Hello, I am a high school senior with a 3.45 GPA Weighted (3.3 unweighted) and a 33 on the ACT (36 English, 33 math and science, 30 reading). For some time now, USC has been my dream school, and now that I’ve applied, the wait is killing me. I was wondering if anyone out there can tell me if I have a shot at USC or if my GPA is too low to be realistically considered. My GPA is low for a school like USC, but I have a few other things going for me. First of all, I’ve taken every AP class that I’ve had the option of taking, same goes for honors classes. I also go to one of the best high schools in Colorado that is renowned for its rigor. I would say that my extra curriculars are probably as good as they get. I’ve been an active member and team captain of both my schools Robotics team and our Mock Trial team–both of which have done very well in competition lately-- as well as a variety of engineering related programs. I have also played varsity tennis all four years, and had many different leadership positions in the various programs and teams I’ve participated in. I also went to Africa this past summer on an exclusive trip with my Biology teacher and a few other selected students, and he is one of my teacher recomenders. My other teacher recomender I am using is my Junior year English teacher who is also one of my best friend’s mom. This is mind, I am also very confident about my letters of rec. I am also a student pilot and wrote my college essay about my first solo flight which I know is a killer essay because I spent n unhealthy amount of time writing and revising it (I’m not very wealthy, I received a scholarship for the flight lessons). I know worrying can be pointless but I can’t help it, if anyone can either tell me that I have a good shot, or that I need to let it go, that would be awesome. Being told now that my GPA is too low to have a real shot at USC would make a rejection a lot less painful rather than waiting until April. If it helps, my first semester senior grades were the best grades I ever had with a 3.8 WGPA and a 3.6 UWGPA. Lastly if it makes a difference, I applied to the Viterbi School of Engineering.
Thanks for taking the time to help me out, I really appreciate it. My friend (the one whose mom is my English teacher) just got into Stanford which has made me even more stressed about college lately.
I think you have a great shot. Good ACT score!! Not from California which is good. Does USC offer interviews? If so then address the GPA in the interview. Universities understand not everyone makes all A’s and the fact that you are improving makes an impact. I applied to USC but I was fortunate enough to get into Stanford with a 34 ACT. So if I get in you can have my spot.
@basedchem, by this do you mean that you don’t think I have a chance? I’m just not totally sure what you mean by that. Thanks for the reply either way.
I got into WPI, Colorado State, and Rose Hulman. Still waiting to hear back from CU Boulder but I’m pretty confident that I’ll get in. I applied to Olin and Harvey Mudd to but I doubt I’ll make it into either. The other school I applied to is Lehigh and I think I have pretty good chances getting in there as well.
Good news is if you don’t make the fall term, you can take 2 SAT subject test and try to qualify for automatic admissions. Because the rest of your stats are good enough for it, if you meet the criteria below.
@lessonwitch2: What you posted is for the UC system, not USC. Also there are no automatic admissions for the UC’s, just required courses and minimum GPA to apply.
My recommendation is to go to a school where you are closer to the top 10% of applicants rather than the bottom 10%. Dream career (and not getting weeded out) is more important than the name on the sweatshirt.
Alright, thank you all for the feed back. I realize that my GPA puts me in a very low percentile at the school, but my ACT score puts me in a high percentile, and I know that if I get in I can buckle down and handle the work load. I hear a lot that I shouldn’t be discouraged by a low GPA if I have a well rounded application, but I really have no idea if the rest of my application makes up for my lower GPA, or if it is still a huge stretch. Some things I should add are that I’m a boy scout, and am also in the Order of the Arrow, both of which I have had many leadership roles. I also did a program for two years with Lockheed Martin that is geared towards engineering, and have worked as both a soccer referee, and a life guard for the past two years. I have also had a ten week internship with a flying club working as an office admin. So all this considered, do you think that my ECs, great essay (just assume it’s pretty good), great letters of rec, and test scores can make up for my lower GPA at USC? I’ve also shown a lot of interest in the school and attended a few different programs about the school, and mentioned in my application that it is my first choice. Thanks!
Nothing makes up for a sub-par GPA except a MAJOR hook such as being recruited for sport teams or family multi-million dollar donation to the school in the past.