How important are SAT/ACT scores when applying the creative route- Cinema Media Arts + Practice

hello all,
Basically, I feel my application for USC is perfectly fine, aside from my ACT/SAT scores. However, I plan on doing the cinematic arts media arts + practice application/portfolio which I think should turn out pretty damn good. Don’t gasp when i share my scores because i’m well aware of how low they are. I got a 1740 SAT and 24 ACT. I did not study whatsoever for either test and i’m well aware that it was stupid of me to do, especially if i want to get into a school like USC. I simply do not test well and didn’t really know how to study for it. I plan on taking more tests so we’ll see how it goes, but regardless i don’t know how much they’ll improve because I DO NOT TEST WELL especially in strictly english and math. I have always been more of a creative, scientific, factual, hands on learner, alas why i want to study a field thats more my element.
To get to the point, will it significantly damage my supplemental application (which i feel well be strong) to have these scores? I have 10+ extra curriculars, probably near 1,000 community services hours (i volunteer daily), i tutor twice a week and most importantly (will help the major) i take a graphic design class on saturday and a photography + photoshop class on tuesday nights. my senior course load is AP/HONORS gov, calc, AP environmental science, and AP/HONORS english and I’m also a TA. I’ve taken all honors every year, and started AP’s last year since thats whats offered.
I simply just don’t want to kill myself over this USC application if they are just going to take one look at my app, see my scores, and throw it away. I want to know if there is still hope since this major doesn’t necessarily require you to be a stellar in math/english, and I’m extremely familiar with photoshop, photography, videography, multiple adobe platforms, the list goes on but i think i’d be a perfect fit for media arts. let me know what you guys think. thanks!

SCA looks at portfolios and supplemental stuff. They’re less concerned with scores (although they do matter). And you ALSO have to get through the separate USC admissions process. SCA told students at a campus tour that it is easier to get the applicants they want if those students were are also attractive in the USC general pool. So as for scores - you’ll note that USC reports their middle 50% in SAT and ACT scores. Some students score higher than that range, some lower. Just depends.

Should you study and take them again? Yes.

Should you beat yourself up with stress over applications? No.

Because they aren’t going to “automatically” throw your application away if you are at a 24 if you aren’t applying for the hard sciences departments. But a lower score may make that mountain tougher to scale.

Cinematic Arts is HARD to get into no matter how good you are. They don’t take a lot of students. My daughter’s year I think it was 75 for Critical Studies (now Media Arts and Practice). Their admissions rate is 4%.

So do your best and don’t worry about it. You can never tell what any college is looking from from year to year. It’s a waste of energy to try to guess at what might please them the year you apply. Just be yourself and love the college that chooses you.

wow

thanks so much for your response! Does you Cinematic arts accept a certain amount for the whole school or does it differ for each program. I know cinematic arts is hard to get into, but i didn’t realize media arts and practice was so popular. also, do you think it would be advisable to get in touch with my USC college admissions counselor?

thanks so much for your response! Does you Cinematic arts accept a certain amount for the whole school or does it differ for each program. I know cinematic arts is hard to get into, but i didn’t realize media arts and practice was so popular. also, do you think it would be advisable to get in touch with my USC college admissions counselor?