<p>how much does legacy count at usc?</p>
<p>my grandfather is on the board of trustees, along with many cousins going to usc.</p>
<p>just wondering</p>
<p>From the info posted on USC's website (which is for entering class of 2007) <a href="http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/0809/freshman_profile_2007v2.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/0809/freshman_profile_2007v2.pdf</a> data shows 21% of incoming freshmen that year were legacies--indicating it certainly helps. On the other hand, many many very generous alumni have learned that their offspring are not admitted these days, so grades and stats and ECs and recs matter more and USC is not afraid to reject a huge number of legacies no matter their family connections. Bottom line: no easy entry for USC legacies in today's world.</p>
<p>thanks for the info.. does the type of legacy count? like would a board of trustees be higher than let's say, a mother who is a teacher there?</p>
<p>Maybe someone else could answer this. I don't know if a grandparent is really considered legacy (although a trustee member would have the proper connection to the school to give a tip). However, a parent who is a professor at USC would appear to have equal weight, although I have heard of many cases where USC profs were upset when their kids were not accepted there. Remember, grades and test scores (as well as ECs, recs, essays, etc) count more. </p>
<p>Bottom line, even with legacy (or connection to professor/trustee) If your stats are below the mid-range of accepted students, you must also apply to real safety schools and be prepared for a "no" from USC, just in case.</p>
<p>From what I've heard, legacy does not factor in anymore. Legacy may help in getting alumni scholarships if admitted, and apparently legacy students can also get special counseling help on how to transfer in if not admitted - but it is not considered in the decision anymore.</p>
<p>:)....Board of Trustees? Lots of cousins attending? Are you going to a feeder school?...Are you grades decent? You have an excellent shot, especially if you have less than excellent stats and are willing to accept spring admission if need be.</p>
<p>Just curious, ellebud - what are the known feeder schools for SC?</p>
<p>FauxNom, it is indicated on I believe the freshman profile where schools with the greatest # of applicants are listed. I guess these might be considered feeder schools. I think University High in Irvine, PV Peninsula, two privates in Hawaii (Iolani and another one starting with a P), Torrey Pines in La Jolla, possibly Harvard Westlake, if I remember correctly.</p>
<p>Good point, Sequoia - I forgot about that list.</p>
<p>Wouldn't the other Honolulu one be Punahou?
I have a hard time believing that the grandson of a Trustee wouldn't be accepted...of course with the caveat that grades/test scores are reasonable.</p>
<p>There appear to be lots of kids from Texas so there might be a couple of schools there where kids tend to apply to USC too. I remember seeing I think that after California, Texas is near the top for # of applicants/matriculants statewise.</p>
<p>(yes thanks Kathyc, that's it...Punahou)</p>
<p>I suppose if you were related to a trustee (or else maybe Pete Carroll... :) ) you'd have an "in" as a legacy, but otherwise, USC is losing a lot in alumni contributions since the past few years because a lot of legacies are not getting in.</p>
<p>I have the impression that USC is getting enough contributions. Also, with the huge number of applicants this past year, I would think that an applicant needs to meet the standards set by admissions to get in. i.e. if your grades/test scores are too low, then USC is not going to take you even with legacy. I don't work for USC admissions, but this is what makes sense.</p>
<p>Beverly Hills High School, definitely Harvard Westlake, and I believe some Pasadena schools (private). Punahou, definitely. I believe Marlborough sends/has accepted a lot of girls as well.</p>
<p>Back in the dark ages when I was at Long Beach Poly, we sent tons of kids to SC. It's a huge school and has a GATE program for Long Beach so maybe it would send a lot of kids too?</p>
<p>My class at La Canada High School had about 20 people at USC from my year.</p>
<p>Of course, no one knows for sure, but I have seen a lot of families who are very nervous. Several very prominent USC families, trustees and over $1 million donars, have children and grandchildren denied acceptance as freshmen. It is literally the talk of the alumni club meetings since this is such an across the board trend. No matter how much their parents give, if their grades/scores don't cut it, they are denied but offered a way to transfer in after 1 year with suitable grades from a CC or other college, while some higher achieving legacies may be offered spring admit. I have had several buildings on campus pointed out to me with the addendum, and that family's son is now at LMU, or SMU, or SMC... </p>
<p>So I believe the developmental bump isn't exactly gone, but it will only go so far if the kid is without a great app.</p>
<p>Madbean: I agree with you. The mother of one of my sister's closest friends is a member of the USC Board of Trustees. Needless to say, she is in very high demand each year to write letters of recommendation for the children of legacies. The number of families that have been bombarding her with such requests over the last few years has been off the charts. ( My daughter was not one of them). Typically, she can "sponsor" one student per year. Unless that student's grades/test scores fall at least within the median range, that student will not be admitted and will then be expected to attend a CC or local university and maintain a high GPA before being eligible to transfer to SC. My sister's friend has two sons that are currently in high school. Her oldest son has his heart set on USC; she admonishes him on a daily basis that he needs to keep his grades up and do well on the SAT. She realizes that he can't "rely" on his grandmother's 20 year tenure on the Board of Trustees as an insurance policy for admission. Fortunately, her son is a stellar student and a well rounded kid who will do well wherever he decides to enroll. Welcome to the competitive world of college admissions....</p>
<p>I imagine the admissions situation must be more competitive in California because you have so many alumni and applicants from California. Also, USC takes a lot of kids from outside California. My guess is the kids who were denied admissions at USC with legacy status just did not have the grades/SAT scores/overall application that admissions is looking for.</p>
<p>Yes, I actually do go to Punahou in Hawaii. hopefully that helps.</p>