<p>I went through a CBSE high school. While not as internationally recognized as the IB or not as supposedly tough as the ICSE board, CBSE is supposed to be quite demanding and intense.</p>
<p>Class 10/Sophomore Year - 95.4%
1. English - 91
2. Sanskrit - 99
3. Math - 98
4. Science - 95
5. Social Sciences - 94</p>
<p>Class 12/Senior Year - 87.4%
1. English - 95
2. Computer Science - 95
3. Math - 86
4. Chemistry - 84
5. Physics - 77</p>
<p>SAT Reasoning Test - 2280/2400
1. Math - 780/800
2. Critical Reading - 770/800
3. Writing - 730/800</p>
<p>SAT Subject Tests - English Lit: 760/800 and Math (Level 2): 790/800</p>
<p>TOEFL - 120/120</p>
<p>Extra-curricular activities:</p>
<ol>
<li>A total of 4 first prizes in debate/extempore/speech events in high school.</li>
<li>Participated in the school's Table Tennis and Soccer teams. Have certificates.</li>
<li>Very, VERY highly ranked in two international-level Olympiads (by a privately-run organization, though.)</li>
<li>Doing a writing internship with AOL India at the moment. Will be doing it for some time.</li>
<li>Am teaching street kids in an organization. Will have logged in 50hrs by the time applications are due.</li>
</ol>
<p>I wish to apply to the Critical Studies or Screenwriting program in the SCA by the way. But I don't have much to show in my portfolio and am doubtful about the quality of supplemental materials I'll be able to produce. Moreover, I've always been intrigued by pursuing Communication too, so I may apply to Annenberg for that.</p>
<p>Your stats and grades are great and definitely in range. However, you said you are applying to SCA and you know that your portfolio is weak. SCA admission is impacted on your supplement portfolio materials so if you know yourself that you are weak in that department you will probably not get in if you apply to SCA. My advice is to apply to Annenberg or somewhere that you know you don’t have a weak background unless SCA is a MUST and you’re number 1 priority, but it didn’t really look to be your only option based on what you posted. I say you’re good to go stat wise, just don’t apply to a department that requires supplemental material where you know yourself you are weak at if you want a good chance at getting into USC. Good luck though, your stats are nice.</p>
<p>Huh? I am confused by your reporting of your grades. You have two years of scores. Shouldn’t you be reporting more? How do you have senior year grades already? Are you taking a gap year?</p>
<p>I couldn’t say that you have a good chance without knowing more. I can’t tell whether your grades are in range or not. Your test scores are in range, though.</p>
<p>Just to clarify, my post was mainly in reference to his standardized test scores mostly. Sorry for not being specific about that in my earlier post.</p>
<p>@g0ld3n - I totally agree with what you’re saying. My portfolio for any SCA program will be quite sketchy and it’s unpredictable how I’ll do. Moreover, I’ve been thinking about it, reading into and asking people around. I’ve decided that restricting myself to film at this stage isn’t really best for me. I have shortlisted three USC undergrad programs I’m considering right now.</p>
<p>(a) Communication (BA)
(b) English with an emphasis on Creative Writing (BA)
(c) Narrative Studies (BA)</p>
<p>How does that change the chances? As far as I’m aware, these programs don’t have supplemental requirements.</p>
<p>@camomof3 - I already have senior year grades because I graduated from high school in May 2011. I am taking a gap year right now. I am spending it doing this AOL internship, volunteering at an organization to help teach underprivileged kids and gain independence - I moved away from my parents to live alone in a different city. This was kind of an acid test they had set in order to assure themselves that I could live by myself. Plus, I occupied myself with some good things so it’s working out well so far.</p>
<p>I only reported two years worth of scores because in the Indian system, they are the ones that are important. The exams in these years are taken by the Board, whereas the ones in Freshman and Junior Year are taken by the school. Just for the record, I got something in the 80s in 9th (don’t really remember well - will get back to you)and 78.4% in Junior Year.</p>
<p>If you apply to those 3 majors you listed instead of SCA I personally think that would change the chances of admission a significant bit in your favor.</p>
<p>Contrary to other posters, if you write well, I think you can get into the Critical Studies program.</p>
<p>Critical Studies doesn’t require a creative portfolio, but rather a portfolio that shows you can can write in an academic setting and how you can talk about film. (I think you have to write one film review?)</p>
<p>Either way, if you don’t have a strong creative writing background and lots of stories/poems/scripts to your name (it doesn’t appear that you do from your post), you shouldn’t apply to screenwriting as you’ll be at a disadvantage against other applicants.</p>
<p>I REALLY recommend you apply to critical studies if you want to enter the film school. You will still have to take production and screenwriting classes, but the program allows for more academic freedom and creativity than screenwriting does. You can double major as a critical studies student, so you’ll be able to study film, get writing/production training and major in another academic subject you enjoy! It’s a win-win situation.</p>
<p>Here are the critical studies portfolio requirements; I think you can probably pull it off if you’re serious about film! It’s a great program.</p>
<p>Yeah, the Critical Studies major is the one which looks like the easiest one for me to apply to. Moreover, I’m more of a critic than a director or actor, so it’s not like this stream is a hand-me-down for me. In fact, if I get to do a concentration/an emphasis/a minor in something else like English, Creative Writing, Communication or film itself - it’d be a dream package.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for reminding me of this. I was looking into it earlier but it just went into the back of the drawer for some reason.</p>