<p>So I'm filling out the courses/academic history/grades section of the USC Part II undergrad application....</p>
<p>Do I put +'s and -'s or just the letter grades themselves? I don't want to fill out the app wrong!</p>
<p>Anyone know? :)</p>
<p>I don't think you should put plus and minus. I don't recall my daughter had to do that at all.</p>
<p>My son put down the letter grades as it appeared on his report card. Does your high school report card use pluses and minuses? Are you in a private school? I would put down the letter grades.</p>
<p>My son's school lists only year end grades which include pluses and minuses, so he reported his grades exactly like the official transcript, which is what I'd suggest.</p>
<p>I think the UC application states not to report + and -, at least that is my recollection, so DD did not report + and -. Her high school does not make a distinction either.</p>
<p>what about honors classes? and we just put in our classes for the 12th grade section right?</p>
<p>That is correct, Columbia_Student for the UCs which do not count 9th grade grades or plusses/minuses, and only compute GPA from proscribed number of classes in specified categories. USC counts it all. But the self-reporting of grades on the application is a formality since USC adcoms re-calculate each applicant's GPA from their official school transcript. I have never heard the exact formula (for instance, I have heard they do not count PE grades, but do they count all electives? give value to all honors courses? do they distinguish among classes offered at different schools?) If anyone has the official word on how USC calculates HS GPA, please share!</p>
<p>
[quote]
what about honors classes? and we just put in our classes for the 12th grade section right?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I remember DD and her friends asked me about this. Yes, there is a difference the honors and non-honors classes, even the ones that are not counted as an added point for UCs, ie the classes taking in 9 or 10th grade. For 12th grade only, just put in the classes.</p>
<p>so for our honors classes, we should just type "honors world civilization" under the course titles and not check the IB/AP box? i probably sound really dumb asking this.
w/e
thanks!</p>
<p>yeah I just put something like "history H" . even thought it's advanced, DONT mark AP/IB because that refers to college credit, while Honors does not</p>
<p>From the USC admission office- </p>
<p>-For freshman applicants- plus/minus grades ARE NOT considered. Do not add pluses or minuses to the freshman application.</p>
<p>-For transfer applicants- plus/minus grades ARE considered for all college level work.</p>
<p>-For existing USC students- plus/minus grades ARE used for calculating USC GPA.</p>
<p>Thanks, cc411. I had no idea USC didn't consider plus/minus grades for undergrad apps. Wow. The difference between achieving a year-end 89 and 90 could be enormous. Yikes. I better remind my younger son to get only "minuses" (which will be rounded up) instead of the dreaded "plus" which, alas, will be rounded down.</p>
<p>Thank you, CC411. For a moment, I thought I was developping symptoms of Alzheimer, I can't remember why my daughter did not report + and -. I thought because the UCs did not do it. It would help her because she had a lot of pluses.</p>
<p>cc411 where did you find that on the usc website?</p>
<p>I knew that from the applications my three kids have done. To try to have back-up proof, I searched their site and there is nothing mentioned so I called admissions this morning. They told me it was on the application instructions that applicants should NOT enter pluses and minuses. I did a phony app to check it out and it was not in the instructions there either. I called back a third time and they confirmed it again. I asked if they would put it in their FAQ on the website. (It IS confusing because there is room on the online app.)</p>
<p>(I always try to be sure about what I say here on CC by finding a link or calling USC.)</p>
<p>Maybe someone else could call and post the answer for posterity... of this thread...?
213 740-1111 option 1, option 4</p>
<p>thanks!! yea i couldn't find it on thier website either which is why i was wondering</p>