USC 2018-2019 Transfer Students (STATS & DECISIONS ONLY)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
41

Rejected - Marshall/Business Administration

Decision Date & Time: May 24th, around 4:00pm Eastern time

Stats:

[ul]
[] College transferring from: Miami Dade College
[] Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): No
[] Entering as: Junior
[] GPA: 4.0
[] High School GPA: 4.0
[] Units completed: 86
[] Units in progress: 0
[] Pre-reqs completed: All
[] GEs completed: All (I think)
[/ul]Subjective:

[ul]
[] ECs listed on app: full time job as a secretary, manager of three school music groups (HS), president of a club (HS), president of an honor society (HS), secretary of a club (HS), various tutoring services
[] Job/Work Experience: full time worker during my first year in college
[] Essays (subject and responses): I really don’t know what to say. I thought my essays for USC were better than the rest of my essays. They were personal and showed soooo much research on Marshall and how it would be a great fit for me. I think I read every single page linked on Marshall’s website lol
[] Letters of Recommendation: I believe I sent one or two? I don’t remember. One was from my high school professor who knew me very well, and his letter was marvelous. The other was from a math professor in college who really liked me (took him for two classes and had the highest grade in both)
[/ul]Other:

[list]
[] Other schools applied to: University of Miami (accepted), University of Richmond (accepted), Florida International University (accepted), Cornell University (rejected), New York University (rejected)
[*] Comments: I don’t know. I seriously don’t know what went wrong. Maybe it was the fact that I’m coming from a community college? Or that I have too many units completed? Maybe it was the fact that I worked full time instead of joining clubs in college. Who knows. Extremely upset and disappointed

42

Accepted - School of Cinematic Arts/Cinema and Media Studies (Spring Admit!)
Spring Grade Request - Nope!

Decision Date & Time: Portal updated today around 1:50 p.m. My portal didn’t change from “Check Application Status” to “View Admissions Decision” instead there was just a message on my portal with a PDF of my letter! Letter was dated May 24.

Stats:

[list]
[] College transferring from: University of San Francisco
[] Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): No
[] Entering as: Sophomore
[] GPA: 3.68
[] Units completed: 32
[] Units in progress: None (Just finished my spring semester)
[] Pre-reqs completed: No pre-reqs!
[] GEs completed: I completed a majority of them throughout my first and second semester…I would say the only ones I still need completed can be fulfilled in a semester or so.

[list]Subjective:

[list]
[] ECs listed on app: Since I’m a first year I was able to talk about my ECs from both high school and college. In college: Cabinet Board position in my sorority and in our Honors Program. In high school: 4 years ASB, 2 years Director & Production Manager of my Advanced Film Production class, 3 years Key Club, 3 years lacrosse (1 JV, 2 Varsity), Club President, Executive Board Position for multiple clubs. Multiple film festival awards as well hehehoohoo :’)
[] Job/Work Experience: Film Festival producer, Fine Arts Teacher/Summer counselor, student events photographer & videographer at my college, box office manager at a local theatre in SF (yeah I worked a lot lol)
[] Essays (subject and responses): Definitely worked my booty off with the essays since I figured that was the best way to show my writing abilities. I talked about how I didn’t apply for film anywhere during my senior year of high school because I didn’t feel ready yet, but how going to a university that wasn’t film oriented showed me that I was more than ready this entire time and the only person who was holding me back was myself. In the film analysis I talked about color theory in one of my favorite films (We Need To Talk About Kevin - watch it if you haven’t yet).
[] Letters of Recommendation: One from my high school’s principal (we were close & I did a bunch of side film projects for him and the school throughout my junior&senior year), one from the director of USF’s Honors program (happened to also be my professor), and one from my boss at the Fine Arts Center (she wrote a lot about my creative and leadership skills)

[list]Other:
[ list]
[] Other schools applied to: Chapman (Accepted)
[] Comments: WOW hello! I can definitely say that I was NOT expecting this, especially because the day that I checked was also the day that a wave of rejections were being released…so least to say I was expecting the worst. I was scared to apply to USC because I always doubted who I was creatively, but I am working on it. I guess what I can say is that I poured my heart out in my application, but more importantly I really did just stay true to myself. I showed them who I was and wasn’t trying to create a facade whatsoever and I’m really happy they were able to see that! Don’t lose hope! Knew my GPA was lower than a lot of others but I was hoping the Admissions Team saw how much I put my energy into my extra curriculars. If I have any advice, it’s that everything happens for a reason (cliche lol i know) but whether you end up at USC or not, you’re supposed to be where you are for a purpose, and often times for a greater reason than you could ever bargain for! I have a tough decision to make (I really love Chapman too) but am overall extremely blessed to have both as an option! Thank you to everyone who has helped me on this thread, and I wish you all nothing but the best! I will stay on here if anyone has any questions at all! Fight on!!

