Chances now that USC has given semester grades out?

Transfer Students
1

<p>So this past semester didn't turn out as horribly as I originally thought it would after the first round of midterms. However, they weren't as great as I thought when I first registered for classes, mainly due to one business class (B-, the first of my classes were A/A-). So hoping to get some final thoughts/advice/suggestions before I get into the thick of the whole process.</p>

<p>I realize that my GPA is still on the low side for all of these schools, but how much will coming from USC count (than say coming from a CC)? And will they take into consideration that my lower grades (the B's) are all in business classes since we are graded on a 3.0 curve? And lastly, will the fact that I do not need any financial aid be beneficial? So yeah, chances? And thoughts on any other schools that might be good for me to look at?</p>

<p>Generally, I want a school closer to home/the east coast (from NJ). A "Core" system/ability to explore other areas besides major would definitely be a plus as I've learned so much from my general education classes, but I realize as a junior transfer, I probably won't have many left to fulfill anyway. Strong business/econ/management program, but hopefully lenient enough that I could still take sociology/other classes as well. Generally, looking for a smaller school than USC (yes, I realize NYU is a lot bigger, but I love the school and proximity to home). In/near a city. That's mostly it, if anyone wants "detailed" writings about what I want, I did write some notes about this awhile ago that I can definitely pull up again.</p>

<p>Schools looking at:
Columbia
Brown
NYU (Stern)
Georgetown (McDonough)
UChicago and/or Northwestern</p>

<p>Here are my stats incase they're of any use:
Majors: Business Administration (BS) (Marshall) and Sociology (BA) (CLAS)
1st semester GPA: 3.35
2nd semester GPA: 3.65
3rd semester GPA: 3.61
Cum GPA: 3.56
Summer Classes (At a CC, will not count towards USC GPA): 4.0 (Microecon & Intro to Sociology)
SAT: 610CR, 730M, 750W (1340/2090)
SAT2: 760 Math 2, 560 Bio, 640 Chem, 530 French
ACT: 33 (32 E, 34 M, 31 R, 35 S, 30 E/W, 9 Essay)
HS GPA (very competitive public HS): 4.22 (W)/4.3 (HS did some wacky calculation)
HS GPA (UW) (recalculated for a 4.0 scale): 9: 3.68, 10: 2.94, 11: 3.42, 12: 3.78 (most classes were AP/Honors for all 4 years)
ECs: Treasurer of Invisible Children Club, Lit& Art Editor of Literary Magazine, Member of Concert Committee (planning), Member of an organization that creates a yearly networking event for freshmen, Marshall Student Ambassador, USC Symphony Orchestra, Sociology Honor Society (founding member)</p>

<p>Thanks for reading and hopefully some people can help :)</p>

2

<p>If you really love NYU and are not opposed to learning theory, I would urge you to pick CAS Economics instead of Stern Economics. CAS has more room for transfer students. Stern is very, very competitive and their retention rate is high, so that works against transfers like us. </p>

<p>From their website. . .</p>

<p>[New</a> York University > Department of Economics](<a href=“Department of Economics”>Department of Economics)</p>

<p>“The Department offers a well rounded education in economics. It is especially strong in economic theory, both on the micro and macro levels, as well as in the applied fields of political economy, industrial economics, labor economics, international economics and growth and development.”</p>

<p>But if you’re really set on Stern, go for it, because you won’t be able to switch after you get here. I think you’re a match for CAS, but Stern is a crapshoot for everyone.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Yeah, I’m tempted to do that, but truthfully, I’d prefer applied over theory. But I may resort to that if my chances to Stern are .0001% vs a decent shot at CAS. But thanks :slight_smile: Good luck to you as well!</p>

<p>BTW, as a HS senior, I was rejected at Columbia, NYU (Stern), and deferred then rejected at UChicago for econ/business at each school. Didn’t apply to the other schools.</p>

4

<p>Bump, advice please?</p>

5

<p>Bump…again…</p>

6

<p>Funny that you write you want a smaller school and yet you are applying to all the giant universities. I think you will end up being rejected from every place you listed - applicants with 3.6 from a school like USC are dime a dozen, and nothing you wrote really stands out. Your best chances are probably with GT and NU. However, if you have money and time to spare, you might apply to all schools you want anyway. If you end up applying, submit ACT scores only, as your SATs are not very competitive.</p>

7

<p>With the exception of NYU, all of those schools are much smaller than USC…</p>

<p>But yes, I realize my chances at the schools I listed are not very high, but would the chances at say GT be reasonable? Or is even that aiming too high? Any other suggestions for schools that would be more reasonable and closer to the east coast?</p>

8

<p>Anyone have suggestions for other schools worth looking at that I would have a better shot at?</p>