I don’t have the best grades or highest GPA, but I worked my butt off in junior year and managed to pull up my GPA a bit. However, my stats – apart from my ACT score, which is within USC’s range – still aren’t up to par with the average scores of accepted applicants. So, I was wondering how important essays (and demonstrated interest) were to the admissions process at USC. I looked through every page at the Annenberg (I’m aiming for journalism) page and mentioned specific classes, organizations, and study options available in my essays; will this help a bit? I’m also trying to “make up for it” – I know it won’t actually make up for my academic record, but I’m sure you know what I mean – by interning at newspaper companies.
Answers are all here: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/1558825-what-are-my-chances-read-this-first.html#latest
Hey I was just accepted into Annenberg for Communication. Here’s a comment I left on another post that’s revised a little to help you.
"Hi, I was just admitted into USC for the Class of 2019. You sound like a more than qualified candidate to be admitted. That being said, most people who apply are more than qualified. There just aren’t enough spaces. I didn’t have the best stats. From reading posts on CC, there were plenty of people who had much better stats and extracurriculars than I did, and were still rejected.
Stay on the same track. Now you should really make your essay outstanding. I finished the first draft of my essay January of 2014, when the deadline was in December 2014 (I know lame). I constantly revised all the way up until the end of November. I’m not saying that you have to start your essay now, but make sure you give it a lot of attention. Try to make your essay standout from every other candidate’s. Make it so that you think when the admission counselor/ officer (whatever) is done reading your essay, it’s not something forgotten in a pile. Write an essay that you think the admission officer will even be thinking about during their drive home. They probably won’t, but it gives you an idea of the effort, quality, topic, and hook your essay needs.
Also, pay attention to the supplements. When asked why do you want to go USC, seem genuinely interested in the school, and not like it’s just another college on your list. For example, I named specific courses and tracks I wanted to study. I also spoke about specific study broad programs and clubs that I wanted to take part in. I showed the admissions officer how and where I would fit into USC. They didn’t have to guess.
Of course, I’m not saying this will guarantee admittance, but I know it really made the difference for me, because my grades and scores are not in anyway outstanding in comparison to everyone who applied. In my humble opinion, just make your application so great that your lower grades and scores seem like they aren’t that big of a deal in comparison to the rest of your application. The admissions counselors realize you’re a person and not just numbers.
Good Luck!"
Agree with 20Lourdes15. USC promotes a holistic approach to admissions. My son had a decent GPA and good ACT score but I’m convinced he got in (Annenberg for Broadcast Journalism) because of his essays and his EC’s. I think his essays were essentially what got him accepted. It helps that my wife is a college essay coach (and no, she didn’t write it for him, he had to do that on his own, but she has a very clear approach to writing which focuses students on what makes their essay unique which is what 20Lourdes15 is talking about above). Your grades will count for something but write an essay that truly shows who you are and what you are passionate about and accentuate your internships in journalism. That may give you an edge and make up for some of the shortfall on the grades. Also – if you can – visit the school and especially the department; let them know you have a great interest in their program. I think that helps too. Just my 2 cents.
I know for a fact that essays hold a lot of weight in admissions. In president Max Nkkias’s welcome speech this year, he clearly said that 100’s, even 1000’s of students were rejected with 4.0 gpa and perfect sats. They truly are looking for special individuals with leadership and drive among many other things. the essays are where they can get to know you. We were told by a very credible person in admissions that your interest in the school also plays a big role. So if USC is your #1, show them that by going to as many things as possible that they offer this year and tell them that in your application. Use the extra space on the common app to let them know it’s your first choice and that you participated in blank, blank and blank. I agree with @20Lourdes15 to be specific about what USC offers. My D talked specifically about the Viterbi school and how it differed from everywhere else and also specific clubs she wanted to get in to. She was accepted and she’s a freshman there right now and EXTREMELY happy!! Good luck and you can ask me anything. I just went through this last year with my D and I’m quite the expert right now!!
Well I hate to disagree with post #4. Kid #2 didn’t show any interest at USC because her big sister went there and she’s been at USC many times. She didn’t do any tour, didn’t talk to the adcom when he visited her high school, no interview , nothing. She was accepted to Viterbi for Computer engineering.
She had strong letters of recommendations from an MIT program, strong SAT scores and strong GPA. I don’t think her essay was strong but it was not terrible either, perhaps having a sister who went there and did well at USC was a big plus. But it’s not a legacy or anything.
It says on the USC website that demonstrated interest doesn’t factor into decisions, but I have a hard time believing that, especially for a private school like USC
I am from Los Angeles and my son had never been to USC until the day of his move-in. We are a 20 minute drive away and he had never been there since it’s kind of in a bad area. His essay was excellent and his transfer GPA was a 3.94.
Thank you everyone for the comments!
@USCmom1 - I mentioned very specific classes and extracurricular options in my “Why USC?” essay; is that what you meant by ‘showing interest’? That’s the best I can do right now because I’m an international student with no access to USC’s admissions events/tours…
@amarcus - Would internships count as a demonstrated interest in journalism? I’ve interned at three respectable newspaper/broadcasting companies and am planning on asking for a recommendation letter from one of my supervisors!
TC2016 - I would definitely think so. Three internships sounds like you have a really keen interest. I would definitely use this in your application.
My son is a sophomore and got accepted with grades slightly below the grid. When he attended the meeting of new admits, the admission counselor told the group that they all wrote very strong essays. Later I asked him about essays. He said SC looks very closely at the essay and the response questions. This is one of the ways they get to know you. Good luck