Deferred by USF...what are my chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>A couple of months after applying to the University of San Francisco (USF) EA I was notified in a letter that the admissions committee would need me to send in my Seventh Semester Grades to re-evaluate my application when they look over the pool of regular admission applicants. I am assuming I had been deferred. I was in shock when I found this out. I also think, however, that maybe my case is different, since I am in a program called Running Start. I am taking all of my senior high school classes at my local community college and receiving dual credit. (By graduation, I will have earned my AA.) So maybe they just wanted to know how I was doing in college this last quarter?</p>

<p>I really do care about school, but I feel like my test scores and grades do not reflect my work ethic, potential, and passion. I'm afraid that these details make me appear to be too average. I also worry that my response to the optional admissions essay for USF might have missed the mark. I do believe that my personal Common APP essay was very strong. The specific USF supplement was about their mission statement and making the world a better place. I realized shortly after submitting my reponse that I wrote more about self-realization rather than what I've done for other people. Then again, it was optional. I'm just trying to figure out why I was deferred. (If I have been deferred.)</p>

<p>STATS
Female
Asian American (Thai)
Catholic
12th Grade
3.5 GPA (may go up to a 3.6 by the end of senior year)
SAT Reasoning 1510
SAT Literature Subject Test 510
SAT Biology-E 470
*Not a justifiable excuse, but I was also very sick the day I took the tests. :( I couldn't retake them after December 2009.</p>

<p>Accepted:
-U Portland w/ $52,000 Arthur Schulte Scholarship
-Seattle U w/ $28,000 Arrupe Scholarship</p>

<p>Waiting to hear back from:
-Regis U
-Loyola Marymount U</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
-ASB (Senator)
-Youth & Government (Reporter)
-Yearbook (Design Editor)
-Honor Society
-JV Tennis
-JV Cross Country
-Piano</p>

<p>Other:
-Running Start student
-Summer Watershed Leadership Program (environmental awareness group--cleaned local parks/schools/beaches, removed invasive species, promoted eco-friendly habits)
-Involved in Church community
-Local library youth reading program volunteer
-Annual Latino Health Fair volunteer
-Nearshore NatureMapping (collected marine species data during lowtide)
-Surfrider Foundation volunteer (cleaned local beach)
-American Cancer Society Relay for Life</p>

<p>I applied to their Media Arts program for Journalism.</p>

<p>Any ideas as to why I was deferred? Is there anything I can do to possibly increase my chances? What do you think my chances are?</p>

<p>Thank you in advanced! :)</p>

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<p>I don’t think USF requires SAT2 tests. That is a real weak point of yours. Did you have to send them?</p>

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<p>I took the subject tests at a time when I thought I would be applying elsewhere that did require them. I am aware that they didn’t need them, but I know the subject test scores didn’t affect their decision when they evaluated it since I submitted them after receiving the defer letter. I sent them because they said they would like me to send in all of my test scores.</p>

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<p>P.S. I’ll find out their decision on March 15. But meanwhile, I’m willing to do whatever I can. If I can do anything. They are my first choice. :/</p>

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<p>Is that GPA weighted or unweighted?</p>

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<p>Wow…your stats are close to mine (my GPA was a little lower), and I got in as a University Scholar, major in nursing.
It’s weird, seeing that you got like a near-full ride to another college, and you have way more leadership.</p>

<p>I can only think the only two factors for your deferral-your SAT II scores (they look really out of place with your other stats), and the possible fact that USF’s Media Art’s program is highly competitive. Is it?</p>

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<p>Unweighted.</p>

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<p>Congrats on your acceptance, b0b! I’m wondering if I am no longer eligible to be a University Scholar since I have been pushed into the regular pool of admissions.</p>

<p>The SAT II scores did not affect their decision. Those score reports were sent AFTER I had received the deferral, since the letter stated that they requested for me to send in all of my testing scores, additional LORs, and any other additional information I would like to provide to keep them up-to-date and to strengthen my application.</p>

<p>I didn’t even think of researching the selectivity of their Media Studies program! (I accidentally wrote “Media Arts” earlier.) That could be it. :(</p>

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<p>P.S. I sent in a letter, an additional LOR, and an updated transcript. My unweighted GPA went up to 3.65.</p>

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<p>Let us know how things go.Good luck.I hope you get accepted.</p>

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<p>Guys, I got in!!! :D</p>

<p>I hope no one gives up on their first choice. Keeping in contact and following up to show my continued interest definitely helped.</p>

<p>Thanks for all of your encouragement! :)</p>

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<p>What else did you send in?Just your updated transcript?</p>

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<p>My admissions counselor asked for an updated transcript and copies of my class registration records for winter and spring. I faxed a brief one page cover letter for these documents as well as a new LOR. In the letter I talked about my interest in the school, my recent achievements, and then I thanked them for their continued time they had put into considering my application.</p>

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<p>mynameisb0b, You are a university scholar with a 3.5 GPA? What were your SAT scores, if you don’t mind sharing? What a great savings that is for you. Isn’t it like 19K scholarship? </p>

<p>Congrats setrada! You are on your way.</p>