USC: Chance Me?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>Hello, I have currently begun my junior year, but here are some stats about my high school career:
Freshman Year Cumulative: 3.77
(2 honors courses)
Sophmore Year Cumulative: 3.89
(2 honors courses)</p>

<p>Cumulative GPA of Freshman and Sophmore Year: 3.89</p>

<p>Junior year I am currently taking 2 AP classes (AP English and Physics).
My GPA this year should be at least a 3.5, if not higher.</p>

<p>EC:
-Will have 4 years of Band by senior year
-Band Historian from sophmore to junior year (will mostly likely be historian senior year as well)
-currently International Club President (will be senior year as well)
-Will have 4 semesters of CSF (california scholarship federation) by graduation (and will get a seal on my diploma as a result)
~55 hours of community volunteer service (Kids Camp, Senior Center)
-1 year Make-A-Wish Club.
-RESET CLUB member.</p>

<p>I HAVE NOT YET TAKEN THE SAT/ACT.
*I will only have 2 years of foreign language, despite the recommended 3.
*I am planning to take some college classes over the summer at a local community college.
*I am planning to increase my volunteer hours.
*I am planning to start a small photography business (my passion=photography)...idk if that helps. just thought that i'd throw that out there.</p>

<p>*Although I'm still a junior, I have thought over some personal statements I might write. One idea I had is to write about one particular unplanned experience in which I sat down with a homeless person; what I thought would be a few minutes turned out to be nearly over an hour. I ultimately asked if I could take their picture. That picture has been my all time favorite picture because I find it so powerful, as I feel that the person's story which is conveyed through the image. its not only the image I took that had a profound effect on me, but the experience as a whole. So I guess I'd be talking about how my passion in photography/photojournalism has pushed me out of my comfort zone, and to gain new perspectives.</p>

<p>MAJOR IS UNDECIDED AT THE MOMENT. my interests are among film, communications, public health, or something, not sure; something english based rather than math...</p>

<p>*I WISH TO MINOR IN PHOTOGRAPHY...</p>

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2

<p>I’m an accepted USC student and here are my thoughts: </p>

<p>Your GPA looks good but the 50% for USC SAT scores is 2030-2250 so I’d recommend shooting for 2150+ or maybe even closer to the 2200 range. My GPA was much lower than yours but my near 2200 SAT score really helped me I think.
As for doing well on the SAT, I would recommend doing vocab flashcards and practicing as much as possible. Look out for tricks, especially in the writing section. For the math section, be extra careful when reading the questions. They have SO MANY tricks in those questions and it is pretty easy to get fooled and make sure to check your work too when doing the math questions. </p>

<p>I’m really glad you’re thinking about a personal statement now, my personal statement was about something at the end of junior year. You should try looking for opportunities for a personal statement. Mine was closely connected to my strongest EC. I also recommend that your personal statement should be unique and not about something admissions officers see in every other essay. Those are my thoughts.</p>

3

<p>Apply as a COMM major. Your chances in Film are extremely slim. Leave out Photography as an academic minor; it signals that you might be shooting for a BFA but trying to slip in as a BA. GPA is practically meaningless. All A’s are expected, especially in core courses. Two years of foreign language is also a problem. This means you would have to start over, even in the language you took in HS. You need strong SAT scores, AP 4’s and 5’s, and a compelling, completely original essay. </p>

<p>Your EC’s are relatively weak. Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer and do so well at it that your supervisor will write a rec on your behalf. But this should be presented as nonchalantly as possible in your application materials. Kids who cram in volunteer hours as juniors and seniors then talk them up like crazy are viewed dimly here.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>