Also… how can I increase my chances of getting in? My UW GPA is 3.69 and my SAT is 2120 with 800 on math. My subject tests are 710 in Chemistry and 800 on Math II. My class rank is top 10%, even after my poor gpa. Will USC take gpa in context into account? Do they take demonstrated interest into account? I am going to the USC day long tour. Thanks for your help! Also, I have taken 12 AP courses throughout high school.
While Viterbi technically doesn’t discriminate on major, they would see how passionate you are about your subject topic through your essay, and also demonstrated interest in that field i.e. through research and projects. I think CSBA is unofficially the most difficult major to get into because of demand and prestige. Everyone wants to be in quant finance or tech entrepreneurship. As USC is a private school though, if you get into Viterbi, you can switch major within the school literally any time you want. Just apply to the major that fits your background the best and change out when you get admitted if you don’t think it’s the best fit.
Your stats are below average, there is no way around that. Your class rank may help only if you went to a competitive school. Everyone takes a tour of USC, you don’t have to mention it.
@epicer thanks for the advice, would attending USC’s discoverEngineering camp show interest/help improve my chances? Also, how hard is it to change from Marshall or Dornsife to viterbi?
@ILoveCSE anything you can do, like discover engineering camp, to show interest helps without a doubt. As far as majors in Viterbi, my D is a freshman in Viterbi currently and the dean said it doesn’t matter which major you choose. he said to just choose something and then when all of the freshmen take Engineering Freshman Academy together you can switch to whatever major interests you the most. He basically said that you either get into Viterbi or you don’t. it doesn’t matter which major you select. I’m sure switching from any other college into Viterbi is difficult. freshmen in Viterbi start first semester with classes for their majors and all 4 years are pretty much determined in the beginning. let me know if you have any other questions…since I just went through it last year it’s all fresh in my mind! good luck!
Actually switching into Viterbi is not difficult at all. My son was accepted as an Undecided. He was able to register for CS courses immediately. After he took the two intro CS courses and one math (he took linear algebra since he could skip calc 1&2 with AP credits) he applied and was accepted. He had an A, A- and B- in the three courses (stupid math final crushed his grade lol).
@GamerGal27@epicer@stephrass How else can I improve my chances? Which engineering is the least rigorous, in terms of free time and the difficulty of the coursework. I really want to go to grad school, so a high GPA is mandatory for me. Thanks again!
@GamerGal27 Also, will your son graduate in 4 years, or will it take him longer?
@ILoveCSE It might be a bit late to do anything about your grades and ECs if you’re applying now. The best thing you can do is write the best essay you have ever written in your life.
Supposedly, the “easiest” engineering major is ISE. I hate conveying that popular perspective, as I’ve seen the coursework and it’s just as quantitative and abstract as other engineering fields. It might actually not be the easiest at all, and it just be typical engineering elitism, but I wouldn’t know. I think CS is regarded as a pretty difficult major, so it wouldn’t be that either. EE is also notoriously difficult at USC so don’t pick that for a high GPA.
@epicer I am still a junior in high school, so I will be applying next year but thanks for the advice? I really want to increase my chances to the MAX, so is there anything (besides getting good grades) I can do to improve my chances?
Study your ass off and get STRAIGHT A’S this year and your first semester next year.
THAT will increase your chances better than anything else you can do.
@menloparkmom SO does that mean that my GPA is really 10-12(first semester)? If so, then my GPA would be much higher. Also, my school’s first semester doesn’t finish in December, so what would I do then?
If you have the opportunity prepare and take the ACT. That exam may be a better fit. You only need to send in your best score from either the ACT or SAT.
You’d be surprised how many have that math score. 2120 is good. Not phenomenal, which others do have scores that are, but good. Depends on the whole package. Those two things alone would put you in the range but not a stand out.
The 800 is excellent. SC is more competitive each year. The higher score you submit the better your chances.
SAT range last August was 1980-2200. We volunteers do not see your application with honors, awards, transcript and essay. It was a suggestion since your SAT is in the middle of enrolled students and in the lower middle range of accepted applicants.
SC is not all about scores. Admission is holistic. Your entire application is read and considered.