), USH(5), and Mandarin(5)</p>
<p>SAT II : Math 2C (740 retaking) and Mandarin ( 800)</p>
<p>Extra: Not much extra awards. I am a 3rd degree black belt in taekwondo. I am also the photography editor for our school newspaper.</p>
<p>Sports : Varsity Tennis 3 years. ( CIF champions)</p>
<p>Volunteer : Not much</p>
<p>I really really really want to get into USC, its basically my dream school; mainly cause i get a full paid scholarship. My dad is a professor at the marshall school of business and used to work with the dean of admissions (or was part of the admissions office). I am of asian decent and is fluent in chinese. </p>
<p>I currently attend an extremely competitive public school in southern california and basically everyone has a 4.0 its unbelievable. =[ I am no where near the top rank and every year we have at least one or two going to harvard. </p>
<p>If im missing any info please let me know. My dad keeps telling me that even if he works there "its not going to provide any special benefits". This better not be true cause if it is im totally screwed. </p>
<p>My senior year is completely chill with like only AP calc(the one higher then BC). I stacked my junior year so hard... Anyways, how are my chances?</p>
<p>well, not much in the way of ec’s unfortunately. your grades are pretty solid, and your SAT score was very good. usc’s a bit of a reach because you basically were a member of one club and a one sport, and i think most applicants have a lot more extracurricular experience. northwestern would be a reach too. however, since you’re in-state, UCLA should be a low match.</p>
<p>Instead of retaking the 740 on math lvl 2, consider spending time taking the SAT2 in chem, or US history, just because you got 5s in 'em. A 800 compared to a 740 doesn’t mean as much as getting another good score in a 3rd SAT2 test. You look like a solid applicant, even tho your ECs are lacking. Just show them how unique you are through your personal essays. Good shot at UCLA and USC.</p>
<p>to be honest, i have no idea what colleges look at for acceptance. My parents are strictly asian and wouldnt settle for any B, so basically during my years in high school i didnt really work on ECs just only on my grades. =[ i extremely regret that decision. </p>
<p>i forgot to add that i’ve worked as an intern under the senior VP of merrill lynch and he is going to be writing one of my recs.</p>
<p>and basically everyone has a 4.0 its unbelievable.</p>
<p>Although it may seem that “everyone” has a 4.0, I would kind of doubt that. I’m assuming you meant un-weighted. I think you have a shot at USC and UCLA, with less chance at Northwestern, similar to what asmith351 said, only I think your odds at getting accepted to USC are good. Write some really strong essays and get some good recs.</p>
<p>when i said that everyone had a 4.0 i meant like, even though i have some solid grades. Over the 3 years i’ve gotten 4B’s total. Personally, i think thats pretty good, but everyone, well, excluding the drugies and jocks, everyone else is like me an asian grade freak who has a near perfect GPA. </p>
<p>Anyways noone answered my question, will having a parent in the faculty dramatically increase my chances?</p>
<p>I would think it would give you an edge to have a parent work at a University. But I do not know for sure. Your Dad would know better than anyone on CC.
The key to acceptance-pull together strong essays, and LORs. Look over your class schedule, and make sure it is the most challenging-at the least as challenging as last year if not more so. You may wish to look at classes offered at local CCs. or State University.
Make sure you fill out the forms for ELC, so that you have a safety lined up. If you didn’t make the cut off, make sure you round out the schools you are applying to by including safeties. This can not be said enough!
G’Luck-you have worked hard!
APOL-a Mum</p>
<p>Not sure it’s true about EC’s being as important as every thinks. My D got into Northwestern and she did nothing. Belonged to a few clubs like NHS, and Spanish HS, but wasn’t a real participant in anything. Her grades were good (3 b’s her entire highschool years and a 33 ACT. So you just never know. I am a firm believer that you will end up in the right place, just apply to schools you think you will fit at and give yourself the range of reach, match…</p>
There is no *direct *benefit in the admissions office, but many, many indirect benefits. You have had the advantage of growing up surrounded by educated people who value education (which combined with your own abilities has lead to your excellent SAT scores), your applications are likely to be on-time and very well-presented, your essays can be proof-read by excellent writers, you can easily obtain information about particular programs that have sparked your interest in attending USC to mention in your short answers that will dazzle the admissions rep…</p>
<p>USC considers the rigor of your schedule and uses UNweighted GPA in admissions statistics. The average was 3.8 UNweighted GPA for 2008. Your SAT of 2270 is above the average of accepted students. If your unweighted GPA is in that range you are in very good shape for USC and do not have to rely on any “extra” consideration because your parent is a faculty member. </p>
<p>The full-tuition remission is a wonderful benefit - good luck!!!</p>
<p>You have a great shot (i.e. above average chance) at all of these schools IMO. Btw, I would take some of the advice people give here (esp. the negative ones) w/ a grain of salt…you have to be somewhat skeptical of their motives.</p>
<p>haha thanks guys, the reason why im so concerned with how much my dad will help me get in is cause i really really want to slack off senior year and do something close to nothing. I worked my ass off junior year and i have absolutely no motivation to work anymore. (other then college apps) =[ I just want like the benefits alumnis get when they apply.</p>