43

Spring Grade Request - Viterbi Electrical Engineering

**Decision Date & Time: 05/24 **

Stats:

[ul]
[] College transferring from: unranked state university
[] Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): No
[] Entering as: Junior
[] GPA: 3.82
[] Units completed: 72
[] Units in progress: semester is finished
[] Pre-reqs completed: all but the optics/thermodynamics since it’s not required at my school
[] GEs completed: not sure
[/ul]Subjective:

[ul]
[] ECs listed on app: none
[] Job/Work Experience: didn’t list
[] Essays (subject and responses): I’m a decent writer, I think, but my writing is very informal so not really sure. No on reviewed them for me.
[] Letters of Recommendation: I think I had 2 very strong LoR - one from a physics professor, and the other from a chemistry professor, who probably mentioned I scored in the 99th percentile on the ACS final.
[/ul]**Other:[ /b]

[list]
[] Other schools applied to: NYU (accepted), Lehigh (rejected), UVA (wait-listed), Cornell (rejected. I had a C on my midterm report that disqualified me, I think. kicker is I ended the course with an A).
[] Comments: I had a 4.0 this semester, but dropped a class because I couldn’t get in the lab so I’m a little nervous. I believe I got a SGR because I had a medical withdrawal in the past. Fingers crossed! Will update when I get my decision.

44

Accepted - Viterbi/Computer Science

Decision Date & Time: May 22nd. I don’t know what time I didn’t look until the 24th.

Stats:

[ul]
[] College transferring from: Riverside City College
[] Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): No
[] Entering as: Junior
[] GPA: 3.89
[] Units completed: 69+
[] Units in progress: 14
[] Pre-reqs completed: I didn’t really look but I’m sure I had all of them done. Except I didn’t take the entire physics series but I don’t think they require that.
[] GEs completed: IGETC completed not sure what that translates to for USC.
[/ul]Subjective:

[ul]
[] ECs listed on app: Computer Science club
[] Job/Work Experience: Math SI on my campus
[] Essays (subject and responses): 1/10. I put little to no effort into them. I was burnt out after writing the UC essays and didn’t want to write any more of them so I just wrote all of them in about 30 minutes and they are all very short.
[] Letters of Recommendation: 1 from a math professor on my campus/ also my boss.
[/ul]Other:

[list]
[] Other schools applied to: UCR (Accepted/Regents) , UCI (Rejected/Applied to wrong major), UCLA (Rejected/Missing pre reqs), UCB (Rejected), UCSD (Accepted), UCD(Rejected/Missing pre-reqs), UCSC(Accepted to alt. major)
[] Comments:

45

Accepted (May 24th)

  • Major: Real Estate Development
  • GPA: 3.68 at a CC // and 3.77 at USC
  • TTP: Yes
  • Transferring from: Moorpark Community College
  • Units: 37 at Moorpark and 35 at USC
  • Had really good essays and letters of rec
  • Jobs/internships
46

Accepted - SECOND CHOICE: DORNSIFE/SOCIOLOGY

Decision Date & Time: (Letter Dated May 25th)

Stats:

[ul]
[] College transferring from: Private 4-year in Norcal
[] Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): No
[] Entering as: Junior
[] GPA: 3.345 (Upwards trend)
[] Units completed: Not sure, forgot.
[] Units in progress: 19 quarter units.
[] Pre-reqs completed: All
[] GEs completed: All except 2 or 3.
[/ul]Subjective:

[ul]
[] ECs listed on app: Nothing noteworthy other than online store I started that earned a decent amount of profits.
[] Job/Work Experience: None.
[] Essays (subject and responses): 9/10+, pretty strong in my own opinion. Worked on them a lot and got friend and brother to edit.
[] Letters of Recommendation: Two: one from comm professor and one from sociology professor.
[/ul]Other:

