<p>Hi, I was wondering if you guys could chance me! I know it's pretty early but it doesn't hurt to know what I should improve on. I'm really hoping to be a strong candidate for either the presidential/trustee scholarships. Thanks! </p>
<p>Name: KB24yo
Race: Asian
Gender: Male
State : CA
GPA : 3.65 UW / 3.7 W
SAT : 2280 ( Math-760/CR-800/Writing-720)
SAT2 : Chinese - 800 / Math 2 - 800
AP - US (5) / took EURO and Psychology this year
*Received 2 C+'s the beginning of sophomore year (mother contracted breast cancer)
*Will probably receive another C this semester (grandmother died)</p>
<p>School Related Activities:
- Student Council (4 years)
- Model United Nations Club (secretary)
- Kiwins Club (co-treasurer)
- Mock Trial (lawyer/witness)
- Rooftop Tutoring (president)
- Fiddle For Fun (president)
- IMPACT team leader (mentor for incoming freshmen)
- In 2 School Musicals
- Started recycle trash bins at school to raise money for school (+$3000)
- JV Basketball (1 year) & Varsity Wrestling (1 year)</p>
<p>Music - Viola:
- School Symphony Orchestra (4 years)
- All-State Orchestra (4)
- All-National Orchestra (3)
- Performed at the White House
- Composed sheet music used in a video game
- Invited by the Chinese government to play in the Beijing Olympics
- Traveled to Argentina/Africa to teach less fortunate kids how to play a music instrument
- Toured France, Germany, Korea, Taiwan, and China playing with local orchestra(s)
- Organized local music fundraisers to raise money to buy instruments for less fortunate children in 3rd world countries (+$5,000)
- Played in the pit orchestra for 2 school musicals</p>
<p>Extras:
- Published a children's book
- Organized a jog-a-thon at local elementary school to raise money for school supplies
- Church choir member/audio recorder/hymn leader/orchestra member
- Volunteer at soup kitchen (+100 hours)
- Private math tutor for elementary kids
- Work : Part-time @ Hollister (5 hours a week)
- Intern for law firm with sports attorney, Leigh Steinberg</p>
<p>Eh. I think having work experience, when it is not the primary focus of your application, is all that’s basically needed. Well-roundedness, if you want, so 5 hours seems fine to me. Your gpa is very slightly lower than the average, but your SAT is great, so I wouldn’t worry about gpa. Other stats are also good, but try to focus on one aspect instead of grocery listing. Not saying you aren’t involved in your other clubs, but colleges like depth. Good luck.</p>
<p>Maybe. If you’re a national merit scholar you can automatically get the Presidential. If not, you have to go visit and do an interview. It’s possible, but getting one of those scholarships is very hard. What’s your major anyways?</p>
<p>In general, the students invited to interview for the Presidential and Trustee Awards are in the same pool as those accepted to the most selective (think Ivy and similar) colleges–same sort of stats, ECs, extra leadership, whatever. You can use the search feature and find the stats for this year’s and last year’s admittees. Those who were admitted earliest (late Feb, first week in March) are the Scholarship contenders, for the most part. You can compare their majors and stats with yours.</p>
<p>Don’t wanna be stupidly nitpicky, but just a very small correction, the admittances are actually late January through February. March is when the interviews begin (at least for Presidentials)</p>
<p>It is very hard to predict the scholarships - so many highly qualified students apply to USC. It seems with your record and accomplishments, you certainly should apply before the scholarship deadline. I agree with layla that your work experience is fine - managing 5 hours a week with everything else you are doing is more than enough.</p>
<p>In essays and activity descriptions, you might want to avoid the phrase “less fortunate kids,” and just call them “kids.” An idea for a short answer or activity description: Talk about what you have learned from the kids and how helping tham has changed you.</p>
<p>You would be a wonderful addition to USC - best of luck!</p>