Would anyone be able to give me some feedback on my chances of acceptance to the University of Southern California? What does the school look for in individual applicants? Is a long essay (in addition to major supplements and common app prompts) still required? What is the tone like for LGBTQ students, and how many out of state students from from the southeast? I was initially more focused on getting into UCLA, but I’m realizing that the financial aid would make that an unrealistic goal… Here are my stats, any response is welcome!
Hoping to study journalism/communications
Top 5% of class
4.7 GPA (3.8 unweighted)
ACT: English 30, Reading 32, Science 24, Math 19. My SATs were worse than that, but I know the scores are a huge weakness. I’m retaking the ACT in September so hopefully that will be better.
I’ll have taken 11 of the 15 AP classes my school offers: Human Geography (3) and Psych (5) (10th grade), Art History (3), Bio (3) Language (5), U.S. History (4) (11th grade), Government, Lit, Stats, Environmental, and French (12th grade); so far I’ve had straight A’s in everything but math (which I’ve had B’s in) and taken all honors courses when available, except freshman and sophomore math.
Joined all extracurriculars as a freshman (aside from NHS and Beta obviously)
FNHS and NHS
Theater Crew
LGBTQ Alliance (president and founder)-also I’m gay as hell and I don’t know if it’s worth mentioning that I worked with my school district this year to revise its code of conduct to address bullying on the basis of sexual orientation (they wouldn’t add gender identity so I’m contacting the state department to resolve that)
Key Club (events coordinator and secretary since sophomore year)
Model UN
Beta
Piano Lessons (eight years)
Girl Scouts (joined in first grade); gold and silver award
Virginia Girls State Senator and House Minority Leader
Virginia Residential Governor’s School for the Humanities (state sponsored program at a university during the summer)
200+ hours of community service through Girl Scouts, theater crew, and Key Club, I also volunteered extensively with my local democratic headquarters for the 2012 presidential election and 2013 gubernatorial elections
I was also born with a neurological birth defect that has in short, given me chronic back pain and resulted in six major surgeries and a lot of medical treatments and physical therapy, etc. I’m considerably limited activity wise and can’t stand on my feet or long periods or play any type of sport, and I’ve missed a lot of school because of the pain.
I’m in a specialized program for the humanities at my high school (sort of like a charter school), but outside of that program the rest of the student body isn’t as competitive-- the average GPA is about 2.9
Thoughts? Thanks!