[list]
[] Other schools applied to: BU (accepted), Northeastern (accepted), UIUC (accepted), NYU (rejected).
[] Comments: Extremely thankful and happy. I know my GPA is quite a lot lower from the average, but it just shows that they do look at apps holistically. I started off college with a 2.67 quarter and the most recent quarter I had a 3.85. I believe my essays were very crucial to this decision because I wrote about very unique topics while referencing specific USC courses/research programs. Also, I threw in a little humor in my “interests outside your academic focus” essay as well as the quick take short answers (response to "next tv show to binge I said “Game of Thrones. Yup, seven seasons in and I still haven’t hopped on the bandwagon.” lol) I do want to note that I had one of my closest friend’s dad, who graduated from Annenberg and used to be on the Annenberg board to help me put in a “good word.” I don’t know how much influence that may have had since “connections” nowadays don’t mean too much. I want to wish those that are still waiting the very best of luck and don’t lose hope if some of you guys don’t have the best grades, I am an example that shows they’re not everything

47

Accepted - MARSHALL BUS ADMIN

**Decision Date & Time: May 7, I’m posting late lol **

Stats:

[ul]
[] College transferring from: UC
[] Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): no
[] Entering as: junior
[] GPA: 3.82 after winter quarter
[] Units completed: 78?
[] Units in progress: 16
[] Pre-reqs completed: all
[] GEs completed: all
[/ul]Subjective:

[ul]
[] ECs listed on app: very involved in college student government, leadership positions
[] Job/Work Experience: nah
[] Essays (subject and responses): pretty good, not spectacular but I wrote about my accomplishments and goals and I think they speak for themselves. Referenced specific USC courses and extracurriculars and showed how I’d be a good fit
[] Letters of Recommendation: Yes, one
[/ul]Other:

[list]
[] Other schools applied to: none
[] Comments: I still can’t believe I got in! I’m gonna miss the school I’m at right now but I can’t turn down my dream school;)
For future transfer applicants: Grades should be everyone’s first priority. Get involved with something you love, whether its related to your major or not, and your passion will definitely show. It helps if you’re involved in something you’re genuinely interested in rather than a bunch of random clubs you don’t really care about. Make sure your essays show that you have somewhat of a clear vision for your academic goals!

48

** Accepted (but not attending) - Dornslife- Economics **

Decision Date & Time: (Letter Dated- April 26, 2018)

Stats:

[ul]
[]College transferring from: Nassau Community College
[]Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): No
[]Entering as: Junior
[]GPA: 3.88
[]Units completed: 50
[]Units in progress: 15 (but i dropped two classes so it became 11)
[]Pre-reqs completed: 1/4
[]GEs completed: 3/4
[/ul]Subjective:

[ul]
[]ECs listed on app: I had one EC from my school, I was a speaking partner with a Chinese woman for one semester. I also volunteer with animal shelters at adoption fairs.
[]Job/Work Experience: I’ve worked at a movie theater since November 2016. I also worked at an inclusion summer camp last summer.
[li]Essays (subject and responses): I wrote my common app essay about a stray cat I found and all I did to find a shelter that would take him. I made it kinda funny talking about bringing him on the subway and having his head pop out of the box, sneaking him into the library while a suspicious librarian leaned over her desk to see what was under my coat, him peeing on my sweater etc. I tied it into me wanting to help others when I can. Then I wrote about my reasons for going to community college and how staying home allowed me to start volunteering and helping other “Jams” (thats the name I gave the cat). Then I wrote why I chose my major and the career I want. My closing paragraph was an update on Jam. I said they changed his name and he now lives with another cat and still has the mouse I got him. [/li]
For the supplemental I researched my major and wrote about how sine it was the most popular major in dornslife I would be able to be around people with common interest and i never realized it was something i needed till I was the only non-STEM major in my Calc 2 class and Bio class. I also wrote about different ECs they have and how I would want to specifically be apart of them and why.
[]Letters of Recommendation: One from a philosophy professor had twice, he recommended me for a scholarship that I won so I think his letter was good. The other came from my first semester English professor who was really invested in me.
[/ul]Other:

