<p>I am a freshman at a very good private university in Texas and just got my 1st semester grades back (a 3.1)...definitely not what I had hoped for. I do not like the school I am currently at and have always wanted to go to USC, yet did not get in out of high school (I went to a very good private high school in California). I received my rejection letter, which however specified that I was part of a select group of students that they wished to eventually come to USC, and that I should look to transfer. So, I met with a transfer counselor and we went over the classes/grades I should get so that I might be able to transfer sophomore year from my current to college to USC. However, I had a pretty rough 1st semester and did not do very well, and thus am going to go to a community college my second semester. I am wondering if I should even bother applying to USC as a sophomore with my 1st semester grades. I read that if applying as a sophomore they still largely look at high school record, b/c the lack of college units. My highschool record is pretty good (a 3.8 GPA overall) even though I did not get accepted to USC. The only thing I really have going for me is that after I got rejected from USC, I got my senior AP scores back and I got 5's on AP Calc AB, and both AP Econs, which I am very proud of. Because of these scores, I took very high level business courses (largely sophomore and junior classes) at my current university, which were very tough. Do you think that USC will see this and perhaps overlook my low GPA? Any comments would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Hey! Well, I am a transfer student and transferred from a community college to USC in one year. You read right, they do look at HS record primarily as well as college record to make a decision for first year transfers. Your AP scores and 3.8 GPA does help, in my opinion, with that 1st college semester GPA. They will also take into consideration SAT/ACT scores. Also keep in mind that the rigor in college college coursework is also noted. </p>
<p>I was also apart of that selected group of student and I did what they told me to do (and beyond) and was accepted. </p>
<p>As for looking over that 1st semester grades, I honestly don’t think they will. I don’t think you will be flat out rejected though either. The average GPA for transfers is 3.7. USC is big on upward trends. If you can make those spring grades spectacular, then I think you have a solid chance. </p>
<p>Last thing, GET INVOLVED!! You possibly being involved in multiple clubs or maybe a lot of community services will make you well rounded and slightly more competitive.</p>
<p>What are the chances of a 3.4 from a 4 year university? Good essays, good 3.9 HS GPA but not the hardest schedule.</p>
<p>That GPA is real low, Especially at the university level. Plus whether you are a first year or not, HS GPA will not matter, but it’s good for a first yea transfer. Also how many units that are transferable. With that 3.4, good ECs would help a lot an a solid essay. Your spring grades new to be on point though. Try and focus on rigorous classes and upward trends for your grades in the spring. I would honestly aim for a 4,0</p>
<p>Thanks! I am a freshman so that was my first semester GPA. I’m definitely aiming for a 4.0 next semester. I read that in some cases USC asks for a second semester grade report. I’m sure if I had any chance at getting in they would ask for that. Do you know at what point they send those out?</p>
<p>@katie9</p>
<p>Those are called spring grade requests (SGR). Those are sent out between late April and early June, depending on when you get all of your information in for admissions to evaluate your application. I did not get my SGR until June 4, because they wanted to see my HS transcript. And that took a while. Some people got theirs in late April and got accepted I may. I did not get accepted until July 16th. Get in everything on time, then you will hear from them earlier. It has also been said that people they accept for upcoming spring find out mostly in the later June early July.</p>