<p>I'm a prospective African-American USC student living in the Midwest and USC has always been my dream school ever since I was 5 years old and I read an autobiography about Steven Spielberg. My parents say that for me to go to USC or other California schools is too expensive (even though they agree on other schools that are more expensive than USC's tuition). I want to know:</p>
<p>How do I persuade my parents to allow me to attend USC?</p>
<p>Does USC students have to move out of their dorms every semester or break (FOR CURRENT USC-ers)?</p>
<p>CHANCE ME: I have a 1600/2400 SAT, 85.75/100 GPA in selective East Coast college prep school, President of Black Student Alliance and other organizations in my city, EXCELLENT ESSAYS about life-threatening struggles (according to readers), over 30 extra-curricular activities, 2 70's on my report card ever, but other grades are A's, and awesome recommendations including one from my principal of my school of over 1500 students... I'm not trying to pull the "Minority" card, but while keeping that in mind, is it even worth going through the trouble of anticipating an acceptance?</p>
<p>Is the drug culture/peer pressure large at USC (FOR CURRENT STUDENTS)?</p>
<p>What is it like being a minority student at USC? (FOR MINORITY STUDENTS)</p>
<p>Is it expensive to go to USC including travel from USC to home and social budget (but disregarding tuition, room & board, etc.)?</p>
<p>Please answer honestly and to the fullest... I want to be prepared. Thanks!</p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t think a 1600 SAT and an 85.75/100 average is gonna cut it. Your stats are waaaay below average. You want a 2100-2200 and a 3.8UW GPA to be competitive. This year will be especially tough too, as predicted acceptance is a 17%. I apologize if this is discouraging but I would advise an attempt at the transfer route if USC is really your dream school.</p>
<p>Thank you for your reply! I applied to Pepperdine as well and, although, USC has been a dream school, Pepperdine has been one as well. My unweighted GPA is calculated is about a 3.7, but once again, my school is extremely selective and somewhat difficult. Thank you for your honesty and it didn’t discourage me… I already applied and I’m a realist, so we will see what happens :D</p>
<p>USC is known for being extremely generous with financial aid; if you are accepted, I would suggest discussing with the admissions office about grants and such. I know people who didn’t expect to be able to afford USC, but ended up going there with aid. </p>
<p>I don’t know about your chances, but best of luck! You sound like a fantastic person even through an online forum and I hope you get in.</p>
<p>BoundT,
SC is considered to have one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation. Not only is it diverse ethnically, but also economically. In the class that entered in August 2011 14% were the first in their family to attend college. High schools represented were 1,449. </p>
<pre><code> In the mix of freshmen 15% were international, 12% Latino/Hispanic, 7% African American, 39% Caucasian, 2% Pacific Islander and 25% Asian/Asian American.
There are campus organizations that support members of various ethnic groups.
</code></pre>
<p>I’m confused. As the above link shows an 85.75 would be equal to a 3.1. Even allowing for some other rounding it’s hard to see it climbing past a 3.5. But then two 'C"s and the rest "A"s would seem to convert to something much higher than an 86.</p>
<p>Without URM status I’d say a 3.5/1600 would almost certainly be a rejection. I have no clue how much that status will help your chances (if at all).</p>
<p>Drug Scene: There will always be plenty of kids who do or don’t want to do drugs. You should have no problem find a group of friends in either camp regardless of the school you go to.</p>
<p>Travel expenses: They add up. Your title says you’re from the midwest but you say you’re from an east coast prep school. If you’re traveling from LA to a major hub market (e.g, Chicago) then flights can be comparatively reasonable. If you’re traveling in and out of smaller markets (Indianapolis) or a hub with limited competition (Detroit) it can get pricey. If money is a factor you’ll realistically only get home at Christmas and school year end.</p>
<p>Social Expenses: They are what you make of them. Go to Hollywood and water will cost you $8. But LA is a big city, so there are also plenty of very inexpensive places to go and things to do.</p>
<p>Get accepted and see your finaid package before you spend too much energy worrying about these other things.</p>
<p>Bound T,are you interested in USC for the Cinema School? (Actually Spielberg was REJECTED from USC 3 times – George Lucas went there) Anyway, if you’re interested in the film school, I wouldn’t worry THAT much about the GPA and test scores. As I understand it, the CInema School cares mostly about your talent and your portfolio. If you have the talent to get in there, they will overlook your GPA and test scores to an extent. (I think when it comes to areas of special talent – sports, music, art, theater and film – they give leeway on grades and tests.) GOOD LUCK – the film school is extremely tough to get into. </p>
<p>Also, it can’t hurt to get some tutoring to bring your test scores up – assuming you’re applying next year. If you’ve applied for this year, all you can do is hope and pray. Good luck!</p>
<p>PS – If you’re lucky enough to get in, don’'t worry about the expense…it’ll work out!</p>
You sound like a fantastic person even through an online forum and I hope you get in.</p>