Okay GPA/Good test scores. Do I have a chance at USC?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>Hey guys.</p>

<p>I'm a current junior at a pretty competitive CA school. Freshman year I wasn't very serious but I did really well sophomore year. Unfortunately first semester junior year I think I overloaded myself with APs and hard classes and didn't do well at all; but I plan to get much better this second semester. I have pretty good SAT scores and okayish ECs.</p>

<p>Freshman year:
Honors Bio, Honors Geometry, Honors English, Spanish 3, PE, Health/Geography
First semester GPA: 3.5
Second semester GPA: 3.3</p>

<p>Sophomore year:
Honors Chem, Honors Alg 2/Trig, Honors English, Art, PE, World History
First semester GPA: 3.8
Second semester GPA: 4.0</p>

<p>Jr year:
Honors English, Honors Precalc, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Statistics, CPUSH
First semester GPA: 3.3...(got a C in AP Chem... :/ really worried about this!)
Second semester GPA: Aiming for a 3.8 or a 4.0; seems within reach</p>

<p>Sr year sched:
AP Physics B, AP English, AP Human Geography, Finite/Discrete (college course offered at our school), AP Calculus BC, Gov/Econ</p>

<p>7 APs in total (APs are only allowed during 11th + 12th).
I have taken the most rigorous course load available (except for CPUSH instead of APUSH).</p>

<p>SAT score: 2280 (first try, 790 W, 750 M, 740 CR)
Taking ACT in April (aiming for 33+)
Got a 238 on PSAT; expecting to be National Merit Finalist</p>

<p>ECs:
Co-founded student-run Microfinance institution; lending around $15,000 to 3 entrepeneurs locally - made website for this.
Track & Field (2 years JV, 2 years varsity)
Officer of school's TV channel (will be either secretary or president next year)
Committee member of school's club which provides money for the school by converting cooking oil to biofuel and sells it. Will be officer next year. - made website for this club
Interned at Bay Area startup company; programmed for this company (unpaid internship). Will intern again this summer.
Taking C++ online class this year (Stanford's EPGY)</p>

<p>I plan to major in comp science. I'm looking at USC pretty in-depth (I'm also hoping National Merit Finalist will help for this; does it?)</p>

<p>SO: At the end of junior year, my GPA will be around a 3.6 (3.65 Max). This is unweighted. My weighted GPA (only Junior + Senior year we have weighted classes) would be around a 3.9 GPA. If you only take 10th + 11th GPA, then I have around a 3.725 UW, and a 4.15 W GPA. Keep in mind that I do want to go to USC, however, which I think doesn't weight, and also takes into consideration freshman year?</p>

<p>I appreciate your guys' time on reading this long-winded post; any advice would be appreciated. My weak 1st sem. junior year is causing some very scared thoughts in my mind.</p>

2

<p>your GPA is a bit on the low side, but your test scores and extra cirriculars are great! USC DOES in fact weigh the freshman year grades. i think if you can pull off a REALLY strong 2nd semester in senior year, you’ll impress the USC officials</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the reply! Does USC look at second semester senior year, or 1st semester? Also, do you think my C in junior year 1st semester will hurt me enough? </p>

<p>I really want to go to USC, I’m just regretting my 1st semester junior year GPA. :/</p>

4

<p>If you can continue to do well (strive for a 4.0) then USC admissions officers will look more favorably upon your overall high school record because they like a upward trend of grades (improving gpa each year) rather than just a steady 3.65 gpa. Additionally your test scores and extracurricular activities are both really strong. </p>

<p>USC only looks at 1st semester senior year gpa for admissions, however they look at 2nd semester gpa when making sure they do not have to rescind or revoke the acceptance of high school seniors. If you do get in it is important to still do well 2nd semester senior year.</p>

5

<p>Yes strive to get a 4.0 2nd semester junior year and get A’s in your AP classes 1st semester senior yr. Also, consider taking a few CC courses over the summer to improve gpa, if CC colleges count to your gpa. Even if they don’t, a few A’s in CC courses could help your cause. I’m not 100% sure about this, so I would ask your counselor if your interested. Remember USC gets more competitive every year, so you want to do everything in your power to give yourself the highest odds of getting in. And whats your class rank, that might put your gpa in a greater perspective…And don’t forget SAT II’s—recommended!!</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the answers everyone! I’m trying my best to get a 4.0 2nd semester junior year. Hopefully that’ll increase my chances (:</p>