<p>Here's a question, and I don't mean anything rude...so please don't read anything else into it.</p>
<p>My s has a 3.0 GPA out of a northeast high school. No honors, no APs, but a typical course load which includes all college prep, ie., Bio, Chemistry, Physics, Algebra 2, Geometry, Pre-Calculus and Calculus, etc. His sats right now are average 600 W, 600 M, and 500 essay. He is not in the top 10% of class, but in the top 25%.</p>
<p>ECs are soccer 4 years, lacrosse 4 years.</p>
<p>So, even though his stats might be low, would they be looked on differently since the northeast high schools have a reputation of being tougher?</p>
<p>He'll get in. Frankly, it's not too terribly difficult to get in USC-Columbia. He'll probably be eligible for some merit scholarships as well, although I'm not sure for OOS.</p>
<p>really? I always USC was more "difficult" than a 3.0...??? I thought it was more selective than some of the other SC schools - like Coastal for ex.
Is it not?</p>
<p>Well, it is more selective than say, Winthrop, but a 1200 SAT is more than good for USC, even for OOS. However, there are some programs that are more competitive than others to get into. I'm in state, so I'm not sure if I can give a good estimate for an OOS student, but a 1200 is a great score for USC. A 3.0 uw GPA in SC would mean a LIFE scholarship, so a 3.0 must be pretty decent.</p>
<p>XRed....my daughter has applied from OOS. Her SAT is 1230 and she is 8/194 in her class with a weighted GPA of 3.87. She is trying to decide if it is worth her time to do that very lengthy scholarship application. I have told her I think she has a decent chance of aid, but she says it may be a futile effort...any opinions? Time is running out!!</p>
<p>First, that is an excellent GPA and SAT for USC. USC's SAT 75th percentile is 1250, so a 1230 is very nice. Write good essays (I'm not even sure they want essays, Clemson does not), but since USC is a big public university the essays probably won't factor in too much. The chances of her being accepted are, in my opinion as an in-state student, pretty good. Her class rank will also help out tremendously. So, she'll probably get in. If you're worried about aid, USC gives an average aid package of around $9,000, and they have a good deal of merit-based scholarships, which I'm sure she'll be qualified for based on SAT and GPA. Hope this helps, and good luck!</p>
<p>Edit- Has she already been accepted? In any case, I believe she has a pretty good shot at finaid.</p>
<p>Her application was sent in October (about the 20th). She hopes to hear soon about acceptance. She will do the scholarship/honors college application which has to be postmarked by December 1. In fact, tomorrow she will take the letters of recommendation to her GC. She will complete the application (with all of the essays it requires) in the next 10 days or so...and the school will mail the works at the end of November. She will also by flying down there sometime in jan or feb to audition (as a non-major) on her oboe and English horn. She has been corresponding with the music admissions person for about a year and a half, and would love to continue taking lessons and playing while in college. So...she 'll audition for that also...and the music department apparently also has merit money for non-majors. We'll see!!</p>
<p>USC has an EXCELLENT music program, and it's great that she might be a part of that. There's probably a good amount of aid that's going to come from there as well.</p>
<p>The only reason to send in the Scholarship/Honors is for alumni/Carolina/McNair. There are many other scholarships that you are automatically considered for such as Capstone scholars which is supposed to be an awesome program.</p>
<p>I just checked the criteria for Capstone Scholars, and it says "top high school students" which DD would be (top 5% of her class....actually ranked 8/194). But the minimum SAT is 1250 and she only got 1230...oh well...Actually, the other reason for sending in the scholarship/honors college application is for consideration for the honors college. It's one form for both honors college and scholarships.</p>