USC is S2’s dream school (and where my husband earned his MBA) and S2 has been focused and worked so hard to get there.
S2 was heartbroken (like so many others) a year ago when he was denied. The bright side is that he was then so fortunate to then attend SMU in Dallas for his freshman year (where BTW, he carried a pretty heavy academic load planning on double-majoring at SMU [took classes towards Pre-health and Pre-Business], worked, and was involved in a couple of school organizations). Earlier this month, SMU presented him (and other students) with a Multicultural Academic Achievement Award for maintaining a GPA above 3.5. I must say that SMU offers amazing academics and professors who care…and the school itself was rated the Most Beautiful Campus in the United States by the Huffington Post. S2 now has a core of friends (SMU Catholic Campus Ministry and the SMU Ice Hockey Team) he will miss tremendously! Now, we happily move on and we are all so grateful and feel blessed that he is coming HOME to Southern California!
(I shared additional details above so folks can read his path while on the TTP and I personally didn’t know anything about SMU until about a year ago.)
Now I would be even happier if S1 comes back HOME and attends USC for Grad School…
I’m a parent of a second year and can tell you that everyone I knew who did the TTP last year got in…even a gal who had less than a 3.0 at AUP. Obviously you can’t be a student who looks like she would flunk out of USC, but they seem pretty relaxed about sophomore admissions. The TTP letter only goes out to legacy rejections. It is an alumni relations effort.
A friend’s son got TTP offer this year, not a legacy in any regard, but had great stats and is going to UChicago (and not looking back). Few other people posted on here last year who also received TTP offers that weren’t legacy. It started that way years ago, but has since expanded to include students who perhaps apply to a crowded major, and whatever else admissions is thinking.
I wasn’t accepted to the schools I really wanted so my plan was either UC Riverside or a gap year, but being offered the TTP (because of legacy) really changed my plans because USC is my dream school. At first I decided on a year at UCR before transferring, but then I got an email from SC saying that, while it’s possible, they don’t recommend transferring from another 4-year institution with the intent of just transferring out. I wanted to have the best possible chance for USC, so I decided on community college instead before I read all of these posts from people who transferred from a 4-year just fine. Now the SIR deadline for UCR has passed and I’m kind of stuck at CC.
I mean, I’m saving lots of money but I regret that I’ll miss out on that freshman experience I would have gotten at a university.
Ya, they have to say don’t go to a four year so the other colleges don’t get “mad at them.” Are you sure you still can’t get into UCR? Sometimes if you call admissions they can do something, but you obviously can’t say cause you want to go to USC a year later. Since UCs are so big and public, probably not much flexibility…so maybe not a shot. Ya, a kid with a 4.5 or other super stats offered TTP shouldn’t change 4 year college plans for USC, but they get kids to do that, and many people deplore their entire tactic. But the money you will save is worth noting!
Is TTP effective if you’re currently at a 4 year institution? Is it basically a 100% guarantee? Do the USC advisers give you a clear cut plan that’ll make you successful in the transfer process? What if you don’t have a 3.7 or above GPA?
No it is not a guarantee at all. You need a 3.6 or it gives them an excuse to not admit you I suppose. Engineering majors are told 3.8 in their meetings (the ones I know anyway). You have a very good chance, but it depends on how many are accepted from regular admissions and attend, the transfer class coming in, etc., - it gives you a significant edge but not a guarantee. You have to be invited to be part of the TTP program which is done at the time of initial rejection in your senior year.
It doesn’t matter if you are at a 4 year school, it does matter that you take the right courses and get the gpa they request which is posted online. At a summer meeting, they will meet with you for 30-45 min and suggest the kind of courses to take (like math/writing), and they give you ideas of classes that would meet their core requirements, but they do not go through the course catalogue of your school and tell you exactly which courses.
