<p>I’m a rising senior for whom USC is quickly becoming the top choice and I’m looking to eventually double major in Music Industry and English. Until recently, I had thought that I would mark Music Industry (Bachelor of Science, I’m not musically inclined myself) as my first choice major on my application and then put English as my second (hoping that if I wasn’t placed in Thornton, I would still be accepted to clas). Now, though, as I read more and more on cc, I keep seeing horror stories about how competitive music industry program really is…although no one has cited either numbers or personal experiences to back up these claims. I’m starting to develop a fear that for some reason I’ll be rejected from Thornton and not considered as strongly for English as I would have been had I marked it as my first choice. So…</p>
<li><p>Just how competitive is a slot as a Music Industry BS major?</p></li>
<li><p>Are applicants judged more on academic performance (4.1 W GPA 3.6-3.7 UW - 2160 SAT <strong>should be 2250+ with retake</strong> - SAT II’s 760 US His 780 Lit) or are they judged on musical qualifications (I don’t play an instrument or do voice but I do intern in promotions and management for a band and hopefully soon a record label) ? Will not being musically inclined myself and not having an incredible list of music management EC’s hurt my chances?</p></li>
<li><p>Are applicants truly considered for their second choice majors?</p></li>
<li><p>Do essays have any sway in the decision making process for this major?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>i can't help you out much here... but one thing i noticed about film and music major @ usc is that not only do they look for high stats but also your talent in the major industry. thorton school of music is very competitive - i think you need to show them that you have true talent and interest in the industry - your internship is a good start but you may need a little more than that. the great thing about USC is that they strongly support double majoring in different industries so you may qualify for Renaissance Scholarship. <a href="http://www.usc.edu/schools/music/admission/%5B/url%5D">http://www.usc.edu/schools/music/admission/</a> check out this website and find out what you need to prepare for admission.
and yes it seems like they do consider 2nd choice major b/c i've seen people get in w/ their 2nd choice.. also if you have an awesome essay, i'm sure that will be a plus in your admission process.. i think you have the stats.. you just need to show them your character.</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply. I was hoping that applying under a bachelor of science instead of the music option would mean a much more academically minded profile was in order but I guess the music does have to come into play at some point. If the second majors are considered though, then I may just try my luck and hope that if I'm not accepted for Music Industry, I'll still be able to attend USC.</p>
<p>hey everyone! I am applying as a Junior transfer for Fall 2010. I attend UC Santa Cruz, but I would love to transfer to Thornton as a Music Industry major. I currently have a 3.2ish gpa, but I know I can get it up to a 3.4 after Fall quarter. Throughout the past school year, my gpa consistently climbed, from a 2.35 fall quarter to a 3.56 in spring quarter. How much does Thornton care about gpa?</p>
<p>I work at my school’s radio station as a DJ on two radio shows, and I am also on the Program Review Committee and the Governing Board. I have helped plan numerous events at the station and I was awarded Rookie of the Year for the 2008-2009 year. Outside of school, I interned at Warner Bros. Records this summer in the promotions department. Will these extracurricular activities help me get into the Music Industry program? I want a career in music and I feel that USC’s B.S. in Music Industry in the best option.</p>
<p>For the BS in Music Industry, USC recommends taking Macro and Micro Econ prior to transferring, but they aren’t requirement. As of now I am planning on taking Macro in the fall and Micro in the winter. Is this a good plan?</p>
<p>Thank you to whoever can help me with these questions!</p>
<p>I’m not sure where the rumor that the music industry major is so competitive started… It seems like most of the people I know that wanted to get into it got in - if not the first semester they applied then with some persistence. </p>
<p>One thing to keep in mind - Unless USC’s policy has changed in the past couple years, all applicants are considered for admission to CLAS FIRST and then by the individual schools. So if you don’t get in at Thornton, you might still get into CLAS. </p>
<p>I would think your grades and scores would be high enough to get in, although it’s been several years since I applied. </p>
<p>As far as music experience, the B.S. in music industry major doesn’t really require you to have much experience in actually playing music. You have to take a music theory class and a couple of basic piano classes as part of the major to get a general idea of it, but you don’t need those before you start. I would say your internship experience would definitely be an added bonus that MANY of the applicants probably won’t have. </p>
<p>Also I don’t really have any things on my resume relating to the music industry, although I am passionate about music. I haven’t had any opportunities to work with record labels or intern either. Those are things I’d love to do at college but haven’t had the opportunities to do them in high school.</p>
<p>You don’t need to play an instrument/audition for the BSc, but you do for the BMus.</p>
<p>Internships would definitely help (I am also applying this year and I have two internships on my resume along with some studio experience etc) but I think if you complete the Thornton Supplemental well enough, you’ll have a good shot.</p>
<p>Just show your enthusiasm for the course in the application.</p>