Chances @ Viterbi (CS - Games)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

I was wondering what my chances were at getting into the Computer Science - Games major @ the Viterbi School of Engineering. I had a slightly below par second sem. junior year, but I think my cumulative stats are decent as are my test scores. My essays and LORs are very strong as well.

I have also scheduled an interview - so tips for that would be great!

GPA: 3.77 UW, 4.41 W
SAT: 2290 (800 W, 750 R, 740 M)
ACT: 34 ( 36 Math, 35 Reading, 34 English, 29 Science (lol) )
SAT Subject: Math 2: 760 , Bio(M): 800
National Merit Semifinalist (applied for Finalist, yet to receive notification), AP Scholar w/ Honors

Weighted Classes Taken: Honors Chemistry, Honors Pre-Calculus, AP World History, AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP English Lit., Honors Spanish IV, Honors Physics

Weighted Classes in Progress (12th): AP Statistics, AP Microeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Calculus BC, AP Biology

ECs:

Piano - 13 years, 8 competitively. Received Certificate of Merit for Levels 2-9; To receive CM Senior Medallion (Highest Honors) Spring 2016

Head Teen Staff Member @ Youth Group
From 2008 - Conducted classes on History, Science, Current Affairs; Planned/organized events; Cleanup crew, Kitchen help

California Scholarship Federation Member
Tutored students in math, science, spanish; volunteered at school/ community events; to achieve 100% member status Spring 2016

Intern @ MIT Bioengineering Department
Working with department to understand, organize, and manage DNA microarray data and other genomic data sets

Internship in Bangalore, India
Used the latest software development technologies and methodologies to build applications. Also interfaced with HR, Finance, Marketing to use cases

GIrl Scout for 13 years; Troop captain (advised troop, communicated with Leaders, organized events), received Silver Award, Gold Award due by 2016

Soccer, Silver Girls Team Member/ Captain
Played 12 years league, 4 competitive (8-11 grade); direct link to coach, under my leadership transformed a brand new group of girls into a solid team

Writer
Entered/won several competitions, Published 2 works, Published in 3 works, Novel in Progress, Reflections/SRP Honorable Mention, School Paper Staff

Treasurer @ branch of Limbs with Love (Nonprofit)
Club where we learn fundamentals of BiomedEngineering/3D Printing and fundraise for the making of Prosthetic limbs to send to people in underprivileged countries.

Thanks!

2

Did you read the thread that tells you how to chance yourself? Please do. In it you’ll find that your stats are competitive and you being female (for Viterbi-Games) is an extra tip. Good luck.

3

Your SAT score is good, I think you have a decent chance, maybe even for quarter tuition scholarship.

4

You look good overall, but just be sure to have other options and don’t count on USC, they are totally unpredictable. There are plenty of 4.0/4.6, high ACT/SAT with great ECs, leadership, etc., and female, not accepted. We have heard females are flooding schools with applications into CS. They may not have as many in their programs, but the female advantage for getting into CS/engineering is not what it was a couple years ago, with so many applications. Watch flowering things up, it can make the app suspect.

5

You are competitive. I recommend applying in time for the scholarship deadline. For interview tips, there are older threads with some good advice. Be very presentable (at least business casual and well-groomed) and very personable. I think they want to see who you are, that you’re interesting and a good person, and will adjust successfully to being a student at USC and eventually an alumna they’re glad to have in the Trojan family. With that said, be prepared to talk about your past academic and extracurricular experiences and why you want to study CSGM.