@CADREAMIN For the GPA requirement, are you talking about US Unis and GPA requirements only? Because from what I’ve heard, and based on @JMZimmer 's post, it seems that those on the TTP who study abroad have a much lower GPA requirement to successfully transfer. Part of that has to do with USC’s understanding that studying abroad can be a huge adjustment that can adversely affect grades (or so I’ve heard – looking forward to more insight here, since I don’t have first hand experience.)
My understanding is that those that study abroad as freshman have more of a guaranteed path back to USC, they call it a direct pathway back to USC as a sophomore - so there are better articulation agreements in place with those schools (like Paris below). In those cases I would absolutely believe GPA isn’t as strict a requirement. Also, I don’t know if it is that strict regardless, I think they just put it in place in the event they need room to not let some students in. But students shouldn’t feel it is guaranteed, I would hate for someone to give up another great 4 year thinking it is guaranteed, when they won’t commit to that anywhere in writing or conversations with them.
Post edit:
On the Rome page, it says exactly what you mention:
“Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30 in USC-transferable courses, with no individual grade below C (2.0). You might notice that the Trojan Transfer Plan typically requires a 3.6 GPA or higher; USC recognizes the challenges faced by students who choose to study overseas for their freshman year and so has lowered the traditional GPA requirement.”
Another comment made on the site:
“Is this a guarantee of admission to USC? This is a path to admission - not a guarantee of acceptance. USC typically finds a space for each student who submits a suitable application, avoids misconduct, and meets the conditions specified above.”
Has anyone had any experience trying to avail themselves of the TTP to go in as a Junior Transfer? Or even still as a sophomore IF you had not applied during the Fall cycle the year before? For example, if you didn’t meet with a counselor and commit to the TTP that summer before your Freshman year of college?
@koalafiedtomajor I applied Undecided with second choice Business Administration! Sorry for the late reply! I stopped coming on this site as often after the USC notification date. Are you planning to do the TTP?
@picnicgal Yeah, you can go to any college and do the TTP. I went to a 4 year and am enrolled at USC for this Fall as a sophomore. As for the guarantee, it is more like a strong promise. I think if you meet all the requirements and have a decent/strong high school record, you will get in. However, I know some people who did the TTP and didn’t get in.
@Seashel So pretty much it seems like you won’t be part of the TTP bc we are the peeps who applied during high school and met with USC counselors. However, I think even if you applied as a sophomore or junior, you have a stronger chance than some bc you have legacy (Assuming you will be writing that one of your family members attended USC on Common App or something)
I was offered the TTP but have not followed up recently. I have enrolled at Tulane University but am hoping I can transfer for my sophomore year. Does anyone have the link of requirements to do this? How does the TTP help me get in than if i was a rejected transfer student not offered the TTP? Also, as i live on the other side of the country, I could not attend a meeting with a counselor, does this hurt me?
Hey everyone! I’m currently a first year at San Diego State who is on TTP. Im about to complete the USC application and I finished first semester with a 3.88 GPA. I was wondering if anyone else is in my situation applying and what my chances are of getting in. If anyone has any information it would be much appreciated.
When do we hear back about decisions? I’ve been told March, I’ve been told April, and somewhere I read June. Can anyone confirm when it will actually be?
TTP may hear in late March but better to expect mid to late April. TTP generally hears a bit ahead of regular transfers who get news between April and even late June or early July. It is a brutal wait for some.
Curious then: does that mean our second semester grades are not considered for admission?
I assume we’d have to send them in later, but by that time, they would’ve already accepted us. Second semester grades would only matter if USC waitlisted us, or our grades severely decreased second semester. Perhaps what I find so surprising is that - while TTP ‘plans’ your whole first year - it’s only your GPA from one semester that counts towards the March/April acceptance. Are my thoughts on this correct?
Generally that is correct - if your first semester grades are awesome they expect that to continue and wouldn’t have to see the second before they accept you. Meh grades for that first semester would be a reason to find out later. They are really looking to admit TTP applicants. If you did your part, they should do theirs. Good luck!!!
