<p>I'm new to this forum, so not sure how everything works just yet. I applied to the honors college at USC and as I research more and more, I am beginning to realize what a far stretch getting accepted is. My test scores are low, but I've listed my other credentials below:</p>
<p>Class Rank: 1
GPA: 4.0/4.0 4.96 Weighted
Class rigor: I have taken every AP class my school offers except for one (I didn't have room for it in my schedule)
EC's: Key Club Vice President, SGA Senior Representative, Secretary for Art Club(junior year), National Honor Society member, New Hope Clinic Volunteer, AP scholar with honors, Volunteer camp counselor over summer vacation, I have been on two missions trips, student community service leader for my youth group(freshman year), I have also worked in the nursery at church and I am a media volunteer. I have also won two national writing competitions (one in fiction and one in non fiction) and placed second in a national drama competition.
ACT: 30
SAT:1930</p>
<p>I've also realized that the McNair Scholarship is totally out of the picture because of my test scores. My SAT scores rank in the 98th percentile for my school,I live in a rural mountain county in NC, so I honestly did not know they were so bad until recently. Sure wish USC would take that into consideration LOL</p>
<p>You don’t say how your SAT breaks out. USC looks at CR+M. For honors college, the mid-range is 1380-1470, ACT 31-33. That does mean that 25% of honors admits have lower test scores so it’s not impossible with your GPA. Overall, though, I would say your scores may hurt you, but SCHC does closely read the essays so it may come down to how strong your essays are and how they view you ECs.</p>
<p>You are more likely a candidate for Capstone (mid SAT 1290-1360, ACT 29-31) but you just have to wait and see at this point.</p>
<p>If you still have time to do it, try and take either the SAT/ACT one more time and I think you’d be in reach. As scmom said, SCHC takes more than just scores and GPA into consideration. If you have great essays & extracurriculars, you have a good shot.</p>
<p>I had a 4.0 unweighted/5.03 weighted (similar to you) and a 1350 SAT (CR&M) and 32 ACT. I got admitted to the Honor’s College with the McNair Scholarship. I am most definitely on the low end of scores for McNair and near the bottom for even SCHC. That being said, I worked on making my essays as strong as possible.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you! I really hope things work out.</p>
<p>With critical reading and math, I only have a 1290. Sadly, my writing score is the highest. I wanted to retake the ACT but the next test date is not until December 14. Would they consider scores even if the test was taken so far after the deadline? I know they say they don’t, but if my score went up a substantial amount would they actually ignore it? I really appreciate y’all’s feedback!! USC is my top choice, but being out of state makes it so expensive. I’m not sure I could justify attending if I did not get into the honors college.</p>
<p>^With your scores/GPA, you’re still likely get a scholarship. Even the small $500 scholarships reduce out of state tuition significantly, so you’re looking at getting thousands in scholarships a year. Add on any need-based aid you might get, and it might not really be that expensive.</p>
<p>When I was applying, they allowed us to “update” our credentials up until February. Have they changed this? I would double check with an admissions counselor to see. They might consider it. They might not. It can’t hurt to ask.</p>
<p>^^Agree. Check financial aid page and link for non-resident scholarships. You are kind of in between scholarships - one that gives tuition reduction and one that gives in-state tuition rates so any bump would help.</p>
<p>If OP is comparing based on money, it’s hard to beat NC schools. In-state tuition for UNC is around 8k and for ECU around 6k…as compared to USC in-state (if you can get it) for close to 11k.</p>
<p>My daughter got her acceptance but as an out of state student it is still a hefty tuition, I was wondering if she might be eligible for tuition reduction with her SATs being 1960 and GPA 4.85 weighted. Anyone have an idea?</p>
<p>What are her math and CR scores combined? USC doesn’t use the writing scores.</p>
<p>With that GPA and the likely SAT of at least a 1200, she’s probably eligible for at least tuition reduction.</p>
<p>All out-of-state scholarships come with tuition reduction, so even the smallest scolarship of $500 is actually worth thousands to out-of-state students.</p>