Chances with these inconsistent stats? (Dad is an Alumnus of USC)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>My Stats (VIRGINIA RESIDENT)</p>

<p>Cumulative GPA: 2.9
Yearly GPA: (2.9, 2.2, 3.6, 2.9 first quarter senior/ 3.6 second quarter midterm)
5 AP's
Factors for poor performance: moving and problems adjusting (implemented in essay)
New SAT: 1930 (690 Math, 670 Writing, 570 Verbal) = 1290 on old 1600 Scale
SAT II Math BC: 700</p>

<p>EC: Web Design Club Founder & President, Habitat for Humanity, Construction CSP, CSP Technical Support, Library Volunteer, JV Basketball Captain
Smithsonian Volunteer, Janmedia/Web Design Company Job
International Experience</p>

<p>Obviously my grades are very low but I think I have average SAT scores and a solid SAT II score. I have some EC's and have job experience at a respectable computer firm. I've taken a summer college course at Mason also as a junior in high school and got a B, which suggests that I can handle college-level courses. I was also taking the course while holding two jobs - Smithsonian and Janmedia.</p>

<p>Performed poorly in early school years but will convery a sense of maturity in my essay and talk about what I've learned through my experiences living abroad. Most significant experience is living in a third-world country (Bolivia) and getting a dose of reality, which resulted in an increase in my grades. Was also seperated from my father for a year when he got a job in Baghdad, Iraq.</p>

<p>Anyhow... any comments, suggestions? Also should I add a portfolio of the artwork/websites I've made? I won an award for one of the artworks I've made.</p>

2

<p>Hello fellow Virginian,</p>

<p>Your ECs are certainly impressive. Your SAT scores are just about good too. Considering that you have taken a class at GMU might also be of help. But I really am concerned about that GPA. Usually if you have a positive trend, then it wouldn't be that bad. But going from a 2.9 to a 2.2 followed by 3.6 to another 2.9 for the semester shows some serious inconsistency. Are you in Fairfax County? If you are, then don't forget that FCPS's grading scale is set as one of the highest among the country's public schools, and that fact could help. Being an alum's son definitely should boost you some points, but it's not going to do the trick alone. You're already helping yourself by writing into your essay the basis for your GPA deviations. I'd say that you definitely need to do an interview and hopefully nail it too. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>