<p>I have been very interested in applying and hopefully attending the University of South Carolina, but I am worried I may not meet the requirements. I live in Maryland, so I would be out of state. I just finished my junior year, heading into my senior year, and I just feel like I am just an average student, nothing that will make me stand out to USC. It is my dream to go to USC, and has been since I was in 7th grade. I hope that someone can offer guidance as to what I should do to improve my chances of getting in.</p>
<p>What I have to offer so far:
-Cumulative GPA= 3.56
-Captain of schools Dance Team for two years
-Member of HOPE club and FOR club
-SAT score= 1360- 530 in reading, 410 in math, 420, in writing
-Member of the top choirs in the school</p>
<p>What I am doing next year:
-Improve my SAT scores to at least a 1500
-Join the golf team along with another year as captain of the dance team
-Join the Future Educators of America
-Join National Honor Society
-Join the Tri-M Music Honor Society
-Improve my GPA</p>
<p>I would just really like some insight as to what I can do to get in, but also if what I already have is good. I really want to attend this school, and I just want to know what I can do to improve my chances of getting in.
Hopefully I can get some help!
Thanks!</p>
<p>Thanks!! And its funny you mention the difference in my GPA and SAT scores, and its because I am horrible test taker. I really freak myself out and pressure myself, and I know the information but once I sit down to take the test, it all just leaves my brain! Its a bad trait to have, but I guess I am stuck with it!</p>
<p>A test prep course might help you feel better prepared and less nervous. Doing a ton of sample tests can help too.</p>
<p>Google “test anxiety strategies”, there is a lot of information on strategies and techniques you can use to reduce it.</p>
<p>Take the test multiple times (and take the ACT as well), familiarity with the test and the test conditions make it easier to relax and do better.</p>
<p>I agree with what’s been said. You should try to improve your SAT scores, because it seems as though you are capable and you should try the ACT instead. I have a couple of friends who did okay on the SAT but did great on the ACT.</p>
<p>Don’t focus too much on the Writing Section. USC doesn’t use it. Right now they’re only using it to collect data. Your math score is really low. By practicing math test-taking strategies and the math problems seen on the SAT, you could really improve it by more than a hundred points. You’ll have a hard time getting in if you can’t increase your math score to at least a 500.</p>