[list]
[]Other schools applied to: Vanderbilt- Wait-listed. UNC Chapel HIll- Accepted and going to attend. Occidental- Rejected. Pitzer- Rejected. University of Washington in St. Louis- Rejected. SUNY Binghampton, Buffalo, Geneseo- Accepted.
[li] Comments: Make your essay specific, I used three really good blogs and someone from Writopia helped me. Look at things that your major has and write about why you would want to join it but tie it into something you’re doing now, want to do, or plan to do in the future. Today in the mail I got a transfer merit scholarship which is worth $13,830, a quarter of tuition. Its dated May 30th. [/li]My EFC is $3,106. I was given $2,445 in pell grant, $40,326 in university grant, and $13,830 in transfer merit scholarship for a total of $56,601. I’m pretty sure when I got the scholarship my grant decreased by $10,000 because the reason I’m not going to attend USC is because its more expensive than UNC but when I got the scholarship today I ,remembered my aid and said that this scholarship would make the school only $7,000 a year for me but i checked and the numbers are virtually the same. SO they adjusted the aid by basically subtracting the amount from my grant. I would have $18,674 left to pay, not including loans.

49

[ color=green][ b]Accepted - DORNSIFE/COGNITIVE SCIENCES[ /b][ /color]

[ color=blue][ b]Decision Date & Time: JUNE 5TH via portal/b][/color]

[ b]Stats:[ /b]
[ list]
[ *] College transferring from: Saddleback Community College
[ *] Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP):No
[ *] Entering as: Sophomore
[ *] GPA: 4.0
[ *] Units completed:53
[ *] Units in progress:0
[ *] Pre-reqs completed:no pre-reqs for my major offered at my cc
[ *] GEs completed: 7/8
[ /list][ b]Subjective:[ /b]
[ list]
[ *] ECs listed on app: A lot of volunteer work from high school, probably over 400 hours, piano player, and a few sports
[ *] Job/Work Experience: Cheesecake Factory host and baker
[ *] Essays (subject and responses): Worked very hard on my essays, I felt that they were very strong… but by my mistake they were submitted late due to a glitch in the system
[ *] Letters of Recommendation: 2, one of the teachers works at USC
[ /list][ b]Other:[ /b]
[ list]
[ *] Other schools applied to: N/A
[ *] Comments: I applied out of high school and got rejected, appealed and got rejected again! I stayed at community college so that I could end up going to a top tier school (specifically USC) and to be honest I worked very hard to get here, stayed in constant contact with my admission counselor, met her in person, worked hard in school and all around… I finally did it and I honestly couldn’t be happier!

50

**Accepted - Marshall School of Business Spring 2019 **

Decision Date & Time: (June 6th via portal)

Stats:

[ul]
[] College transferring from: College of the Sequoias
[] Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): No
[] Entering as: Junior
[] GPA: 3.8
[] Units completed: 97
[] Units in progress: 0
[] Pre-reqs completed: all
[] GEs completed: missing 3
[/ul]Subjective:

[ul]
[] ECs listed on app: Tutor & student gov. involvement
[] Job/Work Experience: Server & tutor
[] Essays (subject and responses): GREAT. I spent a ton of time on them & was very transparent. Talked about how I didn’t care for school in HS & how I changed when I got to CC. Also went over how I’m first generation & how I help my parents with our small family owned business.
[] Letters of Recommendation: (3) One from the president of my college who I got to know while in student gov., another from my favorite business law professor, and one from a counselor who knew me very well.
[/ul][ b]Other:**

[list]
[] Other schools applied to: UCLA (accepted for sociology), UCB (rejected), UCI (accepted), UCR (accepted), SDSU (rejected), CPSLO (accepted), + a ton of CSUs (got into all except for SDSU).
[] My Advice: GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR USC COUNSELOR ASAP. Have someone look over all of your essays on the CommonApp. Do your research before you apply; visit the campus. Keep your grades up of course.

51

Accepted - Dornsife/Math (1st choice) for Fall
Spring Grade Request received on April 23rd. Sent in grades on June 4th.

