@WWWard Thank you so much for the suggestion about emailing my admissions counselor to let them know that USC is my first choice! I wrote a really well-worded email but I didn’t specifically ask for them to add it to my file… I know this is kind of a difficult question to answer but do you think that they’ll still add it/keep it in mind?
Hi everyone! I’m being considered for valedictorian of my class. Is that something I should mention to my assigned admissions counselor?
@kairosforever Absolutely! That’s definitely something they will consider and put into your file. Congratulations on Valedictorian, that’s a huge honor!
@PBDZ01 you’re welcome. I believe so. Neither of my daughters specifically asked that either. The statement speaks for itself. Your admissions counselor knows to record or note such.
@WWWard thank you so much for your help! Do you happen to remember how long your daughters essays were
Thanks for your recollections. We’re heading down with our D on 2/14. Looking forward to fun and school spirit.
@CalDadCA have a great time! USC does a great job with the event. I also enjoy grabbing a coffee and just hanging out in the village.
@magbertus01 you’re welcome. Their applications essays were as long as possible… within a word or two of the max allowed.
Do I have a shot at getting into USC Marshall (even for spring)
My Stats:
ACT: 29
UW GPA: 3.83
AP: Psychology, World History, Physics 1, APUSH, Lang, Environmental Science, Statistics, Gov
Extracurriculars:
Guitar (9 years)
Nordstrom Sales Associate (1 year)
Nordstrom Fashion Ambassador (2 years)
Cooking for the Homeless Board Member (3 years)
Sewing Teacher (1 year)
Internship at Apparel Development Company (over the summer)
Service Trip to Fiji (over the summer)
Varsity Cheerleading (2.5 years)
Essays:
I believe my essays are very strong. My main essay talks about how passionate I am in business because of my dad’s career and living in New York City, and how I took his guidance to develop my own interest.
My USC Major one talks about going to Shanghai for a business trip where I got to learn more about international business and visit factories, etc. I also did research on business programs and included that in this essay.
For the option one, I chose something essential to understanding me. I talked about how I have an ability to make important connections no matter where I am. This talks about moving around as a child and each place I went I tried something new. I think this shows how different I am than others.
Overall: My stats are very weak for USC Marshall program. I feel I have strong extracurriculars, rec letters, and my essays are my strongsuit. Maybe the holistic review will see how passionate business is to me? Just wondering if I have any chance at all due to low stats.
Is everyone supposed to have heard back from USC by this time? I submitted my application before the 12/1 scholarship deadline and still have not heard back, even though a friend of mine has heard back. When will I get my response?
Most will hear by late March.
If you did not get a scholarship package, then you will hear the week of March 20th.
@WWWard thank you I think I was unclear though I meant how long were your daughters letters stating that usc is their top choice.
If it is more than a short paragraph it is too long. To the point, it is not another essay. You already answered “Why USC” in your essays. Telling them it is your absolute #1 choice and you will attend if admitted doens’t take that many words or a lengthy justification.
They are busy.
Just found out that this year, all freshman decisions will be mailed on March 21st, trustee/presidential scholarships decisions will be mailed on the 22nd and all the other freshman scholarship awards will be mailed on the 26th. Financial aid should be released very soon after that. So only about seven weeks left to wait. Good luck everyone!
@magbertus01 Their final emails to Admissions were very short. As stated above ^^^. In its entirety, they were maybe only 2-3 sentences. Keep it short and to the point.
I’m painfully aware of how elitist this sounds but I just wrapped up my semester and received two A-s this semester in AP classes. At my school an A- in an AP class is still considered a 4.0 but I was wondering how USC considers this when they recalculate GPAs. Is an A- still considered a 3.7 regardless of class rigor? I know schools like UMich and the UCs drop the plus/minus entirely.
Hey all, I’m a current trojan for '22. Just visiting cc on behalf of some friends for info and decided to stop by.
I am going to say a few things, and the points are all based on the experience I had with myself and my peers. Feel free to shoot any questions 
First and foremost, I am pretty sure this has been mentioned before but this whole process will surprise many of you- for better or for worse. Some of you will get in with what you think are “bad” GPAs and SAT/ACT scores (but in reality are still decent for USC). And some of you will still be rejected despite having 1500+ SAT scores and 4.0 UW GPAs and president/founder of multiple clubs (which I understand is incredibly frustrating, but it is a reality). For instance, my school always has had really low amounts of acceptances from USC compared to other top institutions, and last semester I was fortunate enough to be the only one who got accepted for '22. I was picked with my 3.78 UW GPA over other applicants from my school with 4.0UW and 1500+ SAT scores (although I would say the rest of my app was strong). Additionally, I got a C and 2 Bs (out of 6 grades) first semester of senior year due to a health issue. (So it’s not the end of the world if you did not get straight As this past semester.)
This is also a recurring theme among the people I meet. When I have discussions with the friends I have here I see some with amazing stats and extracurriculars but also some with imperfect GPAs that are in the range of my own. Some were president of three clubs at once because they were passionate about them and others focused their time on a sport or smaller org. Some have amazing awards, many do not. But we were all seen as great fits for USC by the admissions committee.
Why am I stating all of this? I feel that so many people get consumed the idea of selective universities being total meritocracies of some sort. The anxiety of the average applicant is understandable by all means. But if you got that B+ instead of an A- in that one course in that one semester, or if you have a 3.85Gpa instead of a 4.0, quit beating yourself up :). Does it take a great application to be a Trojan? Yes. Do you generally need to be a well-rounded student with a compelling reason to gain admission? Yes. Does it help to have great stats and leadership positions/awards? Of course. Do you need to strictly be as close to perfect as possible across academics, extracurricular activities, and personality? No.
USC is an amazing place to be. And I hope all of those who get in will give it serious consideration. But for now, take a breath. You will be better for it.
Fight On!
@s0meUSCkid95 Thanks for the info on mailing dates for decisions on scholarships. Will the portals be updated to reflect the scholarship results also and if so, when will they be updated, before, on, or after the mailing dates? Thanks to anyone who might have info regarding this!
Portal updates after mailing except for scholarship recipients who rely on portal update first for results of their interviews. Last couple years those came out earlier than the regular decisions were mailed.