<p>"So we raised the admission standards and looked at a combination of SAT scores, APs and
AP scores, Honors and Honors grades to select the students with the strongest science backgrounds."</p>
<p>So why did they demand that we write FIVE essays when we now learn that it was just all about the stats?!!!! Completely shoddy and ridiculous. I hope next year people just remind them that the essays were never read (or, even if read, not considered) and boycott. High School students have enough to do without make work of this kind.</p>
<p>I am sorry you were not admitted to the Freshman Science Honors program. It must be a real disappointment to have a program that was important to you not be an option. To be honest, the point of requiring additional essays for honors programs such as this and Thematic Option is to limit the number of applicants to those who are actually interested in the program itself, rather than those that just apply to have that option in their pocket if they decide later they would like to be in the program.</p>
<p>If you still choose to attend USC, I have a suggestion: I do not know if it would make any difference, but you might try restating your strong interest in the program in mid-May. If several of the “strongest science background” applicants they selected chose to attend other schools, there may be a bit of room left over after they get their yield information. It might be futile, but “nothing ventured, nothing gained.”</p>
<p>Hey, sorry to hear! I was accepted into the program but I probably won’t be coming (international student with NO aid), so maybe you can take my spot!</p>
<p>yeah i was bummed as well. some people have the passion, but not the scores, and it is shown through involvement in numerous science activities/volunteering in labs/ hospitals/research/etc which we probably stated on the essays that they didn’t read. it’s okay though. we still have a chance to get in after first semester, since we are technically all on the waitlist at this point.</p>