Decision Date & Time: June 6th around 3 pm local time via portal

Stats:

[ul]
[] College transferring from: California Community College (but also attended foreign university)
[] Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): No
[] Entering as: Junior
[] GPA: 3.4 or 3.6 depending on how you calculate it. But 4.0 for the past few years.
[] Units completed: around 90 semester units (including spring)
[] Units in progress: 12 for spring
[] Pre-reqs completed: English requirement and last math course required for major completed in spring.
[] GEs completed: All except for one or two
[/ul]Subjective:

[ul]
[] ECs listed on app: Math and Matlab clubs. Classroom note-taker (make summaries of material and post them on class website to benefit everyone). Member of the Mathematical Association of America and several groups within it. Learning Spanish (4th language). Play the piano. Learning to play the guitar. And volunteering for 3 hours/year (yes, year).
[] Job/Work Experience: None
[] Essays (subject and responses): Great imho. Were proofread by an admission expert.
[] Letters of Recommendation: 2, one from my math prof and another from my business prof. Both excellent.
[/ul]Other:

[list]
[] Other schools applied to: UCSD (accepted), UCSB (accepted), UCI (accepted through TAG), UCB (rejected), Pepperdine (rejected), Occidental College (rejected), Chapman (accepted), LMU (accepted), USD (accepted)
[] Comments: I explained in my essay that I had a rough start because I was suffering from depression. But I’m now back on my feet and doing great. I discussed what I learned and how it helped me grow. Please, for anyone who thinks he or she doesn’t have a shot at getting into USC: don’t be discouraged. USC is very forgiving. Just explain your circumstances. I was even admitted for the fall semester and I thought that best case scenario I would be offered spring admission. Even though I thought I didn’t have a chance at getting in, I still applied because I know I would have regretted it in the future if I hadn’t. And thankfully, it paid off. So please believe in yourself and don’t give up.

52

Accepted - Dornsife/Math[ /color]

[color=blue]Decision Date & Time: Jun 6 portal

Stats:

[ul]
[] College transferring from: CCC
[] Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): Nope
[] Entering as: Sophomore
[] GPA: 4.0
[] Units completed: 53. Over 70 with ap I think
[] Units in progress: 0
[] Pre-reqs completed: All
[] GEs completed: Missing 5/8
[/ul]**Subjective:[ /b]

[ul]
[] ECs listed on app:
Internship at a software company
student senate exceutive board
Two stem club leadership
volunteering tutor
& some minor ECs I did in high school
[] Job/Work Experience:
stem tutor at school
a research program with a profession in my local 4-yr univeristy

[] Essays (subject and responses):
I LOVE my essays. I talked about a hardship that went through last year but never gave up on myself and, guess what, fought on. The other one is about the ec I did relating to my major.
[] Letters of Recommendation:
Two from my professors , one from intern
[/ul][ b]Other:[ /b]

[list]
[] Other schools applied to: Cornell (reject)
[] Comments:

Some heart-felt advice. I see people say extra curricular does not matter in admission. But I loved the ecs I did because they give me materials to write in your essays. I think definite get involved with campus/ community, it shows you are passionate about what you learn. And I agree with others, get in touch with your counselor. I emailed mine twice, and she was able to call me by my English name at the end of admission (I go by my Chinese name on my app). So don’t think they don’t care about the questions and emails, they are there to help you, don’t be shy. Lastly, of course, don’t hesitate, always apply! You never know

53

Accepted - Thornton/Music Industry FALL 2018

Decision Date & Time: (May 30, 2018)

Stats:

[ul]
[] College transferring from: CSUDH
[] Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): no
[] Entering as: Junior
[] GPA: 3.8
[] Units completed: 65
[] Units in progress: 0 (spring semester ended already)
[] Pre-reqs completed: both micro and macro
[] GEs completed: all GEs for my school, but still waiting for TCR
[/ul][ b]Subjective:**

[ul]
[] ECs listed on app: caretaker for grandparents, honors program at CSU, ambassador for my school, violin, DHFYE (another program at my school)
[] Job/Work Experience: internship at startup music law/management company, worked at elementary school (paid)
[] Essays (subject and responses): 8/10 i really think my essays were extremely personal…i didnt want them to sound too much like a research paper so i spoke in a more conversational tone vs. sounding like i was writing a term paper
[] Letters of Recommendation: none
[/ul]Other:

