I still havent submitted my application to USC, but recieved a D in my Pre Calc class. What steps should I take when applying? Should I enter the grade, wait for a mid year report, not tell them? Also is there a place on my application to explain the low grade? I dont even know if I should bother submitting my application at this point. I have never recieved a grade this low.
Is the D a grade for the first quarter or first semester? For USC on the Common App you don’t have to include senior year grades, just freshman through junior years. There is an Additional Info section where you can address a bad grade, but it doesn’t sound like you should because they won’t see it unless they get your mid year report. And, at that time, you can send a note to your admission counselor explaining it if you don’t pull it up in time for the mid year (if it’s a quarter grade). If your application is strong (ACT/SAT, gpa, recs, etc) they may not even ask for your mid year report, but you should find out if your school is going to automatically send one.
Mid year report is required for USC.
First-Year Application Checklist:
Common App Writing Supplement: Essay and Short Answer questions
Transcripts: First-year applicants should submit official transcripts of all high school and college coursework completed.
Official Test Scores: Arrange for the testing agency to send your SAT or ACT scores directly to USC.
School Report: All first-year applicants are required to submit the Common Application School Report by providing the name and e-mail address of a recommender.
Letter of Recommendation from a Teacher or a Counselor
Portfolio, resumé and/or additional writing samples: if required by major. Performance majors may also require auditions. Refer to the Additional Major Requirements page for more information.
Submit your fall grades (when available): Use the Mid-Year Report Form included in the Common Application or visit www.usc.edu/midyeargrades to submit your fall grades.
Mid years aren’t necessarily required. Most merit recipients don’t send mid years because they aren’t ready by the merit notification date. And, if mid years were required, it would be listed under “required documents” for everyone right now and it’s not. USC does specifically ask for mid years from some people because they are on the fence about admitting them, and actually tells them their application is incomplete without them. But, the portal page says " We often like to see the mid-year grades of freshman applicants." It doesn’t say anything about requiring them.
I have had 3 admitted to USC and always sent the mid year because it is stated in several places to do so:
FROM THE USC COMMON APP:
Recommendations Required:
School Report
Counselor Recommendation
Mid Year Report
Final Report
1 Teacher Evaluation(s)
0 Other Evaluation(s)
Writing Supplement Required:
Not Required
Personal Essay Required:
Required
From the USC Admission FAQs:
How do the grades I earn during my senior year of high school factor into USC’s admission decision?
Generally, for the purposes of admission into USC, we review an applicant’s coursework from grade 9 through the first term of his or her senior year. Students need to use the Mid-Year Report Form included in the Common Application or visit www.usc.edu/midyeargrades to submit their fall grades as soon as they become available.
Once admitted, all students are required to submit an official copy of their high school transcripts to verify their graduation dates. Students’ transcripts will also be reviewed to ensure that they have maintained a continued level of academic achievement. A serious downturn in a student’s senior year could result in the rescinding of an admission offer.
The USC checklist:
http://admission.usc.edu/firstyear/prospective/checklist.html
Ya, I would be sure mid year grades are in.