USC Chance Me - Transfer Applicant

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>Hi everyone!
I am planning to apply to USC after this Fall from a California Community College. I want to apply for the major: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.</p>

<p>In my first semester of Community College, my grades were:
Psychology 1 (transferrable): A
Biology 3 (transferrable): A
English 101 (transferrable): A
Math 125 (not transferrable, but a minimum requirement): F</p>

<p>In the summer, I retook that same math class and passed with an A. I contacted USC and they told me that even though that class is not transferrable, they still take the F grade into account, and calculate it with the rest of my GPA.</p>

<p>Since that semester, I have never failed a single class. In fact, I would have a 4.0 GPA if it was not for the first time that I failed Math 125.</p>

<p>My other grades include:
Chemistry 60 (non-transferrable): A
Sociology 2 (transferrable): A
Chemistry 101 (transferrable): A
Biology 6 (transferrable): A
Math 121 & Math 240 (non-transferrable): A
English 103 (transferrable): A
Pre-Calculus (transferrable): A</p>

<p>Even with all these A's, that stupid F kills my GPA and averages out to a 3.52
All the transferrable classes add up to 30 units, so my high school record will not be taken into account.</p>

<p>But, I will have classes in progress before actually transferring, which I am SURE I will get A's in as well. Maybe raising my GPA to a projected 3.6 something.</p>

<p>I have great extra curricular and volunteer work that ties with academic tutoring and the field I want to pursue.
Maybe I can explain that F in my personal statement? I would really like some input from you guys. USC is my dream school, and I would be devastated if this F ruins my chances of admission.</p>

2

<p>You would be able to explain the F in your personal statement, but that’s definitely your biggest obstacle right now. I believe they do still look at your old SAT scores as well, but I could be wrong.</p>

3

<p>An F, whaaaaaaat? Please explain.</p>

4

<p>Yes, I know :frowning: I was under so much stress because I was one of the only people working in my family at the time, and I was going through a very emotional time due to my grandfather’s illness. That class was the only one I couldn’t salvage. There had been a threat made to our school the day of the final, which caused the school to go on lockdown, and the final was postponed. The day it was postponed to, I could not make it due to my grandfather’s illness. </p>

5

<p>SAT’s aren’t even considered because I pass the 30 unit minimum </p>

6

<p>Thanks for the candor. IMO, the F is the only remarkable grade on your transcript so you need to tackle it head on without sounding like you’re making an excuse. Your comment is a good start at a carefully composed essay. </p>

7

<p>I wouldn’t stress too much over the one “F” because they take into consideration the “patterns” of your grades… If they see that you received one F but received straight A’s after then I’m sure you’ll be fine :slight_smile: Btw, do you know the admission rate for your major or minimum gpa?</p>

8

<p>Carefully composed is the key because this is sort of confusing. You said you have to go to work because of your grandfather’s illness, but then couldn’t make the final because of his illness? Just a heads up, it could easily sound like excuses if not written properly, less is more when writing about it. Hit it and move on. Not saying you don’t have a valid issue…actually trying to be helpful, not critical.</p>