[list]
[] Other schools applied to: CSUN (for MIS as well)
[] Comments: I’m so excited and proud of myself. I couldn’t be more thankful. I really was starting to doubt myself as i found out so close to the said notif deadline. I was even contemplating calling the day before, but told myself i only had a few days left and if i was rejected then i had another awesome school to go to, but when i found out OMG i cried like a baby. The wait and hard work was soooooo worth it! FTFO

54

Accepted for Spring 2019 - Marshall
Spring Grade was previously Requested

Decision Date & Time: June 5

Stats:

[ul]
[] College transferring from: Orange Coast College
[] Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): No
[] Entering as: Junior
[] GPA: 4.0
[] Units completed: 62
[] Units in progress:0
[] Pre-reqs completed: All
[] GEs completed: 5/8
[/ul]Subjective:

[ul]
[] ECs listed on app: Most importantly my own investing experience: 3 years of experience and handling six digit sums.
[] Job/Work Experience: Same as EC.
[] Essays (subject and responses): I have no idea, if it was good or not. I basically wrote about my struggles in high-school due to bullying and how I have grown and overcome those challenges.
[] Letters of Recommendation: I got 3: Math, English, Econ
[/ul]Other:

[list]
[] Other schools applied to: Too many to list, but I was accepted to UW-Madion, UNC-CH, USC and Fordham.
[] Comments: My weaknesses were my Sat score-1280, a high-school suspension for alcohol and being a high-school “dropout” with a GED. You guys can always make it if you try hard enough; even if you have made a lot of mistakes academically. Two years ago I was a high-school dropout. Today, I am still only 21 and have a little over two years left to a bachelor from USC. Just try your best in CC. Don’t focus too much on ECs, essays and work. If you can pull of a 4.00 GPA, or close to that, you can surely get into a top 25 University. Good luck to those, who read this!

55

Accepted - SCHOOL/MAJOR: International Relations (Dornsife school of letters, arts and sciences) for FALL 2018

Spring Grade Request - Received on April 28th

Decision Date & Time: June 12, 2018 around 1 pm PST

Stats:
[ list]
[ *] College transferring from: Arizona State University
[ *] Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): No
[ *] Entering as: Sophomore
[ *] GPA: 3.97 (3.96 fall, 3.98 spring)
[ *] Units completed: 30
[ *] Units in progress: 0 (summer)
[ *] Pre-reqs completed: yes
[ *] GEs completed: 2 or 3/8

Subjective:
[ list]
[ *] ECs listed on app: Working two jobs while going to school full time, some hs stuff, National baton twirler and ambassador.
[ *] Job/Work Experience: Nothing for my major, just part time jobs.
[ *] Essays (subject and responses): honestly 10/10. I worked for weeks on them and made sure I had everything in there that would allow me to be seen as more than an application on the screen. In my first essay I wrote about how USC was the school for me location wise as well as they had my desired major. Second essay I talked about future goals and what I’ve done to properly prepare for the rigorous coursework at SC. Third essay I talked about persistence, as this is my third time applying. I mentioned how someone told me at USC that I will be successful at achieving my dreams from persistently through negativity. So proud of my essays as I’m not the strongest writer.
[ *] Letters of Recommendation: No

Other:
[ list]
[ *] Other schools applied to: USC or bust
[ *] Comments: Please don’t EVER give up! I worked so hard in my first year college to show the admission couselors that I was the right choice for USC after all. I dreamed and hoped for this day and now it’s here. I am so proud of my achievements and can’t wait to attend in the fall. To all reading this in the future, don’t give up and persist through. Your dream and goals will come, it may just take a little more than luck! Thanks and FIGHT ON!!!

56

Stats: Accepted Dornsife spring semester 2019
Major: Political Science
College transferring from: California State University Chico
Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): No
Entering as: Sophomore
GPA: 3.8
Units completed: 34 (not including AP unit credit) 42 (including ap credits)
Pre-reqs completed:
GEs completed:

Subjective: None but I applied as a senior in high school which had a ton of EC. Maybe they still had in on file
ECs listed on app: none
Job/Work Experience: none
Essays (subject and responses): talked about being politically active, my beliefs, and what I wanted to do at USC (they were decent tbh)
Letters of Recommendation: none

Other schools applied to: Just USC
Comments: Just make sure your grades are consistent and good i guess. Make sure your essays are authentic and well written. Honestly, I don’t know how the decide who gets in so good luck! FIGHT ON

