<p>I need someone to set the record straight for me. I've read posts on here and have been told in person that since SPPD (undergrad) is one of the less popular majors on campus, that it is "less competitive".</p>
<p>As per the SPPD website, the undergraduate program had 296 students during the 07-08 academic year. This is 1.5-2% of the USC undergraduate population. Intuitively I'm thinking that either the program is about as competitive as the rest of USC, or that it is slightly more competitive since they likely don't have many open slots.</p>
<p>I am planning on entering this program, and so that I'm not fighting with shadows, can someone please clarify - is what I'm hearing true?</p>
<p>USC doesn't make that information available--so we have no way of knowing the number of applicants vs. acceptances by major or school. Sometimes you can ask the admissions director for the school/major and they may give you some idea, so if you are feeling brave, you might try to call and ask. If you do, let us on cc know.</p>
<p>Not sure if this is what you want to hear but my daughter knows of somebody whose parents are both USC alumni. They are actively alumni, ie the type that hold open houses and fund raising events for USC. This friend got Spring admit to USC last year. She has very good GPA but probably not so good SAT. So I guess it's competitive.</p>
<p>Columbia_Student, did your daughter's friend apply to SPPD for freshman admission? Sorry I'm a little unclear on that.</p>
<p>Yes, she applied for freshman admission.</p>