What are my chances of being accepted to USC Viterbi for Computer Science and Engineering?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Currently a rising sophomore studying at Santa Clara University's School of Engineering as a computer science and engineering major; seeking to transfer to USC Viterbi School of Engineering for computer science and engineering beginning Fall 2015. Based on my stats and skills/experience, what are my chances of acceptance?</p>

<p>College transcript:
Current Cumulative GPA: 3.762
Total no. of testing credits transferred from High School (AP + IB Diploma): 34.00
Total no. of units completed in college during freshman year: 58.00
Total no. of units completed (test credits + freshman year): 92.00
Predicted no. of units to be completed sophomore year: 55.00
Predicted total no. of units to be completed by time of transfer: 147.00
(Units are based on quarter system)
Overview of coursework (lecture + lab):
Math: completed Multivariable calc (A), differential equations (B+), and discrete math (B+); this year taking applied prob and stat and linear algebra,
Computer science and engineering: completed intro to programming (A), intro to engineering (A), advanced programming in C (A), and data structures (B); this year taking logic design, advanced data structures, embedded systems, and electric circuits
Sciences: completed Biotech (A), Physics-Mechanics up to E&M (calc-based) (A); this year taking Physics-E&M</p>

<p>High School Transcript:
Final weighted GPA: 4.49
Graduated as class salutatorian
Overview of IB Diploma + AP coursework:
IB Diploma: Math HL (6), Physics HL (7), Bio HL (5), English A1 HL (6), Spanish SL (7), History SL (20th Century) (5); total score of 37/45
AP: European History (4)</p>

<p>Standardized Testing:
ACT: Composite 29, Math 32, English 29, Reading 27
SAT II: Math Level 2 770, Physics 690</p>

<p>Skills and Experience:
Working this summer as iOS developer for mobile app startup
Fluent in C, Objective-C, and PHP
Comfortable with Python, Java, C++; learning Swift
Participated in several hackathons last year developing iOS apps, most notably LA Hacks 2014
Competed in FTC FIRST Robotics Tech Challenge in high school
Developed multi-touch interactive surface project in high school Applied Sciences Class; won Special Award presented by U.S. Army at Lawrence Livermore Tri-Valley Science and Engineering Fair
Accepted to and completed COSMOS "Computers in Everyday Life" cluster for summer 2011</p>

2

<p>Why transfer??? It would be one thing to try and transfer to Stanford or UCBerkeley (which would be pretty impossible) but transferring to USC for CS/engineering makes absolutely no sense especially if you want to work in the Silicon Valley…getting a USC degree will not give you any edge in Silicon Valley…</p>

<p>…outside of Stanford and Berkeley…most of the Silicon Valley tech companies recruit from local institutions like Santa Clara…</p>

3

<p>USC Viterbi features world class research facilities and projects (specializing in computer architecture, parallel processing, etc.) which I am interested in and can’t be found at SCU. There seem to be more opportunities at Viterbi to become involved in my field and build a stronger resume, which would aid me in applying to graduate school. Plus, my friends who have applied to Viterbi tell me the school has excellent connections and a strong alumni network across the country, especially in the Bay Area’s Silicon Valley. For about the same tuition (+/- $2000), it seems like Viterbi offers a better value of undergraduate education for computer science and engineering than SCU does. Furthermore, in terms of finding a job, wouldn’t the greater “edge” be given to the candidate with the stronger resume and experience over the geographic location of his or her school? </p>