57

Accepted - School of Cinematic Arts/Cinema and Media Studies (Spring 2019)
Spring Grade Request received on May 19, 2018 // Grades sent on June 10, 2018

Decision Date & Time: June 12, 2018 1:30 PM PDT (youSC portal) // June 14, 2018 12:00 PM PDT (package)

Stats:

  • [] College transferring from: UC Davis/Riverside City College (one year at each)
    [    ] Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): No
    [] Entering as: Junior
    [li]** GPA: 2.85 at UC Davis/4.00 at Riverside City College (self-reported cumulative as 3.42)**[/li][li] Units completed: Applied with 36 semester units[/li][    ] Units in progress: Finished with 48 semester units
    [] Pre-reqs completed: All
    [    ] GEs completed: [url=<a href=“https://dornsife.usc.edu/2015ge/2015ge-requirements/%5DCategories%5B/url”>https://dornsife.usc.edu/2015ge/2015ge-requirements/]Categories[/url] A, B, C, F, and H completed

Subjective:

  • [] ECs listed on app: Production intern at an independent film studio, producer for a school filmmaking club, some high school awards for band and volunteer work
    [    ] Job/Work Experience: Tutoring for The Princeton Review, Chegg, and Varsity Tutors.
    [] Essays (subject and responses): My Common App essay was about why my former school was not a good fit for me and my major. I portrayed my mediocre grade results as positive learning experiences and demonstrated how I have grown despite adversity.
    For the first writing supplement, I talked about a fairly personal issue relating to LGBTQ+ rights and how I address them in my everyday life. The “why USC?” essay thoroughly explained what makes USC a perfect fit for my educational and career goals. I referenced specific work from faculty, research USC has conducted, and my own past influences that drove me to relentlessly pursue admission.
    Read my “Other” section for information about my Cinematic Arts portfolio supplements; I believe they are what ultimately carried my admission profile.
    [    ] Letters of Recommendation: One from the director of the studio I interned at (a USC SCA alumnus) AND a professor from both UC Davis and RCC. I think having someone from the school I left spoke volumes about my ability to succeed at another four-year university.

Other:

[list]
[] Other schools applied to: Chapman University (Rejected)
[] Comments: Please bear with me because I believe I am yet another source of proof that USC does holistic admissions.

I had an awful first year at UC Davis because of family medical issues at home. I knew it was not the right school for me, though, so I left and attended a community college. I kept my grades perfect for two consecutive semesters, and it clearly paid off.

What I believe truly got me into the school was my SCA supplemental portfolio. It consisted of a research paper for the writing sample and, of course, the SCA personal statement. My paper analyzed a video game and the community attached to it, and what makes both elements so unique. It was actually meant to be a publication for a peer-reviewed academic journal, and was written to an accordingly high standard. The personal statement gave me a chance to express how much media analysis means to me and how I would love to go into the evolving digital media industry with a more academic approach. Between these and how my Common App essay focused on my successes, I think my writing is truly what helped me get into USC.

If you feel like your grades are not high enough, you are most likely wrong. You only need to prove that you can make a change in how you perform. Be true to yourself and honest in your application. Prove to USC that you are worth it. Have a laser focus on your goal and do NOT sell yourself short. Feel free to message me if you have questions. Fight on!

1 Like
58

Accepted - Andrew and Erna Viterbi School of Engineering / COMPUTER ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

June 8th 2018

[ *] College transferring from: Occidental College
[ *] Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): Nope
[ *] Entering as: Junior
[ *] GPA: 3.78
[ *] Units completed: Semester Units
[ *] Units in progress: 65 Semester Units
[ *] Pre-reqs completed: -ish, I took Java instead of C++ but I guess both are OOP so ok.
[ *] GEs completed: No

Courses:

Calc 1-3
Linear
Discrete

Intro to CS
Data Strucutures
Computer Organization

Physics Mechanics, Waves, Thermodynamics, E+M

Gen Chem 1

[ *] ECs listed on app:

Some clubs on campus but nothing related to CS.

[ *] Job/Work Experience:
TA for Math professor

[ *] Essays (subject and responses):
9.5/10. In my view, they are awesome. I thought my previous ones were good (from 2 years ago) but I saw a lot of improvement. Did research and spent a solid month of straight writing and proofreading.

