Chances...

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>I posted this before in the Chance me forum, but it only got one reply. I hope it's okay to repost it here since I'd like to get into USC.</p>

<p>Ranked 10/507
GPA: 96.84/100 Weighted. Don't know about unweighted.
Right now I'm taking: AP Bio, AP Calculus AB, AP Government, AP English Lit, Webmastering, Academic Decathlon, and Economics.</p>

<p>Have taken: AP World History, AP US History, AP Spanish IV, AP English Language, and AP Psychology. I've only passed two AP exams, a 3 on the English and a 5 on the Spanish. Rest are 2s. But I'm not submitting my scores to USC since it's optional.</p>

<p>Race: Hispanic, First Generation College student</p>

<p>Clubs:</p>

<p>Academic Decathlon - 3 years on the team
Teen Court - 2 years
Junior Historians - 2 years
SADD - 1 year
Link Crew - 1 year
National Honors Society - 2 years</p>

<p>Volunteer Work:</p>

<p>Brandenburg Elementary School
Salvation Army
Union Gospel Missionary</p>

<p>SAT: 1850
600 Math
620 Reading
630 Writing
I re-took it, but I don't think I did better than before... I haven't gotten my scores yet.</p>

<p>SAT II:
590 Literature
760 Spanish
610 US History</p>

<p>I'm re-taking the Lit and Spanish in December.</p>

<p>As for awards, I don't really have much that stands out. Just certificates for volunteering, perfect attendence for two years, National Honors Society Member of the Month, etc. Things like that. I also have perfect attendance Freshman and Junior year.</p>

<p>Oh, forgot to add I'm from Texas, though I was born in Los Angeles. Actually, I was born at USC Medical Center. XD</p>

2

<p>If you live in California, your chances may not be as good as if you applied cross country to a school with a fairly low hispanic student population. What do you plan to study? Why USC? Standardized test scores are low, and your Spanish AP and SAT II may not count in your situation. GPA and class rank are great, and first generation is a significant hook at many schools. Many state universities give more weight to GPA and class rank than to SATs. Are you applying to other schools? Some elite schools give preference to local applicants. I don't know about USC though.</p>

3

<p>Oh, I want to study the Classics. I want to go to USC because it's a great school and I know my way around there. I used to live a few blocks from the school and I learned to swim there. My mom used to take me there every Sunday for this program they had for elementary school children. Also, my godmother still lives in the area. But I feel USC could offer me the kind of education I need and I'd feel comfortable there.</p>

<p>Edit: Of course I'm applying to other schools. xD I'm applying to NYU, Boston, and the University of Dallas as kind of back-ups. Well, NYU and Boston are more middle schools than real back-ups. But I don't want to go to a state school. I want to go private. And I took the Spanish AP and SAT II test because I'm thinking of a double major. I also want to do either Spanish Language or Literature.</p>

4

<p>I hoped this answered your questions...</p>

5

<p>USC superscores the SAT so your new scores may help you if you went up in any area, even if you don't do much better overall.</p>

<p>USC gets more selective every year so I'm sure you know it's going to be tough but you have a good shot. Pay very close attention to your essays. Put together a good resume to show off your activities. I truly believe that those who come here on CC and ask about chances have a better shot because it means you are a go-getter. Show that in your application. Good luck.</p>

6

<p>Oh, well, I knew SAT scores were superscored, but I'm just hoping to break a 2,000 at this point. I think my essay is pretty good. It was actually an English assignment and got me a 97% even though my teacher never hands out As and when she does, it's not above a 95% like ever. But thanks for the advice.</p>

7

<p>I re-took the SATs and actually did worse...</p>

8

<p>I re-took my subject test, the Lit and Spanish, but I haven't gotten my scores yet. Oh, and I can't edit my first post anymore, but I do hold leadership positions. For SADD, I'm on the Organization Staff, for Teen Court I'm Master Juror, Bailif, and Clerk. And being on the team for Academic Decathlon is as high as you can go. For Brandenburg Elementary School, I worked with kids at an after school program and helped with their Carnival.</p>