<p>I am soon going to be a junior in high school and I know that I want to go into filmmaking and that I want to attend USC School of Cinematic Arts.</p>
<p>I currently have around a 4.1 unweighted GPA, and I have taken 5 Honors classes. I am taking one AP class my junior year, and a projected 3 AP classes senior year- nearly all of the AP classes offered at my VERY small school, excluding the science ones (I don't really appreciate the teaching styles of the AP science teachers at my school).</p>
<p>I am taking a film literature class my junior year, the only such class offered at my school.</p>
<p>As for EC's, I play baseball, I was in robotics club (for one year), and I was on my school's archery team.</p>
<p>Most notably, I started and am President of the film club at my school, which takes up most of my time until baseball season.</p>
<p>I unfortunately don't have a lot of community service hours under my belt, but I'm working on it.</p>
<p>So my question for you guys is:
What does it take to increase my chances of getting into USC? Is there anything significant that I could do more/better?</p>
<p>I’m also half Asian, if that means anything to you.</p>
<p>
? </p>
<p>4.1 UNweighted?</p>
<p>Is that on a 5.0 scale?</p>
<p>The school that I go to, an A+ (99+) counts as a 4.333 towards GPA. So I guess on a standard GPA scale, I would just have a 4.0. Sorry about not clarifying.</p>
<p>I would say that you have passed the academic threshold to be considered for SCA. If you keep up with high academics and GPA (and get like a 2200+ on the SATs), you may even be considered for a merit scholarship. From what I am gathering from your GPA, you have about an A average, which is very good. But in terms of getting into the Film Production program (I am assuming such), it will be primarily based on your sample and portfolio. Make sure to spend ample time on your sample during the summer before senior year. If you are interested in Critical Studies, you would need you write a English-lit like analytical essay on an aspect of film, which would be more academic in nature. Make sure to demonstrate that you are a strong academic who would be great in both a hands-on and classroom setting.</p>
<p>I was told by everyone my GPA wasn’t good enough by nearly everyone (under 3.7) yet I did take full IB, so even though grades weren’t perfect I was trying. The only real film experience besides a junior film class was a two week extensive film camp at a small film school in my city over the summer. I also was a part time photographer for an organization during the presidential campaign. Lastly I started a small online clothing shop. Those were my three large random extra curriculars (not including community service) yet because they were all so different and all required creativity, I have to believe thats a big reason I was accepted. My ACT was just good (31) and my grades were okay too, but if you really join in on some odd activities, you’ll stand out!! Robotics club and the film club are both great things to join in on. Also, SHOW how badly you want to get in. I went to every usc event i could, did the interview, spoke about the film school, reached out in all different ways.</p>