[ *] Letters of Recommendation:

CS professor who’s a grad student at USC
Math professor who was my boss and professor.

[ *] Other schools applied to:
[ *]Accepted: just USC
[ *]Denied: UCLA, UCB

Comments:

Starting from freshman year, I have worked hard on being a stronger student. With a GPA ranging in the 2’s in freshman year, I brought it up to a 3.5 by the end of senior year. Received nearly straight A’s in college and spent more time learning rather than strictly studying. I think USC viewed my continual improvement and knew I could do more.

I was originally electrical engineering and didn’t take CS courses in high school nor my first semester of college. I felt behind and discouraged, but once I found out computers and software were for me, it wasn’t hard to pick it up, familiarize myself with the material, and perform well in those classes.

59

Accepted - Dornsife/ Neuroscience
Spring Grade Request- yes. May 4th 2018

Decision Date & Time: June 20th, 2018

Stats:
College transferring from: CC In northern california
[ *] Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): Nope
[ *] Entering as: Junior
[ *] GPA: 3.6
[ *] Units completed: 56
[ *] Units in progress: 17
[ *] Pre-reqs completed: I had calc in progress but otherwise 3/4
[ *] GEs completed: ALOTTT
]Subjective:[ /b]
[
[ *] ECs listed on app: I was a tutor for anatomy at my college, taught sunday school also did dance
[ *] Job/Work Experience: none
[ *] Essays (subject and responses): I thought my essays were pretty good. I kept them short and to the point
[ *] Letters of Recommendation: none
[ *] Other schools applied to: University of San Francisco (accepted and also submitted deposit)
[ *] Comments:

I did not think this day was going to come. Words cannot express how thankful and grateful I am to have been admitted into such a good university. I was admitted to USF and i submitted my deposit and enrolled in courses because I really thought I didnt have a shot at getting in to USC. But again extremely grateful for this opportunity. I will have a talk with my family because they dont want me to go so far from home but I know that I will be attending USC for sure (Ill convince them lol ).
A big thank you to all of those who have helped on this thread, you know who you are! also a big thank you to those who have kept it so light and fun on this thread. I wish those of you who have not received a decision yet the best of luck. Also another thing, regardless of what your decision may be just know that you have the potential to do great things and if you do not receive the decision you want, it is in no way an indication of your intelligence and potential.
FIGHT ON!

60

Accepted - Dornsife/ English
Spring Grade Request- Yes. April 28th 2018
Sent in transcripts: June 19th
Decision Date & Time: June 29th, 2018

Stats:
College transferring from: Pasadena City College
[ *] Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP): No
[ *] Entering as: Junior
[ *] GPA: 3.71
[ *] Units completed: 65+
[ *] Units in progress: None
[ *] Pre-reqs completed: All
[ *] GEs completed: All of them except one maybe
]Subjective:[ /b]
[
[ *] ECs listed on app: Tutor, Honors Program, presented my Honors research at UC Irvine’s Research Conference, had some work published on the school’s magazine, etc.
[ *] Job/Work Experience: Started a small business to make extra money
[ *] Essays (subject and responses): I think my essays were the reason I got in. They were really personal and honest and I’m so glad I went that direction.
[ *] Letters of Recommendation: none
[ *] Other schools applied to: Pretty much all the Cal States.
[ *] Comments:
I still cannot believe I got accepted. Three years in the making, countless rejections, and today I’m proud to say I’m a Trojan. When I was in high school I was told by countless of counselors that I was never good enough or smart enough. During my senior year my counselor asked me what college I wanted to attend and I told her USC, she laughed at me and told me I had no chance. I worked really hard but I still got rejected. For some time I believed her, but I went to a CC and worked really hard to prove all those people that laughed at me wrong. I applied again my second year and I got rejected. I lost hope for a while but I’ve worked so hard to just give up like that. I applied again this year and today I got the letter I’ve been dreaming of for years. This journey was not easy at all. I had a lot of problems at home and at one point I was ready to just give up and drop out. If you were rejected, please please don’t give up on yourself, each one of us is worth so much. If anyone from next year planning to apply needs any advice on the application, I would be honored to help. Congrats to all of us Trojans!!!