I’m a junior and I’m thinking about applying to USC (Marshall), but I would like to understand my chances of getting in better before spending the money.
GPA: 3.84 (unweighted) Top 8% of the class
ACT: 30
EC: Vice President of DECA (competed at the international level), NHS member, Link Crew Leader, Varsity Track Runner and Cross Country (did both for four years), Nordic Ski, and have been working since I was 14 (about 20 hours a week junior year).
In terms of getting “Chanced” for USC, it is virtually impossible for others to predict what may or may not occur in your specific case. With an admit rate now below 13% and falling, and with 4K+ applicants with 4.0 unweighted GPAs and test scores in the 99th percentile among those not gaining admission, your success will instead likely depend on too many potential factors for anyone to correctly evaluate… making predicting admission nearly impossible.
Instead… it will likely come down to a composite and holistic analysis of your stats coupled with writing ability / essays, ECs, potential leadership roles, potential other unique qualifiers (URM, First Gen, geography, demographics, etc.), your Why USC? explanation/reasoning, etc.
I suggest possibly reading an excellent thread on the topic from the beginning…
Moreover, it may be best to just read through the following very helpful insider’s guide to USC admissions…
https://tfm.usc.edu/a-guide-to-uscs-college-admissions-process/
Good Luck…
Your ACT is a bit below the 25th percentile of admitted students which, barring any major hook, could make USC a tough admit for you. http://admission.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/Freshman-Profile-2019.pdf
It is always fine to give a few reach schools a try, but also work to develop a list that includes safety and match school that appear affordable (run net price calculator) and that you would be excited to attend.